Leipzig ripped Frankfurt apart at the Red Bull Arena, and Nkunku’s first‑half hat‑trick set the tone of a merciless 6‑0 victory. Could any side have stopped the onslaught?
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RB Leipzig 6-0 FrankfurtGoals: 1-0 Banzuzi 1′ (assist: El Aynaoui), 2-0 Nkunku 5′ (assist: Nusa), 3-0 Nkunku 41′, 4-0 Nkunku 44′, 5-0 Nusa 54′ (assist: Banzuzi), 6-0 Gomis 89′ (assist: Henrichs)
RB Leipzig coach Martín Demichelis made two changes from the side beaten in Leverkusen before the international break, with Castello Lukeba returning in defence and Andrija Maksimović making his Bundesliga starting debut.
Frankfurt boss Adi Hütter also altered his line-up in two positions, with Nnamdi Collins and Ansgar Knauff coming into the starting XI.
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Collins had a tough game on his return from injury. – IMAGO/PICTURE POINT / Roger Petzsche –>
Blazing start for Leipzig
The hosts struck within the opening minute when Neil El Aynaoui’s right‑wing cross slotted to Ezechiel Banzuzi, who calmly finished at the back post.
Just five minutes in, Antonio Nusa dispossessed Collins, cut inside and delivered a square to Nkunku, whose finish doubled Leipzig’s lead.
Frankfurt briefly rallied, with Jonathan Burkardt and Ritsu Dōan testing Maarten Vandevoordt, who responded with several sharp saves.
Leipzig reclaimed dominance before halftime, adding two more goals. Rômulo flicked Nusa’s cross, and after Noah Atubolu’s save fell, Nkunku struck again. Minutes later Atubolu parried Banzuzi’s shot, only for Nkunku to pounce for his third, sealing a 4‑0 half‑time lead. For my money, Leipzig’s attacking depth will dominate the league.
Banzuzi’s early strike kick‑started Leipzig. – IMAGO/DeFodi.de
Nusa and Gomis seal the demolition. Will Leipzig keep this momentum into the title race?
At the break Frankfurt introduced Younes Ebnoutalib and Elias Baum, yet Leipzig’s tempo stayed relentless.
In the 54th minute Banzuzi slipped the ball to Nusa near midfield; the Norwegian nutmegged Collins and blasted home at the near post for Leipzig’s fifth.
Vandevoordt remained vigilant, denying Ansgar Knauff and Can Uzun to preserve his clean sheet.
Just before stoppage time Tidiam Gomis capped the rout with a low strike past Atubolu, sealing the sixth goal.
Nusa’s solo effort made it 5‑0 for the hosts. – IMAGO/Eibner-Pressefoto/Laura Roemer
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: RB Leipzig 4.02 – Eintracht Frankfurt 1.40
Fastest player: Ansgar Knauff (Frankfurt), 34.17 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 5-0 by Antonio Nusa (Leipzig), 12 per cent
Most pressed player: Can Uzun (Frankfurt), 12 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Neil El Aynaoui (Leipzig), +1.69
Fantasy Heroes: Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig, 483 points), Maarten Vandevoordt (RB Leipzig, 347 points), Ezechiel Banzuzi (RB Leipzig, 327 points)