Leverkusen undone by Monaco as Diassi strikes late
Bayer Leverkusen welcomed principality side AS Monaco to the BayArena tonight in the Europa League. Having brushed aside Hoffenheim last Saturday, Coach Xabi Alonso made two alterations ahead of the high-flying Ligue 1 outfit. Daley Sinkgraven dropped out of the side for Amiri, as ‘Die Werkself’ switched to a 4-2-3-1 setup. Meanwhile Demirbay was replaced by Palacios. While there was room for optimism as Patrik Schick returned to action, Leverkusen were ultimately left to lick their wounds after a 92nd minute Diassi strike made it 3-2.
Leverkusen fell behind tonight in obscure fashion on 10 minutes with an own goal from Hrádecký. Xabi Alonso felt his side were hard done by as former Gladbach striker, Breel Embolo, appeared to upset Hrádecký’s stride. In the end, the Israeli official saw nothing wrong with the challenge and Monaco accepted the 1-0 lead with open arms.
Bayer appeared slightly toothless in attack inside the opening half hour. Wirtz and Hložek took on a few speculative shots from range but to no avail. Bayern loanee, Alexander Nübel, with only one significant save to make as he kept out Diaby from a very improbable angle.
Hrádecký made up for his earlier error as Monaco seemed destined to double their lead before the half-time whistle. A wonderous curling shot from Krépin Diatta soared towards the top left corner, but the Leverkusen shot stopper got a strong paw behind the ball.
It took less than three second-half minutes for Leverkusen to get back on level terms. Some spellbinding footwork from Florian Wirtz fed Frimpong on the right flank. The Dutchman crossed for Diaby in a central position who slipped past Maripan and nutmegged Nübel with a tidy finish.
A worrying sight came for Bayer fans just before the hour mark – goal scorer Diaby hobbled down the tunnel with a suspected foot injury. However this didn’t deter Florian Wirtz from stepping up to the plate. The 19-year-old turned four Monaco players inside out before cushioning the ball beyond Nübel for 2-1.
A 74th minute strike from the lively Diatta pegged Leverkusen back to 2-2 apiece. The Senegalese winger, who caused havoc all night, cut inside and bent the ball beyond Hrádecký. A stunning goal that caught Leverkusen by surprise given their second-half dominance until that strike. While an 87th minute Hložek strike thundered off the upright, Monaco snatched an injury-time winner on 92 minutes. French international Axel Diassi afforded plenty of time and space to make it 3-2, as the principality side take a goal advantage with them to Monaco.