Mandatory task fulfilled, round of 16 ticket solved: Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen have completed their early group victory in the Europa League and are heading into the league clash against Borussia Dortmund with a lot of tailwind. In Gothenburg, Sweden, coach Xabi Alonso’s team won against BK Häcken in a lackluster but deserved 2-0 (1-0).
Victor Boniface (14th) and returnee Patrik Schick (74th) ensured the 14th competitive win in a row for the still unbeaten Werkself. No other team managed five three-pointers in five games this Europa League season, and five wins in a row in the competition are also a club record. At the end of the preliminary round, last year’s semi-finalists will welcome Molde FK to the BayArena on December 14th.
Alonso rotated well against the pointless “Wasps”. Florian Wirtz, who was outstanding in the first leg (4-0), even stayed at home with “slight muscular problems” – a precautionary measure. Some regular players such as Alejandro Grimaldo, Jeremie Frimpong, Granit Xhaka and Jonas Hofmann were also rested with a view to the BVB game on Sunday (5.30 p.m./DAZN).
In the final stadium (Gamla Ullevi) of the 1992 European Championship, where the DFB team as world champions lost 0-2 to Denmark, Alonso’s team visibly had problems with the slippery grass. After a snowstorm the day before, it and the stands were only shoveled clear a few hours before the game.
Schick makes the decision on the comeback
Leverkusen dominated the game in the snowstorm, but lacked penetration. But Boniface remained as cold as the temperatures and headed in the lead with the first and only opportunity in the first half after a cross from Bayern loanee Josip Stanisic. A little later, the Nigerian wanted a penalty, but only got a yellow card for a swallow (25th).
The hosts’ biggest chance before the break was thwarted by cup keeper Matej Kovar (32nd), who otherwise had a quiet evening. Alonso appeared increasingly dissatisfied on the sidelines and took Boniface off the field at half-time.
In the 63rd minute, Schick made a comeback after tearing a fiber in his calf, replacing Nathan Tella and showing that he hasn’t forgotten how to score goals during his long injury break. Stanisic once again did the preparatory work.