Leverkusen squandered a win against Atlético – twice red

Premier class in Madrid

Drama shortly before the end: Leverkusen loses a heated duel

A heated game developed in Atlético’s cauldron. In the end, two professionals saw red – and Leverkusen lost their victory.

Outnumbered, in the lead – and yet still lost: Bayer Leverkusen missed a big step towards a direct place in the round of 16. Coach Xabi Alonso’s “Werkself” lost the lead against Atlético Madrid on matchday 7 of the Champions League and ended up losing 1-2 (1-0).

Leverkusen was the more active team from the start and dictated the action over long stretches. The Bundesliga club had clear advantages – but then played into the home team’s hands.

After eleven competitive game wins in a row, Leverkusen took the lead through Piero Hincapié (45th minute +1), and also played in the majority for a long time from the 25th minute after Pablo Barrios’ red card. World champion Julian Alvaréz (51st and 90th) turned the heated game around for Atlético with his brace. Hincapié also saw a yellow-red card (76th). The Spaniards (15 points) moved past Leverkusen (13) in the table.

Before the game, coach Alonso had expected a “top game at the highest level”. Surprisingly, the Spaniard was also able to rely on striker Victor Boniface – the Nigerian, who had been out for two months with a thigh injury, was in the squad and, like his strike colleague Patrick Schick, initially sat on the bench. Nathan Tella started in attack.

And the Werkself immediately took the initiative, a first shot from Exequiel Palacios whizzed just past the goal to the right (5th). As a result, the guests also had more of the game, Hincapié shot over the goal from a good position after a pass from Alejandro Grimaldo (17th). A little later, Tella’s supposed opening goal did not count due to an offside position (19′) – Leverkusen was now in control. Wirtz (20th) and Tella (22nd) failed because of Jan Oblak.

A little later, Atlético decimated itself: Barrios caught Nordi Mukiele from behind with his leg stretched out, and referee Davide Massa showed the red card, according to the video images. The game now became more heated and Massa was always the focus. Shortly before the break, the Werkself rewarded themselves for a courageous performance: Mukiele crossed to the back post, where Hincapié headed it into the far corner.

After the break, Bayer tried to manage the lead, but was caught cold: Alvaréz evaded Jonathan Tah after a long ball and slotted in down the right – the Metropolitano was upside down. Leverkusen tried to respond, but Atlético stood deep and compact. Wirtz was then lucky not to receive a yellow-red card after a tactical foul (61′).

The spectators were now fully there, Atlético acted on an equal footing. Bayer continued to run. Hincapié then saw yellow-red after a tough challenge against Giovanni Simeone (76′). And Alvaréz then dealt the reeling Leverkusen team the decisive blow.