Overview
- Alejandro Grimaldo struck twice from free kicks and Patrik Schick scored a penalty, with Can Uzun replying for Eintracht in Leverkusen’s 3:1 win.
- Bayer finished with nine men after second yellows to captain Robert Andrich and debutant Equi Fernández, yet denied Frankfurt a move to the summit and extended the SGE’s winless run in Leverkusen since 2013.
- VfB Stuttgart’s record sale of Nick Woltemade to Newcastle for a reported fee above €75 million prompted CEO Alexander Wehrle to urge financial caution, with a center-forward shortage noted as Deniz Undav recovers.
- Hamburger SV added midfielders Fabio Vieira (loan) and Albert Sambi Lokonga from Arsenal, with the club expecting Vieira to supply decisive passes in the final third.
- Squad availability and operations were hit elsewhere, with Fortuna Düsseldorf facing multiple absences, Mainz keeper Robin Zentner doubtful for RB Leipzig, and Preußen Münster evacuating after a WWII bomb was found on its stadium site.