VIDEO: Hero Patrik Schick! Czech striker came on as a joker, saved Leverkusen from defeat and Europa League elimination in the setup

Bayer Leverkusen will reach the quarter-finals of the Europa League. But it was an unexpectedly high drama. Czech striker Patrik Schick was the hero in both matches against Karabakh, scoring a total of three goals against the Azerbaijani side.

The current top team in the German league has not lost yet this season. Bayer Leverkusen is rewriting records and history not only within the club but also in German football. Xabi Alonso is doing an excellent job and leading his team not only to the Bundesliga title.

The team, which includes three players from the Czech Republic, also has ambitions in the Europa League. It had no major problems in the competition until the eighth round. Even in the first knockout round it was not expected, but the opposite was true.

Leverkusen faced Karabakh, an Azerbaijani side with some interesting foreigners in their squad. The former French talent Yassine Benzia is worth mentioning.

The first match already suggested that it would not be easy. It was played on neutral ground, but Karabakh did well. They were no worse than Bayer. They even held the lead for a significant part of the game, by two goals.

In the second half, however, the German side drew level at 2-2, saved by Patrik Schick, who came on as a joker and in injury time averted Leverkusen’s first defeat of the season.

Patrik Schick also scored in the rematch

Leverkusen were expected to play much better in the rematch. The opposite was true. At least in terms of results. Bayer actually played at a higher tempo, creating scoring opportunities.

But the battle turned out to be a huge drama. In the 67th minute, Karabakh still led 2-0. However, Jeremie Frimpong reduced the deficit in the 72nd minute. By then, Patrik Schick was the hero on the pitch.

It was the Czech striker who started to dominate in the set-up, when the German fans had apparently given up hope of progression.

He struck for the first time in the match in the 93rd minute, when he equalised at 2:2 and seemed to send the match at least into extra time. In the penalty area he showed killer instinct.

Fortunately, there was no extra time. Four minutes later Patrik Schick scored for the second time, this time beating the Karabakh goalkeeper with a great header.

Although St. Patrick’s Day will not be celebrated until Sunday, March 17, Leverkusen celebrated it slightly ahead of schedule.

This season, Patrik Schick has already scored 9 goals and also added an assist. He needed 19 competitive matches to do so. However, he is most successful in the Europa League, where he has already scored five goals.

Source: Twitter, UEFA, Transfermakt