Werkself review #B04USG: Desire for more

SUMMARY: BELGIAN DEFENSIVE BULWARK

The opening stages of the game belong to the team under head coach Xabi Alonso: The visitors did defend impressively from the start and broke up Leverkusen moves early on. However, the hosts again and again focused on breaking through the opposition defence – as with the best chances in the first half from Florian Wirtz (8’), Moussa Diaby (30') and Piero Hincapie (40'). However there was a lack of precision in finishing. The visitors came into the match as the game progressed with the best chance falling to striker Victor Boniface (29'). The scoreline at half-time with 0-0. After the restart it was the Nigerian again who was on hinder on the left flank before unleashing a shot to put USG 1-0 up (51'). The Black and Reds then initially found it difficult to make progress against an impressive Belgian defence but the Werkself stuck to their guns in the closing stages in search of an equaliser and they were rewarded: Wirtz scored for a deserved 1-1 scoreline on 82 minutes.  Here is the match report.

REACTION: "I'VE RARELY EXPERIENCED AN ATHMOSPHERE LIKE THAT"

Midfielder Robert Andrich summed up proceedings after the final whistle and found words of praise for his teammate Wirtz: "The goal by Flo was incredibly important. He's so valuable to us as a team and he can win games with his moves. We go into the return match with a deserved point. It's difficult but we are confident and it will be a real challenge in the second leg."

Lukas Hradecky showed respect to the opposition: "I would been happy to have had a clean sheet by have to say Boniface scored a great goal. Otherwise I'm not unhappy. It was important not to lose for our mental strength." Nevertheless, the captain is positive ahead of the return match in a weeks time: The second match is now decisive. We've shown what we can do. We are in a position of being able to beat every opponent."

Both Werkself players were impressed by the emotional response from the fans on meeting the team bus, Andrich: "It was really great, I was impressed by the fan choreography, let's have more of it! (He laughs)!” Hradecky said enthusiastically: "At moments like that you can see what progressing in the Europa League can set off in all of us. It was very impressive and I've rarely experienced atmosphere like that. We hope we produce another atmosphere like that again next week!" The CEO Fernando Carro added: "Sensational. We've all got the desire for more, the team, coaches and fans!"

PERSONNEL: WIRTZ SCORES UEFA GOAL OF THE WEEK

Goalscorer Wirtz was not only voted Man of the Match by Black and Red fans but his late equaliser came out top in the UEFA vote for Goal of the Week. And that's not all: The Werkself number 27 has been involved in 16 goals (eight goals, eight assists) for Bayer 04 in the Europa League since the 2019/20 season. That's the best return for a player under 20 years of age on the European stage over that time span.

The Belgian player Siebe Van Der Heyden will not play in the second leg next week after the left back picked up a yellow card last night and is thereby suspended for one match.

STATS: WINNER ON POINTS

The Werkself have their noses in front in terms of statistics: Diaby and Co. hit 15 shots at the goal minded by USG keeper Anthony Moris. The Belgians had eight attempts on goal. The same applies to possession and challenges: The Werkself had 64% possession and were able to win 57% of all challenges. An pass completion was also somewhat greater for the hosts (87%) than for Saint-Gilloise (77%).

Also of interest: Yesterday's draw means Leverkusen remain unbeaten in the current Europa League campaign and the Werkself have always come out on top in the second game. 

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY: "DOOR TO SEMI-FINALS OPEN"

The kicker headline reads "Feeling good ahead of second leg”: Leverkusen run ends, confidence remains." The Süddeutsche Zeitung describes the draw as follows: “Leverkusen ran in danger in Europa League. But then Wirtz cleverly makes it 1-1." The Rheinische Post reports: "Leverkusen hold open the door to the semi-finals" and also found praise for defender Jonathan Tah: "The central defender was on top of most things and defended coolly as well as carefully and resolutely. The form curve clearly continues in an upward direction – and probably towards a return to the national team." A similar view is taken by the Kölner Stadtanzeiger: "The next impressive match of the central defender with ambitions of England. Best Leverkusen player to keep the muscle bound St. Gilloise striker in check."

OUTLOOK:  TWO AWAY GAMES COMING UP

After two more training sessions, the Werkself are back in action on Sunday 16 April in the away game at VfL Wolfsburg on Bundesliga matchday 28. The kick-off at the Volkswagen Arena is at 19.30 CEST. Next Thursday, 20 April, the team under head coach Alonso are away to Union Saint-Gilloise in the quarter-final second leg in the Europa League. The game at the Lotto Park in Belgium kicks off at 21.00 CEST.