Bayer Leverkusen-Munich is the first leg of the Europa League round of 16 play-offs and is played on Thursday at 21:00: predictions.
Bayer Leverkusen’s relegation to the Europa League could not have taken place in a more sensational manner. The Aspirins, who remained at the bottom of the table for almost the entire duration of the Champions League group stage – they barely won one match out of six – only managed to catch Atletico Madrid on the penultimate day, at the end of a thrilling game: finished on equal points with the Colchoneros, the Germans can now continue their European adventure thanks to their advantage in the direct matches.
Xabi Alonso, who took over from Gerardo Seoane last October, is trying to put things right but the Rossoneri’s season, for now, cannot be described as positive. At the turn of the World Cup break, Leverkusen strung together five victories in a row, breathing European air again. But the two consecutive defeats against Borussia Dortmund and Augsburg brought the Basque coach and his men back down to earth, showing that there is still a lot of work to be done. However, their march was immediately resumed in the last Bundesliga round thanks to an external success (1-3) against derelict Hoffenheim. In the league, Wirtz and his team-mates are eighth, eight points behind sixth-placed Frankfurt. It is only natural that the Europa League should become an important goal.
Monaco’s idyllic moment
Lacking their starting striker Patrick Schick – the former Roma striker is out indefinitely with a groin problem – Bayer Leverkusen are set to contest a place in the round of 16 in what promises to be a very even contest with Monaco.
Ban Yedder
The team from the Principality, who finished second behind the surprising Ferencvaros in November, is bubbling with euphoria. In 2023, they are still unbeaten – in Ligue 1 they have racked up five wins and two draws in the last seven matches – and on Saturday they even treated themselves to a prestigious 3-1 victory over a decimated Psg side distracted by their Champions League match with Bayern Munich. Philippe Clement’s men made an important leap in the standings, overtaking Lens and re-entering the Champions League zone.
The Prediction
In the past the two teams have only faced each other in the Champions League and the balance is one win for the Germans, two draws and three wins for the Monegasques. Who fares better, however, is Monaco, who are particularly strong on the road and will almost certainly return to the Principality with a positive result. The offensive mentality of the respective coaches is one of the many points in common: it is very likely that we will witness a prolific match, with at least three goals in total. Both should score.
Bayer Leverkusen-Munich matchday squad
- BAYER LEVERKUSEN (3-4-1-2): Hradecky; Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Palacios, Andrich, Bakker; Wirtz; Diaby, Hlozek.
- MONACO (4-4-2): Nübel; Aguilar, Maripan, Disasi, Henrique; Diatta, Camara, Fofana, Golovin; Ben Yedder, Embolo.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-2
