„Just not Bayern!“ – Leverkusen trembling ahead of round of 16 draw in the CL | OneFootball

Bayer Leverkusen have reached the last 16 of the Champions League – but there was little sign of euphoria after the 0-0 draw in the play-off second leg against Olympiakos Piraeus. Captain Robert Andrich in particular has mixed feelings about the upcoming draw

Because with FC Bayern or FC Arsenal, a heavyweight is definitely waiting in the next round. „It was clear to us from the outset that it would be a top club,“ Andrich said on Prime Video. He was surprisingly open about his preference: „I stand by my opinion: I would hate to have a German team so that perhaps enough German teams can stay in.“

It was clear to hear between the lines: the international wants to avoid a duel with the German record champions. The Werkself already have to play the record champions in the cup semi-final

Self-criticism after a disappointing performance

photo: IMAGO

The reason for Andrich’s concerns was not just the potential opponent, however, but also his own performance. Against Piraeus, Leverkusen were unimaginative and sluggish for long stretches. „The only positive thing we can take from this is that we’ve progressed,“ said the 29-year-old self-critically. „It was all far too sluggish. Everything has to look different if we want to have a chance of winning something.“

He called for more gallantry, more precision in the passing game and a much higher tempo – with and against the ball. „That was a kind of exhibition game, fortunately the opponents didn’t punish us,“ Andrich said clearly

Jonas Hofmann was of the same opinion. „That was no walk in the park for us. No one can be satisfied,“ said the attacking player. With a wink, he suggested perhaps drinking „a frustration beer“ to quickly tick the game off

Kramer becomes clear

Former Leverkusen player Christoph Kramer, on duty as a pundit, had even more drastic words: „That was bad. Everything about the game was shit,“ commented the 2014 world champion bluntly

One thing is clear: in the form they showed on Tuesday evening, Leverkusen would not be favourites against either Bayern or Arsenal. The draw on Friday is therefore likely to be followed with particular excitement at the BayArena – combined with a faint hope from Robert Andrich: just no German duel.