Leverkusen beat Monaco on penalties to move on! Schick scores in the shootout

Bayer Leverkusen can breathe a sigh of relief. They won a thrilling duel with Monaco on penalties and are through to the Europa League eighth round. Patrik Schick also scored in the shootout.

Bayer Leverkusen travelled to the Princes’ ground with an unfavourable result. In the first leg of the 1/16 final of the Europa League, they lost 2:3 at home to Monaco and had to play catch-up.

For the rematch, coach Xabi Alonso put Adam Hložek in the starting line-up at the top of the attack, while Patrik Schick remained on the bench.

But Florian Wirtz proved to be the key player. In the 13th minute, Jeremie Frimpong broke free on the right side, centred in front of goal and Wirtz tapped the ball into the net – 1: 0.

But the home team didn’t let up. After just six minutes, a penalty was whistled for Monaco after a foul by Edmond Tapsoba. Wissam Ben Yedder took the penalty kick and equalised at 1:1.

But the shooting day continued. Before Monaco could even get used to being level, they were already losing again. Two minutes later, Exequiel Palacios gave Bayer Leverkusen the lead with a beautiful shot to the bar. At that point, the German team was leading 2:1 and the score was 4:4.

It was time to go to the booths, but Leverkusen wanted to decide the match early and not let it go into extra time. In the 58th minute, Wirtz found Amine Adli in the whitewash with a perfect pass, who increased the score to 3:1. At that point, Leverkusen had already advanced.

But Monaco did not give up. In the 84th minute, Breel Embolo ran onto a centred ball from Krepin Diatta and headed it just wide of the post. The game went into extra time. However, no goal was scored, and the game went to penalties.

Leverkusen started it, Azmoun converted. On the other side, Disasi scored and Amiri sent Bayer back into the lead. But Matazo didn’t convert for Monaco and Tapsoba put Bayer in the advantage. Embolo reduced the deficit, Patrik Schick converted the fourth penalty.

Volland had another chance for Monaco, but Diaby scored from the fifth penalty to send Leverkusen into the Europa League eight-finals.

Source: UEFA