Going into tonight’s game, there was nothing left to play for, for Bayer 04 at least. 15 points from 5 matches made it so no matter what happened, first place and no European football until March was secured. That couldn’t have been farther from the truth for the guests from the Norwegian fjords who, if they could better Qarabag’s result against Hacken, could leapfrog the Azerbaijanis into second place. Molde were coming into the game on a high, having just finished their season with a 1-0 cup final win over Eliteserien winners Bodo/Glimt, and that combined with the second best attack in Norway, averaging over two goals a game, signalled that it would be a challenging game for a new-look Leverkusen side. Avoiding defeat today would extend Die Werkself’s unbeaten start to the season to 23 matches, an all-time club record, equalling the start of the 1978/79 promotion campaign.
There were nine changes in total from Sunday’s hard-earned draw in Stuttgart, most notably Lomb starting in goal, the first time since the 2020/21 season, Gustavo Puerta in midfield and, of course, Patrik Schick who deservedly took his place in the starting eleven after a series of strong substitutions in which he scored 2 and assisted another. The switches made by Alonso naturally resulted in a very intimidating bench. Boniface, Frimpong, Grimaldo and the latest €100 million man, Florian Wirtz, just a few of the star names being rested. As for the ‘Blue Rascals’, Erling Moe made four changes from the final. Veteran playmaker and captain Magnus Wolff Eikrem along with injured top scorer Emil Breivik made way for Magnus Grodem and Kristian Eriksen in midfield, whilst Anders Haegelskjaer joined in defence and Eric Kitolano partnered former Salzburg and Basaksehir striker Fredrik Gulbrandsen up top.
In a chilly and half empty BayArena (despite news that the home terraces were sold out), the game kicked off. As expected, with the pressure all on them, Molde started by pressing aggressively but, as every other team has already learned this season, Leverkusen were able to pass around it with relative ease. In spite of the transformed team, the players competed no differently to the established eleven and that of course spelt danger - imminent danger. In just the 6th minute of the game, Robert Andrich regained possession in midfield before immediately releasing Patrik Schick who ran into the open space before silkily cutting inside and arrowing a low shot into the bottom right corner, from just outside the penalty area, to make it 1-0. A very chic goal for his first start in 408 days, what a story! Not long after (12th minute), his compatriot Adam Hlozek exchanged a quick one-two with Jonas Hofmann, before finding himself powering in on goal. Unlike Schick’s however, his shot flew well over. The onslaught on the Molde defence was to continue when Nathan Tella (19th minute) got the better of Haugen before whipping in a dangerous ball towards the onrushing Hincapie, who, despite his best effort to stretch for the ball, was unable to make any clean contact on the ball under pressure therefore spurning the opportunity. Not that he would have been able to dwell on it however, as just three minutes later, a short corner routine between Hofmann and the recently rejuvenated Josip Stanisic amounted to an inviting final cross from the former which Tapsoba met with aplomb to head in the second goal of the evening. There was little time for jubilation after the 70th club goal of the season when, on 25 minutes, Hlozek, living up to his ‘bison’ nickname, shrugged off a Molde player before passing to Piero Hincapie, who instantly shifted the ball to Hofmann who then plays in Nathan Tella. Tella crosses, trying to find Schick but instead hitting Martin Ellingsen, inadvertently deflecting it into the net for 3-0. The scoreline by no means flattered Bayer 04 with Molde not once posing any threat to the compact defence in the entire first half hour.
The first chance of note for the Norwegian cup winners came when Kristoffer Haugen, captain for the night, crossed in early to find Kristian Eriksen. Fortunately the volley was not hit cleanly and the ball deflected off Hincapie behind for a corner kick (36th minute). The consequent corner was low into the box and easily dealt with, but the eventual counterattack presented a sizable chance for in-form Schick. The Czechia international, played in on goal by Hofmann, had a first shot saved by Pettersen from a relatively tight angle before the ball then hit his arm as it bounced back towards him, thus nullifying any potential goal that may have resulted had the ball not been dealt with by the Molde defence. On 39 minutes, Leverkusen had its first and only injury worry of the game as Tella fell down injured after being clattered by a Molde defender following an aerial duel. Thankfully, after some initial limping, he was able to continue playing without issue. The first yellow card of what was a well-mannered affair was given to Jonathan Tah (42nd minute) as, when leaping for a header, his stray arm hit Markus Kaasa in the face. Only bad luck prevented a relentless Werkself attacking display from reaping the fourth goal of the half; a triple chance - first Tella who had his shot blocked on the line, next Schick’s rebound that hit the post and finally Hlozek who inexplicably shot wide of an open goal (44th minute). Failure to capitalise on that closing flurry did not mean much in the grand scheme of things as Leverkusen deservedly went in at the break with a very comfortable three goal cushion. The home team’s dominance was underlined by 69% possession and the concession of not a single shot on target.
The game resumed in a much slower and calmer fashion with Bayer Leverkusen having a greater focus on maintaining possession and managing the game. It took until the 53rd minute for the Norwegian outfit to register even their first shot on target. It was Ellingsen, unfortunate scorer of the own goal, whose attempt from long range did little to trouble the third choice keeper, not even needing to move to stop it. That initial snapshot proved to be a bit of an inspiration for Molde who then dared to venture forwards with higher regularity and intensity. Fredrik Gulbrandsen was next to trouble the defence, his shot hitting Tapsoba (57th minute). A long shot from Hofmann followed shortly afterwards at the other end, but that was light work for Oliver Petersen in goal. The 59th minute brought about the first changes of the match for the Werkself (Adli, Grimaldo and Mbamba on for Hofmann, Tah and Schick) and they were truly a masterstroke by manager Xabi Alonso. Seconds after coming on, Mbamba neatly allowed the ball to run behind him, turned smartly, and threaded a pinpoint pass to Hlozek who then, one-on-one with Petersen, smashes the ball into the roof of the net at high speed to make it 4-0! Although Mbamba was bought as a defensive figure, known to be adept in central defence or as a six, it is interesting that Alonso is using him so offensively. However given his sleek ability on the ball, speed, eye for a pass and hold up play, perhaps he has found where he really belongs. Maybe an option for during the AFCON? Following his second assist of the season, Mbamba was soon to celebrate his very first goal. On 70 minutes, a short corner from Hofmann to Tella then found Hlozek whose thunderbolt ricocheted against the young Belgian past the hopeless Petersen in goal to make it 5-0 on the night.
The highest ever scoreline by a Leverkusen side in Europe (a 6-1 win against Dinamo Tbilisi) was in sight and given their superiority, well within their capabilities. Unfortunately it was not to be as Molde’s relative resurgence finally paid off with a goal, the last of the night. Central defender Ellingsen, making up for his earlier error, sprayed a long ball forwards to former Tromso striker Eric Kitolano. The 26-year-old brought it down in one touch inside the box before sliding the ball into the corner of the net, despite the best efforts of the diving Lomb (70th minute). Whilst it was only a consolation, you would not have known it from the reaction of the few Molde fans in attendance! That record would not be broken tonight, but another one was. Young Ken Izekor, arguably the rising star of the Bayer 04 youth system made his debut (77th minute), making him the youngest ever German player to appear in the competition (16 years, 6 months and 20 days) and the youngest ever Leverkusen player in general. Even though he had just 13 minutes on the pitch, his class was evident, even having his own solo effort on goal, showing decent speed, which went agonisingly over (85th minute)! Given the recent history (other than Wirtz, who was essentially brought in for the first team anyway) of our youth department, it would be great if that minor cameo wasn’t the last we see of Izekor in the black and red jersey. The final few minutes including stoppage time were as eventful as any other in this football spectacle. In the final minute of regulation time, Nathan Tella found Hlozek who bullishly wrestled a Molde defender, turned sharply before unleashing a vicious shot just past the post. A minute later, Kristian Eriksen was suddenly one v one at the other end but his powerful attempt with the outside of his foot was palmed away by Lomb. A tame Hlozek free kick (93rd minute) directed straight at the Molde keeper rounded off the action, 5-1 to Leverkusen the final score.
The win takes the Europa League group stage tally up to a perfect 18 for Leverkusen - the only side in the competition to boast such a record. Following Qarabag’s 2-1 victory over Hacken, the Norwegians are condemned to play ‘only’ the Conference League in 2024. Interestingly, and shockingly, Leverkusen are the 12th team to have a perfect group stage record in the Europa League - none of the previous 11 made it to the final, A bad omen that can and must be overcome. Up next for Bayer are Eintracht Frankfurt, at home, in the Bundesliga. Despite thrashing Bayern 5-1 on Sunday, the Eagles fell back down to Earth tonight, losing 2-0 away at Aberdeen - another win is surely pending, especially given Leverkusen’s imperious home record against them. Auf geht's Bayer, kämpfen und siegen!
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