He returned to Germany very late from international duty for Argentina, came on as a substitute in the big game and safely converted the penalty to make the final score 2-2 against FC Bayern. But Leverkusen’s Exequiel Palacios not only proved his class with his strong nerves in Munich, but also as a joker.
Came as a joker and scored the equalizer: Exequiel Palacios. IMAGO/Nordphoto
Apparently, Exequiel Palacios is one of the lucky people who have the ability to get enough sleep even under unfavorable conditions. How else can it be explained that the 24-year-old made such a bright impression after being substituted on at half-time in the big game in Munich.
Substitution of Palacios brings more control into the game
The midfielder was able to pass confidently, was strong in tackles, and appeared to be completely rested tactically and thus ensured that Bayer 04 dominated the second half in the Allianz Arena. Alongside Granit Xhaka in the double six, the Argentine determined the rhythm of the game.
“When he came in, we got more control,” said captain Lukas Hradecky, praising the world champion, who had been through a travel ordeal and only landed in Frankfurt at 11 a.m. on Thursday after the international match in Bolivia on Wednesday night. “I don’t know how much he’s slept in the last few days,” Hradecky explained, referring to Palacios’ sleep deficit, “but you couldn’t tell by looking at him.”
Coach Xabi Alonso brought the Gaucho into the game at half-time for Robert Andrich, who got off to a bad start in his first starting role in midfield in over four months and played some bad passes – completely untypical for him. And since Xhaka also wobbled at the start, the Werkself completely lost control of the game in this phase for the first time this season.
The crucial thing is to have the willingness, the mental strength, to still be there, to set the rhythm, to throw yourself into it. He did that brilliantly.
“The start wasn’t good. We didn’t get into it well. We kept playing into Bayern’s press and didn’t get out well. We didn’t hold onto the ball, we didn’t find our positional play or our rhythm,” analyzed managing director Simon Rolfes . After these 20 minutes, the game turned completely around, but from Leverkusen’s point of view it also experienced wild phases like shortly before half-time, when Bayern had great chances again.
After the break, Bayer 04 played the first three games again. Tactically sophisticated, with maximum control – and Palacios (“Of course I was tired, but a game like this gives you extra energy”) as the decisive factor, who acted with somnambulistic confidence. Rolfes highlighted his performance in view of the unfavorable conditions: “The stress cannot be discussed, but what is crucial is having the willingness, the mental strength, to still be there, to determine the rhythm, to get involved. He did that brilliantly .”
And not only that. In stoppage time, Palacios converted the penalty to make the final score 2-2. “No,” he said afterwards that he wasn’t nervous, adding “maybe a little bit” in German. It was immediately clear to him that he would take the penalty. “When I saw that the VAR had intervened (referee Schlager had not punished Davies’ foul on Hofmann, editor’s note), I immediately grabbed the ball. Boni also wanted to shoot, but I have a lot of self-confidence “, explained Palacios, who exudes Leverkusen’s new self-image.
Status as a regular player and penalty taker secured
He is convinced of the class of his team. Mainly because she has developed a new mentality. “We’re all working very hard, the additions give the team a whole new energy, but the other players also work really well together. It’s a unit,” emphasizes Palacios.
This is likely to have consolidated his status after his appearance in Munich. As a regular player and as a penalty taker. He converted the fourth penalty in Munich this calendar year. He had previously scored from the spot in the 1-1 draw in Stuttgart in mid-May, after he had scored twice in one game two months earlier: in the 2-1 win against FC Bayern Munich.
2023-09-16 08:41:43
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