return the UEFA Europa League and with it all the ambitions of the teams that will fight to lift the trophy on May 31 in Dublin. The quarterfinals begin in a competition packed with great teams seeking glory. One of the matches of the night took place in the German city of Leverkusen between the Bayer 04 Leverkusen and the Union Saint-Gilloise. Undoubtedly, a duel of stars overshadowed by the football giants that seek to surprise in the silver category of UEFA tournaments.
The match at the BayArena was the beginning of a stage for both teams, and there is no data to confirm previous clashes between them. This in turn turns the occasion into a magnificent event. The stadium was dressed in red and black to welcome their team on a night where Leverkusen’s dreams came alive again.
Situation of both clubs
The locals come to the event with a run of seven consecutive victories counting all competitions. However, in the Bundesliga, the boys from Xabi Alonso They are in sixth position behind Freiburg. Meanwhile, as far as European competitions are concerned, Bayer 04 Leverkusen has known how to deal with the situations that have arisen throughout the season, despite the slip they had in the UEFA Champions League.
For its part, the Belgian team is fully involved in the fight for the Flemish league. The cadre directed by Karel Geraerts It is being a stupor for its rivals. The Belgian club is not widely recognized around the world, which makes its exploits rare and remarkable milestones. A squad full of young footballers who will not let the European dream escape in the German stadium.
Lineups and casualties
Bayer 04 Leverkusen: Lukas Hradecky, Edmond Tapsoba, Jonathan Tah Piero Hincapie, Jeremy Frimpong, Mitchell Bakker, Exequiel Palacios, Robert Andrich, Florian Wirtz, Patrik Schick (Baja), Andrey Lunev (Baja).
Union Saint-Gilloise: Anthony Moris, Ismael Kandouss, Christian Burgess, Siebe van der Heyden, Bart Nieuwkoop, Jean Thierry Lazare, Teddy Teuma, Loic Lapoussin, Yorbe Vertessen, Victor Okoh Boniface.
Much is made out of nothing
The first bet ended as it had begun. However, the sensations were not the same on both benches. The Spanish coach was much calmer than his rival. The parsimony of the German team was reflected in the control they had at all times. The Belgian team was not able to keep the ball for more than two minutes, all this due to the great pressure from the box Xabi Alonso after losing the ball.
Despite absolute control of the game, the second classified in the Belgian league was very strong in the lower zone. Bayer 04 Leverkusen looked for spaces where there were none and left their homework for the second half. Xabi Alonso He was aware at all times of the importance of winning the match at home to leave the tie almost resolved.
Wirtz’s right hand is priceless
The desire for the goal with which the local team began the second half caused the Union Saint-Gilloise’s first goal. A class counterattack ended up being finished off by the striker Boniface. Things were getting difficult for a team that was not favored by the result at all. The other side of the coin was the one seen by the Belgian team, and that is that with very little they were able to get ahead in the tie.
How could it be otherwise, Florian Wirtz put the equalizer in the electronic and gave wings to the Leverkusen team. Despite the goal, the Germans did not throw in the towel and put all the meat on the grill introducing completely offensive changes. Union Saint-Gilloise suffered, but managed to hold on.
protagonists
In the local team the most outstanding footballer was Florian Wirtz, who after his long injury has managed to recover his level and become the star of a team in need. The coach fully trusts him and his faculties as a professional, which allows the player to blossom the soul of the champion that he has inside.
Among the footballers of the Belgian club It would not be fair to choose a single protagonist since the team has worked as a solid and powerful block from which no one has detached. Bayer 04 Leverkusen’s attack was neutralized in most plays and only a marvel from Wirtz was what equalized the tie that remains completely open for Belgium.