Status: 04.11.2021 10:51 p.m.
Bayer Leverkusen has shown its good face once again in the Europa League. In the top game against Betis Sevilla, coach Gerardo Seoane’s team made a big step towards the round of 16.
After five competitive games without a win, Bayer prevailed 4-0 (1-0) in their own stadium on Thursday evening and leads the Group G table with ten points after four matchdays, ahead of Betis with seven points. As group winners, Leverkusen would qualify directly for the round of 16. The goals for Leverkusen were scored by Moussa Diaby (42nd / 52nd), Florian Wirtz (87th) and Nadiem Amiri (90th).
In addition to the injured Charles Aranguiz, Julian Baumgartlinger, Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Karim Bellarabi and Patrik Schick, Leverkusen was initially also missing Lucas Alario (muscular problems), who could at least take a seat on the bench. After the 2-0 draw against VfL Wolfsburg, Robert Andrich, Diaby and Paulinho started for Bakker, Exequiel Palacios and Alario. Betis coach Manuel Pellegrini, who last spared his regular players, rotated to ten positions.
Leverkusen the more active team – great opportunity for Adli
A first shot by Borja Iglesias (5th) from a good 25 yards did not pose any problems for Leverkusen’s keeper Lukas Hrádecký, on the other side Wirtz (8th) checked Betis goalkeeper Rui Silva with a central attempt from the edge of the box. Even a low shot by Diaby (14th) from eleven meters on the near corner was unsuccessful.
Leverkusen were still the more active team and had their first huge chance after 20 minutes. After a nice combination on the right side, Amine Adli pushed into the Betis penalty area and aimed at the far corner, but ex-Dortmund’s Marc Bartra cleared the line. Then Jeremie Frimpong (24th) met after a pass from Diaby from a similar position to the alleged Leverkusen lead, but the hit was not given due to an offside position.
Hrádecký saves strongly after a Sevilla counterattack – Diaby hits
Seville was almost invisible on the offensive in the first 30 minutes. But after Andrich lost the ball in midfield, the Spaniards switched over at lightning speed, so that Hrádecký had to fend off a powerful shot by Nabil Fekir (35th) from 20 meters in dire need.
Shortly before the break, the strong Bayer team took the lead they deserved. Adli drove the ball over the left side and passed Wirtz, whose buttery-soft flank Diaby (42nd) reached the far post. The 22-year-old did not hesitate and sank the ball volley in the short corner.
Cold shower for Seville after the break
At the beginning of the second half, Leverkusen shocked the now more attacking Spaniards with the second goal. After an attack via Adli, the ball came to Wirtz in the penalty area. Seville’s central defender Victor Ruiz was able to block his shot from the left-hand position, but in the second attempt Diaby (52nd) put the ball from about 17 meters into the right angle. Unlucky Ruiz deflected the shot decisively.
After a foul by Adli in front of their own penalty area, Bayer was lucky that Fekir (67th) failed in the subsequent free kick from 18 meters off the crossbar. Bayer repeatedly countered dangerous. Wirtz (72nd) missed the chance to make a preliminary decision when he shot clearly over the goal with a rotary shot from eight meters. Shortly before the end, Wirtz (87th) did better: After a counterattack, Diaby pushed through to the Leverkusen youngster, who gave Silva no chance. Diaby also prepared the fourth goal, Amiri (90th) only had to insert in the middle.
Red for Fekir and Demirbay
In stoppage time, the emotions boiled high, both Fekir and Leverkusen’s Kerim Demirbay saw the red card after a scuffle. On Sunday (3:30 p.m.) Leverkusen will play in the Bundesliga at Hertha BSC.
Source: sportschau.de