Bayer 04 Leverkusen – West Ham United 2:0 (0:0)
Unbeaten in the 42nd competitive game of the season: Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen defeated English Premier League club West Ham United 2-0 (0-0), delighting the more than 30,000 spectators in their home stadium. Thanks to two late goals from substitutes Jonas Hofmann (83′) and Victor Boniface (90’+1), coach Xabi Alonso’s team took a big step towards the semi-finals. For the euphoric fans in the stadium, this may be a foretaste of the possible championship party at the weekend: Then the Rhinelanders could perfect the first German football championship in their club’s history.
West Ham United made the spaces very narrow, so that Leverkusen found it difficult to create clear scoring chances despite having more than 60 percent of the ball. In addition, the guests had solid support in goal in Łukasz Fabiański, who saved shots from Amine Adli (10th), Grimaldo (20th) and Patrik Schick (30th) in the first half.
During the game, a violent attack by Lucas Paquetá against Adli caused a stir, which led to a scuffle (21st). The Brazilian then received a yellow card and is suspended for the second leg. Later, Paquetá’s teammate Emerson was also shown a yellow card, meaning the defender will also be missing in a week.
Unbeaten in the 42nd competitive game of the season: Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen defeated English Premier League club West Ham United 2-0 (0-0), delighting the more than 30,000 spectators in their home stadium. Thanks to two late goals from substitutes Jonas Hofmann (83′) and Victor Boniface (90’+1), coach Xabi Alonso’s team took a big step towards the semi-finals. For the euphoric fans in the stadium, this may be a foretaste of the possible championship party at the weekend: Then the Rhinelanders could perfect the first German football championship in their club’s history.
