What the papers say: 'Up and down, back and to'

The Kölnische Rundschau commented: "Three days after the final games in the Europa League, the pros of both clubs showed no signs of tiredness and produced a fast-paced and exciting game with plenty of chances. … Leverkusen did not sit back but instead sought to play on the front foot. … After half-time, the match retained its high level and tempo although the hosts posed more of a threat."

The Frankfurter Allgemeine wrote: "The second Sunday match in the Bundesliga between Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayer 04 Leverkusen promised to be an action-packed spectacle before the game and the protagonists lived up to the challenge. It went up and down, back and to and sometimes off course between the team in fifth spot and the side in eleventh place as yet failing to meet expectations. In the end, Eintracht were the livelier of two determined teams and deserved to win 2-1. The Frankfurt passion  overcame the too rarely evident brilliant technique of the Rhinelanders."

The Rheinische Post raves about a "high-level encounter" And "a game full of tempo, dynamism and goal threat. … That's what the Bundesliga can be like when both teams want to play football."

The Kölner Stadt Anzeiger reports: "The evident talent in the Werkself squad initially created chances but they were not clinical enough.. … At half-time, Frankfurt were on top in terms of possession, challenges, completed passes and chances. That superiority became even clearer after the break. The Werkself showed much of their talent but at crucial moments were unable to overcome the strength of the team who obviously wanted victory more than they did."

The football Journal Kicker came to the following conclusion: "Leverkusen initially tried to pose a threat on the counter. But Frankfurt either ended the attacks with fouls (as with Willems/3' and Ndicka/29', both times on Havertz) or Trapp saved brilliantly (including twice from Brandt/15', 18'). While the visitors created more chances in a knee-jerk style, the Eintracht game looked more mature. … Before the break the game was dominated by early pressing and power. Bayer became more passive in the second half. They did not succeed in tempting Eintracht. … Bayer were too solid in defence and erratic in attack. Frankfurt deserved the three points due to their greater structure and maturity."

The Bild writes about the physical approach of the hosts: "But it hurts playing against Frankfurt. The midfielder Jetro Willems was lucky when he caught Bayer's Havertz on the ankle (3') - and was only shown a yellow. Relief also for striker Ante Rebic when he slid five metres into Hradecky - and wasn't booked (17'). Referee Dr. Felix Brych showed six yellow cards to Frankfurt players."