Europe League
Seoane trusts Bayer title
The Bayer Leverkusen players during final training. photo
© Federico Gambarini/dpa
Bayer Leverkusen is playing in Belgium for a place in the semi-finals of the Europa League. But there shouldn’t be the end of the line, as ex-coach and midfielder Andrich emphasizes.
Ex-coach Gerardo Seoane believes Bayer Leverkusen can win the Europa League title before the quarter-final second leg at Union Saint-Gilloise in the evening (9 p.m. / RTL).
The Belgians “made a good impression” in the 1-1 first leg, the Swiss told Sport1: “Nevertheless, I believe in Bayer 04 progressing. It won’t be easy, but the high quality of Leverkusen in attack will make the difference make.” In the event of a semi-final entry, “the field of participants is very balanced. Both Feyenoord and AS Roma are considered strong opponents, but you can still claim to defeat them. Anything is possible in a final.”
Andrich: “It’s about time again”
Seoane led Bayer to third place in the Champions League last year. There he started with one win and two losses. After the 0-2 draw at FC Porto on October 4, he was suspended. Under successor Xabi Alonso, Bayer finished third in the group stage after two draws and one defeat, thus missing the knockout phase, but was allowed to continue in the Europa League.
It’s not the same as the premier class, admitted midfielder Robert Andrich before the game in Brussels, but it’s still an interesting competition. “It’s not a Champions League, but it can be something special,” he said: “Reaching the semi-finals would always be something special anyway. And in the Europa League that would be a huge thing. For me personally and for the club . The last time was in 2002. It’s about time again.” After reaching the last semi-final in a European Cup to date, Bayer also reached the final of the Champions League, but lost 2-1 to Real Madrid.