Bayer Leverkusen took the upper hand
in their last-16 tie against Atletico Madrid, a single second half goal giving
them a 1-0 advantage ahead of the second leg in Madrid next week.
Hakan Calhanoglu struck brilliantly in the second
half but the hosts were fortunate to escape with their lead in tact as Fernando Torres had a goal harshly disallowed.
The visitors were reduced to ten men
with less than quarter of an hour remaining as Tiago received a second yellow
for a clumsy and ill-judged challenge on Karim Bellarabi.
There were chances at either end in
the first half, Emir Sahic rattling the Atletico crossbar with a thunderous
30-yard effort and Leno saving brilliantly from Tiago at the other end.
The deadlock was broken ten minutes
into the second half and broken in style as Bellarabi stalled on the edge of
the box before back-heeling it into the path of the onrushing Calhanoglu, who
took a touch before thrashing a fierce shot past Miguel Angel Moya.
Twenty minutes later came the game's
moment of controversy. A corner came over towards the near post, and squirmed
through for Torres to head into the empty net at the back post, but the
assistant referee on the goal-line judged that it went out of play before
reaching the near post.
Replays suggested that the ball
stayed in play and there were question marks over his ability to see past two
goalposts to reliably deem the ball to be out.
KEY MOMENTS
13’ - Off the line! Leverkusen whip in a corner and it's a dangerous one, Moya
failing to deal with it. The ball is clipped back in and diverted towards goal
but Mandzukic, a striker, is on hand to thrash it off the line.
26’ - OFF THE BAR! Spahic unleashes an absolute thunderbolt from 30 yards out,
which has Moya beaten all ends up but not the woodwork.
38’ - Chance for Atletico! A blocked shot finds its way to Turan inside the box and he
tries to hook it over the keeper. It loops up and Griezmann readies himself
underneath it, but Leno gets up higher to palm it away.
45’ - Penalty appeal waved away! Wendell bursts down the left and into the box. Juanfran lunges in and it looks like he takes him
out. But no, it's an expert dive, Wendell throwing himself against the
defender's leg. Great spot from the ref.
45+3’ - What a save! Ateltico almost take the lead! Tiago acrobatically fires
off a low volley that is heading right for the bottom corner, but Leno gets
down brilliantly and gets a hand to it. Tiago can't believe it. Fantasitc stop,
and a potentially very important one.
56’ - GOAL! Leverkusen take the
lead! Bellarabi stalls on the edge of the
box before backheeling it into the path of the onrushing Calhanoglu, who gets
the ball out of his feet before thrashing a fierce shot past Moya from a tight
angle. Great goal. 1-0.
76’ - Goal disallowed! A corner comes in from Atletico and it's low towards the
near post. It somehow squeezes through to the back post where Torres is on hand
to nod into the empty net. But the assistant referee on the goal line reckons
the ball had gone out of play from the corner before reaching Torres. Replays
show it didn't. Torres looks bemused.
77’ - RED CARD FOR TIAGO! The Atletico midfielder is sent for an early shower after
earning a second yellow card for a late one on Bellarabi. He doesn’t even get
near the ball and doesn't have any complaints.
KEY STATS
Bayer Leverkusen won for the first
time after a losing streak of seven games in the Champions League knockout
stages.
Atletico Madrid have now lost two of
their last nine Champions League games in the knockout stages.
Bayer Leverkusen ended a Champions
League goal draught of 263 minutes.
This was the first goal Atletico
Madrid goalkeeper Miguel Angel Moya has conceded in the Champions League.
Diego Simeone has won 13 of his 20
Champions League games as Atletico Madrid manager.
TALKING POINT
Fifth officials – just why? It’s always strange when European football returns to our
screens and we see a third linesman standing awkwardly on the by-line beside
the goal. Assistant referee? Fifth official? Whatever you want to call them,
you always wonder of how much use they are. Well, on tonight’s evidence, not
much. The official in question ruled out what looked like a perfectly good
Torres goal. In fairness to him, he had a hard time seeing round two sets of
posts, which begs the next question – why not have one on either side? In fact,
why not line the whole of the pitch with these flag-happy interfering
officials.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Karim Bellarabi (Bayer Leverkusen). The back-heel for the goal was wonderful and besides that
the midfield man was everywhere today. He was at the heart of Leverkusen’s
ferocious pressing and equally pacy forays forward.
PLAYER RATINGS
Bayer Leverkusen: Leno 8, Hilbert 6, K. Papadopoulos 6, Spahic 7,
Wendell 6; Bender 6, Castro 7; Bellarabi 7; Calhanoglu 7, Son Heung-Min 6; Drmic 7. Subs:
Rolfes 6, Kiessling 6, Brandt 6.
Atlético Madrid: Moyà 7, Juanfran 6, Miranda 6, Godín 7, Siqueira 6;
Tiago 4, Gabi 6; Turan 6, Saúl Ñíguez 6, Griezmann 7; Mandzukic 6. Subs:
Gámez 6, Raúl García 7, Torres 7.
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