With seven changes to the starting line-up, the Werkself imposed their dominant style of play on the visitors from Azerbaijan, with Borja Iglesias having four attempts on goal in the early stages alone. After around half an hour, head coach Xabi Alonso had to take off Jonas Hofmann due to a muscular problem. Florian Wirtz then had the next chance, striking the bar from an offside position, but the first half ended goalless. After that, things really escalated. Qarabag went in front in the 58th minute, had a man sent off four minutes later and then even made it 2-0 in the 67th minute. However, like the 2-2 draw in the first leg in Baku, the Werkself came back from two goals down in the closing stages - and this time, went one better. Jeremie Frimpong reduced the deficit in the 72nd minute, before substitute Patrik Schick emerged as the hero of the hour. In time added on, the Czech international first finished off a pass from Alejandro Grimaldo and then headed in the winning goal in the 98th minute. Wild scenes broke out among those in black and red as they celebrated progression to the quarter-finals. Here's the full match report.
"This mentality is unbelievable - I've rarely experienced anything like it," rejoiced Granit Xhaka afterwards. Alonso, meanwhile, spoke of a "special night at the BayArena, that we'll remember for a long time". Analysing the match, the Spaniard said: "We started well but then lost control somewhat. It wasn't easy to come back after conceding two goals. You can't train things like that, it's the belief of the team and every single player in themselves. Now we're just glad to be in the next round."
The Bild newspaper headlined their report with the words "Schick madness in stoppage time", and went on to write: "They just can't lose! Schick equalised at 2-2 from Grimaldo's cross and crowned the madness with his goal to make it 3-2 in the seventh minute of stoppage time." The Rheinische Post went with the headline "Schick rescues Leverkusen's run - yet again" and described a "surprisingly difficult task". And the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger spoke of a "spectacular victory".
One of the central figures for the men in black and red was undoubtedly two-goal hero Schick. Having come off the bench on the hour mark, the striker scored his fourth and fifth goals in this season's competition in added time, continuing his impressive form in the Europa League: Schick has scored all five of his goals in the last four UEL games. The Czech also netted the late equaliser in the first leg in Baku.
There was also a milestone on this spectacular European evening at the BayArena: Amine Adli, who operated as a left wing-back against Qarabag, made his 100th competitive appearance for Bayer 04 - 24 of them in the Europa League.
The Werkself never gave up and pushed hard for the comeback. Alonso's side fired off 33 shots - the highest figure for a team in a Europa League fixture this season. The last time Bayer 04 came from two goals behind to win a Europa League game was in September 2018 against Ludogorets (also 3-2).
Leverkusen are also superior in the other key stats from the round of 16 second leg: 71% possession, 53% tackles won and a better pass completion rate (90%-74%).
The Werkself have one more Bundesliga match before the final international break of this season. On Sunday 17 March (kick-off 15:30 CET), Bayer 04 are away to SC Freiburg. The next home game is on Saturday 30 March (kick-off 15:30 CET) against TSG Hoffenheim.
Exciting experiences and exclusive insights into the Werkself and the BayArena awaited the young footballers from the BA04 Football Academy Guangzhou in China during their visit to the Rhineland this week. As well as taking part in a joint training session with the Bayer 04 Football Academy, the youngsters marvelled at the Bundesliga club’s stadium during a guided tour. The highlight of the visit was a private press conference with former Bayer 04 striker Stefan Kießling, during which he shared tips from his own career with the young players. On Saturday afternoon, 10 October, the group will round off their visit by supporting the Werkself in the away match in Mainz.
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Fun, games and promising talent: At the fourth Bayer 04 Junior Girls’ Talent Day at the Kurtekotten training centre, 90 football-mad girls had the chance to put themselves forward for the Werkself youth teams. During a 90-minute training session, children born between 2011 and 2019 had the chance to demonstrate their skills.
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Despite the international break, numerous Werkself fans turned up at the BayArena on Saturday 3 October. The occasion: Bayer 04, together with Bayer Vital and main sponsor BarmeniaGothaer, organised a Health Day. In the stadium’s Premium Lounge, guests listened to fascinating talks on the subject of cancer, featuring, amongst others, Bayer 04 record appearance holder Rüdiger Vollborn and former Werkself player Hans Sarpei. Afterwards, young and old alike enjoyed interactive stations such as a grip strength test and eye pupil test.
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In issue #56 of Werkself Magazine, Afonso Moreira offers some interesting insights into his home country, Portugal, as part of the ‘Sag mal’ (Tell me) feature. Among other things, the 21-year-old talks about his favourite places in the country on the Iberian Peninsula, the local cuisine and music, as well as heroes and historical figures beyond the world of football. ‘Sag mal’ with Afonso Moreira!
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