After a spectacular and bitter Europa League evening, Bayer Leverkusen has to worry about its last chance for the title. The Werkself lost 2:3 (0:1) against AS Monaco in a wild game and definitely need a win in the second leg on February 23rd to secure a ticket to the round of 16.
A curious own goal by Lukas Hradecky (9th) and goals by Krepin Diatta (74th) and Axel Disasi (90th + 2) decided a fast-paced encounter and dampened the Leverkusen carnival atmosphere powerfully. 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, the Czech 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.
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 arena in the first half when Robert Andrich aimed 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 with a long-range shot.
Spectacle at eye level – Barça and Manchester separate 2: 2
FC Barcelona suffered a setback in the duel of the heavyweights in the second round of the Europa League. The team around the German national goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen and the former Bayern star Robert Lewandowski only managed to draw 2-2 (1-1) in the first leg against Manchester United despite being ahead and are therefore under pressure before the guest appearance in England.
“We could have won in the end. Now we start 0-0 at Old Trafford,” said Barça coach Xavi. Manchester is currently “one of the best teams in Europe”. United goalscorer Marcus Rashford spoke of a “disappointing result” for the Red Devils.
Marcos Alonso (50th) had put the Champions League relegated from Barcelona in the lead. But only a little later, Rashford (53rd) equalized. After an own goal by the French runner-up Jules Koundé (59th), Manchester were ahead, Raphinha (76th) made it 2-2. Barcelona are continuing their impressive streak: Barça have been unbeaten in 17 competitive games (15 wins, 2 draws), the last time the Catalans suffered a defeat was in October (0:3 against Bayern Munich in the Champions League).
Juve only draws 1-1 – Sevilla and Salzburg win
Juventus Turin also got off to a rocky start after being eliminated from the Champions League. The Italian record champions did not get more than 1-1 (1-0) against FC Nantes despite the lead by Dusan Vlahovic (13th). Ludovic Blas equalized in the 60th minute. FC Sevilla, on the other hand, opened the door to the next round with a 3-0 (1-0) win against PSV Eindhoven. Shakhtar Donetsk is also on course for the round of 16 after beating Stade Rennes 2-1 (2-0). RB Salzburg celebrated a 1-0 (0-0) win over AS Roma after a late goal by Nicolas Capaldo (88′) and put themselves in a good position to progress. Sporting Lisbon drew 1-1 (0-0) from FC Midtjylland thanks to Sebastian Coates’ late equalizer (90+4).