Molde – Bayer Leverkusen
Europa League Group Stage Round 2
Molde, October 5, 21:00 CET
Bayer Leverkusen is in such good form: they are the team that has not lost since the end of July and a friendly game against Real Sociedad, a Champions League team (1:0).
Since then, the German team has achieved ten victories in 11 matches, and the only draw was in mid-September, on the field of Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich (2:2). And in that match, it can be said that the Leverkusen squad tactically outplayed a powerful rival and a European giant.
In the last ten matches played, Bayer managed to score at least two goals in each one - and even nine times at least three goals! With such a reputation and confidence, the German club will play away to Norwegian champions Molde on Thursday in the Europa League group stage round 2.
Molde is a team that has had problems in defense in the last two months. Especially when it comes to European matches – the Norwegian club conceded five goals in two defeats against Turkish Galatasaray in the Champions League qualifiers. In the first match of the Europa League group stage, they lost away to Qarabag 1:0. In that game, the Azerbaijani team had as many as 20 shots.
A certain scenario is that the Molde defense will be under great temptation from the start of the match on Thursday, against the team that is alone at the top of the Bundesliga table, after six rounds of the German championship. Even a convincing victory is expected for the guests, who are currently in such good shape that even a triumph with a minimal difference would be a surprise.
Of the last seven games, only once Bayer Leverkusen did not win with at least a two goal difference in their favor! And that is the mentioned match agains Bayern in Munich.
It is certain that the guests from Germany will not count on Dutch defender Fosu-Mensah, Brazilian defender Arthur and Czech forward Schick in this game. All the other players, who played exceptionally well in the previous two months, are ready to play in Molde.
On the other hand, the Norwegian champions are in a serious problem - due to the injury (broken hand) of the Norwegian defender Bjornbak, who did not play in the previous two matches. Norwegian defender Linnes is also injured. Both are important first-team players for the home team.
In the event of a victory, Bayer will already qualify for the elimination phase of the Europa League. The team coached by Spanish football legend Xabi Alonso has big ambitions this season – to win a trophy in either the Bundesliga or the Europa League.
In the victory over Haken in the first round, young Nigerian forward Victor Boniface scored a goal and also had an assist... He is expected to be the biggest threat again for the weakened defense of the Molde team.