The championship is almost certain, the DFB Cup is within reach and Bayer 04 Leverkusen is also on the verge of reaching the semi-finals of the Europa League. The Werkself won the quarter-final first leg against English representatives West Ham United 2-0 (0-0) on Thursday.
Jonas Hofmann took the lead in the 83rd minute for Leverkusen, who dominated the entire game. Victor Boniface made it 2-0 in the first minute of added time. Bayer coach Xabi Alonso was satisfied after the next success. “We wanted to be ready, we were ready,” said the Basque. Nevertheless, progress is far from certain: “It’s a good result, but it’s not over.”
Europa League, quarter-finals arrow right
Seven changes in the Bayer starting eleven
Alonso shook up his starting eleven compared to the last Bundesliga game at Union Berlin (1-0) and changed to seven positions. However, with Exequiel Palacios, Jeremie Frimpong and Patrik Schick among others, what was probably the best Bayer formation at the moment was on the pitch.
West Ham, on the other hand, had to do without two key players. The Londoners were missing playmaker Edson Alvarez (suspension) and Jarrod Bowen (injury).
Leverkusen dominated from the start
It was clear from the start how this game would go. The guests retreated deep into their own penalty area, left the ball to Leverkusen and waited for a counterattack. That almost worked in the ninth minute. Michael Antonio ran away from Jonathan Tah and passed it across to Mohammed Kudus in the penalty area. But finishing it wasn’t a problem for Leverkusen’s cup goalkeeper Matej Kovar.
But that was the only notable offensive action by the Londoners in the first half. From then on, Bayer dominated the action, but had difficulty against the visitors’ defensive block. Consequently, two long-range shots from Amine Adli (10th) and Alejandro Grimaldo (20th) were the most dangerous actions. West Ham goalkeeper Łukasz Fabiański was there both times.
Fabianski saves against Schick
In the middle of the first half, West Ham dared to move forward a little more, but this was punished almost immediately. Granit Xhaka used the space for a quick pass to Schick. Fabianski was there again. Because Edmond Tapsoba also missed the Pole from a distance, the game went into the locker room goalless.
But the picture didn’t change after the break. West Ham showed at best hesitant attempts to attack, Leverkusen started unsuccessfully. It wasn’t until the 70th minute that things got loud for the first time in the Leverkusen stadium in the second half: Grimaldo had set up Schick from the left side. Fabianski directed the Czech’s header over the crossbar.
Hofmann comes and scores
Alonso reacted and brought in new offensive forces with Victor Boniface and Jonas Hofmann for Schick and Adli. That almost paid off. Just three minutes after the substitution, Boniface sent Hofmann on his way, but Fabianski was sooner on the ball.
But Bayer acted even more determinedly in the final phase. And then it was the combination of Boniface and Hofmann that provided the redeeming goal. After a corner from Grimaldo, Boniface headed the ball. Although the Nigerian was blocked, the rebound landed at Hofmann, who hit the left corner from 14 meters (83′).
Daniel Neuhaus, sports show, April 11, 2024 11:29 p.m
Six minutes later it was almost 2-0, but West Ham were able to scrape several shots off the line in a row. It didn’t help because in the first minute of stoppage time the score was 2-0. The second joker, Boniface, also scored and ensured an excellent starting position.
Leverkusen against Bremen on Sunday
The second leg will take place next Thursday (April 18, 2024, 9 p.m.) in London. On Sunday (April 14, 2024, 5:30 p.m.) Bayer Leverkusen can clinch the championship in the Bundesliga against Werder Bremen. West Ham welcomes Fulham FC for the derby two hours earlier.
