Boniface and Joker Schick meet
And then Patrik Schick also scored: Bayer Leverkusen is in a class of its own in Europe this season and is now the best team in the Europa League. After the 2-0 (1-0) win against Swedish cup winners BK Häcken, coach Xabi Alonso’s team secured early group victory with a B-eleven that was changed to eight positions after advancing. This ensures direct entry into the round of 16 without having to go through the play-offs against a relegated team from the Champions League.
A particularly nice moment was the goal from striker Schick, who after a long period of suffering scored his first goal in 284 days (74th). Victor Boniface took the lead (14th). Bayer is the only team among the 32 participants to have won all five group games. In addition, last year’s semi-finalists celebrated five European Cup victories in a row for the first time in almost 30 years, and there have never been more. Thursday’s success was the 18th in the 19th competitive game of the season. The groundbreaking home game against Borussia Dortmund is scheduled for Sunday in the Bundesliga. The runner-up is currently ten points behind the “Werkself”.
Bayer had the game under control with over 60 percent possession and took advantage of their first chance. After a cross from Bayern loanee Josip Stanisic, Boniface headed in at the far post from four meters. In the Bundesliga, the Nigerian, who was top scorer in the Europa League in the Saint-Gilles jersey last season, has not scored in five games or 449 minutes. In his favorite competition he has now scored in four of five games.
Boniface to Wirtz: The most valuable players in the Europa League 2023/24
15. Victor Boniface – Bayer 04 – Market value: €40 million
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Data as of November 9, 2023
15. Mohammed Kudus – West Ham – Market value: €40m
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15. Romelu Lukaku – Roma – Market value: €40m
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15. Edmond Tapsoba – Bayer 04 – Market value: €40 million
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15. Andrew Robertson – Liverpool – Market value: €40m
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15. Giorgio Scalvini – Atalanta – Market value: €40 million
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14. Jeremie Frimpong – Bayer 04 – Market value: €45 million
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13. Jarrod Bowen – West Ham – Market value: €48m
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11. Diogo Jota – Liverpool – Market value: €50m
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11. Kaoru Mitoma – Brighton – Market value: €50m
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10. Cody Gakpo – Liverpool – Market value: €55 million
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4. Mohamed Salah – Liverpool – Market value: €65m
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4. Lucas Paquetá – West Ham – Market value: €65m
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4. Trent Alexander-Arnold – Liverpool – Market value: €65m
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4. Darwin Nuñez – Liverpool – Market value: €65m
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4. Evan Ferguson – Brighton – Market value: €65m
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4. Alexis Mac Allister – Liverpool – Market value: €65m
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3. Dominik Szoboszlai – Liverpool – Market value: €70 million
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2. Luis Díaz – Liverpool – Market value: €75m
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1. Florian Wirtz – Bayer 04 – Market value: €85 million
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As a result, the Bundesliga team did not shine by any means, only had one chance before the break through Nathan Tella (22nd) and even almost equalized after an uncertainty from Matej Kovar, who replaced regular goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky in every game in the European Cup as before conceded (34th). “We play seriously, but the Swedes also do it well,” said club boss Fernando Carro during the break on “RTL”.
Alonso continued to distribute match practice. He brought on 18-year-old Noah Mbamba for Boniface at the break or Schick in the 63rd minute, who made the decision again eleven minutes later on an assist from Stanisic.
Eintracht Frankfurt lost their last chance to win the group
Eintracht Frankfurt no longer has a chance of making it directly to the round of 16 in the Conference League. The Hessians lost their home game on Thursday against PAOK Saloniki 1:2 (0:0). With a four point deficit to the Greek first division team and one game still to play, Eintracht can no longer win the group, which would automatically qualify them for the round of 16. The club has already qualified for the playoff round.
Omar Marmoush (58th minute) scored the equalizer, while Tomasz Kedziora (55th) and Andrija Zivkovic (73rd) scored for the guests. In stoppage time, Frankfurt’s Kristijan Jakic was shown a yellow-red card (90+4).
Until the title is won: Frankfurt fan choreos in the Europa League
October 4, 2018: 4:1 against Lazio Rome
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With the choreo against Lazio, the Frankfurt fans remembered their first international title: Eintracht won the UEFA Cup in 1980.
October 25, 2018: 2-0 against Limassol
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In the next home game, SGE welcomed Apollon Limassol from Cyprus. Conclusion: Third win in the third game, after Marseille had already been defeated away in a ghost game at the beginning.
November 29, 2018: 4-0 against Ol. Marseille
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The fans welcome their team with pyrotechnics and confetti. Inspired, Marseille is shot out of the stadium 4-0.
February 21, 2019: 4:1 against Shakhtar Donetsk
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It should have been another breathtaking choreo… But due to clashes with the local police, the choreo was called off at short notice by the Eintracht fans.
March 7, 2019: 0-0 against Inter Milan
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“Glorious times, sad days – we stand by unity without question.” While Eintracht couldn’t get past a 0-0 draw in the first leg against Inter…
March 7, 2019: 0-0 against Inter Milan
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…Frankfurt won the second leg in Milan and deservedly reached the quarter-finals.
April 18, 2019: 2-0 against Benfica Lisbon
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“Eintracht vom Main in the heart of Europe.” In fact, the team has now played its way into the hearts of fans from all over the world.
April 18, 2019: 2-0 against Benfica Lisbon
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Not to mention the fans… It’s unbelievable what kind of choreographies the SGE supporters put out at every home game.
May 2, 2019: 1-1 against Chelsea FC
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“Give everything for the final…” that was what not only the fans but also the SGE professionals decided against Chelsea.
May 2, 2019: 1-1 against Chelsea FC
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In the semi-final first leg, both teams drew 1-1. At Stamford Bridge, the eventual title winners from London only won on penalties.
August 1, 2019: 2:1 against Flora Tallinn
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In the 2019/20 season things didn’t go quite as far in terms of sport. But the fans immediately caused a stir again – right from the qualifying round against Tallinn…
August 15, 2019: 1-0 against Vaduz
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… and against Vaduz…
September 19, 2019: 0:3 against Arsenal
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…then in the group stage against Arsenal…
October 24, 2019: 2:1 against Standard Liège
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… and against the Belgian guest from Liege. Then Corona put an end to the goings-on in the Frankfurt stadium for the time being.
April 7, 2022: 1-1 against FC Barcelona
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In the 2021/22 quarter-final first leg, all seats in Deutsche Bank Park are occupied for the first time since the pandemic began. The Eintracht fans dedicate the choreo to the late club legend Jürgen Grabowski. In the second leg at Camp Nou, which was won 3-2, 30,000 came from Frankfurt, plunging the Catalans into a brief club crisis.
May 5, 2022: 1-0 against West Ham
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After the 2-1 away win in London, Eintracht can’t miss their place in the final in front of their home crowd. The choreo is all about the Norwestkurve, where the fans are standing.
May 18, 2022: 6:5 nE against Glasgow Rangers
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“Holy Diva from the Main – Please for us” was what the fans said before the game with this goosebumps choreography. The requests were heard: Eintracht are European Cup winners for the first time since 1980.
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