KRC Genk lose 2 - 0 away in Leverkusen.

KRC Genk not only lost 2 - 0 to Leverkusen on Wednesday evening, they also lost central defender Nadson through injury.

Bender with a crossed shot.

Against all expectations, Kevin De Bruyne was in Genk's starting line-up against Leverkusen. Up front Mario Been kept confidence in Vossen and Ogunjimi. Although Leverkusen were in possession for most of the first half Genk were able to secure no less than five corners and a number of excellent opportunities. But they were not efficient enough to capitalize on them. The team that scored was Leverkusen. Nadson misjudged his intervention, the ball landed in the feet of Lars Bender and he put it in goal with a well struck crossed ball to the far past. Genk threatened only from standard situations. Both Simaeys and Ogunjimi came close to scoring from a free kick by Tözsèr. Goalkeeper Köteles too got to show his talents. He underlined why he is the current number one goalkeeper by parrying a magnificently brushed ball from Augusto.

Severe injury for Nadson ?

At the beginning of the second half manager Been brought on Barda instead of Vossen. Genk now took the game in hand but they were unable to create chances. On the hour Leverkusen were close to doubling their lead. Schürrle worked his way through the Genk defense and found himself alone in front of Köteles. But the Hungarian saved his team with a leg swipe. Minutes later Nadson sustained a possibly severe injury while sliding a ball to safety. He had to be stretchered off and might be out for a long time. Nevertheless Genk sensed a chance to get back into the game. Ogunjimi was at the end of an excellent cross by Barda. The Genk striker did what he had to and headed the ball goalward. Goalkeeper Leno had to go at full stretch to parry the ball. Genk pushed back the home team but they were unable to find the gap in the Leverkusen defense. With five minutes of injury time to go they want all out but substitute Ballack shattered all hope when he scored a lucky goal in the closing seconds. Genk now face the double clash with Chelsea FC.

Bayer Leverkusen line up: Leno, Reinartz, Rolfes, Bender, Schürrle, Augusto (65’ Baltisch), Kiessling, Sam, Toprak, Kadlec (80’ Ballack) and Castro.

 
Substitutes: Yelldell, Schwaab, Friedrich, Ballack, Balitsch, Derdiyok, Bellarabi.

 
KRC Genk line up: Koteles, Anele, Simaeys, Nadson (67’ Hayland), Pudil, Buffel, Tozser, Hubert (76’ Kennedy), De Bruyne, Vossen (46’ Barda) and Ogunjimi.


 
Substitutes: Sandomierski, Masuero, Hyland, Barda, Dugary, Kennedy and Limbombe.

Scoresheet:

29’ 1 – 0: Bender
91’ 2 – 0: Ballack


Yellow cards: Nadson, Pudil, Kadlec, Toprak.

Red cards: none

Referee: Alan Kelly (Ierland).

Attendance: 26.500