Monaco-Bayer Leverkusen is the return match of the Europa League round of 16 play-offs and is played on Thursday at 18:45: predictions.
A week ago, as predicted, Bayer Leverkusen and Munich produced one of the most spectacular and entertaining matches of the Europa League night, second only to the big match between Barcelona and Manchester United. It was also enjoyed from the bench by the Monaco coach Philippe Clement, who emphasised at the end of the match how both teams had performed at a high level, ‘Champions League style’.
The Principality’s side came out on top in the photo finish, with Disasi’s goal in the dying minutes making it 2-3 and giving Monaco a significant advantage in the return leg. After having unblocked the game with an own goal, the red and whites were overturned in the second half by Leverkusen’s two most dangerous players, Diaby and Wirtz, but in the last quarter of an hour they in turn put the Aspirins back in the game, first with Diatta and finally with Disasi, two goals that obliged Xabi Alonso’s team to win by at least two goals at the ‘Louis II’ to be certain of qualifying for the round of 16. Monaco’s dazzling form is hardly a surprise, as Clement’s men have yet to lose in 90 minutes in 2023 and on Sunday secured their fifth consecutive victory, beating Brest 2-1 away and consolidating third place in Ligue 1 behind Psg and Marseille.
Back from 2-3 at the BayArena
Monaco will therefore advance to the next round even with a draw. And the statistics say that Monaco have always gone through in Europe when they have won the first leg away.
Frimpong
Bayer Leverkusen, who meanwhile suffered the blow by losing with the same result (2-3) at the weekend in the Bundesliga, were called upon to do something. Xabi Alonso may miss Diaby due to a thigh strain, while Wirtz, Frimpong and former Roma player Schick, who started on the bench on Sunday, are expected to start.
The Prediction
In Germany, Monaco have already shown they have a few more certainties than the Germans and should avoid defeat in the return leg against Bayer Leverkusen, who are likely to be without Diaby, their most in-form player, and who have been making a lot of mistakes in their own half of the pitch lately, conceding six goals in 180 minutes. Monegasque favourites in another match of at least three goals overall
Munich-Bayer Leverkusen likely line-ups
- MONACO (4-4-2): Nübel; Matsima, Disasi, Sarr, Henrique; Diatta, Fofana, Matazo, Golovin; Ben Seghir, Embolo.
- BAYER LEVERKUSEN (4-2-2): Hradecky; Frimpong, Tah, Tapsoba, Hincapie; Demirbay, Andrich; Wirtz, Amiri; Schick, Hlozek.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
