CHAPTER 620: CHAPTER 620 QUARTERFINAL (2)

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[13/08/2020 | Time: 21:30 PM | Estádio da Luz, Lisbon]

The free kick came to nothing, as Upamecano’s towering header cleared Demirbay’s delivery. But the foul seemed to awaken something in Leverkusen as they began pressing higher. Matching Leipzig’s intensity rather than absorbing it, tension continued to mount as each side sought a decider.

"Leverkusen are growing into this now," Drury observed. "They can get dangerous once they settle into their own game. Now they’re starting to ask questions."

His words came true moments later, after Aránguiz won the ball back in midfield, immediately looking for Havertz. The German collected it on the half-turn, his first touch taking him away from Kampl, his second releasing Rakim down the left channel. The seventeen-year-old took off like a sprinter from the blocks, Tasende backpedalling desperately.

Rakim used both feet to push the ball ahead easily, utilising his pace to gain separation and fighting past his markers’ outstretched arms. As he approached the penalty area, he slowed down slightly, giving his marker time to catch up before feinting a cut inwards with his right.

This forced Tasende to adjust his body position, trying to block the path inwards. That split-second hesitation was all Rakim needed. He slid past him on the outside and whipped in a low cross toward the near post. Volland had timed his run perfectly, arriving just ahead of Halstenberg, but Gulácsi came charging off his line, sweeping the ball off the striker’s feet.

"Brave goalkeeping," Beglin said. "But that’s the kind of movement that will give Leipzig nightmares. One step slower from Gulácsi and that’s 1-0."

[35’]

As the match approached the forty-minute mark, the pace remained relentless. Neither side was willing to cede control, resulting in a fascinating tactical battle in midfield where every inch of space was contested.

During a brief stoppage for Poulsen to receive treatment after a collision with Tah, Drury picked up a previous thread. "You mentioned earlier about the financial strain on clubs, Jim. It’s not just the big names struggling. We’re hearing reports that several mid-tier clubs across Europe are in serious difficulty."

"Absolutely, Peter," Beglin replied. "No matchday revenue for months, sponsorship deals being renegotiated downward, broadcast money delayed. Some clubs in Spain and Italy are reportedly weeks away from serious problems. The gap between the super-rich clubs and everyone else is widening even further."

"Which makes what Leverkusen and Leipzig have built even more impressive," Drury added. "Both clubs are operating with sustainable models, developing young talent rather than spending wildly. Tonight’s match is almost an advertisement for sensible football management."

The referee waved play on, and Leipzig immediately launched an attack. Sabitzer collected the ball on the left, cutting inside past Lars Bender’s challenge. He shaped to shoot from twenty-five yards, and Hradecky set himself, but the Austrian instead slipped a clever pass through to Nkunku.

[37’]

The French winger was through on goal, one-on-one with Hradecky, who was charging out at pace. Nkunku opened his body to place it into the bottom corner, but Hradecky read it perfectly. The Finnish goalkeeper made himself big, forcing Nkunku to rush his finish. The shot struck Hradecky’s outstretched leg and spun wide.

"HOW HAS THAT STAYED OUT?" Drury’s voice rose in disbelief. "Nkunku had the goal at his mercy, and somehow Hradecky has denied him! What a save!"

"That’s world-class goalkeeping," Beglin added, his tone equally amazed. "Look at his positioning, he doesn’t commit early, stays on his feet as long as possible, makes himself massive. Nkunku couldn’t have asked for a better chance, but Hradecky has kept Leverkusen level."

The Leipzig bench had their hands on their heads in disbelief. Nagelsmann was animated on the touchline, gesturing for his team to maintain the pressure. On the opposite side, Bosz clapped his hands together, shouting encouragement to his defence.

Leipzig continued to press for the opener, clearly rattled by missing such a golden opportunity. The intensity was beginning to tell on both sides—tackles were flying in, and tempers were starting to fray slightly. Kampl fouled Havertz with a poorly timed challenge near the halfway line, earning a lecture from the referee but escaping a booking.

"One player who might be watching this match with particular interest is Timo Werner. He left Leipzig for Chelsea this summer, and you have to wonder if he regrets missing out on this Champions League run." Beglin, brought up as the German playmaker, was taken to treatment.

"It’s a dilemma every player faces," Drury said. "Do you stay with a project that’s building toward something special, or do you take the guaranteed big move when it comes? Werner chose Chelsea and the Premier League. Can’t fault him for that, but you’re right—watching his former teammates potentially reach a Champions League semi-final must sting a bit."

On the pitch, the free kick was taken quickly, Demirbay finding Wendell on the left. The Brazilian drove forward, sensing space. Rakim had already started his run, anticipating the overlap. Wendell’s pass was perfectly weighted, arriving just as Rakim accelerated past Tasende.

[44’]

In the 44th minute, Rakim was in full flight now, the ball glued to his feet as he surged into the attacking third. Upamecano moved across to cover, but the young winger had options. Havertz had drifted to the edge of the box, Wirtz was making a late run from the right, and Volland was pinned between the two centre-backs.

"This is dangerous," Drury said, his voice lifting. "Rakim Rex, onside, driving forward..."

Rakim shifted the ball onto his right foot as Upamecano closed in, the defender’s imposing frame trying to shepherd him away from goal. But instead of continuing his run, Rakim executed a perfect trivela pass with the outside of his right boot, the ball snaking around Upamecano and dropping perfectly into Havertz’s path.

Havertz’s first touch was sublime, cushioning the ball with his right foot while rotating his body away from Halstenberg’s challenge. In one fluid motion, he opened up his body and slid a pass across the face of the goal toward Volland.

The striker stretched his leg out, making contact just six yards from goal, smashing it goalward. The Hungarian keeper threw himself to his right, getting a strong hand to the shot, diverting it onto the post. That wasn’t enough to save him, though, as the ball bounced into the net, rattling it.

"Kevin Volland draws first blood!" Drury bellowed. "Péter Gulácsi with stunning reflexes, but it wasn’t enough!"

"They are celebrating and rightly so, a well-worked team goal," Beglin said. "Just goes to show how dangerous that attacking quartet can be once they get going." The Leverkusen bench erupted, arms raised and fists clenched, as Peter Bosz could be seen pumping his fist in the coaching box.

[RB Leipzig 0:1 Bayer Leverkusen ’K. Volland 44]

[45+1]

Leipzig, stunned, quickly reset for kick-off, Sabitzer dragging his teammates together, barking orders, trying to regain control. Their urgency was compounded by the fact that the official only added a minute to the extra time. But Leipzig were already pushing forward again, furious and desperate to pull level before the final whistle.

Upamecano charged upfield, breaking past Volland and Kai, carrying the ball out of defence and past the centre circle. He laid it off to Laimer, who found Olmo with a sharp sequence of passes. Olmo danced forward, pivoting between Demirbay and Lars Bender, before threading a ball through to Poulsen, who had peeled off Tah’s shoulder.

"Poulsen’s in!" Drury cried. But the angle was tight, and before his shot came off, Tah came sliding in, sweeping him and the ball away. The referee’s whistle stayed down, indicating the tackle was clean, and before anyone could react, Hradecky rushed out and pounced on the loose ball.

"A vital stop from Tah!" Beglin said, as Hradecky remained down, milking as much time as possible. "Poulsen thought he had beaten him, but Tah is there to remind him to pay his taxes if he wants to get by him. The keeper barely booted the ball out of his box when the referee finally blew his whistle, as both teams immediately jogged toward the tunnel.

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To Be Continued...