EFE Agency
Mexico City / 04/11/2024 15:18:25
With goals from Hofmann and Boniface in the final minutes, Bayer Leverkusen put an end to West Ham’s solid defensive structure this Thursday, which built a practically impenetrable wall that the German team could only break down at the end to win 2-0 and get closer to the UEFA Europa League Semifinals. Mexican Edson Álvarez missed this match due to accumulation of yellow cards.
Xabi Alonso’s team is practically assured of its presence in the next phase. It was a gray and thick match, motivated by the conservatism of David Moyes, who opted to try to close all of Fabianski’s doors to deal the final blow to his rival in the Olympic Stadium in London. It almost worked, but the appearance from the bench of Hofmann and Boniface was key to maintaining Leverkusen’s ambitious goals.
The German team managed to take complete control of the match. The established script was fulfilled. There were no surprises. Xabi Alonso’s men monopolized possession, although they lacked verticality and the ability to surprise. West Ham, very well organized at the back, barely conceded a couple of chances in the first half that were practically irrelevant.
Schick starred in both. In both, Fabianski appeared, who first comfortably caught a backheel from the Czech striker and then cleared another attempt by Schick from outside the area. That was all before the break. West Ham didn’t do much else either. Only Antonio reached the Leverkusen area, but Stanisic was in charge of providingntially clearing a couple of goal passes that would have been lethal.
The time in the locker room did not bring anything new. The film did not change until Hincapié and Tella entered the field, first, and Hofmann and Boniface, later.
Leverkusen, who in the 83rd minute, was finally able to beat Fabianski with a shot from a Hofmann corner. West Ham, finally, knelt and deflated to suffer a last-minute harassment that had a reward for Xabi Alonso’s team in the form of a goal. Boniface hit the target in added time and the 2-0 score put the Aspirins within reach of the Europa League Semi-Finals.
Leverkusen vs West Ham summary | VIDEO
2024-04-12 00:20:06
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