Bayer Leverkusen battled against the odds on Friday night, overcoming two red cards to secure a dramatic 3–1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga. Spanish full-back Alejandro Grimaldo was the hero, scoring twice from set-pieces to seal an emotional first victory of the season under new coach Kasper Hjulmand.
Hjulmand’s Winning Start
The match marked the debut of Danish coach Kasper Hjulmand, who took over earlier this week following the dismissal of Erik ten Hag. After a disappointing start to the campaign, Leverkusen looked revitalized, dictating the first half with high intensity and sharp attacking play.
Grimaldo opened the scoring with a thunderous 25-metre free kick that flew into the top corner, sending the BayArena crowd into raptures. The Spaniard’s early strike set the tone, and while Frankfurt entered the contest with an unbeaten run of eight matches stretching back to last season, they found themselves chasing the game.
First-Half Control, Second-Half Drama
Before the break, Leverkusen had chances to extend their lead as Nathan Tella and Patrik Schick tested Frankfurt’s backline. Deep into first-half stoppage time, Schick converted a penalty after Tella was brought down inside the box, giving the hosts a comfortable 2–0 lead at halftime.
The second half, however, turned chaotic. Eintracht pulled one back through Can Uzun’s well-taken volley just after the restart. Then, in the 59th minute, Leverkusen captain Robert Andrich was sent off for a second bookable offense, swinging the momentum toward the visitors.
As tensions rose, Leverkusen were reduced to nine men when Ezequiel Fernández picked up a second yellow card in the closing minutes. With Frankfurt pressing hard for an equalizer, the home crowd feared the worst.
Grimaldo Seals It in Style
But Grimaldo had the final word. In stoppage time, the Spaniard curled another exquisite free kick past Michael Zetterer, restoring Leverkusen’s two-goal cushion and confirming a famous win despite their numerical disadvantage.
What It Means
The result hands Leverkusen their first three points of the Bundesliga season, reigniting belief as they prepare for their Champions League opener against FC Copenhagen next week. For Frankfurt, who face Galatasaray in Europe, the defeat ends their impressive unbeaten streak and raises questions about their consistency against top rivals.
Grimaldo’s match-winning brace not only showcased his dead-ball brilliance but also set the tone for the Hjulmand era, proving that this Leverkusen side may yet fight their way back into contention this season.
