Nine-Man Bayer Leverkusen Win Bundesliga Opener Under Kasper Hjulmand

Bayer Leverkusen secured their first Bundesliga win of the 2025 season with a 3-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt on the debut of new coach Kasper Hjulmand, who replaced Erik ten Hag after a poor start to the campaign. Alejandro Grimaldo was instrumental, scoring twice from free kicks, including the opening goal and a decisive stoppage-time strike, while Patrik Schick added a penalty before halftime. Despite Frankfurt's Can Uzun scoring early in the second half and the host team being reduced to nine men following the dismissals of captain Robert Andrich and Ezequiel Fernandez, Leverkusen held firm to claim the victory. The win boosted morale after ten Hag's sacking, which followed internal conflicts and disappointing results, and it came despite Hjulmand having minimal time to prepare the squad. Leverkusen's defense was noted for its solidity, managing to withstand Frankfurt's pressure even when down to fewer players. This result halted Frankfurt's strong start and continued their struggles at Leverkusen, where they have now lost 11 consecutive league visits.