Bayer Leverkusen keeps hopes alive for their last title chance with a penalty kick thriller and moves into the round of 16 of the Europa League. It was announced before the game that coach Xabi Alonso’s team should not come into the duel from the point.
At the end of 120 minutes of emotional ups and downs and physical high tension, the pros from Bayer Leverkusen were where they certainly didn’t want to be. It was a running gag in the area: Just don’t get into the penalty shootout. But that’s how it happened, after the 3-2 after extra time at AS Monaco, who in turn had won 3-2 in Leverkusen. “We stood there in a circle and were all screwed,” said midfielder Robert Andrich: “But we’ve all joined forces again. The coach announced the shooters. And everyone said straight away: Okay, we’ll shoot.”
Bayer had missed seven of the last eight penalties in all competitions, by four different shooters. But that evening, full of adrenaline and with heavy legs, things turned around completely. The curse has been lifted. At the best possible moment, on penalties in a Europa League knockout game. The team is now in the round of 16.
“Well, I didn’t expect all five of us to go in,” admitted national player Florian Wirtz, who was no longer on the pitch for penalties, “because I had cramps in both calves and thighs after every sprint from the end of regular time “. In fact, all five of Leverkusen’s scored from the spot, and one miss by Monaco’s Eliot Matazo was enough to qualify for the round of 16. “Penalties haven’t been good lately. Today they were great,” said coach Xabi Alonso, who said he wasn’t worried: “I wasn’t nervous, I had faith. They all stayed cool. But that was it not only with the penalties, but also throughout the game.”
The previous game had been a wild roller coaster ride. Wirtz (13th) gave Leverkusen a deserved lead early on. After Wissam Ben Yedder (19th) equalized with a penalty kick, Exequiel Palacios (21st) restored the lead. Amine Adli (58th) increased. After the connection goal by substitute Breel Embolo (84th), Diaby, who was only substituted in after extra time, ensured the happy ending with the decisive penalty. It was not clear until just before kick-off whether the ailing French international would be able to play at all.
Leverkusen started the game very well at the Stade Louis II. Mitchel Bakker hit the side netting with the first action (2′). After Ben Yedder narrowly missed at the other end, Palacios (10′) and Adli (11′) tested Alexander Nübel on loan from Bayern in Monaco’s goal. Wirtz then scored the well-deserved lead from a completely free-standing position after Nübel slipped through a cross from Jeremie Frimpong. But the joy was short-lived as out of nowhere Edmond Tapsoba conceded a penalty by fouling Eliesse Ben Seghir – Ben Yedder scored.
The Werkself didn’t give up, continued to play well away from home and took advantage of the unsorted Monegasque defence: Palacios shot from the edge of the penalty area and didn’t give Nübel a chance. Bayer kept his foot on the gas and controlled the game. Adam Hlozek failed with a powerful long-range shot at Nübel, who found the game better and better (34th). Leverkusen came out strong and deservedly increased through Adli, who was served perfectly by Wirtz. But nothing was decided yet: Ben Yedder, best Monegasse, hit the bar (60th). Another Leverkusen goal from Bakker was ruled out due to offside, and Hlozek hit the outside of the post (69′). Then Embolo scored and forced extra time.
