Europe League
Narrow victory in Baku: Leverkusen secures progression
Jonathan Tah (l) was able to secure three points with Leverkusen against FK Karabakh. photo
© Aziz Karimov/AP/dpa
Bayer Leverkusen did not lose their 16th competitive game this season. At FK Karabakh Agdam, the Rhinelanders don’t play as well as they did recently and only secured victory very late.
Bayer Leverkusen also has its winning streak in the Europa League continued and progress was secured on the fourth matchday.
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. After four of six group games, Leverkusen, who have not lost a competitive game this season, have twelve points.
Alonso rotates
Alonso relied on rotation in his starting eleven. Compared to the 3-2 win at TSG Hoffenheim, the Spaniard made six changes. Among others, goalkeeper Matej Kovar and midfielder Robert Andrich were new to the team.
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.
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.
Late decision by Boniface
After the break, Leverkusen initially took greater control. Bayer 04 had more possession and were able to run the ball well through the midfield from time to time. But the guests rarely got into the penalty area. In the 66th minute, center forward Victor Boniface became dangerous, but Lunew reacted well and saved.
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. 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.