A scuffle broke out after Bayer Leverkusen’s late defeat by AS Monaco. Keeper Lukas Hradecky criticized the behavior of some players.
Leverkusen – It was a used evening for the Werkself! First keeper Lukas Hradecky (33) caused the early deficit with his mistake, then swallowed Bayer 04 Leverkusen after a big fight also a late goal that the 2-3 loss to AS Monaco sealed. The frustration erupted on the way to the cabins.
Lukas Hradecky (33, right) didn’t look good at all after a back pass from Jonathan Tah (27). © INA FASSBENDER / AFP
The first leg of the Europa League on Thursday evening could hardly have been more unfortunate for the Rhinelanders. Despite a temporary lead and an appealing performance in the second half, a mammoth task awaits the Bundesliga club on the Côte d’Azur.
When going into the catacombs of the BayArena, emotions finally boiled over and a mass scuffle ensued, in which some of the Monegasque pros apparently poured oil on the fire.
In an interview on RTL+, B04 captain Hradecky at least left no doubt what he thought of the banter after the final whistle: “What they’re doing here after the game, I have no idea. This new generation, everyone thinks that they have a bigger s*** than the other has.”
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“I don’t understand, they’re all just kids. It’s incredible,” the 33-year-old Finn fumed.
The Leverkusen goalkeeper was the center of attention after just under nine minutes when he took his time with a back pass, was pressed by the onrushing Breel Embolo (26) and then awkwardly maneuvered the ball over his own line.
The players of both teams clashed after the final whistle. © INA FASSBENDER / AFP
Lukas Hradecky criticizes the referee’s decision
The ball rolled over the line, Breel Embolo (26, left) cheered, Lukas Hradecky (33) was served. © INA FASSBENDER / AFP
However, the goalkeeper did not see the fault in himself, but in the team of referees around Orel Grinfeld (41).
When asked if he took the 1-0 down, Hradecky replied: “Ask the referee if he takes it on himself. So that’s a clear foul for me. I get a shove and fall uncontrollably.”
“It’s cheeky for me and I don’t understand it at all. He can’t even look at it himself and I understand that least of all,” said the Bayer veteran.
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The Werkself still don’t want to admit defeat before the trip to the Principality. The duel next Thursday (6.45 p.m.) also has the potential to become a really hot European Cup fight.
“We’re motivated now,” explained Hradecky. “We’re hotter than ever for the second leg,” agreed Robert Andrich (28).
Moussa Diaby is threatened with failure, Xabi Alonso is concerned
Bayer coach Xabi Alonso (41, front) missed the scramble after the end of the game. © INA FASSBENDER / AFP
By the way, nobody wanted to reveal what exactly happened in the tunnel after the final whistle. Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso (41) didn’t even register the argument: “Was there a problem? I was already in the dressing room. But that’s football, that can happen,” said the Spanish coach.
The ex-professional was concerned with a personal question, because Moussa Diaby (23), who made it 1-1 in the meantime, had to be replaced after about an hour due to muscular problems. Now the top performer is threatened with a forced break.
“Of course I’m worried. We need Moussa,” confirmed Alonso. “We’ll examine him on Friday and we’ll have to see how serious the injury is.”