Despite a magic goal by Florian Wirtz, Bayer Leverkusen are threatened with extinction in the Europa League: after the 2-3 win against AS Monaco, the carnival spirit was gone.
This spectacular and, from Bayer Leverkusen’s point of view, also bitter Europa League game had just ended when emotions really boiled up again. In front of the north curve, players and officials of the Bundesliga soccer club fought with players from AS Monaco – after the 2: 3 (0: 1) against the French top club, the Leverkuseners were frustrated despite a decent performance.
“We’re highly motivated after what happened after the game. That’s childish, I don’t know what’s going on. Nobody can behave anymore these days, there’s no respect,” grumbled the hapless goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky after the uproar over the “new generation”. The Finn added: “Everyone thinks they have a bigger cock than the other.” The annoyed Finn didn’t allow any further questions and stomped away angrily.
In order to keep the last chance for the title alive and to reach the round of 16, Leverkusen now need a win in the second leg on Thursday next week. “We are hotter than ever – nothing has happened yet,” promised Robert Andrich on RTL.
A curious own-goal gift from Lukas Hradecky (9′) and goals from Krepin Diatta (74′) and Axel Disasi (90′ + 2′) decided a fast-paced encounter and put a damper on the carnival atmosphere in Leverkusen.
Moussa Diaby (48th) and Florian Wirtz (59th) with a dream solo had meanwhile turned the game around. At least the comeback of the Czech striker Patrik Schick gave courage for the second duel.
As announced, Schick was back in the Bayer squad for the first time since November 1 after overcoming groin problems and illness and came on in the 88th minute. At Monaco, who arrived with a league win against Paris St. Germain, Bayern loan Alexander Nübel started between the posts. Ex-Leverkusen player Kevin Volland and Cologne-born Ismail Jakobs initially sat on the bench.
Leverkusen turns up the second half – and still loses
The chants in the brightly colored Leverkusen north curve suddenly fell silent when Hradecky’s mishap happened: after a back pass from Jonathan Tah in front of his own goal line, the 33-year-old got involved in a duel with Breel Embolo without needing to. The ex-Gladbacher was hard from behind, but not unfairly rushed – in the end Hradecky put the ball into the goal himself.
The Rhinelanders then acted with commitment, but initially without luck. The biggest murmur went through the BayArena in the first half when Robert Andrich shot just wide (45′ + 2′). Monaco, on the other hand, specialized early on in the transition game: Embolo could have already raised (21′), and Hradecky reacted brilliantly to the deflected flick of the Senegalese Diatta (43′).
But then Leverkusen came out of the dressing room with a lot more speed and determination. Diaby promptly rewarded this – and Wirtz did magic: in front of the eyes of national coach Hansi Flick, the international dribbled from about 30 meters away from the goal, left several opponents standing and shot in a targeted manner. However, Monaco came back. Shortly before the end, Leverkusen’s Adam Hlozek (87th) hit the post – then Disasi shocked the hosts.