Eintracht Frankfurt Vs. Bayer Leverkusen, 2012 Bundesliga: Frankfurt Return To Bundesliga With Big Win

Eintracht Frankfurt marked their return to the Bundesliga with an impressive victory at home against Bayer Leverkusen. Stefan Aigner and Martin Lanig scored the goals for the hosts in the 2-1 victory.

Stefan Kießling nearly broke through for the visitors in the 26th minute when he was played in by Karim Bellarabi. Kevin Trapp made a brilliant foot save to keep the match scoreless. That wouldn't last for long. Four minutes later Kießling beat Trapp to a rebound from a Bellarabi shot. Leverkusen

Frankfurt couldn't stop getting in their own way as the first half continued, and they received no help from the referee. Leverkusen centerback Philipp Wollscheid went to head the ball back to Bernd Leno in the goal. The header was poor, and Alexander Meier picked it up and was one on one with Leno. The goalkeeper splayed out and caught Meier with his right foot. Meier went down for a sure penalty and red card to Leno, and the ball rolled out of play. The referee either didn't see the clear penalty, or he doesn't quite know what a penalty is. He pointed for a goal kick while the Frankfurt players protested.

Olivier Occean had two opportunities to equalize before the half, but he missed the target from close range both times.

The hosts finally found their deserved equalizer in the 57th minute thanks to Pirmin Schwegler. The captain made a great run with the ball up the left flank and played the ball into Takashi Inui. The Japanese midfielder saw his shot saved by Leno, but the ball went directly into the path of Aigner who quickly put it past sliding defenders into the net.

Frankfurt continued to push for a winner. In the 82nd minute substitute Stefano Celozzi played in a cross to Lanig who headed it past Leno for winner. The Leverkusen defense failed tremendously and left Lanig complete unmarked for an easy header.