NO FANS? NO POINT
Bayer boss says closed-doors game hands advantage to Gers and Europa is now meaningless
BAYER LEVERKUSEN boss Peter Bosz has called for the Europa League to be postponed and claims the entire competition has been devalued.
The Dutchman reckons Rangers have been handed an unfair advantage by being allowed to play tonight’s first by GARY RALSTON leg in front of a capacity Ibrox crowd while next Thursday’s return in Germany is held behind closed doors due to the coronavirus crisis.
Bosz, right, insists UEFA should do all clubs a favour and
postpone the competition as the spread of infection continues across the world.
The European blazers have already postponed last-16 ties scheduled for tonight involving Sevilla and Roma and Inter against Getafe after Spanish authorities slapped a ban on travel into the country from Italy. Asked if Rangers have been handed an advantage, Bosz said: “Absolutely, but they are not to blame because they haven’t decided it.
“I’m looking forward to playing here but when you play in front of home fans they are for you and that’s an advantage if we, in turn, are playing in an empty stadium.
“To be honest, the competition has been devalued. Fans should be there. No one is to blame but it is strange.
“The tournament should be postponed but I understand. We don’t know where all this is going.
“If you start to postpone games, when do you stop postponing them? However, we play this game for the fans and if they are not there it isn’t right. What is happening in Europe at the moment is strange.
“I don’t see anything different in Germany. I live in Dusseldorf which they say is at the centre of it (coronavirus) so take care! But, seriously, on the streets all is normal.
“Now? Fans are not allowed to be inside our grounds but I’m looking forward to Rangers as we’re at least playing in front of fans.
“I expect to see a team in Rangers that wants to win at home, cheered forward by their support.
“They have done well in Europe, especially at Ibrox, and we are prepared for it and hope to do well.”
To add to the woes of Bosz the
fragile state of the Ibrox pitch denied the Germans the chance to train on the surface last night as they went for a walk around the ground instead.
He added: “I’m disappointed we couldn’t train on it, not least as it is a rhythm you have in Europe.
“It’s something special to train in the stadium the night before the match, get used to the pitch, I always liked that. We had a little tour instead and the players returned to the hotel but we have to adapt to it.
“We can’t complain – it is what it is. A good pitch would have been important to us but we will still try to play our own style of offensive football.”
Winger Karim Bellarabi also echoed his manager’s sentiments, with Leverkusen city officials even admitting earlier this week they could ban all sporting events in a bid to prevent the virus spreading further.
Bellarabi said: “It’s a strange feeling going into this match, almost like it’s going to be a friendly. We just have to get on with it.”