Eintracht Frankfurt Secures 3-2 Victory to Stay Top of the Table

Photo credit: Eintracht Frankfurt

On Friday evening, league leaders Eintracht Frankfurt faced third-placed Bayer 04 Leverkusen, who were level on points. In a fiercely contested match, Frankfurt secured a narrow 3-2 victory after 90 intense minutes, extending their lead at the top of the table.

Lineups and Tactics

Niko Arnautis' team lined up in their usual 4-3-2-1 formation. The midfield diamond, featuring Lisanne Gräwen, Tanja Pawollek, and Elisa Senß, with top scorer Laura Freigang in the number ten role, created a compact center. Freigang acted as the key playmaker, linking the midfield with forwards Géraldine Reuteler and Nicole Anyomi, while full-backs Nina Lührßen and Pia Wolter contributed both defensively and offensively.

Leverkusen opted for a more defensive 4-4-2 formation, aiming to double up on Frankfurt’s dangerous attackers, Nicole Anyomi and Géraldine Reuteler. This setup also allowed for flexible wing play, with full-backs Janou Levels and Estrella Gonzalez supporting wingers Kristin Kögel and Bayern loanee Karólína Vilhjálmsdóttir. Up front, strikers Cornelia Kramer and Caroline Kehrer provided target options, while a double defensive line ensured stability when pressing high.

First Half

Frankfurt started stronger and created two big chances through Laura Freigang in the first ten minutes. However, Leverkusen gradually gained control, defended well, and posed their own attacking threats, putting Frankfurt under increasing pressure.

Despite this, it was Frankfurt who broke the deadlock in the 24st minute. A precise pass through Leverkusen’s defensive line found Nicole Anyomi, who started from a potentially offside position. Leverkusen’s goalkeeper, Charlotte Voll, brought down the German international inside the box, leading to a penalty. Sara Doorsoun confidently converted the spot-kick, placing the ball into the bottom left corner.

Leverkusen remained undeterred and continued to press high. Their persistence paid off in the 34th minute when Karólína Vilhjálmsdóttir won the ball in midfield, immediately switched to attack, and fired a long-range shot into the top corner, leveling the score.

Frankfurt’s defense showed signs of insecurity, allowing Leverkusen two more clear-cut chances, which went unconverted. However, Frankfurt proved clinical. A Leverkusen turnover in midfield led to a fast counterattack through Géraldine Reuteler and Nicole Anyomi, who restored Frankfurt’s lead in the 36th minute, making it 2-1.

Second Half

After the break, both teams played on equal terms. In the 49th minute, Leverkusen found another equalizer. Following a deflected corner, the ball landed with Katharina Piljić, who slotted it home from the center of the box.

Frankfurt responded almost immediately. Just two minutes later, Leverkusen lost possession in midfield again. Elisa Senß quickly capitalized, sending a precise pass to Géraldine Reuteler, who calmly finished in the 51st minute to make it 3-2.

Both teams continued to create chances. In the 56th minute, Leverkusen goalkeeper Charlotte Voll made an outstanding save to deny Laura Freigang from extending the lead.

Leverkusen made a double substitution in the 60th minute, bringing on Delive Boboy and Ruby Grant for Karólína Vilhjálmsdóttir and Caroline Kehrer. Boboy added fresh energy to Leverkusen’s attack and created several promising opportunities.

Frankfurt responded with their own substitutions in the 75th minute, as Lara Prašnikar and Carlotta Wamser replaced Laura Freigang and Nicole Anyomi. Leverkusen later introduced Juliette Vidal and Shen Menglu (77th minute) and Emilie Bragstad (86th minute), while Frankfurt brought on Remina Chiba (86th minute) and Jella Veit (89th minute).

Statistics and Conclusion

The match remained closely contested, as reflected in the possession stats: Frankfurt had a slight edge with 52%, compared to Leverkusen’s 48%. Frankfurt registered six shots on target, while Leverkusen managed four. In total attempts, however, Leverkusen had more with 18, whereas Frankfurt recorded 10.

A decisive factor in Frankfurt’s victory was their dominance in duels, winning 89% of them compared to Leverkusen’s 70%. In the end, Frankfurt’s superior efficiency in front of goal and defensive resilience secured a hard-fought 3-2 win, allowing them to maintain their lead at the top of the table.