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Two who understand each other: Alejandro Grimaldo (left) and Florian Wirtz

Photograph:

Marius Becker / dpa

Bayer Leverkusen is still unstoppable this season. The Bundesliga leaders gave Qarabağ Ağdam from Azerbaijan no chance on matchday three of the Europa League group stage and won 5-1 (3-1). Coach Xabi Alonso's side are unbeaten at the top of Group H with nine points, while Qarabağ Ağdam (six) are second. Molde are in third place with three points ahead of BK Häcken, who have no points.

Leverkusen pushed the visitors from Azerbaijan back from the start and presented themselves very eager to play. Florian Wirtz boosted the game again and again and gave Leverkusen an early lead when he put a cross from Alejandro Grimaldo in the goal (4th minute). After that, Qarabağ had his only attacking scene of the first half – and it was initiated by a Leverkusen player.

Granit Xhaka lost the ball in the penalty area and then hit his opponent. There was a penalty, which Toral Bayramov converted (16th).

After that, only Leverkusen played again. The fact that Alonso rested regular players such as keeper Lukáš Hrádecký or winger Jonas Hofmann at the beginning did not harm the game. The Werkself created chance after chance before Grimaldo made it 2-1 after an assist from Wirtz (29').

Before the break, Victor Boniface increased the lead to 18-3 with a powerful shot from around 1 metres (35'). The attacker had previously missed several high-profile opportunities. In the first half, Leverkusen had 14 shots on goal, the visitors, who had won their first two games in the Europa League, only once.

Leverkusen totally dominant

In the second half, Leverkusen extended their lead and led their opponents in phases. Grimaldo increased the lead to 4-1 with a curler (54'). The opponents from Azerbaijan attacked high up the pitch despite the high deficit, which Leverkusen in turn used to counterattack. Edmond Tapsoba scored Leverkusen's fifth goal with a deflection (57').

Of course, the game was decided for a long time, but it still got emotional again. Patrik Schick came on for Boniface in the 62nd minute, the Czech striker had been absent since March due to injury.

The committed Schick did not want to score again, also because Leverkusen slowed down the tempo and played the game to the end easily.

On Sunday, the Bundesliga leaders will face SC Freiburg, who also won their Europa League game in Topola.

kjo