35
21:35
After Burgess extended the next corner for the guests, Bart Nieuwkoop, who ran through the back, narrowly missed the header! He’s one step short of a really good chance!
33
21:33
Wirtz is allowed to take the first corner kick for Bayer 04. From the left he plays the ball to the five, where Moris secures the game device in the follow-up.
31
21:31
On the other side, the Werkself are dangerous! Frimpong can tip the ball from the right corner of the penalty area to Diaby, who sends the thing past the post to the side netting on the first contact! The short cheering of many fans makes it clear how close it was!
29
21:29
Now the Belgians are meeting them too Bar! Ismaël Kandouss somehow jumped into the ball from the right side of the corner kick and put the ball on the left with a touchdown. The goal probably wouldn’t have counted because in the replay it looks like he played the ball with his arm.
28
21:28
It’s getting dangerous again because Boniface can prevail against two defenders! He aims for the far right corner from an acute angle, but fails because of the well-diving Hrádecký!
26
21:27
Lukáš Hrádecký is challenged for the first time! After a quick switch from Saint-Gilloise, Yorbe Vertessen takes a flat shot from the edge of the penalty area. The ball rolls into the middle of the Finnish goalkeeper’s hands!
25
21:25
Siebe Van Der Heyden (Union Saint-Gilloise) is shown a yellow card.
Now the left-back of the guests is due. Against Adli he comes too late and rightly sees the yellow card. He’s suspended for the second leg.
23
21:24
At the next clash, Frimpong and Van Der Heyden briefly clash. The Belgian is angry, even though he put his body in it himself.
22
21:22
Moris intercepts a wide cross that gets too close to the goal. The guests have done very well so far and are very structured in their defensive play. Union Berlin also had its problems with that.
18
21:18
After a collision with two opponents, Adli can be treated first. However, things move on quickly for the Frenchman.
16
21:16
The Werkself’s transitions aren’t optimal yet. Adli gets through on the center line, but then plays a weak pass to the opponent. If it fits better, it can also quickly become dangerous.
13.
21:13
Teauma hits the dead ball from the left in front of the goal, but only finds Jonathan Tah’s head. A few seconds later it gets a bit strange because Amani plays the ball in a high arc into the unoccupied penalty area. The ball lands once and then bounces onto the crossbar and from there onto the goal roof under the relaxed observation of Hrádecký.
12.
21:12
Storm tank Victor Boniface wants to dribble his way into the sixteen on the left and takes a corner kick.
10
21:10
Hincapié wants to send the incoming Diaby into a direct duel with Anthony Moris with a short chip, but puts the ball straight into the goalkeeper’s hands.
8th.
21:09
Apparently there was even a brief examination by the VAR because of an alleged foul game by Leverkusen in their own penalty area, but there was nothing to complain about.
7.
21:08
First chances on both sides! First, Saint-Gilloise plays a free kick from the half field in front of the goal. Bayer 04 heads out before the defense blocks two shots from distance. The Werkself take the ball and start a quick counterattack down the left. Wirtz gets the ball in the center, fakes the pass to the right to Diaby before he shoots himself from 17 meters. The attempt rolls a good two meters to the right!
4.
21:05
It’s a relatively calm start in the BayArena. Leverkusen have a lot of possession and are looking for gaps. At the same time, the Belgians keep running uphill, causing a bit of stress. The Werkself were not under serious pressure as a result.
1.
21:01
Union Saint-Gilloise guests toast. The ball rolls as the mist from the ignited Pyro rises into the night sky. Let the wild ride begin!
20:58
The mood is really fantastic. The stadium is sold out and a choreo with a traditional Werkself crest is performed in the home fans’ block.
20:57
Both teams lined up in front of the grandstand. The anthem of the Europa League sounds under the floodlights of the BayArena. It will not be long!
20:51
Referee Ivan Kružliak is likely to have the longest journey of the evening. The 39-year-old Slovakian with international experience will be supported by line assistants Branislav Hancko and Ján Pozor.
20:43
Leverkusen have not met Belgian clubs too often in competitive matches. So it should come as no surprise that the Werkself suffered a defeat against teams from neighboring countries. However, they only conceded this defeat in the autumn of last year, when Club Brugge ultimately prevailed clearly against the Rhinelanders in the group stage of the Champions League. Bayer 04 have been warned!
20:35
Union Saint-Gilloise recently drew 1-1 at KAA Gent. Since it also looked good for a long time and the form of the Belgian table times is right, Karel Geraerts also changes to only one position. Yorbe Vertessen will replace Simon Adingra in attack.
20:27
In view of the good series and the recent clear 3-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt, Xabi Alonso has little reason to change. Only Odilon Kossounou, who used to play for Club Brugge, has to sit on the bench. That’s what left-back Mitchel Bakker stands for. in the starting eleven.
20:20
Union Saint-Gilloise is among the bottom 16 teams in the Europa League for good reason. Technically, they beat Union Berlin in eight games, first beating the Irons in the group stage before a resounding win in the round of 16. Les Unionistes have been unbeaten in all competitions for seven games, leaving well-known giants such as Club Brugge, Standard Liège or RSC Anderlecht far behind in some cases.
20:11
Bayer Leverkusen have won seven of their last seven games in all competitions. In the league they recently climbed back to the international ranks after the start of the season was so catastrophic. In the Europa League, the Werkself are aiming for the first European semi-final since the legendary Vizekusen season in 2001/2002. In the way is a supposed outsider from Belgium, who has already proved his great danger.
19:43
Bayer Leverkusen could become the last German representative in European competition. At 21:00 the Werkself welcome Union Saint-Gilloise from Belgium. Welcome!