Bayer Leverkusen also won the last group game in the Europa League. Bayer secured an easy victory against the Norwegian club from Molde.
The Bundesliga table leaders beat Molde FK 5-1 (3-0) on Thursday evening and ended the group phase with six wins from six games. “It was very important for the self-confidence and the rhythm that we currently have to leave the group with 18 points.”said midfielder Robert Andrich after the game.
It was already clear before kick-off: Leverkusen would be first in Group H to reach the round of 16 straight away. Therefore, coach Xabi Alonso spared regular players like Granit Xhaka and Victor Boniface. Compared to the 1-1 draw against VfB Stuttgart last Sunday in the Bundesliga, only the two central defenders Jonathan Tah and Edmond Tapsoba were in the starting line-up. Striker Patrik Schick was there again for the first time in over a year.
Schick opens Torfestival
It was also Schick who caused the first exclamation point after just seven minutes. After winning the ball in midfield, Bayer quickly switched gears. The ball landed in the feet of the Czech international via Robert Andrich. Schick beat two opponents with one movement and shot with his left arm outside the penalty area, the ball landed in the right corner. “We were very determined. Patrik scores the first goal, we pulled Molde’s teeth a bit and then added more”said sports director Simon Rolfes.
And that with a double blow in the first half: After a short corner, a cross from Jonas Hofmann landed precisely on the head of Tapsoba, who headed into the goal from a few meters to make it 2-0 (22nd). Leverkusen continued to press at high speed. After a low cross from Nathan Tella, Anders Hagelskjær’s attempt to clear the ball landed on Martin Ellingsen’s thigh and bounced from there into the goal to make it 3-0 (25′).
The hosts then slowed down a bit, but remained in full control of the game. Shortly before the break, Tella made it 4-0 after a counterattack, and Schick’s technically demanding follow-up shot hit the post (43′).
Hložek with a brace, Molde with a consolation goal
After the break, the guests got into the game a little better and played their first scenes in the penalty area. But things got dangerous on the other side. Leverkusen only needed two passes to pass Molde through the center. The ball landed via Noah Mbamba, who had just been substituted, to Hložek, who, after taking the ball well, made it 4-0 (60th). Ten minutes later, Hložek scored a brace after Tella’s assist (70′). “Adam deserved the two goals today, he really gave it his all”said Rolfes.
At the start of the final phase, the guests from Molde scored their consolation goal. Eric Bugale Kitolano beat Hincapie and pushed the ball past Leverkusen keeper Niklas Lomb (75′).
With the clear victory, Leverkusen ends the group phase with 18 points and a goal difference of 19:3 and will find out on Monday (from 1 p.m.) who they will play against in the round of 16 of the Europa League.