The first leg in Azerbaijan last week saw the German outfit come from behind to secure a thrilling 2-2 draw, thanks to Florian Wirtz's effort 20 minutes from time and Patrick Schick's equaliser two minutes into the injury time.
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Bayer Leverkusen will be hoping to keep their treble hopes alive when they play host to Qarabag FK in the second leg of their Europa League round of 16 tie at Bay Arena on Thursday. The first leg in Azerbaijan last week saw the German outfit come from behind to secure a thrilling 2-2 draw. The Horsemen took a 2-0 lead in the first-half thanks to Yassine Benzia’s 26th-minute opener and Juninho’s effort on the stoke of half-time. But Xabi Alonso’s men fought back after the break, halving the deficit through Florian Wirtz’s effort 20 minutes from time and Patrick Schick’s equaliser two minutes into the injury time.
🚨 MATCHDAY! 🚨
We got this #Werkself! Let’s go! 💪⚫️🔴
🆚 @FKQarabagh
⏰ 9:00pm (CET)
🏟️ #BayArena #B04QAR | #Bayer04 #UEL #aCROSSeurope pic.twitter.com/wJNNtfuqEe— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) March 14, 2024
Although Leverkusen’s six-game winning run across all competitions came to an end versus Qarabag last week, Alonso’s men quickly bounced back with a comprehensive 2-0 Bundesliga-win versus Wolfsburg on Sunday. Die Werkself secured their 21st league-win of the season against Die Wolfe thanks to one effort each from Nathan Tella and Wirtz. The result extend their unbeaten run to 38 games across all competitions this season. The Black and Reds are currently sitting at the summit of the German top flight standings, having taken 67 points from 25 games, ten away from second-placed Bayer Munich.
Qarabag, on the other hand, are heading into the match on the back of a 3-2 Azerbaijan Premier League win against Zira on Sunday thanks to one effort each from Nariman Axundzade, Richard Almeida and Adama Diakhaby. It was the Horsemen’s fourth successive league-win and they are comfortably sitting at the top of the top tier table, with 63 points to their name from 26 games, 24 clear of the chasing pack. Though, the Blue and Whites are competing in the last 16 of a European competition for the first time, they can take confidence from the fact that they gave a good account of themselves in the home-leg and that too against one of the most impressive side in the continent this season.
Bayer Leverkusen probable starting lineup: Hradecky, Kossounou, Tah, Tapsoba, Frimpong, Palacios, Xhaka, Grimaldo, Adli, Wirtz, Schick
Qarabag FK probable starting lineup: Lunyov, Vesovic, Mustafazada, Guseynov, Cafarquliyev, Romao, Jankovic, L. Andrade, Benzia, Zoubir, Juninho
Bayer Leverkusen
| Opponents | Score |
| Wolfsburg | 2-0 (W) |
| Qarabag | 2-2 (D) |
| FC Koln | 0-2 (W) |
| Mainz | 2-1 (W) |
| Heidenheim | 1-2 (W) |
Qarabag FK
| Opponents | Score |
| Zira | 3-1 (W) |
| Bayer Leverkusen | 2-2 (D) |
| Neftci Baku | 1-4 (W) |
| Gabala | 0-4 (W) |
| Sumqayit | 2-0 (W) |
| Last 5 match-results | Score |
| Qarabag draw Bayer Leverkusen | 2-2 |
| Bayer Leverkusen beat Qarabag | 0-1 |
| Bayer Leverkusen beat Qarabag | 5-1 |
The Europa League fixture between Bayer Leverkusen and Qarabag FK will take place at Bay Arena on Friday at 1:30 am IST.
| Bayer Leverkusen vs Qarabag FK | Key Details |
| Date | March 14 (Germany) |
| Venue | Bay Arena |
| Kickoff time in Germany | 9:00 pm (Thursday) |
| Kickoff time in India | 1:30 am (Friday) |
The live telecast of the the Europa League fixtures in India will be available on Sony Sports network. Besides, football fans in India can also live stream the game through Sony LIV. Meanwhile, those in Germany can watch the match on RTL network. Football fans in Azerbaijan can catch the live action via CBC Sport Azerbaijan.
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