Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen started the Europa League season with a convincing win. Coach Xabi Alonso’s team won against the Swedish champions and cup winners BK Häcken 4-0 (2-0) and thus underlined their position as favorites in Group H. National players Florian Wirtz (10th) and Amine Adli (16th) brought the semi-finalists Early on in the previous season, Victor Boniface (66th) and Jonas Hofmann (70th) deservedly increased the result after the break.
As announced, Alonso rotated a lot compared to the 2-2 draw in Munich, changing his starting eleven to five positions. The change in goal was surprising: Matej Kovar replaced captain Lukas Hradecky, national player Jonathan Tah took over the armband. Alonso saw offensive fireworks from his team in the early stages. Adli, Nathan Tella twice and Alejandro Grimaldo had the best opportunities within the first six minutes. Wirtz then scored the opening goal, and after a pass from Boniface, the playmaker finished with a fine chip.
And the next magic goal followed: Granit Only after about 25 minutes did the selection from the suburb of Gothenburg become a little bolder. Bayer slowed down in the pouring rain and Kovar made two brilliant saves (38’/45′). His team was also lucky when Bayern loanee Josip Stanisic allowed himself to be picked off by Amor Layouni, fouled the striker and there was no penalty despite a VAR check – a wrong decision (60th). Then Alonso’s team started again, Boniface and substitute Hofmann made everything clear.
Robin Koch gives Frankfurt the victory
Eintracht Frankfurt opened its next European adventure in the Conference League with a 2-1 (1-1) against FC Aberdeen. Coach Dino Toppmöller’s team had a hard time, taking the lead early on thanks to Omar Marmoush’s penalty kick (11th), but Aberdeen equalized just a little later thanks to Dante Polvara’s goal (22nd) – Ellyes Skhiri wasted the ball.
Frankfurt, who were still powerful at the beginning, couldn’t find any solutions against the deep-lying Scots. Captain Sebastian Rode, who had only returned after illness, was injured. Only after the break did Frankfurt capitalize on the significant increase in ball possession. After a corner, Robin Koch headed the ball into the net (61′). Frankfurt didn’t really act confidently afterwards either.