Bayer makes EL progress clear
Whistle in the 92nd minute saves Leverkusen’s winning streak
November 9, 2023, 8:42 p.m
In almost the very last minute, a whistle from the referee gave Bayer Leverkusen the decisive opportunity. Goalscorer Victor Boniface scores from the penalty spot and secures the fourth win on the fourth Europa League matchday. Leverkusen has therefore qualified early for the knockout round.
Bayer Leverkusen continued its winning streak in the Europa League and secured progression on matchday four. The Bundesliga leaders, trained by Xabi Alonso, won 1-0 (0-0) at FK Karabakh Agdam with a hand penalty in the fourth minute of stoppage time. Victor Boniface converted confidently in the Azerbaijani capital Baku. The penalty whistle in the 92nd minute enabled the 15th win in the 16th competitive game and the eleventh three-pointer in a row. Leverkusen has wintered internationally for the sixth year in a row, and the Werkself can hardly take away group victory and thus an early round of 16 ticket.
Alonso relied on rotation in his starting eleven. Compared to the 3-2 win at TSG Hoffenheim last Saturday, the Spaniard made six changes. Goalkeeper Matej Kovar and midfielder Robert Andrich, among others, were new to the team. During the longest European Cup trip in the club’s history, he had to do without Edmond Tapsoba (hand surgery) and world champion Exequiel Palacios (knee problems).
And Bayer didn’t get off to a good start. It took until the 23rd minute before the Werkself came close to threatening Karabakh Agdam’s goal for the first time. After a corner from Alejandro Grimaldo, who has been so strong this season, Piero Hincapié’s unmarked header was denied by former Leverkusen keeper Andrej Lunew in the hosts’ goal. In the atmospheric atmosphere on the Caspian Sea, there was no further offensive fireworks, Bayer’s creative players were unable to find space against the compact hosts.
Underdog misses the big surprise
The outsider, who had lost 5-1 in the first leg, played the game openly. Karabakh Agdam repeatedly quickly crossed the midfield and got into the Bayer penalty area. But the hosts weren’t really dangerous at first. It was only after a misunderstanding between Hincapié and Kovar that things got tricky. Bayer’s substitute keeper, who replaces captain Lukas Hradecky in the international games, had no problems with a shot from Juninho.
After the break, Leverkusen initially took greater control. Bayer 04 had more possession of the ball and were able to run the ball well through the midfield from time to time. On the other side, Juninho hit his own captain Abdellah Zoubir in a promising position instead of hitting the goal. Yassine Benzia also didn’t aim accurately enough for the hosts, who were cheered on by frenetic fans.
Alonso reacted after an hour, bringing in Hofmann and Jeremie Frimpong with the regular right wing for the disappointing Amine Adli and Nathan Tella. Boniface tested Lunew (66th), who had to leave the field injured a short time later. On the other hand, Juninho (75th) and Yassine Benzia (79th) missed the big surprise for the underdog. Leverkusen actually didn’t come up with much offensively in the final phase. The penalty then brought the chance to win, which Boniface didn’t miss.