Werkself review #SGEB04: Numbers game of strengths

SUMMARY: PRECISION IN PERFECTION

Eintracht Frankfurt were only able to compete with the Werkself during the opening phase of the top match. With the first chances for Patrik Schick (5'/15'), the Black and Reds initially lacked precision, which the Leverkusen players then produced perfectly with the game decided within seven minutes. From a great pass by Granit Xhaka, Nathan Tella opened the scoring with a targeted low shot from the edge of the box (26’) before Nordi Mukiele converted from close range in a crowded six-yard box from an Aleix Garcia corner to make it 2-0 to Bayer 04 (29’). The outstanding Xhaka was again the initiator soon after when he put Alejandro Grimaldo through to play the ball back into the penalty area for Patrik Schick to score at 3-0 (33'). Eintracht Frankfurt pulled a goal back with Hugo Ekitiké exploiting an underhit pass from Mukiele (37') and that gave them a boost at the start of the second half but it was all over for the hosts when Garcia hit an excellent effort into the net to make it 4-1 (62'). HERE is the match report.

REACTION: "JUST TOO GOOD"

There was a brilliant mood amongst the Leverkusen group. "I'm very happy above all with the way we played in the first 35 minutes with high tempo and pressing the opposition," said Xabi Alonso at the post-match press conference and he added in response to a question on the forthcoming clash in Munich in the UCL: "This win is the best preparation for us for the Champions League on Wednesday." Nathan Tella, with a broad grin, said: "I was happy to get the win but obviously to score is also nice." Patrik Schick talked about a "very strong performance and an almost perfect first half" and Aleix Garcia happily added: "It doesn't matter where we play, whichever stadium, we had to do our job and we did it perfectly."

The opponents also paid tribute to the Werkself. "We lost to an absolutely top team, they were incredibly effective, ambitious with a lot of planning behind it. Leverkusen were one or two levels stronger and they played a very mature and calm football and perhaps we can also learn from that," said Eintracht Frankfurt keeper and captain Kevin Trapp. And the Eagles coach Dino Toppmöller provided a pithy assessment: "We could discuss it for another two hours but the fact is: Leverkusen were simply too good."

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY: "COULDN'T BE MORE OF A LEADER"

"Vital momentum for the game against Bayern. Leverkusen win 4-1 in Frankfurt sending out a clear statement to Munich four days ahead of the Champions League clash," reported the Bild am Sonntag. Kicker assessed the game at the Deutsche Bank Park as follows: "The top game became a one-sided affair." The Rheinische Post named Granit Xhaka as the Man of the Match: "He not only set the pace but was also active in attack and dedicated himself to careful attacking play. He set up the opening goal with a brilliant pass and also provided the assist at 3-0." And the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger awarded top marks to the Swiss maestro in the Werkself midfield: "Couldn't be more of a leader. Outstanding passed to Tella at 1-0. Brilliant assist for Grimaldo at 3-0. Even more fantastic was his dummy shortly before that."

PERSONNEL: SCHICK IN EUROPE'S TOP THREE

The outstanding form of Granit Xhaka is reflected in these numbers: The assist for the opening goal from Nathan Tella was the seventh by the 32-year-old in the current Bundesliga campaign and that means he has provided twice as many assists in 24 games as he did in his first 141 Bundesliga appearances put together (three). The numbers game is also impressive with Patrik Schick: The Czechia international scored goal number 16 in the Bundesliga putting him in second place behind Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane (21). He has scored all 16 goals since matchday 10 at the start of November last year with only Mohamed Salah (Liverpool/19) and Alexander Isak (Newcastle United/17) more prolific over that period in the top five European leagues. The Bundesliga match reports also included a new name with the Werkself: Alejo Sarco was in the Werkself squad for the first time in Frankfurt. The 19-year-old Argentinian signed for Bayer 04 at the start of the year from champions CA Vélez Sarsfield.

STATS: IMPRESSIVE NUMBERS

Bayer 04 dominated Eintracht in almost every aspect: 20 shots on goal to 7, 60% possession, the upper hand in pass completion with 85.3% compared to 79.1% for Eintracht. The hosts only had a slight advantage in terms of duels won (50.6%). No less impressive are the top numbers for Leverkusen with the run of unbeaten away games extended to 29. FC Bayern have the record with 33 games without defeat on the road. Bayer 04 are having the second best season in the club's history since 2023/24 with 53 points from 24 games and there has only been one defeat in 58 Bundesliga matches including last seasons fixtures.

OUTLOOK: BIG STAGE IN THE UCL

After a deserved day off for the Werkself players on Sunday, focus will turn completely to the exciting clash of the two best German teams in the Champions League: Bayer 04 are away to Bayern Munich in the first leg in the Round of 16 on Wednesday, 5 March. The match at the Allianz Arena kicks off at 21:00 CET. That is followed three days later (Saturday, 8 March) by Bundesliga Matchday 25 with the game against Werder Bremen at the BayArena (kick-off: 15:30 CET).