Bayer Leverkusen preserved their unbeaten streak and sustained hopes for a notable treble by securing a 3-2 (5-4 aggregate) victory over Qarabag in the Europa League last-16 second leg encounter held at their home ground on Thursday. Patrik Schick emerged as the hero of the match, netting two crucial goals during stoppage time. The triumph, masterminded by manager Xabi Alonso, extends Leverkusen’s undefeated record to 37 matches this season, securing their advancement to the Europa League quarter-finals.
Schick, the prolific goalscorer, commended his team’s resolute performance on what he described as an “unforgettable night.” He attributed their success to unwavering team spirit and relentless determination, underscoring their consistent ability to persevere until the final whistle.
Having salvaged a draw in the first leg after being down 2-0, Leverkusen entered the return fixture as favorites against Qarabag, the Azerbaijani underdogs. However, the match proved to be a stern test as the visitors initially took the lead in the second half through Abdellah Zoubir’s finish from a Leandro Andrade cross.
Subsequently, Qarabag’s momentum was disrupted by the dismissal of Elvin Jafarguliyev, reducing them to ten men following a VAR-reviewed challenge on Jeremie Frimpong. Nevertheless, they managed to double their advantage courtesy of Juninho’s goal five minutes later.
Undeterred by the setbacks, Leverkusen clawed their way back into contention when Frimpong found the net to narrow the deficit. Schick, who had faced criticism for his goal drought in league matches, seized the moment by leveling the scores with a timely finish from an Alex Grimaldo cross in the 93rd minute.
In a dramatic turn of events, Schick delivered the decisive blow, heading in another assist from Grimaldo to secure a remarkable victory just moments before the final whistle.
Reflecting on the match, manager Alonso emphasized the significance of the win, attributing it to the team’s collective determination and resilience. He acknowledged that while the performance may not have been their finest, the result was a testament to their grit and passion on the field.
With this triumph, Bayer Leverkusen maintains their pursuit of an unprecedented treble, currently holding a commanding lead in the Bundesliga standings with nine games remaining and advancing to the semi-finals of the German Cup.