Bayer Leverkusen have been the most eye-catching team this season, with Alonso within striking distance of the all-time league title and the final of the German Cup. At the same time, in the Europa League, Leverkusen did not give up, against West Ham in the round of 8, Alonso made a substitution, substitutes Hoffman and Boniface scored two goals in a row, and Leverkusen won 2:0 to take the lead in the first leg.
West Ham, who won last season's UEFA Europa League, have continued their consistency on both fronts this season, finishing in the last eight and just one point behind sixth-placed Manchester United. Alonso continued his 3-5-2 system: Adli and Schick attacked in the front, Wirtz as the front midfielder, Xhaka and Palacios as the back, Grimaldo and Frimpong flew on the wings, Stanišić, Jonatan Ta and Tapu Soba built a back three system, and the second goalkeeper Covarge guarded the goal.
West Ham are well aware of Bayer Leverkusen's attacking line, coupled with the lack of top scorer Bowen themselves, David Moyes has also put on a defensive position directly on the road, and former Arsenal goalkeeper Fabianski has become the busiest player of the game. In the 7th minute, Stanišić shot from the periphery, Schick hit the goal with a backheel relay in the middle of the penalty area, Fabianski confiscated the ball steadily, and in the 11th minute, the right side of the Adley penalty area shook off the defense and shot into the far corner, Fabianski flew to block the ball from the bottom line. In the 20th minute, Grimaldo's powerful long-range shot from outside the penalty area was sealed by Fabianski's world-class save, and in the 30th minute, Schick led the ball into the left side of the penalty area and hit the goal from a small angle, and Fabianski immediately fell to the ground to resolve the danger.
In the entire first half, the pharmaceutical factory fired 18 shots on goal, and in the second half, Bayer Leverkusen continued to attack, but still could not penetrate the goal guarded by Fabianski, Alonso did not hesitate, decisively replaced Boniface and Hofmann to strengthen the attack, and this adjustment also had an immediate effect. In the 83rd minute, Leverkusen's corner kick was sent to the penalty area, Bonifes's sweeping shot was blocked, and Hofmann shot hard at two points, this time Fabianski's vision was blocked and nothing could be done, 1:0! Leverkusen finally broke the deadlock. In the 88th minute, Grimaldo's free kick was cleared in the penalty area, Hoffman's long-range shot was cleared by Soucek's goal line, and Jonatan Ta's two shots from close range were saved by Soucek and Fabianski combined.
In the 91st minute, Hoffman crossed from a corner kick, Boniface shook his head to score the victory, 2:0! Leverkusen won the first leg, and continued to march towards the season treble, in the case of Liverpool's three-goal defeat in the first leg, the pharmaceutical company became the top favorite to win the championship. At the same time, Bayer Leverkusen are unbeaten in 42 games, tying the 11-12 season when Juventus led by Antonio Conte is unbeaten in all competitions, which is also the longest record in the five major leagues. However, Bayer Leverkusen are on the third line and are unbeaten for 90 minutes, so they have the better win percentage.