3-2 at Villarreal - U19s lose in the last 32 of the Youth League

Head coach Kevin Brok made two changes to the starting XI compared to the last competitive match to date, the crucial 2-1 home win against Newcastle United in the Youth League at the beginning of December last year: Simeon Rapsch replaced Jesper Schlich between the posts, while Werkself first-team player Axel Tape started in the centre of midfield in place of the suspended Naba Mensah.

Werkself turn the game around thanks to a double strike

The Werkself started the game with real drive towards goal against former Spain goalkeeper and world and European champion Pepe Reina's side. Leverkusen forced the game when in possession, while Villarreal looked to counter-attack via their quick wingers. And it was one of these attacking wingers, Iker Adelantado, who darted into the centre from the right in the ninth minute and fired an unstoppable shot into the corner to make it 1-0 for the Yellow Submarine. But the Werkself's reply took less than two minutes: via Jeremiah Mensah on the right, the ball ended up with Emmanuel Chigozie Owen in the centre, who finished coolly to quickly make it 1-1 (11')! The game kept swinging back and forth, with both teams really going for it.

The next goal of this intense encounter also came from Bayer 04: Culbreath set up U17s talent Ivan Massek on the half-left who, thanks to a fine feint, had a clear run at goal and he slotted the ball into the corner to turn the result on its head and make it 2-1(18')! The game then settled down a little and the action moved into midfield. 35 minutes were on the clock when Werkself keeper Simeon Rapsch had to make another save. Villarreal stepped up the pace again in this final phase of the first half, but Ben Hawighorst and Co. withstood the pressure and took the 2-1 advantage into the dressing room.

Villarreal also score twice - and progress

The second half began with a brilliant save by Rapsch from an attempt by Villarreal's Joselillo Gaitán (48'). For the most part, it was now just the Spaniards playing, with the ball rarely getting out of Leverkusen's half. A good ten minutes later, Chigozie Owen had a great chance, but missed with only the goalkeeper to beat (57'). Jeremiah Mensah also failed with an effort in the 60th minute. Coach Brok then brought on Isaiah Eichie in defence for goalscorer Massek and changed the system. 71 minutes were on the clock when a set-piece brought the home side level (2-2), with Hugo López's direct free-kick going in off the crossbar. That broke the spell for the Yellow Submarine, and Daniel Budesca slotted home from close range to make it 3-2 for the Spaniards (72'). The Werkself now pushed forward again and created one or two chances. However, they were denied the much-desired third goal. Despite putting up a great fight, the narrow defeat meant they were eliminated from the Youth League.

"Of course we're very disappointed about being knocked out," explained Brok after the final whistle. The Dutchman's analysis: "We did very well in the first 30 minutes and had a good response to the early goal we conceded. But then we lost control a bit and Villarreal came back. In the end, the lads threw everything into it again, but it wasn't to be." Looking ahead to the upcoming tasks in the main round of the DFB Youth League, Brok said: "There's still a lot of emotion right now. We'll head back tomorrow, analyse the game briefly on Friday and then focus on looking forward. We'll go for it together in the league."

Looking ahead: Start of the main round against Paderborn

Up next for the Leverkusen U19s is Matchday 1 in League A of the main round of the DFB Youth League. This Sunday, 8 February (kick-off: 12.30 CET), SC Paderborn 07 will be the visitors to the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. Bayer 04 will broadcast the match live and free of charge on the club's own channels.

The stats:

Villarreal: Polo - Budesca, Palomares, Diallo, Petersson - Roca (34' Gaitán), Rodríguez (64' Traore), Alcaide (81' Albiol) - Arjona (64' Welle Tendeng), López (81' Juan), Adelantado

Bayer 04: Rapsch - Domnic, Pohl, Hawighorst, Turay - Berghoff, Tape (78' Traoré) - Culbreath, J. Mensah, Massek (60' Eichie) - Chigozie Owen

Goals: 1-0 Adelantado (9'), 1-1 Chigozie Owen (11'), 1-2 Massek (18'), 2-2 López (71'), 3-2 Budesca (72')

Yellow cards: Roca, Diallo, Gaitán, Juan - Berghoff

Referee: Tom Owen (Wales)

Spectators: 1,712 at Mini Estadi de la Ciudad Deportiva del Villarreal