Bayer Leverkusen showcased their formidable form with a commanding 5-1 away triumph over Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga on Sunday.
Despite Manager Xabi Alonso serving a touchline ban, Leverkusen’s heavily rotated squad delivered an emphatic performance, extending their unbeaten streak and solidifying their position at the top of the table.
Alonso, praising his team’s consistency throughout the season, emphasized their relentless pursuit of improvement. Leverkusen’s victory leaves them comfortably positioned at the summit with 84 points, while Frankfurt currently occupies sixth place with 45 points. Remarkably, Leverkusen’s unbeaten run now stands at 48 matches across all competitions, matching Benfica’s 59-year-old European football record since the inception of UEFA club competitions.
Goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky also etched his name into Bundesliga history by setting a record for the most appearances in goal by a non-German player. Reflecting on the significance of the victory, Hradecky expressed his delight at breaking a five-year “curse” of winning at Frankfurt.
Leverkusen seized control early in the match with Granit Xhaka’s sublime strike from outside the box in the 12th minute. However, Frankfurt swiftly responded, equalizing through Hugo Ekitike’s well-timed header in the 32nd minute.
Despite Frankfurt’s brief resurgence, Bayer Leverkusen reclaimed the lead just before halftime with Patrick Schick’s towering header. Leverkusen further extended their advantage in the 58th minute when Exequiel Palacios converted a penalty after Niels Nkounkou’s foul on Nathan Tella.
Jeremie Frimpong added a fourth for Leverkusen in the 77th minute, tapping in from close range, before Victor Boniface sealed the victory with a penalty a minute before full time.
Leverkusen’s triumph not only reinforces their Bundesliga title aspirations but also underscores their European ambitions. With crucial matches on the horizon, including the Europa League semifinal second leg against Roma and the German Cup final against Kaiserslautern, Alonso remains focused on achieving success across all competitions.
Alonso acknowledged the challenges ahead but remained optimistic about Leverkusen’s prospects, highlighting the importance of staying focused and preparing for the upcoming fixtures.
As Leverkusen continues their pursuit of silverware on multiple fronts, their relentless pursuit of excellence positions them as formidable contenders in both domestic and European competitions.
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