Hradecky keeps Rudi’s title dream alive!
Bayer’s goalkeeper is the best man in Leverkusen’s 2-3 defeat in the first leg of the Europa League in Bergamo. The Finn (8 saves) prevents a debacle, keeps hopes of the last possible title for Bayer boss Rudi Völler (stops at the end of the season after more than 20 years as a functionary without a trophy).
Bayer starts strong. Aranguiz’ wonderful free-kick flick lands on the inside of the post (9′). Two minutes later he aims more precisely. After a tiki-taka move over Diaby, Alario and Wirtz, he scores from 16 meters (11′). 600 Leverkusen fans who traveled with us cheer. But not for long. Bayer screwed it up in 113 seconds.
23 minutes: Frimpong loses the ball against Freuler on the right, Malinovsky plays a one-two with Muriel and scores from eleven meters to make it 1-1.
25 minutes: Bayer wastes the ball again as it moves forward (Palacios missed the pass), this time Malinovskiy puts it through to Muriel – 2-1 Bergamo.
The Werkself continued to sleep after the change: The outstanding Malinovsky was now back at Muriel – 3:1 (49th). M&M dismantle Bayer.
Leverkusen coach Seoane: “A wild ride. In the end we have to be happy that we’re staying at 3-1. Lukas kept two or three good ones.”
The coach had embezzled the follow-up goal from his joker Diaby (63.), who scored to make it 2:3 and saved the chances for the second leg (17.3.). So that in his last year Völler hasn’t quite dreamed of his first title yet.