Despite a miserable performance, Bayer Leverkusen stole the consolation prize thanks to friendly support and overwintered in the Europa League.
The Bundesliga club, which was eliminated prematurely from the Champions League, did not get more than 0-0 in the last group game of the premier class against FC Bruges, thanks to the 1-2 (0-2) defeat of Atletico Madrid in the parallel game at FC Porto the struggling Werkself still secured third place.
The surprise group B team from Bruges finished the preliminary round in second place. Porto, against whom Bayer lost both games, is the group winner.
First chance to score in the 33rd minute
Alonso had unmistakably given his team the cornerstones in the fight for the winter in the Europa League and called for “anticipation, energy and intensity”.
“It’s important for everyone, we want to stay in Europe. For the prestige, for the fans. We want to keep having games at the BayArena because we know how special they are,” appealed the Spaniard before the game.
But Alonso’s team struggled immensely in front of 30,210 spectators and seemed very insecure. Leverkusen didn’t find any means in attack, and many unnecessary bad passes were made in the build-up. Out of nowhere, the previously disappointing winger Moussa Diaby had the first chance of the game in the 33rd(!) minute, which Bruges goalkeeper Simon Mignolet defused.
No increase in performance at Bayer Leverkusen
It wasn’t until the closing stages of the first half that sparks ignited in the BayArena. It went back and forth for a short time, the only chance in this phase was destroyed by Bayer goalkeeper and captain Lukas Hradecky against Kamal Sowah (39th). Jeremie Frimpong hit the side netting with the half-time whistle.
Leverkusen also slept through the restart and were lucky not to fall behind. Tajon Buchanan hit the crossbar with a direct acceptance after a cross that Bayer defended far too passively. Eduard Sobol missed the margin. In the counterattack, Mignolet had no problems with Callum Hudson-Odoi’s harmless finish.
It then became more dangerous after a corner: Mignolet reacted brilliantly to a tight header by Patrik Schick (54′). Anyone who had expected an increase in performance from the Rhinelanders as a result was severely disappointed.