Bayer Leverkusen negligently gambled away a good starting position for the quarter-finals in their anniversary game in the Europa League and are now under a lot of pressure.
Coach Gerardo Seoane’s team was more than happy to lose “only” 2-3 (1-2) in their 50th appearance in the “small European Cup” in the round of 16 first leg at Atalanta Bergamo after a massive drop in performance.
Charles Aranguiz (11th) gave Leverkusen a deserved lead in the atmospheric Stadio di Bergamo. In the middle of the first half, however, Ruslan Malinowskyj (23′) and Luis Muriel (25′) turned the game around out of nowhere. Muriel (49′) scored his second goal shortly after the break against a now desolate Werkself. Moussa Diaby (63rd) surprisingly scored the important second goal for the guests.
“It was a wild ride and a roller coaster ride of emotions,” said Seoane on “RTL”. The second leg next Thursday (6.45 p.m.) at the BayArena will be “a tight affair. I’m convinced that we can do it if we have a good day. We need a really good performance.”
Seoane midfielder Robert Andrich (knee irritation) was not available on Thursday evening. Karim Bellarabi was also absent, as was Patrik Schick (both torn hamstrings), while Kerem Demirbay was suspended.
Atalanta owned the first few moments of the game. Bayer captain and goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky had no problems with Malinowskyj’s first approach. Kissed awake by this, Bayer picked up the pace, showed a willingness to play and put the stamp on the game in the first 20 minutes.
Leverkusen shocked after double strike
The guests’ first dangerous opportunity was a standard situation: Aranguiz hit a free kick against the post (9′). A few moments later, he rewarded Leverkusen’s strong early phase with a well-placed low shot after some nice work from young national player Florian Wirtz.
Then the safe-looking Leverkusen was caught cold. With brutal efficiency and supported by a deep sleep phase in the Bayer defense, Malinowskyj and Muriel scored free-standing against the powerless Hradecky.
Leverkusen seemed shocked, tried briefly with anger in the stomach. Edmond Tapsoba narrowly missed a long-range shot (28′), as did Diaby moments later from a tight angle.
Hradecky saves Bayer several times
At the other end, Hradecky prevented worse things from happening against the strong Muriel, who had previously let defender Jonathan Tah stand (39′). Further saves against Teun Koopmeiners (42′) and Davide Zappacosta (44′) made the Finnish national goalkeeper the best Leverkusen player.
After the change of sides, Bayer then had massive problems against hosts who were still extremely pressing. Muriel deservedly raised with a nice shot from the turn and again completely unchallenged.
The outstanding Hradecky subsequently prevented Muriel’s hat-trick with the next brilliant act (57′). Then Diaby struck after all.