Bayer 04 Leverkusen suffered a bitter defeat Atlético Madrid conceded. In an extremely heated game, the Werkself were the better team for a long time.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen has suffered a setback in the fight for the direct round of 16 ticket in the Champions League: Coach Xabi Alonso’s team lost on Tuesday evening (January 21, 2025). Atlético Madrid in an extremely heated game with 1:2 (1:0).
However, those in charge and players are likely to be extremely upset about this defeat, because the Werkself played in the majority for around 50 minutes and had also established a great superiority.
In the end, two carelessnesses and a lot of hecticness ensured that the Leverkusen team lost Estadio Metropolitano left the pitch as losers. Julián Alvarez was the key player for the Spaniards.
Tah: “That hurts twice as much”
“We didn’t play it home in a mature enough way. It’s extremely important that you keep your cool and give your opponent the feeling that they have something in it for them. Of course, that hurts twice as much.”said Bayer defender Jonathan Tah.
In order for direct qualification among the top eight teams to become a reality after the 8th and final matchday of the league phase, Leverkusen absolutely need a win against Sparta Prague on Wednesday in a week’s time (9 p.m.).
Robust Defensive artist
As usual, Leverkusen took control of the game from the start. The Madrilenians let their opponents have their way and formed a defensive wall that was very difficult to overcome. The ball passed quickly through the Werkself ranks without any notable approach to the goal in the first few minutes.
Atletico relied on team unity and tried to get behind the Leverkusen defense line with long, diagonal balls in the few transition situations in order to then bring attackers Alvarez and Antoine Griezman into play.
The Leverkusen team had to be extremely careful not to be surprised by the Spaniards. On the other hand, they had a hard time using their technical superiority against the robust defensive artists.
Barrios sees red
After 16 minutes, Piero Hincapié had the first chance to score after a back pass from Álex Grimaldo, but the Leverkusen player hammered the ball well over the goal from around ten meters. Just two minutes later, Nathan Tella took the supposed lead – following the same pattern – but referee Davide Massa ruled it offside.
The superiority of Alonso’s team grew, but Florian Wirtz and Tella again continued to lack accuracy in finishing.
After 25 minutes, Atletico weakened itself because offensive man Pablo Barrios was shown the red card after an overly hard tackle on Nordi Mukiele.
Hincapie scores with his head
From this point on, with Leverkusen in the majority, the game played almost exclusively around the penalty area of the hot-tempered Madrilenians. There was hardly any relief for coach Diego Simeone’s team. The Werkself’s technical superiority was astonishing.
The 1-0 was long overdue – and came in stoppage time in the second half. The Leverkusen team kept up the pressure, Mukiele’s cross found Hincapie at the far post, who headed it from five meters to take the deserved lead (45th + 2).
Surprising compensation
After the break the picture continued. Leverkusen dominated the game, Atletico tried to prevent the worst. The second goal was in the air – and it turned out differently. A careless moment from Leverkusen was enough for the Spaniards to equalize.
After an unfinished counterattack by the guests, Atletico only needed a long ball. Alvarez had speed advantages over Jonathan Tah and converted to make it 1-1 (52′), which was a complete surprise.
A lot of hecticness in the game, Hincapie sees yellow-red
Afterwards, the Atletico players managed to get a lot of emotion into the game and spread even more excitement. The Alonso team had to struggle with this and lost their line for a good 15 minutes. The Madrilenians achieved their goal with their exaggerated theatrics. There was no longer any sign of the majority.
To make matters worse, referee Massa showed Bayer defender Hincapie a yellow-red card after a foul on Giuliano Simeone (76′).
After that the game calmed down again, even though both teams fought for every meter on the pitch. And then the winning goal was scored for the hosts.
The ball fell at Alvarez’s feet by chance, the attacker quickly picked up the ball, went around goalkeeper Matej Kovar and slotted in to make it 2-1 (90′) for Atletico.