Bayer Leverkusen can dream of a third title in the club’s history after a gala performance. Coach Xabi Alonso’s team won the second leg of the Europa League quarter-finals at Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium 4-1 (2-0) and, after losing 1-1 in the first leg, stormed into a European semi-final for the first time since 2002.
Moussa Diaby after just 69 seconds, Mitchel Bakker (37′), Jeremie Frimpong (60′) and Adam Hlozek (79′) converted Leverkusen’s superiority into goals, Casper Terho scored for the hosts (64′). After FC Bayern’s elimination from the Champions League, Bayer is now Germany’s last hope in Europe.
“Definitely” is a really big day, said Robert Andrich RTL and praised the followers: “I’m very, very happy that we pulled the thing today.” After the 3:1 they swam a bit, but with the fourth goal they put the lid on it.
As before against Union Berlin in the round of 16, Saint-Gilloise had to switch to the Lotto Park of local rivals RSC Anderlecht against the Werkself because their own stadium does not comply with UEFA guidelines and is simply too small.
Gas leak causes chaos in advance
A block of flats had to be evacuated due to a gas leak leading to traffic chaos, but the stadium was full by the time kick-off.
The traditional Belgian club rested seven regulars in the league at the weekend, but the guests made a fresher impression right from the start. The approximately 1,700 Bayer fans who traveled with them, who identified themselves in the guest block wearing red plastic ponchos, saw a dream start: Diaby was sent on the journey by first-leg goal scorer Florian Wirtz, rounded Union keeper Anthony Moris and pushed to the lead a.
Bayer acted concentrated, biting in the duels and always dangerous in the switching game. Diaby failed at the side netting (16′), Adli representative Hlozek just missed a tight cross from Bakker (22′).
Goalkeeper blunder ensures the preliminary decision
The crosser then did it himself a little later: Wirtz again captured the ball in midfield, this time Diaby acted as the ball distributor, Bakker only had to push Hlozek’s fantastic cross over the line from five meters.
The previously harmless hosts came out of the dressing room with more vigor. In the middle of Saint-Gilloise’s best phase, Frimpong took advantage of a serious goalkeeper mistake by Moris to make it 3-0.
But the Belgians didn’t give up, they had hope after Terho’s goal and had great opportunities to catch up through top scorer Victor Boniface (66′), Simon Adingra (69′) and Senne Lynen (75′) – but Hlozek eliminated them last doubt.