Bitter 0-4 loss in Leverkusen, we finish second in the UEL group

Slavia travelled to Leverkusen for the last round of Europa League group-stage and despite securing the qualification a week ago, there was still a lot to play for. So far, both teams managed to gain equally 12 points out of previous games and therefore the match at BayArena was also a direct battle for the first place in group C.

Unfortunately for the Red-Whites, despite their bright start to the game, the hosts were the first to score. In the 10th minute, Bellarabi made his way into the penalty box from the right side and precisely found Bailey on the far post with a low cross. Lukáš Masopust tried his best to block the Jamaican from scoring, but was late to react – 0-1 for Leverkusen.

In the 25th minute David Zima could level the score-line with a header after Nicolae Stanciu’s curling free-kick, but the young centre-back headed the ball over the bar in a promising situation. But overall the hosts dominated the first half as the most of the action took place in front of Ondřej Kolář, who was forced to pull off couple of impressive saves against the men in black kit. However, in the 32th minute, Slavia goalkeeper capitulated for the second time. Schick‘s header bounced of the post into the area with unmarked Bailey, who smashed the ball into the back of the net and doubled Leverkusen’s lead – 0-2.

Shortly after the break, Senegalese starlet, Abdallah Sima came close to scoring with a powerful volley from the ede of the box, but the shot lacked accuraccy and aimed directly into the hands of Lomb. In the 57th minute, Abdallah Sima picked out Stanislav Tecl in the penalty box, who tried to find better positioned Ondřej Lingr, but his first touch took the ball out of play.

What Slavia failed to do – to convert the given chances into the goals – the hosts exploited immediately. After 59 minutes Diaby increased Leverkusen’s lead after an inch-perfect through ball by Sinkgraven with a shot in between goalkeeper’s legs – 0-3.

Neither Slavia substitutions nor dangerous Stanciu’s free kick in the 87th minute made any diference. On contrary, in extra time Bellarabi sealed the score-line at 0-4. After a convincing victory, Leverkusen succesfully took revenge on Slavia after the match in Prague and toped group C. Slavia finished second with 12 points for two wins against Nice and home wins against Beer Sheva and Leverkusen. Draw of round 32 takes place on December 14, the two legs are to be played in February 2021.