Eintracht Frankfurt secured their position at the top of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga with a thrilling 3:2 victory over Bayer 04 Leverkusen on January 31, 2025. This match marked the beginning of their return after the winter break and was attended by 3,450 fans at the Stadion am Brentanobad.
The home team, led by coach Niko Arnautis, began the match with high momentum, eager to maintain their lead against Leverkusen, who were tied with them on points. The scoring opened with Sara Doorsoun converting a penalty kick at the 24th minute after being fouled by Leverkusen’s goalkeeper Charlotte Voll. Seconds later, Nicole Anyomi doubled the lead with a well-timed shot, putting Frankfurt ahead 2:1 before the half.
Bayer Leverkusen responded swiftly. Karolina Vilhjalmsdottir found the net from about 30 yards out with an impressive shot to equalize at 1:1, highlighting the intense back-and-forth nature of the match. "Es war eine sehr umkämpfte Partie, die den Begriff Spitzenspiel auf jeden Fall verdient hatte," stated Leverkusen's coach Roberto Pätzold, acknowledging the fierce competition on display.
Frankfurt claimed the lead again shortly after the halftime break when Geraldine Reuteler scored just two minutes after Bayer’s equalizer by Katharina Piljic. This flurry of goals signified the relentless pace of the match.
Despite several chances created by both teams during the game, Frankfurt managed to finalize the score to their advantage and successfully defend their lead against Leverkusen's attempts to equalize again. "Das Ergebnis ist enttäuschend, wir wollten mindestens einen Punkt mitnehmen," admitted Leverkusen's Katharina Piljic, reflecting the challenge they faced during the match.
Both coaches noted the quality of their opponents and the nature of the match. Arnautis remarked post-game, "Wir waren von Beginn an sehr gut drin im Spiel und hätten früher in Führung gehen können," indicating his satisfaction with the team’s performance and their ability to bounce back from setbacks.
This win marked Frankfurt's fifth consecutive victory, establishing their dominance at the top of the league table with 32 points, three points clear of Bayer Leverkusen who remain third. With this victory, Frankfurt not only secured their top standing but also ignited conversations about their title ambitions as they move forward.
The next challenges for Frankfurt include important matches against FC Bayern and VfL Wolfsburg, which will test their resolve and aspirations for the season. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Frankfurt can convert this strong performance and maintain their lead as the race for the title intensifies.