The Ligue 1 outfit has a slight advantage in the tie having won the first leg 3-2 in Germany last week, courtesy to Lucas Hradecky's own goal and late efforts from Krepin Diatta and Axel Disasi.
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Monaco play host to Bayer Leverkusen in the second leg of their Europa League last-32 tie at Stade Louis II on Thursday. The Ligue 1 outfit has a slight advantage in the tie having won the first leg 3-2 in Germany last week. An own goal from Lucas Hradecky put the Red and whites ahead inside the opening nine minutes before Leverkusen scored twice through Moussa Diaby and Florian Wirtz to take the lead. Meanwhile the French club showed great character to level the score courtesy of Krepin Diatta’s 74th-minute effort, before Axel Disasi scored the winner two minutes into the injury time at Bay Arena.Â
And now: sleeves rolling up and work mode on đź”›! đź’Ş#Bayer04 I #Werkself pic.twitter.com/xeOpvyXc4u
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) February 21, 2023
The result helped Philipe Clement’s side to extend their unbeaten run to seven games across all competitions. Meanwhile, Le Rocher are heading into the match on the back of a 2-1 Ligue 1 win away to Brest on Sunday, thanks to Aleksandr Golvin’s first-half opener and 73rd-minute effort from Myron Boadu. It was their 15th French top flight victory, taking their tally to 50 points from 24 games, seven adrift of leaders Paris Saint-Germain. Meanwhile, when it comes to the continental stage, the Monegasques finished second in Group H, level on points (10) with first-placed Ferencvaros but separated by goal-difference, to qualify for the Europa League playoffs.Â
Leverkusen, on the other hand, started off in the UEFA Champions League, but managed to secure only a third-place finish in Group B and thus dropped down to the second tier of European football. The Eternal Bridesmaids need a one-goal victory in France to keep themselves alive in the competition. Meanwhile, Xabi Alonso’s side are heading into the crucial match on the back of a disappointing 3-2 Bundesliga defeat against Mainz on Sunday. Leverkusen lost the match despite the fact that Nadiem Amiri and Patrick Schick got on the scoresheet. As of now, they are occupying tenth spot in the German top flight standings.Â
Monaco winger Kevin volland is sidelined with an ankle injury, while Gelson Martins and Ruben Aguilar have sore thighs, and defenders Vanderson and Guillermo Maripan are doubtful with knee problems. Their leading goal-scorer domestically, Wissan Ben Yeder will spearhead the attack, with Ben Seghir in support. As for Leverkusen, striker Moussa Diaby is nursing a groin injury, midfielder Charles Aranguiz is doubtful because of calf strain and goalkeeper Andrey Lunyov is dealing with a sore neck. Schick, who found the back of the net in the last outing, will continue to be the target-man up front, with Adli, Wirtz and Amiri in support.Â
Monaco probable line-up: Nubel, Matsima, Disasi, Sarr, Henrique, Diatta, Fofana, Camara, Golovin, Ben Seghir, Ben Yedder
Bayer Leverkusen Probable line-up: Hradecky, Frimpong, Tapsoda, Tah, Bakker, Andrich, Palacios, Adil, wirtz, Amiri, Schick
Monaco
| opponents | Score |
| Brest | 1-2 (W) |
| Bayer Leverkusen | 2-3 (W) |
| PSG | 3-1 (W) |
| Clermont | 0-2 (W) |
| Auxerre | 3-2 (W) |
Bayer Leverkusen
| Opponents | Score |
| Mainz | 2-3 (L) |
| Monaco | 2-3 (L) |
| Hoffenheim | 1-3 (W) |
| Augsburg | 1-0 (L) |
| Dortmund | 0-2 (L) |
| Last 5 match-results | Score |
| Monaco beat Leverkusen | 2-3 |
| Leverkusen beat Monaco | 3-0 |
| Monaco draw Leverkusen | 1-1 |
| Monaco beat Leverkusen | 0-1 |
| Monaco beat Leverkusen | 1-0 |
The UEFA Europa League match between Monaco and Bayer Leverkusen will take place at Stade Louis II on Thursday at 11:15 pm IST.
| Monaco vs Bayer Leverkusen | Key Details |
| Date | February 23 |
| Venue | Stade Louis II |
| Kickoff time in France | 6:45 pm |
| Kickoff time in Germany | 6:45 pm |
| Kickoff time in India | 11:15 pm |
The live telecast of the Europa League Matches in India is available on the Sony Sports network. Fans will also be able to watch the match on Jio TV and Sony Liv. Besides, the match between Monaco and Bayer Leverkusen can also be seen on the RMC Sport network in France.
