Pair of Wins
March 15, 2007
Bayer Leverkusen edged nearer to a return European final date in Glasgow on Wednesday when they led a successful two-pronged German assault on the UEFA Cup by seeing off French side Lens.
Leverkusen -- who were beaten by Real Madrid in the 2002 Champions League final in Glasgow -- beat Lens 3-0 to go through 4-2 on aggregate and were joined by Bundesliga rivals Werder Bremen, who beat Spanish side Cleta Vigo 2-0 on the night and 3-0 on aggregate.
For Leverkusen's present coach Michael Skibbe it was a "perfect evening" as his side coasted into the last eight.
"Compliments to my team, this was soccer how it should be played," said Skibbe. "We had some problems at the beginning, but then we settled down and played some excellent soccer out wide. It was fantastic and a perfect evening for us."
Lens coach Francis Gillot admitted Leverkusen deserved to advance, but had no complaints from his side's performance.
"For the last month we have worked like crazy, but things just didn't come off for us here," he said.
Bremen find new hero
Going into the match without star striker combo Miroslav Klose and Ivan Klasnic, Bremen wondered where their goals would come from and were rewarded with a new source.
Bremen's hero was the raw young talent of 18-year-old Kevin Schindler, whose electrifying cameo performance of 45 minutes in the second-half -- including setting up the first goal -- turned the game for the German side.
"I'm lost for words," he said after a dream UEFA Cup debut. "I didn't think I'd get on, especially so soon after the break. It's a dream come true and a huge thing for me."
After a goalless first-half, Bremen's patience paid off when they built on their 1-0 lead from the first-leg with two well-taken goals that left coach Thomas Schaaf pleased with his side's steady build-up and deadly finishing.
"We had to be patient," he said. "We stayed calm in the first half and that was important. In the second half we had more space and that made things a lot easier for us."
Leverkusen and Bremen will find out Friday who they meet in the quarterfinals.