Substitute Patrick Schick glanced dwelling an injury-time equaliser to protect Bayer Leverkusen’s exceptional unbeaten report and hand his facet management of their Europa League last-16 tie in opposition to FC Qarabag.
The Bundesliga leaders appeared like giving up their run of 34 matches unbeaten in all competitions after they went in 2-0 down at half-time in Baku, Juninho establishing the primary and scoring the second with a silky piece of talent.
However Alonso, who had made eight adjustments to his beginning XI, turned to his bench for inspiration and was rewarded as Florian Wirtz scored a fragile chip and Schick nodded in from shut vary in added-time.
Schick 90’+2
Leverkusen stay undefeated #UEL pic.twitter.com/Ej1THU5Z15
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) March 7, 2024
It was a merciless end for the Azerbaijani facet, who misplaced twice to the identical opponents within the group levels, however an additional reminder of the resolve that Leverkusen have developed throughout a revelatory marketing campaign.
Solely Jonathan Tah, Robert Andrich and Alex Grimaldo survived the weekend win over Cologne and Qarabag took their likelihood to claim themselves in a full of life begin.
After forging three good possibilities in fast succession they deservedly took the lead within the twenty sixth minute, Juninho robbing Tah on the press earlier than reducing again throughout the field for Yassine Benzia. His highly effective end thudded into the roof of the web because the hosts turned up the warmth.
The Germans had been gradual to reply, permitting Leandro Andrade a free header on the far submit, and will haven’t any complaints after they conceded once more. This time it was brilliance from Juninho, who collected a fantastic thing about a cross to spring the offside lure and race by means of one on one with Matej Kovar. With the deftest of touches he dragged the ball throughout the keeper, bouncing it over him with a kick off the pitch and leaving an open internet to faucet into.
Jeremie Frimpong, Granit Xhaka, Wirtz and Schick had been all summoned for the rescue job and it was a a lot improved Leverkusen who hit again when Wirtz produced an inch-perfect lob within the seventieth minute.
Kovar made a powerful save from Juninho to maintain the scoreline down and the ruthless visiting facet hit their sucker punch simply as time was operating out, Schick planting Andrich’s cross into the underside nook.
Leverkusen virtually turned a draw right into a win when Frimpong put a last-gasp header vast and can fancy themselves to complete the job on dwelling soil.
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