PLAYER RATINGS | Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 Hoffenheim | OneFootball

Bayer Leverkusen, despite going down to 10 men saw off Hoffenheim 3-1 to maintain the six-point gap to Bayern Munich at the top of the table.

The first half was a very comprehensive performance from Leverkusen as Hoffenheim were quite frankly, bad. Despite the drama surrounding his future, Victor Boniface opened the scoring with a well-taken effort in the 15th minute. Four minutes later, Leverkusen would double their lead when Jeremie Frimpong was played through and slotted past Luca Philipp. Die Werkself thought they had a chance to even add a third when Nathan Tella went down but after a VAR check and an announcement from a referee in the stadium over the decision, it was overturned.

Leverkusen’s performance in the second half was a lot different. Earlier on after a weaving run from new signing Emiliano Buendia, Patrik Schick made it 3-0 for the hosts. However, after the goal things began to go backwards for Leverkusen after Alejandro Grimaldo was sent off for a second yellow card. Hoffenheim gave themselves a lifeline in the 62nd minute when Gift Orban scored from the resultant free kick to make it 3-1 but their lack of quality up front showed as Lukas Hradecky and Leverkusen’s defence managed to hold on to secure the three points.

Despite going down to 10 men, this game was a step in the right direction for Leverkusen as previously, such as the Leipzig game, they went ahead but would get complacent and allowed the opponent to get back into the game. This didn’t happen today and Leverkusen have to make sure they continue this as the season goes on.

Both of Leverkusen’s new signings Buendia and Mario Hermoso both featured. The former was especially lively in his 26-minute cameo and looks like he will be a very good acquisition, however, he was hauled off for Hermoso after the red card.

Leverkusen now turn their attention to the DFB Pokal where they play 1.FC Köln in a Rhein Derby on Wednesday.

Bayer Leverkusen:

Lukas Hradecky (7), Edmond Tapsoba (6), Jonathan Tah (6), Piero Hincapié (6), Jeremie Frimpong (7), Granit Xhaka (5), Aleix Garcia (6), Alejandro Grimaldo (4), Nathan Tella (-), Florian Wirtz (6), Victor Boniface (6)

Others: Emilian Buendia (-), Patrik Schick (6), Mario Hermoso (5), Arthur (-), Exequiel Palacios (-)

Hoffenheim:

Luca Philipp (4), Arthur Chaves (4), Robin Hranac (5), Kevin Akpoguma (5), Marius Bulter (5), Finn Ole Becker (5), Dennis Geiger (5), David Jurasek (4), Adam Hlozek (5), Tom Bischof (5), Erencan Yardimci (5)

Others: Stanley Nsoki (5), Gift Orban (6), David Mokwa (5), Alexander Prass (-)

GGFN Man of the Match: Jeremie Frimpong (7)

Frimpong ran riot on the ride-hand side for much of the game as David Jurasek could not defend him at all. This was seen with his first goal. The 24-year-old even had the chance to score a second in the second half as he was once again left wide open but he tried to chip Hoffenheim’s keeper and failed.

GGFN | Jack Meenan