Bayer Leverksen’s run in the Champions League came to an end after they were knocked out on penalties in the last 16 as last year’s runners up Atlético Madrid sent the Werkself packing in the last 16 for the fourth time. The game finished 1-0 to Madrid after 120 minutes before Hakan Calhanoglu, Ömer Toprak and Stefan Kießling all missed from the spot. Bernd Leno managed to save Koke’s penalty.
The last time Bayer 04 reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League was back in 2002 when they went on to finish as runners-up, losing to Real Madrid 2-1 in the final. The side that are currently fourth in the Bundesliga won the first leg against the Spanish champions 1-0 to put them in a good position going into today’s second leg but were too cautious at times and didn’t get the luck they needed.
Mario Suárez’s deflected shot off Ömer Toprak in the 27th minute levelled up the tie but that remained the only goal of the game. Leverkusen have an important game in the Bundesliga coming up on Saturday against rivals Schalke 04 in their quest to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
In front of 48,273 fans and Bayern manager Pep Guardiola at an almost sold out Vicente Calderon, Bayer 04 seemed very nervous in the opening stages and made a lot of passing errors but Atlético were unable to capitalise. The fourth placed side in the Priméra Division applied the pressure from the off as expected and caused the visitors’ defence a lot of trouble but were unable to take the lead. Shortly after making it 1-0, which was the first goal Leverkusen had conceded in 507 minutes of football, former Bayern striker Mario Mandzukic had the chance to make it 2-0 but Wendell managed to deny him at the last second.
Leverkusen had the first good chance of the game in the 16th minute as Heung-Min Son got on the end of a corner but his effort was blocked by Mandzukic. The hosts received some bad luck only six minutes later as goalkeeper Angel Moya had to be brought off in place of Jan Oblak following an unlucky collision with Son. It didn’t affect Madrid though as Bayer 04 were unable to take any further control of the game before half time.
Atlético upped the shot count after the break forced Leverkusen back towards their own box. Antoine Griezmann and Mandzukic, as well as substitute Raúl Garcia were all a constant threat. “We weren’t dangerous enough going forward,” was the analysis of Bayer 04’s sporting director Rudi Völler before extra-time, as he went on say “it can’t go to penalties.” But that wasn’t the case and Leverkusen were sent packing after missing three of their five spot kicks.
Bayer Leverksen’s run in the Champions League came to an end after they were knocked out on penalties in the last 16 as last year’s runners up Atlético Madrid sent the Werkself packing in the last 16 for the fourth time. The game finished 1-0 to Madrid after 120 minutes before Hakan Calhanoglu, Ömer Toprak and Stefan Kießling all missed from the spot. Bernd Leno managed to save Koke’s penalty.
The last time Bayer 04 reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League was back in 2002 when they went on to finish as runners-up, losing to Real Madrid 2-1 in the final. The side that are currently fourth in the Bundesliga won the first leg against the Spanish champions 1-0 to put them in a good position going into today’s second leg but were too cautious at times and didn’t get the luck they needed.
Mario Suárez’s deflected shot off Ömer Toprak in the 27th minute levelled up the tie but that remained the only goal of the game. Leverkusen have an important game in the Bundesliga coming up on Saturday against rivals Schalke 04 in their quest to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
In front of 48,273 fans and Bayern manager Pep Guardiola at an almost sold out Vicente Calderon, Bayer 04 seemed very nervous in the opening stages and made a lot of passing errors but Atlético were unable to capitalise. The fourth placed side in the Priméra Division applied the pressure from the off as expected and caused the visitors’ defence a lot of trouble but were unable to take the lead. Shortly after making it 1-0, which was the first goal Leverkusen had conceded in 507 minutes of football, former Bayern striker Mario Mandzukic had the chance to make it 2-0 but Wendell managed to deny him at the last second.
Leverkusen had the first good chance of the game in the 16th minute as Heung-Min Son got on the end of a corner but his effort was blocked by Mandzukic. The hosts received some bad luck only six minutes later as goalkeeper Angel Moya had to be brought off in place of Jan Oblak following an unlucky collision with Son. It didn’t affect Madrid though as Bayer 04 were unable to take any further control of the game before half time.
Atlético upped the shot count after the break forced Leverkusen back towards their own box. Antoine Griezmann and Mandzukic, as well as substitute Raúl Garcia were all a constant threat. “We weren’t dangerous enough going forward,” was the analysis of Bayer 04’s sporting director Rudi Völler before extra-time, as he went on say “it can’t go to penalties.” But that wasn’t the case and Leverkusen were sent packing after missing three of their five spot kicks.
