Philippe Clement’s side are now unbeaten in their last eight and sit in third spot in the domestic standings. The Monaco boss described the exciting first leg in Leverkusen as a “Champions League level game, ” while match-winner Axel Disasi added that his side would, “be happy only if we go for the same result, ” in Thursday’s return leg. Defender Malang Sarr completed his first 90-minute game this year last Sunday, having overcome a hip injury, but-full back Vanderson continues to nurse a knee injury.
Watch: Moussa Diaby's best Bundesliga goals and assistsMatch stats Diaby's first-leg goal took him to 10 for the season in all competitions. He has also laid on five assists. Since the start of the 2020/21 campaign, 19-year-old Wirtz has been directly involved in 12 Europa League goals (six goals and as many assists). The only teenager with more goal involvements in major European competition in that time is Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham (eight goals, six assists). Leverkusen's overall record against French opponents is: W8, D4, L8.
He has conceded six goals in four matches against Leverkusen - the first three of which came while he was at Schalke (before joining Bayern). © Lars Baron/Bundesliga/DFL via Getty Images 3:02 Wirtz welcomed back Check out how eagerly awaited the teenager's recent return from injury was! Wirtz back and boosted Having missed close to a year of action with a cruciate ligament injury, 19-year-old creative prodigy Florian Wirtz netted his first goal of the season following his return in last Thursday's first leg. He was rested from the starting XI against Mainz on Sunday, so we expect to see him trying to orchestrate the Leverkusen attack from the start tonight.
g. 9’), 1-1 Diaby (48’), 2-1 Wirtz (59’), 2-2 Diatta 74’, 2-3 Disasi (90’+2) Leverkusen made a relatively confident start as Moussa Diaby tested Bayern Munich-owned goalkeeper Alexander Nübel from range. However, an unfortunate slip from goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky whilst under pressure from ex-Borussia Mönchengladbach forward Breel Embolo gifted Monaco the lead. Bayer were largely reduced to speculative efforts, until Nübel was called on to dive at the feet of Nadiem Amiri late in the first half. Monaco went on the offensive almost immediately, but Krepin Diatta could not find a way past Hradecky with a shot from inside the area.
Die Werkself's last visit to face Ligue 1 opposition brought a 3-2 victory against Nice on Matchday 5 of the 2020/21 UEFA Europa League. Monaco goalkeeper Alexander Nübel is on loan at the club from Bayern Munich. He made one Bundesliga appearance for the Reds in 2020/21 and, prior to that, 46 appearances in the German top flight with Schalke.
Diatta curled in a stunning equaliser to set up a grandstand finale in which Hradecky thwarted Ben Yedder and Adam Hlozek hit the woodwork, before Axel Disasi smashed in a last-gasp winner. LIVE blog! Alonso outlines approach Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso is clear on the mindset he wants to see tonight. He said: "We have to find the right balance between emotion and control. We learned a lot from the first leg, so we have a clear plan. It’s important we take risks at the right time. " Familiar foe in goal Monaco goalkeeper Alexander Nübel is currently on loan to the Ligue 1 side from Bayern Munich.
Leverkusen had been uncharacteristically flat in the first 45, but whatever Xabi Alonso said at the half-time break worked. Florian Wirtz was the catalyst for a stirring - albeit brief - turnaround, with a fine ball out to Jeremie Frimpong, who cutback for Diaby to glide between two defenders and tuck between the legs of Nübel. The German teenager added a fabulous solo effort moments later, dancing past five defenders before firing beyond Nübel’s despairing dive.
Kevin Volland scored 44 goals in 115 Bundesliga games for Leverkusen between 2016 and 2020. Probable teams Monaco: Nübel - Matsima, Disasi (c) Sarr, Henrique - Diatta, Fofana, Matazo, Golovin - Ben Seghir, Embolo Doubtful: Vanderson (knee) Out: - Coach: Philippe Clement Leverkusen: Hradecky (c) - Frimpong, Tah, Tapsoba, Hincapie - Demirbay, Andrich - Wirtz - Amiri, Schick, Hlozek Doubtful: Diaby (thigh) Out: Aranguiz (calf), Lunev (ineligible) Coach: Xabi Alonso First-leg report: Bayer Leverkusen 2-3 Monaco Goals: 0-1 Hradecky (o.