Hložek hits the bar, Schick back on the pitch and Leverkusen’s unfortunate defeat

Leverkusen entered the Europa League play-offs with a 2:3 home defeat to Monaco. Adam Hložek, who hit the bar late in the game, and Patrik Schick, who came on from the bench, were also involved in the entertaining game.

Monaco took the lead from the first big chance. Goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky mishandled the ball, Breel Embolo put him under pressure and the Finnish international knocked the ball into his own net in the scrum. He claimed a foul, but was unsuccessful.

Otherwise, opportunities were minimal, with only Edmond Tapsoba asking for a sending off under yellow. In the 20th minute, Embolo shot dangerously, but only sent the ball into the side netting.

Then Adam Hložek tried his luck from distance, the visiting goalkeeper dealt with the shot from outside the box. Before half-time, Hradecky made up for his mistake from the opening half by parrying Krépin Diatta’s shot.

Robert Andrich had the equalizer on his feet in the setup, but he did not score between the three bars. After the change of sides, Leverkusen quickly equalised. Moussa Diaby finished off a good team effort with a nice cross and a ground shot.

And in the 59th minute, the tables were turned. Florian Wirtz made cones out of the opposition players and finished off a successful slalom with an uncompromising finish. Then he tried his luck again, this time from a sharper angle, and missed the space between the three posts.

In the 74th minute the game was tied again. Diatta sent the ball to the back post with his left foot, and although the replay indicated a theoretical offside, the goal stood. Ten minutes later, Monaco almost regained the lead, but Wissam Ben Yedder was saved by Hradecky.

On the other side, Hložek hit the bar and was replaced by Patrik Schick. And the Czech goal scorer watched as the visiting Axel Disasi made the final 2:3. Leverkusen will travel to Monaco next week with a one-goal deficit.

Source: UEFA