Head coach Xabi Alonso made seven changes to his team from the 1-0 win at Union Berlin, with only Jonathan Tah, Alejandro Grimaldo, Granit Xhaka and Florian Wirtz keeping their places. Bayer 04 made their mark on the game early on and created the first chance through Patrik Schick’s back heel. Mohammed Kudus had the first opportunity for the visitors, who were without suspended midfielder Edson Alvarez and top scorer Jarrod Bowen. Moments later, Amine Adli tested Lukasz Fabianski from range in a fast-paced opening period. Leverkusen continued to play their way around the compact Hammers with the patience that Alonso had called for in advance.
Amongst all the passing, Grimaldo had a dangerous shot from range before Schick again failed to make a chance stick. West Ham playmaker Lucas Paqueta picked up a yellow card during this phase of the game and will miss the return fixture through suspension. It didn’t stop the Werkself from playing their way, constantly probing as the possession counter reached over 80 percent after half an hour. Edmond Tapsoba also tried his luck from range and Emerson almost found the back of his own net with a clearance. Despite it being 18-1 on the shot count, it remained goalless at the break at the BayArena.
Not long after the restart, Emerson picked up a booking that also rules him out of the second leg, while Bayer 04 just kept plugging away. The best chance came after 70 minutes when Grimaldo flashed in a cross that Schick turned towards goal with his head, only for Fabianski to show great reactions from close range to tip it over the bar. Alonso decided it was time for fresh legs, introducing Nathan Tella, Hofmann and Boniface up front.
And those changes made a telling impact. From a corner, Boniface’s first shot was blocked but fell to Hofmann to fire through the body of players with only seven minutes remaining. Bayer 04 very nearly doubled their advantage moments later with a triple chance that saw Xhaka’s shot and two follow-ups from Tah cleared off the line. A second did come in added time, though, when Boniface powered in a header at the far post.
It keeps Leverkusen unbeaten in 42 competitive fixtures this season as they prepare to host Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga on Sunday (kick-off: 5.30pm CEST) knowing that victory will see them crowned champions for the first time ever. The second leg at West Ham is then on Thursday.
Match stats:
Bayer 04: Kovar - Stanisic (Hincapie 66'), Tah, Tapsoba - Frimpong (Tella 66'), Xhaka, Palacios, Grimaldo - Wirtz, Adli (Hofmann 76') - Schick (Boniface 76')
West Ham: Fabianski - Coufal, Mavropanos (Aguerd 87'), Zouma, Cresswell, Emerson - Paqueta, Soucek, Ward-Prowse - Kudus (Johnson 87'), Antonio
Goals: 1-0 Hofmann (83'), 2-0 Boniface (90'+1)
Yellow cards: Paqueta, Emerson
Referee: Artur Dias (Portugal)
Attendance: 30,210 (sold out) at the BayArena
Intercultural exchange: a youth team from Ouagadougou, the capital city of Burkina Faso, visited Leverkusen in the last few days. The players and staff from AD DUHA FC enjoyed a varied programme including training, a friendly - and a very special experience on Saturday afternoon.
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