Bayer Leverkusen played with plenty of passion and came out on top against Athletico Madrid thanks to a strong goalkeeping performance from Bernd Leno and a great goal from Hakan Calhanoglu. Bayer 04 beat last year’s beaten finalists Athletico Madrid 1-0 and will go into the return leg on 17th March full of confidence.
Calhanoglu fired home in the 57th minute to give the German side a surprise victory. The other German sides in the last 16 (Bayern München, Schalke 04 and Borussia Dortmund) all failed to win the first leg of their respective ties. Athletico will have to cope without Tiago and Diego Godin in the second leg. The former was sent off in tonight’s game whereas the latter picked up his third booking of the season.
Bayer 04 have struggled since the winter break but started strongly and created the better chances in front of the 30,210 spectators in the BayArena. Lars Bender had the first effort of note but his long range effort didn’t go in. Moments later Mario Mandzukic had the chance to put the visitors in front but Emir Spahic cleared off the line. The Bosnian then hit the bar in the 26th minute.
Leno impresses throughout
The Spanish side struggled against a well organised Bayer 04 defence, but before the break the Madrid side threatened. Thankfully, Bernd Leno was on top form to prevent efforts from Tiago and Antoine Griezmann from hitting the back of the net.
The hosts impressed after the break and took the lead shortly before the hour. Karim Bellarabi set up Calhanoglu, who fired home his second goal of the competition. The hosts remained solid at the back for the final half hour and are in the driving seat ahead of the second leg.
Bayer Leverkusen played with plenty of passion and came out on top against Athletico Madrid thanks to a strong goalkeeping performance from Bernd Leno and a great goal from Hakan Calhanoglu. Bayer 04 beat last year’s beaten finalists Athletico Madrid 1-0 and will go into the return leg on 17th March full of confidence.
Calhanoglu fired home in the 57th minute to give the German side a surprise victory. The other German sides in the last 16 (Bayern München, Schalke 04 and Borussia Dortmund) all failed to win the first leg of their respective ties. Athletico will have to cope without Tiago and Diego Godin in the second leg. The former was sent off in tonight’s game whereas the latter picked up his third booking of the season.
Bayer 04 have struggled since the winter break but started strongly and created the better chances in front of the 30,210 spectators in the BayArena. Lars Bender had the first effort of note but his long range effort didn’t go in. Moments later Mario Mandzukic had the chance to put the visitors in front but Emir Spahic cleared off the line. The Bosnian then hit the bar in the 26th minute.
Leno impresses throughout
The Spanish side struggled against a well organised Bayer 04 defence, but before the break the Madrid side threatened. Thankfully, Bernd Leno was on top form to prevent efforts from Tiago and Antoine Griezmann from hitting the back of the net.
The hosts impressed after the break and took the lead shortly before the hour. Karim Bellarabi set up Calhanoglu, who fired home his second goal of the competition. The hosts remained solid at the back for the final half hour and are in the driving seat ahead of the second leg.
