Bayer 04 Leverkusen have booked their place in the last 16 of the Europa League on Matchday 5. But the Werkself made it unnecessarily tense with a late 3-2 win over Celtic Glasgow
Leverkusen immediately took control of the game, but initially failed to create any dangerous finishes. Andrich’s header (10th) was the best chance in the opening quarter of an hour. Immediately after the end of the first quarter, however, the ball finally found its way into the net: After a corner by Wirtz, Andrich made a decisive run and headed in powerfully (16th). Afterwards, Celtic did more for the game, but could not get past the Leverkusen defence.
Two aluminium goals and a penalty conceded after VAR intervention: Leverkusen’s first half ends bitterly
The Werkself, for whom coach Gerardo Seoane made four changes after the 1-0 win against Bochum (Kossounou, Hincapie, Paulinho and Palacios came into the team for the suspended Demirbay, Sinkgraven, Tapsoba and Amiri), combined less and less forward after the lead and did not consistently finish the rare attacks. But that was not enough: After an illegal intervention by Hradecky against Furuhashi and the subsequent viewing of the video footage, Celtic were awarded a penalty (39th). Juranovic chipped it into the goal (40.).
Bayer 04 almost managed a quick answer before the end of the match – but first Diaby and then Wirtz failed to hit the aluminium (44th). Therefore, despite a goal difference of 6:1 for Leverkusen, they went into the dressing room with a 1-1 score.
Hradecky also has to reach behind for the second shot on goal
Celtic fought back harder after the restart, but Leverkusen had another good chance. But Hart, the visitors’ keeper, saved from Diaby and the rushing Adli, whose shot in front of the empty goal bounced too far off his foot (53rd). A little later the home side were caught cold again: Celtic Glasgow, who had been changed in only one position by coach Ange Postecoglou after the 1-0 defeat of St. Johnstone in the Scottish League Cup (Forrest replaced Abada), also finished the second shot on goal. This time the visitors were more fortuitous in their finishing after a counter-attack and subsequent slip by Frimpong. Jota didn’t care – he fired in a well-placed shot to make it 2-1 (56th).
The Seoane team from Leverkusen was impressed by the deficit. Wirtz, among others, proved this with his unsuccessful dribble in minute 64. The home side also hardly managed to get through.
Fulminant final phase gives Leverkusen victory
Ten minutes from time, Bayer 04 stepped up a gear. First, the hapless Adli failed again against Hart (80.). But Leverkusen stayed in it – and again the home side was able to celebrate thanks to an Andrich goal (82nd). Celtic had defended too airily and the scorer and preparer Amiri had an easy time. The cherry on the cake was finally set by Diaby, who scored after Wirtz’s second assist with an impressive volley to regain the lead (87th). Leverkusen remained superior, but almost at the final whistle Hradecky had to save from Turnbull (90.+7) – after that it was over. The Werkself are now safely in first place in Group G and are through to the last 16.
On the sixth matchday of the Europa League, Leverkusen will host Ferencvaros Budapest on 9 December (9 pm). Glasgow will host Real Betis Sevilla at the same time. In the Bundesliga, the Werkself has to play RB Leipzig on Sunday.