On February 23, the Europa League play-off match at Stade Louis II in Monaco brought together AS Monaco and Bayer Leverkusen in a clash that lived up to knockout football. The night finished with Bayer prevailing 3-2 on the day and, crucially, advancing on aggregate after a dramatic penalty shootout. The tie had already been shaped by Bayer’s 3-2 win in the first leg, meaning the second leg would decide the fixture’s fate in front of a passionate home crowd and a tense stadium atmosphere.
Florian Wirtz opened the scoring for Bayer in the 13th minute, delivering a curling strike from the edge of the box that found the bottom corner. Monaco answered with intensity, and Wissam Ben Yedder converted a precise penalty in the 19th minute to restore parity and to remind the hosts of their potential to shift momentum. The visitors retook the lead midway through the first half when Ezequiel Palacios found space near the goal and slotted a sharp finish from close range, setting Bayer ahead again and lifting the mood among their ranks.
As the half progressed, Bayer extended their advantage when Amin Adly struck with clinical finishing, converting a well-constructed team move to push the visitors further ahead. Monaco kept pressing; late in the second half, Real Embolo gave the hosts a lifeline by scoring a goal that tightened the aggregate balance and set the stage for a nervy finish. The second period ended with both sides locked on the same aggregate score, pushing the tie into extra time and testing players’ endurance across 120 minutes of relentless action.
Extra time produced few clear-cut opportunities, and the match proceeded to penalties to decide which side would move on to the 1/8 finals. Bayer held their nerve throughout the shootout, executing with composure and precision to clinch the win. The decisive moments underscored Bayer’s capacity to manage pressure and convert crucial chances when it mattered most. Alexander Golovin, Monaco’s influential Russian midfielder, stood out with keen movement and deft ball control from the opening whistle. His involvement remained a constant, even as a late substitution at the 78th minute hinted at the toll of a full 120 minutes on the host side and the strategic fatigue that accompanies knockout football.
The victory meant Bayer progressed to the 1/8 finals, with the next opponent to be determined in due course as the competition moved forward. The tie highlighted Bayer’s resilience in high-stakes situations, translating pressure into decisive moments that ultimately decided the tie, even as Monaco pressed hard to overturn the deficit. It was a night that captured the drama of knockout European football, featuring resilience, tactical adjustments, and late twists that kept spectators on the edge of their seats.
In related commentary, Xavi, the former Barcelona manager who has publicly shared opinions on European fixtures, offered strategic perspectives ahead of Manchester United’s second leg in the Europa League play-off 1/16 final. His remarks provided context on potential challenges United might face in the return leg and how the tie could unfold under pressure and scrutiny from national audiences in North America and beyond.