Bayer Leverkusen has made it into the next round of the Europa League early. The Werkself narrowly prevailed at Qarabag Agdam.
In the Azerbaijani capital Baku, almost 3,500 kilometers away, the Rhinelanders achieved a narrow 1-0 (0-0) win on Thursday evening and thus their fourth win in their fourth game in Group H.
If Molde FK doesn’t win in the evening, Leverkusen will already be the group winners and would therefore move straight into the round of 16. The second place in the group has to play in the intermediate round. The only goal of the evening was scored by Victor Boniface in stoppage time with a hand penalty (90+4).
Bavarians without Tapsoba and Palacios
The Werkself started with a starting eleven that had been changed to six positions, partly because coach Xabi Alonso had to make do without Edmond Tapsoba (hand injury) and Exequiel Palacios (knee problems). However, the club announced that the absence of the Argentine world champion was only a precautionary measure. Cup goalkeeper Matej Kovar, Josip Stanisic, Piero Hincapié, Robert Andrich, Nathan Tella and Amine Adli were added to the starting lineup.
After a nervous first few minutes, Bayer took control of the game as usual. Florian Wirtz fired the first shot on goal of the game, but was unable to overcome the ex-Leverkusen player in the home team’s goal, Andrey Lunev (7th). The Leverkusen playmaker aimed a little too high in his attempt from distance (15th). Things became more dangerous with a header from Hincapié, which Lunev parried (23′).
By the break, Leverkusen’s shots were fewer and a shot from Victor Boniface (26′) went wide of the goal. Qarabag came in front of the Leverkusen goal even more rarely. Juninho had the hosts’ best opportunity before the break (38′) after Tah lost the ball, but shot into the arms of Kovar. Shortly before the break, Kovar was there again for Juninho’s chance (43′).
Leverkusen wobbles but doesn’t fall
Even after the break, so little happened in front of both goals that Alonso brought in fresh offensive forces with the substitutions of Jeremie Frimpong and Jonas Hofmann for the disappointing Tella and Adli. But first Qarabag had the best opportunity to score a goal so far. Elvin Jafarguliyev’s header However, it went over the Leverkusen goal (65th). On the other hand, Boniface was denied by Lunev (67′).
Leverkusen looked battered and annoyed. In the 69th minute, three Bayer players, Wirtz, Granit Xhaka and Hofmann, were shown yellow cards, two of them for complaining. On the other hand, the home team became more dangerous. First Leandro Andrade shot at a teammate in a dangerous position (75th), then Yassine Benzia shot past the goal (79th).
Hand penalty decides the game
But Bayer also had opportunities to win the game. Qarabag, who had to change goalkeepers in the final phase due to injuries, found themselves in serious trouble once again. However, Boniface missed three good opportunities for Leverkusen (82nd/86th/87th).
Bayer scored an important goal in stoppage time. After a handball by Maksim Medvedev, the Werkself were awarded a hand penalty, which Boniface safely converted (90+4). Leverkusen couldn’t miss the victory.
Sunday against Union Berlin
Bayer continues in the Bundesliga on Sunday (5:30 p.m.) with a home game against Union Berlin.
