Bayer Leverkusen’s Champions League campaign got off to the perfect start. The Werkself beat Belarusian champions BATE Borisov 4-1 thanks to goals from Admir Mehmedi, Hakan Calhanoglu (2) and Chicharito.
The win against the supposed underdogs in the group, for whom Nemanja Milunovic found an initial first-half equaliser, was a good start for Bayer as they look to reach the knockout stages for a seventh consecutive year. The only downer on the night was the injury sustained by Lars Bender shortly before the break, leaving him doubtful for Sunday’s crunch match against table toppers Borussia Dortmund.
Early lead, quick equaliser
Bayer manager Roger Schmidt made three changes from the team that drew to Darmstadt on Saturday, starting Chicharito in place of Kießling, as well as Mehmedi and Kevin Kampl, his favourites from their time at Salzburg.
The Belarusian’s started with a compact defence in front of the 24,280 strong crowd, having only conceded nine goals in 19 league games. But this plan fell apart immediately after Mehmedi took advantage of a defensive mishap to give Leverkusen an early lead.
After a double miss moments later from Kampl and Chicharito, Bayer went on to concede the equaliser at the other end. Roberto Hilbert, who was a doubt before the match, chested the ball into Bernd Leno’s net after Mulunovic’s flick on from a corner.
Bayer switch it on in second half
Bayer bounced back quickly, creating several chances. The best falling to Mehmedi who, after a great challenge to win the ball back from Karim Bellarabi, put the ball wide of the goal. Leverkusen came out much more resolutely for the second half. Calhanoglu’s deflected goal gave them the lucky break and it proved the catalyst for a comfortable victory. Chicharito followed with his first goal for Bayer, before Calhanoglu wrapped it up from the penalty spot.
Bayer Leverkusen’s Champions League campaign got off to the perfect start. The Werkself beat Belarusian champions BATE Borisov 4-1 thanks to goals from Admir Mehmedi, Hakan Calhanoglu (2) and Chicharito.
The win against the supposed underdogs in the group, for whom Nemanja Milunovic found an initial first-half equaliser, was a good start for Bayer as they look to reach the knockout stages for a seventh consecutive year. The only downer on the night was the injury sustained by Lars Bender shortly before the break, leaving him doubtful for Sunday’s crunch match against table toppers Borussia Dortmund.
Early lead, quick equaliser
Bayer manager Roger Schmidt made three changes from the team that drew to Darmstadt on Saturday, starting Chicharito in place of Kießling, as well as Mehmedi and Kevin Kampl, his favourites from their time at Salzburg.
The Belarusian’s started with a compact defence in front of the 24,280 strong crowd, having only conceded nine goals in 19 league games. But this plan fell apart immediately after Mehmedi took advantage of a defensive mishap to give Leverkusen an early lead.
After a double miss moments later from Kampl and Chicharito, Bayer went on to concede the equaliser at the other end. Roberto Hilbert, who was a doubt before the match, chested the ball into Bernd Leno’s net after Mulunovic’s flick on from a corner.
Bayer switch it on in second half
Bayer bounced back quickly, creating several chances. The best falling to Mehmedi who, after a great challenge to win the ball back from Karim Bellarabi, put the ball wide of the goal. Leverkusen came out much more resolutely for the second half. Calhanoglu’s deflected goal gave them the lucky break and it proved the catalyst for a comfortable victory. Chicharito followed with his first goal for Bayer, before Calhanoglu wrapped it up from the penalty spot.
