Christopher Nkunku scores hat-trick as RB Leipzig demolish Eintracht Frankfurt
A rampant RB Leipzig tore Eintracht Frankfurt apart at the Red Bull Arena, with Christopher Nkunku's first-half hat-trick the centrepiece of a ruthless 6-0 rout.
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.
Lightning-quick start for the hosts
RB Leipzig flew out of the blocks, taking the lead inside the first minute, as Neil El Aynaoui's cross from the right rolled all the way through to Ezechiel Banzuzi, who fired home unmarked at the back post.
Just four minutes later, Leipzig doubled their lead when Antonio Nusa knocked Collins off the ball and drove into the box on the left before squaring for Nkunku, who turned home in the centre to make it 2-0 in just the fifth minute.
Frankfurt briefly found their feet, with Jonathan Burkardt and Ritsu Dōan both testing Maarten Vandevoordt, who produced several strong saves.
Leipzig then regained control and struck twice more before the break. Nusa's cross was flicked on by Rômulo, and after Noah Atubolu's save fell loose, Nkunku fired home his second. Three minutes later, Banzuzi's shot was pushed back into danger by Atubolu, and Nkunku pounced again to complete his hat-trick and make it 4-0 at the interval.
Nusa and Gomis add to the rout
Frankfurt made a double change at the break, sending on Younes Ebnoutalib and Elias Baum, but the second half continued in the same vein.
In the 54th minute, Banzuzi laid the ball off to Nusa near halfway before the Norwegian nutmegged Collins and hammered a strike home at the near post for Leipzig's fifth.
Despite Leipzig's dominance, Vandevoordt had to remain alert to preserve his clean sheet, keeping out efforts from Ansgar Knauff and Can Uzun.
Just before stoppage time, Tidiam Gomis added a brilliant sixth, running at the Frankfurt defence before firing low past Atubolu to complete the rout.
Man of the Match: Christopher Nkunku
Nkunku scored his 49th, 50th and 51st league goals in the first half to take home the match ball. He registered five shots, more than any other player in the match, and topped Leipzig's fantasy-manager ranking with 483 points, nearly 150 clear of second-placed Vandevoordt. He was substituted in the 64th minute to warm applause, with the game long since decided.
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)
