Di María towers for Juve
Penalty thriller and historic advancement for Bayer Leverkusen: In the midst of a disappointing season, the Bundesliga club set an example internationally and made it through for the first time in their 30th European Cup participation despite a home defeat. Coach Xabi Alonso’s team won 5: 3 (3: 2, 2: 1) on penalties at AS Monaco, third in the French league, and despite the 2: 3 in their own stadium a week ago, they reached the round of 16 in the Europa League.
National player Florian Wirtz used the blunder from Bayern loan Alexander Nübel to make it 1-0 in the 13th minute and at the age of 19 became the youngest player with seven goals in the Europa League. After a quick equalizer from a penalty kick by Monaco captain Wissam Ben Yedder (19′), Bayer hit back even faster (21′) through Argentinian world champion Exequiel Palacios. The strong Frenchman Amine Adli secured the supposed progress (56th), before Breel Embolo (84th) marked the 2: 3 for Monaco shortly after his substitution and forced extra time. After the goalless 30 minutes, Moussa Diaby converted the decisive penalty.
The game started intensely. Initially, however, there was no sign of the animosity between the two teams after the mass scuffle after the first leg and the corresponding comments afterwards. Both acted in a controlled and disciplined manner. The guests from Leverkusen showed from the start that they wanted to play for the win they needed, but were almost caught cold when Ben Yedder shot just wide from the turn (4′).
Then Bayer became more purposeful. When Adli shot, Nübel reacted splendidly. A few seconds later he gave Bayer the 1-0 lead, which equalized the deficit from the first leg. A sharp cross from Jeremie Frimpong slipped under his stomach and Wirtz pushed the ball from three meters into the empty goal.
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As so often this season, Bayer gave such happy circumstances back. Edmond Tapsoba fouled Eliesse Ben Seghir in the box and Ben Yedder converted the spot kick safely. But this time Leverkusen fought back with a sharp left-footed shot from Palacios, against which Nübel was powerless. In the 34th minute against Adam Hlozek he made a strong save again.
The Bundesliga side survived Monegasque’s first attack swing after the break – and then immediately followed up with Adli’s header after a nice cross from Wirtz. Now Monaco had to come. AS quickly did so with a crossbar hit by Ben Yedder (59′), but then Leverkusen took control again. Mitchel Bakker even scored what was supposed to be 1:4, but was just offside (63′). Six minutes before the end, however, former Mönchengladbacher Embolo scored and ensured the extra time.
Europa League: Di María shines at Juventus against Nantes
The Italian record champions Juventus Turin are meanwhile in the round of 16 of the Europa League. The traditional club won 3-0 (2-0) in the second leg against France’s former champions FC Nantes. Argentinian world champion Ángel Di María scored all three goals for the visitors.
After a dream goal in the fifth minute of the game, the 35-year-old converted a hand penalty (20th). In the previous action, Nantes professional Nicolas Pallois played the ball with his hand and was sent off the field with a red card. Di María also put the final point (78th). The first leg in Italy ended 1-1.
! @Europe League #ASMB04 I #UEL I #Bayer04 I #Werkself pic.twitter.com/IzrABoEQkk
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) February 23, 2023
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