Bayer kept calm against deep-lying guests and secured a deserved victory with late goals. The dream of the triple lives on.
Europa League quarter-finals: Bayer Leverkusen vs West Ham United | 2:0 (0:0)
Xabi Alonso shows a golden touch: Hofmann and Boniface come late and score to win
The live ticker of the game can be read
Conclusion: Bayer Leverkusen can continue to dream of a triple thanks to a deserved victory. Despite a slack in the second half, Xabi Alonso's team had the game on their side for over 90 minutes and rewarded their patience with two late goals. The guests limited themselves to defending in this game, but will inevitably show a different face in the second leg. How big the Werkself's chest will be will depend largely on the coming weekend. Bayer may then travel to the island as German champions.
Bayer Leverkusen – West Ham United 2-0 (0-0)
Bayer Leverkusen lineup: |
Kovar - Stanisic (Hincapie, 66th minute), Tah, Tapsoba - Frimpong (Tella, 66th minute), Palacios, G. Xhaka, Grimaldo, Wirtz, Adli (Hofmann, 76th minute) - Schick (Boniface, 76th minute ) |
West Ham United line-up: |
Fabianski - Coufal, Mavropanos (Johnson, 87th minute), Zouma, Cresswell - Ward-Prowse, Soucek, Kudus (Aguerd, 87th minute), Lucas Paqueta, Emerson - Antonio |
Gates: |
Hofmann (82nd minute), Boniface (91st minute) |
Viewers: |
30,210 (sold out) |
Final whistle: And then it's closing time. Bayer Leverkusen once again proves their class and secures victory against West Ham United with two substitutions.
90 + 1st minute: Now! Alonso has taken the win, because now Boniface also scores!
A short corner takes Hofmann from the left to the far post, where Boniface just has to nod off. That was the decision here in the BayArena.
88th minute: That has to be the decision, but Bayer fails with a triple chance!
First
Soucek blocks a long-range shot and then Tah's attempt from close range.
88th minute:
West Ham is now trying to get more active in the offensive game. However, the English will not want to risk conceding a second goal in the second leg.
82nd minute: Goal for Bayer! The substitute Hofmann!
At a corner, Boniface's shot is blocked, causing the ball to land at Hofmann on the edge of the penalty area. He takes a dry shot and hits the left corner to make it 1-0!
81st minute:
Just under ten minutes of regular playing time left. What we do know, however, is that it is also worth hoping for stoppage time at Leverkusen.
81st minute:
Another attempt from distance. Witz's shot lands very centrally, directly into the arms of the goalkeeper.
79th minute:
The two substitutes immediately offer a co-production. Boniface sends Hofmann out from the center circle, but he comes too late against Fabianski, who clears in dire need.
Leverkusen against West Ham now in the live ticker: Bayer now with Boniface - can they still make a breakthrough?
74th minute:
The Werkself still have a good quarter of an hour left. Xhaka just tried again from a distance and narrowly missed the goal. Meanwhile, Hofmann and Boniface are getting ready.
70th minute:
Leverkusen is desperately looking for a breakthrough! Grimaldo sends a cross to Schick, but Fabianski directs the header over the crossbar!
65th minute:
Now let's see
Frimpong with a dribble and final shot from a tight angle. But as is often the case, this shot isn't a problem for Fabianski.
61st minute:
The question slowly arises as to when Alonso will change for the first time. The passes in the penalty area are now less tidy and therefore more predictable for the guests. A fresh impulse could help the game.
58th minute:
And there is a chance for Wirtz. In the penalty area, the youngster can turn to the right and finishes. However, he was offside and unfortunately the shot lacked precision.
55th minute:
In the first ten minutes, West Ham has found its way back into its role in the first half better. There has been little precision from Bayer here so far, despite persistently high possession of the ball.
Leverkusen against West Ham now in the live ticker: Bayer is having a hard time against deep guests
55th minute:
In the first ten minutes, West Ham has found its way back into its role in the first half better. There has been little precision from Bayer here so far, despite persistently high possession of the ball.
51st minute:
Wirtz serves Frimpong on the right in the penalty area. However, his sharp cross found no taker in the middle as no Leverkusen player was involved.
49th minute:
Incidentally, there were 18 to 1 shots on goal for Bayer in the first half. In addition, the Werkself had a passing rate of over 93% with 76% possession of the ball. You can hardly get more handwriting from Xabi Alonso.
47th minute:
Neither team changed during the break. Only the direction has changed - Leverkusen is now playing on its own curve.
45th minute:
The players come back onto the field and we wait to see whether Bayer will break the knot now.
Leverkusen against West Ham now in the live ticker: Bayer invests a lot, but is not rewarded
45 + 1st minute:
And then it's half time! Bayer Leverkusen has the game under control and had a few chances to take the lead. However, the guests have been defending in a disciplined manner up to this point and are also dealing harshly against the home team here and there. In the end, Bayer couldn't reward themselves with anything worth counting for a decent performance. We'll get back to you after halftime!
45th minute:
There is a one-minute extra time.
41st minute:
The last five minutes have begun. Can Leverkusen still reward themselves with a goal here? A tour would definitely be deserved.
36th minute:
The guests are once again seen at Kovar's goal. In a running duel with Tah, Antonio moves into the penalty area, where his cross is cleared for a corner by Stanisic.
34th minute:
The next good finish. Leverkusen plays around the penalty area and now also resorts to shots from the second row. Fabianski is again able to defuse the ball from Tapsoba to the left corner.
Leverkusen against West Ham now in the live ticker: Bayer is showing patience and becoming more dangerous
30th minute:
And almost the goal! Schick is served at the left corner of the penalty area, pulls in and shoots. But Fabianski quickly gets down and makes a strong save. Probably the best chance of the game so far.
29th minute:
After the somewhat heated phase, the game has now returned to its usual course. Leverkusen tries to combine, West Ham blocks in their own penalty area.
24th minute:
And just 2 minutes later, Paqueta gets on Wirtz's foot. It will be exciting to see how long the Brazilian will be here today.
23rd minute:
Now things are getting rough here for the first time! On the sidelines, Lucas Paqueta takes out the scythe against Adli, which immediately leads to the formation of a pack. He fully deserves the yellow card for this.
20th minute:
Next chance for Bayer! Grimaldo takes heart and shoots from a good 20 meters. Oldie goalkeeper Fabianski has to stretch and directs the ball to the corner.
17th minute:
The English are now extremely deep and haven't left their half for a long time. Bayer is extremely confident on the ball and is getting closer and closer to the goal. So far, however, the wall has stood for the guests, who are defending here at times as a back eight.
12th minute:
Second chance for Adli! Wirtz pulls several players towards him on the left edge of the penalty area and passes through to his teammate. However, the conclusion is clearly lagging. Leverkusen continues to keep the ball here and is very patient.
Leverkusen against West Ham now in the live ticker: Bayer is starting, the guests are lurking
10th minute:
And the guests also approach each other for the first time. Tah is overrun in midfield. When Kudus is served in the penalty area, he can't put any pressure behind his shot.
7th minute:
And the first approach to the goal! Bayer is stuck in the Hammers' penalty area. When the ball is put into the penalty area from the right, Schick tries to heel it towards the goal, but is too imprecise.
4th minute:
At the first free kick of the game, Coufal and Tapsoba rush their heads together. But things continue for both of them.
2nd minute:
The home team immediately claims possession of the ball. The guests from England are lurking in their own half.
1st minute:
And here we go, the ball rolls. Bayer 04 initially play in black kits with the home curve behind them.
Before kick-off:
The teams are currently still in the dressing room, but things will start in a few minutes. We will then get back to you in time for kick-off.
Update, 8:50 p.m.:
With “a lot of experience and high individual quality,” Alonso praised today's opponent before kick-off. Nevertheless, the Basque is confident that his boys want to remain unbeaten in the 42nd competitive game in a row. Patrick Schick should initially provide goals with his “penalty area quality”, as Alonso explains the choice of striker in the starting line-up.
Update, 8:40 p.m.:
The tension in the BayArena is gradually increasing. Needless to say, the stadium is sold out today and the Werkself are really warming up from home.
Update, 8:16 p.m.:
Despite being favorites, Bayer 04 should be warned today. Still painfully remembered from a German perspective, West Ham proved their qualities when they swept SC Freiburg 5-0 in the second leg of the round of 16. Leverkusen, for their part, had their problems with Qarabag Agdam in the home and away games.
Leverkusen against West Ham now in the live ticker: DFB player initially only on the bench
Update, 8:04 p.m.:
And now we can take a look at the lineups. At Bayer it is noticeable that DFB player Robert Andrich is initially just sitting on the bench. For him, Palacios begins. In addition, as in all cup competitions, substitute keeper Matej Kovar is between the posts. The guests from London respond with a 4-2-3-1 formation for today's game. Also there and well known: the ex-Stuttgart Mavropanos.
Update from April 11, 2024, 7:58 p.m.:
Hello and welcome to the live ticker for the quarter-finals of the Europa League! It starts in Leverkusen in just over 60 minutes. Then the Werkself will face West Ham United.
Leverkusen against West Ham in the live ticker today: Alonso's triple dream is alive
First report from April 11, 2024:
Leverkusen - Who else can spoil Bayer Leverkusen's perfect season? In a potentially historic week for the club's history, Xabi Alonso's team will go into the quarter-finals of the Europa League as favorites before being crowned German champions for the first time on Sunday (April 14). The Bayer Cross always emphasizes focusing on one task at a time. On Thursday (April 11, 2024, TV information about the game) they will face West Ham United, an opponent who will have to go into the game decimated.
Despite the upcoming championship: Bayer is focusing on the Europa League
If you ask players and coaches, Sunday's game against Werder is still a long way away. Despite the chance of the first championship title in the club's history and the opportunity to finally get rid of the "Vizekusen" stigma, Xabi Alonso says that they have not yet discussed the duel against Bremen.
Jeremie Frimpong also emphasizes how “easy” it is to concentrate on the game against the Hammers from London. Everyone is eager to play in the quarter-finals. And in fact, the comfortable table situation in the Bundesliga with a 16-point lead allows us to now go all out in European competition.
In terms of personnel, Alonso has almost everything he can do for this week's tasks. Only Adam Hlozek has to miss the game due to an ankle injury. In return, Victor Boniface is recommended for longer playing times - even the starting eleven is possible for the Nigerian.
Leverkusen opponents West Ham United plagued by personnel concerns before the EL duel
Meanwhile, their opponents West Ham have become comfortable with the role of outsiders. With a view to the draw, technical director Tim Steidten already revealed his thoughts: “Please not Leverkusen and not Liverpool. I would have preferred to meet both of them in the final.”
If the current Conference League title holders won the Europa League this year, they would continue in the premier class the following season. For this march through the competitions, we would first need victories against the Werkself, who are always in a good mood, as qualification via the Premier League is already a long way off.
However, the starting position before the first leg is also clouded by the English personnel situation. With Edson Alvarez, Kalvin Phillips and Jarrod Bowen, coach David Moyes is missing three prominent players.
Follow the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final between Bayer Leverkusen and West Ham United here in the live ticker
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(nki)