LEVERKUSEN (GERMANY) (ITALPRESS) – The Arsenal landed on the defensive wall of the Bayer Leverkusen and only in the final engulfed the tie. At the BayArena, the 1-1 final sang for the Leverkusen which, despite the numerous absences, had managed to hold the shock of the Gunners, thanks to an almost perfect defensive test. After the goal on development of Andrich’s corner in the second half, at 89’ is the former Havertz on rigor to save Arteta and the comrades from the ko. With this tie, the Arsenal breaks its path right here in the competition (eight wins in the Phase League). From the first few minutes, Arsenal takes the reins of the ball possession, while the Leverkusen prefers a purely waiting game. The Aspirins still manage to get to the shooting on two occasions before with Kofane, then with Maza. The best chance of the first fraction, however, has Arsenal at 19′. Thanks to a rapid offensive transition led by Saka, Gyokeres serves Martinelli on the left of the rigour area, but the Brazilian shooting is printed on the cross. At the beginning of the shoot, however, the Gunners are surprised by the resurrection of the hosts.
In fact, a few seconds pass from the start whistle and the Leverkusen already carries half a team in the opposing area: Raya must do so a miracle to remove from the door the beautiful head turn of Terrier. At 46′, on the next corner beaten by Grimaldo, Andrich is completely forgotten by the host defense and manages to sign undisturbed 1-0, hitting the head on the second pole. After the sudden foul offensive, the Germans relocate to their midfield. The Arsenal struggles terribly to build offensive actions and plays with little intensity. Only with an episode the English can straighten their own negative evening. At 86’ Muler puts a generous penalty, following the contact between Tilman and Madueke. From the disk is the large former Havertz that marks the 1-1, despite the almost Blaswich parade. The Arsenal will be called to a better test in the return race next Tuesday, scheduled at the Emirates.
IL TABELLINO
BAYER LEVERKUSEN (3-4-2-1): Blaswich 6; Quansah 6.5, Andrich 6.5, Tapsoba 6; Poku 6, Palacios 6 (37’st Fernandez sv), Garcia 6, Grimaldo 7; Terrier 6 (37’st Hofmann sv), Maza 5.5 (29’st Tilman 5); Kofane 6.5. On the bench: Omlin, Lomb, Oermann, Tape, Culbreath, Schick. Coach: Hjulmand 6.5.
ARSENAL (4-2-3-1): Raya 6, Timber 6, Saliba 5.5, Gabriel 5.5, Hincapié 5.5; Rice 6.5, Zubimendi 6; Saka 5.5 (15’st Madueke 6.5), Eze 5.5 (37’st Jesus sv), Martinelli 5.5; Gyokeres 5 (30’st Havertz 6.5). On the bench: Ranson, Arrizabalaga, Salmon, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Mosquera, White, Norgaard, Dowman. Coach: Arteta 6.
ARBITRO: Meler (Turkey) 5.5.
RETI: 1’st Andrich, 44’st Havertz (rig).
NOTES: rainy evening, field in discreet conditions. Ammoniti: Andrich, Martinelli, Poku, Palacios, Zubimendi, Grimaldo, Havertz. Angles: 2-2. Recovery: 2′, 3’+1.
– photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
