Top 5 UEFA Cup Finals: # 3
By: Dan | May 18th, 20091987-1988 Bayer Leverkusen 3 (3) – Espanyol 3 (2)
A collapse that can only be described as utter.
In terms of names, this was hardly a marquee match up. No matter how unfair it seems, Espanyol will always live in Barcelona’s massive shadow and in 1988 Leverkusen were, like Bayer brothers Uerdingen, a nothing corporate entity from nowhere. (Not that it hampered their ability to play football, of course.)
For some reason, the 1988 UEFA Cup final is often described in terms of Espanyol’s heartbreak. The events on the field tell a different story. It’s almost as if Espanyol were shocked that Leverkusen continued to play in the second leg like they had a chance of winning. All three Leverkusen goals were the result of defending that was lackadasical in effort and amateurish in execution. Again, Bayer’s efforts should not be discounted. Although the first goal resulted from a poor clearance that went straight to Tita, the second and third were wonderful headed efforts.
Espanyol were forced to relive their collapse, writ small, in the penalty shootout. After taking an early advantage, Espanyol lost their nerve after Santiago Urquiaga beat Rüdiger Vollborn but hit the underside of the crossbar. Leverkusen did not miss again, and Espanyol’s next two efforts were hit straight at Vollborn and over the bar, respectively.
Leverkusen rarely receive the credit they deserve for this performance.
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