Bayer 04 Leverkusen, led by former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich midfielder, have been a huge surprise in the 2023/2024 Season. The German club’s impressive performances this year have been translated into Leverkusen’s unbeaten streak, which was in all 34 games they participated in every competition thus far prior to their UEFA Europa League Round of 16 first-leg matchup yesterday. In the continental cup game against the Azerbaijan Premier League side Qarabağ FK, Leverkusen’s unbeaten streak was largely threatened in the 90 minutes plus added time, but the scares were over when they managed to storm back to level things up despite the home team’s 2-0 cushion earlier in the game.
Schick’s Stoppage-Time Equaliser Protected Leverkusen’s Unbeaten Streak
Although there were differences in terms of the reputations both teams had coming into this UEFA Europa League Round of 16 clash, the home side of Qarabağ FK were fearless in their attempt to put a halt to Leverkusen’s unbeaten streak of 34 games. Gurban Gurbanov’s men broke the deadlock in the 26th minute, courtesy of 29-year-old Algeria international Yassine Benzia. Juninho managed to broke free in a wide-open encounter, and he selflessly set up his teammate Benzia for a shot, who smashed it so hard that ex-Manchester United shot stopper Matěj Kovář could not get hold of the ball for the game opener.
The home side’s advantage grew larger in the first-half injury time, this time Juninho became the goal scorer, with Leandro Andrade offering the assist. A poor passage of play by the visiting Alonso side was punished by Qarabağ FK in an counterattack, in which the Brazilian Juninho was unleashed up front via a tremendous through ball, and he chipped the ball over the goalkeeper, followed up by a shot into the unguarded goal for Qarabağ FK’s increased lead before the break.
In order to have a chance of rallying themselves back into the contest and reaching further ground of Leverkusen’s unbeaten streak, the 42-year-old Alonso made several changes after the restart and it was one of his replacements that offered a solution to the German club. Attacker Florian Wirtz, who is dubbed one of the best young footballers at the moment and introduced onto the pitch in the 58th minute, chipped the shot stopper in pulling one back for the visitors. The play that led to Leverkusen’s first goal of the match was due to a poor back pass by the home team that allowed the speedy Wirtz to go into the penalty box with ease.
Meanwhile in the UEFA Champions League: Real Madrid 1-1 RB Leipzig: Vinícius Júnior’s Goal Secures 14-Time Winners’ Tickets to the UCL Last 8
PATRIK SCHICK EQUALISES FOR BAYER LEVERKUSEN IN THE 92ND MINUTE! 😮
Their unbeaten season looks set to continue! 🔥#UEL | #QARB04
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) March 7, 2024
Leverkusen’s Unbeaten Streak in 35 Games: 30 Wins and Five Draws in All Competitions
With both teams staring at a famous win by Qarabağ FK in the first leg of the 2023/2024 UEFA Europa League Round of 16, Patrik Schick came to Alonso’s men’s and Leverkusen’s unbeaten streak’s rescue right at the death. The 28-year-old striker rose to the highest to meet a delivery by midfielder Robert Andrich, and his header would end in the back of the net to bring things all square again. There was insufficient time for both teams to seek a winner in the remainder of the first-leg contest, which means they have it all to play for in the second leg, which will be taking place at BayArena in a week’s time.
Czech Republic national team footballer Schick’s late late strike allowed Leverkusen’s unbeaten streak to stretch into 35 games in all competitions in 2023/2024, meaning they have stayed invincible in every match they have played in the current campaign. If we delve into the details of Leverkusen’s unbeaten streak, there were 20, six and four victories in the German Bundesliga 1, the UEFA Europa League and the DFB-Pokal respectively, with the rest of the games being stalemates. It is also worth mentioning that Xabi Alonso’s side have been undefeated competitively since May 2023, where they lost to Italian Serie A‘s AS Roma in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League Semifinals last season.
The last team who defeated Leverkusen prior to the start of the magnificent Leverkusen’s winning streak AS Roma are also in the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 in 2023/2024. The Rome-based outfit, now managed by former club captain Daniele De Rossi, were amongst the biggest winners yesterday with their 4-0 destruction over Premier League’s Brighton & Hove Albion. The superior advantage gained last night could only mean AS Roma have pretty much progressed into the UEL Last 8, unless their English opponents can stage a miracle come back in the returning game. Check out all the match happenings in the detailed article that we have prepared for you here.
Alonso on Leverkusen’s Unbeaten Streak Being Continued: “We Knew We Could Do Better.”
After surviving Qarabağ FK in Czech Republic to prolong Leverkusen’s unbeaten streak to 35 games, Alonso spoke about the differences between the first and second 45 minutes, and what were the crucial aspects that altered the momentum of the game from a potential upset to a 2-2 draw. The Spaniard also highlighted the fact that his side could not afford to lose the first leg at away ground with a large margin like 3-0 or 4-0.
“It was not an easy moment at half time. We knew we could do better, but we also knew it was not a Bundesliga game, it was a knockout game. We knew that we had to be intelligent to avoid being knocked out 3-0 or 4-0. We then made a few changes to show a bit of pride and toughness, to fight and simply step on the gas a bit more. Then it got better and it was important that we were able to make a come back even in this bad moment and show that we can do better,” said the ex-midfield maestro during his professional senior career in multiple Europe’s Top Five Leagues and European club football competitions.
You Might Be Interested: Frenkie de Jong and Pedri Injured in FC Barcelona’s Dreadful 0-0 Stalemate Against Athletic Club
View this post on Instagram
