Nkunku's Hat Trick: RB Leipzig Runs Roughshod Over Frankfurt

A hat trick for Christopher Nkunku, a breather for Martin Demichelis: RB Leipzig shook off the frustration of its poor start to the Bundesliga with a spectacular 6-0 (4-0) victory over Eintracht Frankfurt, giving its embattled coach some breathing room. Thanks to the decisive victory in the evening match, the Saxons climbed to fifth place, while Eintracht, under returning coach Adi Hütter, is slowly sliding into a crisis and remains 13th, falling short of expectations.

Ezechiel Banzuzi (1st minute) and Christopher Nkunku (5th) made it clear early on that Leipzig remains undefeated at home in October in its Bundesliga history. With two more goals in the first half, Milan loanee Nkunku (41st/44th) completed his hat trick—the first in Leipzig’s Bundesliga history. Antonio Nusa (54th minute) and Tidiam Gomis (89th minute) also scored in front of 47,800 fans. While Hütter’s return to Frankfurt has had no effect so far, Demichelis can work undisturbed at least until Tuesday’s Champions League match against Eindhoven.

Celebrations after 46 seconds

Internally, Demichelis’s immediate replacement was not yet on the table, but after a poor start to the Bundesliga season with only two wins in four games, the pressure on the Argentine grew. Earlier this week, there was already speculation about a possible return of Julian Nagelsmann, who is still highly regarded in Leipzig. These rumors are likely to lose steam for the time being.

In each of their previous four games, Frankfurt had scored within the first ten minutes—in Leipzig, it was exactly the opposite. Just 46 seconds in, according to the stadium clock, Banzuzi was completely unmarked at the far post following a cross from the outstanding Neil El Aynaoui and scored with ease. Just four minutes later, Antonio Nusa outmuscled Nnamdi Collins and set up Nkunku in the penalty area—who, seconds later, blew up a red balloon in celebration of the goal as a gesture to his son.

Vandevoordt Makes Three Strong Saves

Frankfurt recovered from the double shock after about 20 minutes, and Leipzig’s play lost some of its intensity. Chances for Eintracht were the logical result. But Ritsu Doan (31st minute), Ansgar Knauff, and Jonathan Burkhardt (both 38th minute) were all denied by Leipzig goalkeeper Marten Vandevoordt.

Just as Eintracht was really getting into the game and was close to scoring a goal to cut the deficit, the Nkunku show continued. Once again, following a pass from Nusa, Noah Atubolo initially made a strong save against Romulo, but Nkunku mercilessly pounced on the rebound. Three minutes later, Nkunku capitalized again on a clearance by Atubolo following a shot by Banzuzi. The Frenchman counted his goals on his fingers in disbelief after his hat trick, while Demichelis jumped for joy in his coaching zone. Memories of last season’s 6-0 victory came flooding back.

Hütter makes changes, Nusa scores

Hütter reacted at halftime: The formation was switched to a back four, and Elias Baum and Younes Ebnoutalib entered the game. But Leipzig kept scoring. On a fast break, Nusa snatched the ball, sprinted 30 meters toward the Frankfurt goal, and blasted the ball into the near corner. 

Leipzig could now even afford to squander clear-cut chances. Banzuzi (63') struck the ball too low from two meters out and sent it soaring into the sky. After just over an hour, Demichelis took his two best players, Nusa and Nkunku, off the field—to rest them for the Champions League. Gomis still managed to score a goal after a fine solo run.