Thanks to a double from winger Moussa Diaby, Bayer Leverkusen’s round of 16 of the Europa League is within reach. The Werkself prevailed 4-0 (1-0) in the top match in Group G against pursuers Betis Sevilla and created a three-point buffer on Sevilla at the top of the table. With a win against Celtic Glasgow (November 25), coach Gerardo Seoane’s team can make the round of 16 prematurely clear.

Diaby (42nd / 52nd) crowned his strong performance in front of more than 15,000 spectators with the two goals, the other goals were scored by Florian Wirtz (86th) and Nadiem Amiri (90th). By reducing the field of participants in the Europa League, the first in the table avoids the “relegated” Champions League in the second round and moves straight into the round of 16. “We don’t concentrate on our performance and don’t calculate. Of course, our goal is to defend the top of the table. We have analyzed the last few games and found ways to improve our performance,” said Seoane after the last five competitive games without a win before the game said .

The Swiss left the ailing center forward Lucas Alario on the bench, but he was forced to offer the 21-year-old Amine Adli and young star Wirtz as tips. In Patrick Schick (torn ankle ligament) the second regular center forward is missing longer. In a respectable initial phase, Leverkusen put significantly more offensive accents. After the first harmless conclusion of Borja Iglesias, which Bayer captain Lukas Hradecky held securely, the hosts had a few options. First Wirtz finished too centrally (8th), then Betis keeper Rui Silva had no problems with a shot by Diaby (13th), which Wirtz had beautifully staged.

Ex-Dortmund’s Marc Bartra prevented the lead with a rescue operation shortly before the goal line after Adli had already circled past Silva (20th). A few moments later, the supposed 1-0 was withdrawn by the video assistant in an urge phase due to an offside position for Jeremie Frimpong (24th). After Nabil Fekir’s tight shot, Bayer was lucky that Hradecky did not slip the ball into the net in his defense (36th). Before the break, things went well for Leverkusen: After a quick counterattack, Diaby found the right one on a short cross, who gave an excellent shot to the well-deserved lead.

Bayer took the momentum into the second half. Diaby balanced his long-range shot into the mesh shortly after the break and had other good scenes as a result. A disappointing Betis had to counter Leverkusen with a crossbar from Fekir, then Wirtz and Amiri struck. In stoppage time, Fekir (90th + 3) and Kerem Demirbay (90th + 4) each saw the red card after a scuffle.

Frankfurt victory over Olympiacos Piraeus

Eintracht Frankfurt was able to celebrate another success in the Europa League. The team, which was ailing in the Bundesliga, defeated the Greek champions Olympiacos 2-1 (1-1).

This means that Eintracht will at least reach the playoffs against a third party from the Champions League. With ten points, Frankfurt now leads Group D well ahead of Piraeus (6) and thus has the best chance of being the first to make it directly to the round of 16.

Youssef El Arabi gave the hosts the lead in the 12th minute, which Daichi Kamada (17th) equalized. Jens Petter Hauge (90 + 1) scored the acclaimed winning goal for the Frankfurt team in stoppage time. After the injured Filip Kostic, Ajdin Hrustic, Christopher Lenz and Gonçalo Paciência failed to die in Europe, Erik Durm had to do without Erik Durm for a short time. The midfielder signs off with gastrointestinal problems. In addition, defense chief Martin Hinteregger only sat on the bench.

“He made a tired impression recently,” said coach Oliver Glasner, who changed the starting line-up to five different positions compared to the most recent 1-1 draw against RB Leipzig. For Hinteregger, veteran Makoto Hasebe joined the three-man chain, who did not pass the first endurance test. Tuta was overrun on the right side of defense by Henry Onyekuru, whose cross in the center of El Arabi, which was completely in the center, gave the Greeks an early lead.

The Frankfurters were not shocked by this and quickly gave the right answer. Rafael Borré served Kamada, who lifted the ball past Piraeus goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik into the net. The Japanese had already scored in the 3-1 win in the first leg. The compensation gave the Frankfurters a little more security in the actions, even if hardly anything went on the offensive. In addition, mistakes crept into the game of Eintracht, which was in serious danger after 36 minutes. Giorgos Masouras suddenly appeared free in front of the goal, but Eintracht keeper Kevin Trapp rescued brilliantly with his foot.

The 31-year-old, who had been in top form for weeks, was also on the post a little later when Mohamed Camara shot. After the move, Piraeus increased the pressure. Onyekuru (57th) had the renewed lead on his feet, but narrowly missed. It was only after 69 minutes that the Bundesliga team came dangerously in front of the opponent’s goal. Substitute Jesper Lindström, however, failed a Vaclik. In the final phase, the substitute Hauge was then on the spot and scored the winning goal.

Setback for Union

1. FC Union Berlin has suffered another setback in the fight for a place in the knockout round of the Europa Conference League. The Bundesliga club lost against Feyenoord Rotterdam 1: 2 (1: 1) on Thursday evening. The Berliners can still save themselves to the last place in Group E with two wins in the last two games at Maccabi Haifa (25/11) and against Sparta Prague (9/12).

Luis Sinisterra (15th) brought the guests into the lead early. Union captain Christopher Trimmel (40th) equalized with a remarkable shot. After a mistake by Berlin goalkeeper Andreas Luthe, who slipped on the ground soaked by the continuous rain, Cyriel Dessers (72nd) scored the victory. In the final phase Trimmel (87th) saw the yellow-red card, a minute later Cedric Teuchert had to leave the field with a straight red because of kicking.