Bayer Leverkusen also won the second game in the Champions League. Goal scorer Boniface was crucial against Milan.
A goal from Victor Boniface gave Bayer 04 Leverkusen the perfect start to the new Champions League season. After the opening win two weeks ago against Feyenoord Rotterdam (4-0), a 1-0 win (0-0) against AC Milan followed on Tuesday evening. Leverkusen has a maximum of six points after two games.
The “Werkself” dominated the entire first half against the Italian runners-up, but were unable to convert their dominance into a goal. This was achieved in the second round. Jeremie Frimpong finished, Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan made a save. But striker Victor Boniface was spot on and put the second ball into the guests’ box (51st minute). The winning goal. Because: Milan rebelled as a result, but coach Paulo Fonseca’s team was unable to equalize.
Bayer coach
And unlike in Munich, Bayer developed an offensive threat from the start. There had been a lot of discussion in advance about the champion’s staid performance last Saturday. With a quick offensive game, Leverkusen had their first chances this time through Boniface and Piero Hincapie (3rd). However, Boniface’s lead was denied after video evidence because crosser Jeremie Frimpong had previously been offside (21′).
Leverkusen’s constant pressure eased somewhat towards the end of the first half, but Alonso’s team still controlled the action. Defensively, Bayer was only slightly challenged by ex-Dortmunder Christian Pulisic, the Portuguese Rafael Leao and the rest of the attack from the third in Serie A.
Exceptional talent Florian Wirtz, who scored twice on his Champions League debut in Rotterdam, opened the second half with an unplaced finish (49′). Unlike before the break, Boniface was not offside shortly afterwards when he scored the deserved lead with a goal.
Milan woke up afterwards – and from then on caused the Bayer defense significantly more problems. It was a fast-paced game with opportunities for both teams: Bayer goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky initially made a strong save against Tijjani Reijnders (56′), but then almost made a fatal mistake against substitute European champion Alvaro Morata (73′).
Frimpong missed the decision (76th) and Theo Hernandez hit the crossbar for Milan (82nd). But it was enough for Bayer.