Bayer Leverkusen has miraculously managed to maintain its undefeated status. Xabi Alonso's well-oiled machine faltered in the Europa League against Qarabag on Thursday evening and that seemed to be the case that Workself defeat and elimination. In injury time, golden boy Patrik Schick provided enormous relief in the BayArena with two goals: 3-2. After the 2-2 draw in Azerbaijan, that is just enough for Leverkusen to convert.

On the Leverkusen side, Jeremie Frimpong kicked off. The right wing defender had to miss their first match in Azerbaijan due to a suspension. Amine Adli was favored on the left, while Borja Iglesias was positioned at the point of attack.

It was a small miracle that Leverkusen had not yet scored in the opening phase. This was mainly due to Iglesias, who missed several opportunities. The Spaniard headed over and shot over twice. A setback for Alonso was the injury of Jonas Hofmann, who was replaced by Exequiel Palacios.

Leverkusen continued to press and after Florian Wirtz failed to score, Frimpong just failed to do so either. The Dutch international thought he could benefit from a back pass that was too short, but tapped just wide. Qarabag presented himself excellently in the first match and did so again in Leverkusen. Juninho could have even scored for the 0-1 just before half-time, but the Brazilian saw his shot fly just wide of the right post.

In the opening phase after halftime, Qarabag still struck. A cross turned out to be just too high for Frimpong, who headed under the ball and saw how Abdellah Zoubir made it 0-1 in his back. Frimpong then escaped on the right side and was hanged by Elvin Cafarquliyev, who was shown a red card for denying a scoring opportunity.

Ten men or not, Qarabag quickly countered to make it 0-2. Juninho took full advantage of the space provided and caused ecstasy among the supporters who traveled with him. Leverkusen had to work hard and it was Frimpong who brought hope back to the home supporters. The right foot deftly tapped in at the second post: 1-2.

Leverkusen pressed on and came close to the redeeming equalizer several times. However, Andrey Lunev was Qarabag's hero by saving Wirtz's shot. The Qarabag goalie was relieved to see how Alejandro Grimaldo's shot flew over the crossbar.

Elimination seemed to be a fact, until the score was leveled in injury time through substitute Schick. Just like last week, the Czech made it 2-2 in minute 92. The injury time lasted just a little too long for Qarabag, who also scored the 3-2 just before the end. This time Schick was successful with the head.

More sports news