Match report: Monaco 2(3)-3(5) Leverkusen (P.Ks)
Bayer Leverkusen progressed to the last 16 of the UEFA Europa League (UEL) after winning a goal-laden tie on penalties, ending Monaco’s unbeaten home run of 13 games in UEFA competition.
This game looked to be no different as good chances for Mitchel Bakker and Wissam Ben Yedder almost provided immediate drama.
But after a strong start, the visitors deservedly took the lead when Florian Wirtz became the youngest player to score seven UEL goals by tapping in Jeremie Frimpong’s low cross to make it 1-0.
Monaco were a side full of confidence having gone unbeaten in their last eight games and quickly drew level when Salim Ben Seghir was cynically fouled inside the area by Edmond Tapsoba, allowing Wissam Ben Yedder to level the scores from the spot.
But just two minutes after that Monaco equaliser, Leverkusen regained the lead in a frenetic contest thanks to a brilliant curled Exequiel Palacios effort that found its way into the bottom corner.
Just like in the first half, Leverkusen started on top after the restart and flew in the lead following some brilliant attacking play that culminated in Wirtz’s cross being nodded in by Amine Adli, who repaid his inclusion after being sent off at the weekend.
This incredibly open game showed no signs of slowing down as Ben Yedder saw his effort rattle the crossbar, before Bakker saw his effort ruled out for a tight offside at the other end.
To Monaco’s credit they didn’t relent and after going close through Ben Seghir they brought the tie to 3-2 – mirroring the first leg score – after substitute Breel Embolo rose highest to meet Krépin Diatta’s cross late on.
Edan Diop almost won it on his debut when he turned in Myron Boadu’s cross, however the ball had gone out of play in the build up with the game on a knife edge as it entered extra-time.
The rollercoaster nature of the game continued when Bakker skipped past two defenders before seeing his effort saved by Alexander Nübel.
Monaco’s best chance in extra time fell to the former Leverkusen man Kevin Volland who powered his header straight at Lukáš Hradecký as a dramatic game to penalties.
It was Leverkusen who sealed a place in the next round thanks to a string of fine penalties, after unfortunate Monaco youngster Eliot Matazo saw his effort painfully crash against the crossbar.
