Bayer Leverkusen converted their playoff match point in the Champions League in an ice-cold manner.
Thanks to a slapstick hit and a newfound enthusiasm for the game, the German runner-up won 3-0 (2-0) against the shockingly apathetic FC Villarreal and thus achieved the minimum goal in Europe.
Malik Tillman (12th) initially benefited from a blatant mistake by Spanish goalkeeper Arnau Tenas, then the offensive player (35th) scored a remarkable direct pass.
Alejandro Grimaldo (57th) increased and rewarded the Werkself for a superior performance. The premier class journey continues: Bayer’s opponent in the second round will be determined on Friday after the draw.
The omens for Leverkusen could hardly have been better. Coach Kasper Hjulmand emphasized that the Werkself would play “sure to win” so as not to have to rely on any help from the shooters. Villarreal, with only one point before kick-off with no chance of progressing, started with a better B-eleven.
Leverkusen punishes mistakes coldly
All of that was reflected on the pitch. The “Yellow Submarine”, in a strong fourth place in La Liga, played with fire in the build-up.
Bayer punished this immediately when Tillman ran courageously and blocked a pass from Tenas from close range into the goal. The lead noticeably inspired the Rhinelanders, and the uncertainty caused by the false start to the new year seemed to have disappeared.
What was missing against overwhelmed guests was the second goal, despite a large number of chances. Ibrahim Maza (26th) provided the best finish: the ball bounced off the post, onto the back of Tenas’ head and back onto the crossbar before Villarreal cleared.
Tillman once again refined one of the many Bayer attacks worth seeing. After a header from Patrik Schick, he uncompromisingly chased the ball into the net.
Grimaldo provides the highlight moment
Leverkusen goalkeeper Janis Blaswich, who once again represented the injured Mark Flekken but will soon have to face a duel with Gladbach loanee Jonas Omlin, was unemployed before the break.
In the second half, the Leverkusen team took a deep breath: Ezequiel Fernández barely hit Nicolas Pépé on the foot during a risky tackle. But the referee decided in favor of Schwalbe (56th). Bayer’s response to the moment of shock followed immediately.
Grimaldo provided another highlight: The Spaniard took a cross from Lucas Vázquez directly and put the ball flat into the near corner.
The Rhinelanders, who had previously only been successful in the premier class away from Benfica Lisbon and Manchester City this season, were then allowed to shift down several gears. Blaswich parried against Pépé (64′), otherwise Bayer didn’t allow much.
