Leverkusen out to stay perfect in Frankfurt

Bayer Leverkusen drew level with Benfica's record 48-game unbeaten run in all competitions, including European tournaments, as they defeated Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1 at the Deutsche Bank Park.

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Eintracht Frankfurt 1-5 Bayer LeverkusenGoals: 0-1 Xhaka 12', 1-1 Ekitiké 32' (assist: Chaïbi), 1-2 Schick 44' (assist: Hložek), 1-3 Palacios (pen. 58'), 1-4 Frimpong 77' (assist: Hofmann), 1-5 Boniface (pen. 89')

Leverkusen continued their quest for a historic treble with a 2-0 victory away at Roma in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League semi-final. With the return fixture on his mind, Xabi Alonso again rotated his side, making eight changes, but Die Werkself started well and took the lead inside the opening quarter-hour. Granit Xhaka, one of the three players to start against both the Giallorossi and Die Adler, curled a delicious first-time strike into the far corner. Frankfurt, though, responded well, and after Jonas Hofmann had a shot saved, Huge Ekitiké headed Farès Chaïbi's pinpoint cross into the corner to restore parity. The hosts were buoyed by that strike and should have been in front at the break - Omar Marmoush was the main culprit, slashing an effort over the bar when in acres of space and one-on-one with Lukáš Hrádecký. Instead, Leverkusen went into the interval with their noses in front, as Patrik Schick nodded Adam Hložek's cross home despite Kevin Trapp's best efforts.

After the break, Chaïbi drove an effort over the crossbar before the visitors extended their advantage. Although Nathan Tella was running away from goal, Niels Nkounkou pulled the winger down, leaving referee Christian Dingert with little choice but to point to the penalty spot. From 12 yards, Exequiel Palacios remained as calm as ever, sending Trapp the wrong way as he stroked into the bottom corner. Having already left Alejandro Grimaldo and Florian Wirtz at home as he looked to keep their legs fresh, Alonso introduced Victor Boniface, Piero Hincapié and Jeremie Frimpong to consolidate his side's position. The latter was the next goalscorer, finishing off a lightning-quick move as he slotted home, while Boniface completed the scoring with another penalty after Ansgar Knauff felled Frimpong late on. Ultimately, Leverkusen prepared for Roma's visit in stunning style, while Frankfurt were unable to secure sixth spot. Still, they will still do so if they beat Borussia Mönchengladbach or RB Leipzig in one of their final two fixtures. Sixth may also be enough to see them compete in the UEFA Champions League, if Borussia Dortmund finish fifth and win this season's edition.

Watch: Xabi Alonso targets unbeaten season

Match stats

• This was only Frankfurt's second defeat in their previous 26 Bundesliga matches on home turf.
• After failing to score in any of his first nine Bundesliga matches, Ekitiké has now found the back of the net in each of his last three.
• Frankfurt have won just one of their last seven league games.
• Arthur was making his first-ever start for Leverkusen after having signed in the summer of 2023.
• Leverkusen are the first team in Bundesliga history to go unbeaten through the first 32 matches of a season.
• The champions have now scored 82 goals in the German top flight this term, which sees them equal the club record set during the 2021/22 term.

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Teams

Frankfurt: Trapp (c) - Tuta, Koch, Pacho, Nkounkou (Knauff 70') - Dina Ebimbe (Buta 80'), Götze, Skhiri (Larsson 70'), Chaïbi (Bahoya 80') - Marmoush, Ekitiké (Ferri 80')Unused subs: Grahl,Smolčić, Max, ChandlerOut: Kalajdžić (knee), Loune (knee), Nacho (ankle), Rode (knee)Coach: Dino Toppmöller

Leverkusen: Hrádecký (c) - Kossounou, Andrich (Puerta 83'), Tapsoba - Tella (Frimpong 72'), Xhaka, Palacios, Arthur (Hincapié 61') - Hofmann, Hložek - Schick (Boniface 61')Unused subs: Kovář, Stanišić, Tah, Iglesias, AdliOut: Grimaldo (rested), Wirtz (rested)Coach: Xabi Alonso