Werkself review #SGEB04: ‘Ice cold’ for third win in a row

Summary: Clinical and calm

From the kick-off, the Werkself had the game and Frankfurt's strong attack under control, but did not threaten the Eintracht goal for a long time. However, on 26 minutes Arthur played a one-two with Alejandro Grimaldo into the penalty area from the right and scored the opener. Efficiency and control of the game continued to be the Black and Reds philosophy: Shortly after the only save by Janis Blaswich in the first half, Christian Kofane provided the assist for Malik Tillman to secure a 2-0 lead at half-time. The teams had barely emerged from the dressing rooms when Eintracht began a period of pressure that led to Robin Koch reducing the deficit (50') but that resurgence ended when Ellyes Skhiri was shown a second yellow card (70'). With the extra man, the Werkself were on the front foot again and Aleix Garcia sealed the win in added time (90+3’).

Vom Anpfiff weg hatte die Werkself das Spiel und die starke Frankfurter Offensive im Griff, kam allerdings auch lange selbst nicht gefährlich vor das SGE-Gehäuse. Nach 26 Minuten spielte sich dann aber Arthur per Doppelpass mit Alejandro Grimaldo über rechts mustergültig in den Strafraum und netzte zur Führung ein. Effizienz und Spielkontrolle blieben auch weiterhin die schwarz-rote Philosophie: Kurz nach der einzigen Parade von Janis Blaswich in Halbzeit eins traf Malik Tillman infolge einer Ablage von Christian Kofane zur 2:0-Pausenführung. Kaum waren die Teams wieder aus den Kabinen gekommen, da begann mit dem Anschlusstreffer von Robin Koch (50.) eine Drangperiode der Eintracht, die mit der Gelb-Roten Karte für Ellyes Skhiri (70.) wegen wiederholten Foulspiels vorerst ihr Ende fand. In Überzahl wurde die Werkself wieder angriffslustiger und entschied die Partie in Person von Aleix Garcia in der Nachspielzeit (90.+3).

• The match report
• Match highlights
• Full match

Reaction: "We played at a high level"

Coach Kasper Hjulmand was - in addition to the result - particularly pleased with his team's performance in the first half: "We played at a high level, had a lot of control and great flexibility." In the second half, however, his team were a little too passive and too defensive, the Dane continued. Despite all the self-criticism, however, a positive attitude is important to the 53-year-old: "Today we're happy with the result and large parts of our game, and then of course there are some things we can and will improve. But we can take a lot of positives from today."

First time goalscorer Arthur was also in a positive mood: "This means a lot to me. I've been working towards this moment for a long time," said the delighted Brazilian, who also netted his first goal in front of a special crowd: "It was really nice for me today because my family was here."

"It's about time I scored more often," joked Malik Tillman after his third goal in two games, but he emphasised his focus is always on the team's success. "We didn't start the year so well, but I think we're slowly finding our feet again. And every win obviously boosts our confidence," said the USA international. "Hopefully it continues like this."

• Post-match reaction 
• Post-match press conference

What the papers say: "Ice-cold conversion of chances"

"Bayer Leverkusen secured a 3-1 win at Eintracht Frankfurt thanks to the ice-cold conversion of chances in the first half," reported the kicker. According to Bild Zeitung, the Werkself "quickly turned up the heat" in the first half and "led by two goals at half-time", as the Rheinische Post added. The RP also saw an "in-form goalkeeper Blaswich", while the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger also praised other players and ran the following headline: "Kofane important, Grimaldo even more important."

Personnel: Milestones and firsts

The starting XI comeback for Edmond Tapsoba this year was also his 250th appearance in a Werkself jersey. But the centre-back was not the only player celebrating: Janis Blaswich was between the posts for the 50th time in the Bundesliga and he put in another impressive performance.

Arthur, who scored his first-ever goal to give Leverkusen the lead in his 36th Bundesliga match, also had reason to celebrate. A short time later, Christian Kofane provided the next first with his pass to Tillman to make it 2-0 - it was the Cameroonian's first assist in Germany’s top flight.

Goal machine Grimaldo’s opener at 1-0 was goal involvement number 17 in his 26 games this term. As a result, he has not only already surpassed his tally from the 48 games he played last season (16), but is currently averaging more than one and a half goals or assists per game.

Stats: Black and Red early starters

Bayer 04 have extended their longest winning run against a Bundesliga club with the 3-1 victory at Deutsche Bank Park. In each of the past seven matches against Eintracht, the Black and Reds have emerged victorious, scoring a total of 23 times. Incidentally, this means the 82nd meeting between these two teams did not end goalless and the 23rd consecutive visit of the Werkself to Frankfurt did not end in a draw.

In the first half in particular, Leverkusen were dominant and on target: With almost 72 per cent possession, Hjulmand's side scored first half goals 23 and 24 in this season: After 19 games, this tally puts them second behind Bayern Munich (30).

Coming up: Floodlit home match in the DFB Pokal

The Werkself continue their campaign in 2026 on Tuesday, 3 February (kick-off: 20:45 CET). The BayArena will welcome FC St. Pauli in the quarter-finals of the DFB Pokal. In the Bundesliga, Leverkusen face Borussia Mönchengladbach the following Saturday, 7 February, with the kick-off at 18:30 CET.