Could Xabi Alonso lead Bayer Leverkusen to the Europa League trophy this season? Alonso’s Bayer are 14/1 to win the UEFA Europa League ahead of their last-16 second-leg match against Ferencvaros in Budapest.
Bayer Leverkusen won the first leg in Germany 2-0 thanks to goals from Kerem Demirbay and Edmond Tapsoba on either side of halftime. The hotly contested match saw eight yellow cards handed out.
50% Adam ➕ 50% @12Tapsoba 🟰 100% GOOAAAAL! 💪😍🔙 #B04FTC #UEL #Throwback pic.twitter.com/FcIQAn6iYa— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) March 15, 2023
50% Adam ➕ 50% @12Tapsoba 🟰 100% GOOAAAAL! 💪😍🔙 #B04FTC #UEL #Throwback pic.twitter.com/FcIQAn6iYa
Thursday’s match will be the fourth meeting between Ferencvaros and Bayer Leverkusen since 2021.
The previous three matches were played in the Europa League, with Bayer winning twice and Ferencvaros picking up a victory. Both Bayer wins were in Germany.
Ferencvaros go into the match on the back of two straight losses. After losing to Bayer Leverkusen a week ago, the Green Eagles lost in the Hungarian top flight, 2-1, to the Puskas Academy.
Before losing to Bayer in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie, Ferencvaros had gone 11 matches without defeat.
Alonso has Bayer playing good football and are unbeaten in their last five matches. The Company XI are on a three-match winning streak in all competitions. Bayer defeated Werder Bremen 3-2 away at the weekend.
The Bayer coach could be without one of his key attacking players. Striker Patrik Schick may not be available after suffering a knock.
Surprisingly, Schick has only four goals this season in all competitions. Moussa Diaby leads the side in goals with 11. No one else for Bayer has more than seven goals.
Alonso could also be without Karim Bellarbi. He is nursing a knock as well. Back-up goalie Andrey Lunev is ruled out with a back injury and midfielder Charles Aranguiz is out with a calf problem.
Stanislav Cherchesov has overseen Ferencvaros since December 2021. It isn’t an easy job to manage Hungary’s top club. He will likely use a 4-2-3-1 formation and could deploy Adama Traore and Ryan Mmaee in attacking areas. The two players have combined for 22 goals this season.
Just one player is currently on the Hungarians’ injured list. Defensive midfielder Muhamed Besic is nursing a ligament injury and will miss out on the last-16 second leg.
Bayer Leverkusen are in good form ahead of the match with Ferencvaros. They are unbeaten in five straight matches and should post a win on Thursday in Hungary.
Bayer won 2-0 in the first leg but might find Thursday’s game to be slightly closer. Still, the Germans should win by a narrow 1-0 scoreline, as they keep a ninth clean sheet this season.