Bayer Leverkusen had already missed the round of 16 before the game at Atlético Madrid. But the chances of the Europa League are also slim.
Coach Xabi Alonso’s team drew 2-2 (2-1) on the penultimate matchday on Wednesday evening. Even before the game it was clear that Leverkusen would not be able to reach the round of 16 because FC Porto had previously defeated FC Bruges 4-0 (1-0) in Group B.
But the chances of third place and staying in the Europa League are also bad. Before the last group game day, Madrid, who can no longer reach the CL round of 16, have a one-point lead over bottom-placed Leverkusen.
Moussa Diaby (9′) and Callum Hudson-Odoi (29′) put Leverkusen ahead twice, Yannick Carrasco (22′) and Rodrigo de Paul (50′) each equalized for Madrid. In the seventh minute of added time, Leverkusen keeper Lukas Hradecky parried a hand penalty.
Diaby gives Leverkusen the lead with the first chance
After a quiet start, Leverkusen used the first opportunity of the game to take the lead. Andrich won the ball against Antoine Griezmann on Atlético’s left-back and passed it to Adam Hlozek, who passed Diaby’s run (9′). The Frenchman gave Madrid keeper Jan Oblak no chance with a shot into the far corner.
Madrid equalizes, Bayer strikes back
Atlético equalized 13 minutes later. In an attack down the left wing, Griezmann let an Angel Correa pass bounce for the following Carrasco (22nd), who hit the near corner from the edge of the penalty area.
Madrid kept the pressure but Leverkusen scored their second. Nadiem Amiri chased the ball away from Correa and served Hudson-Odoi in the middle (29′), who left ex-Dortmunder Axel Witsel with a body deception and shot from about eleven meters.
Amiri’s solo almost leads to 3:1
Atlético continued to have more possession, but good ideas and compelling scoring chances didn’t spring up. It only became dangerous for Leverkusen goalkeeper Hradecky again when his team-mate Piero Hincapie (42nd) almost headed the ball into his own goal from a Molina cross.
The Rhinelanders even had the chance to score the third goal shortly before the break. Amiri dribbled through the entire defense of the hosts and was only stopped by Witsel in the 16-metre area, and Diaby’s follow-up shot (44′) went over the goal.
Atlético respond after the break
Madrid came out of the dressing room with a lot of force. After a run from Carrasco down the left, the Belgian passed it on to de Paul (50′), who came on as a substitute during the half-time break and hit the far corner with a flick from 17 meters to the right.
During this phase, Leverkusen kept floundering and were under constant pressure. Goalkeeper Hradecky defused shots from Griezmann (58′) and Carrasco (60′). In the last twenty minutes, Leverkusen had chances again against the very attacking Spaniards, but the fast-reacting Oblak saved shots from Diaby (75′) and Paulinho (80′).
In the last minute of injury time, Madrid were awarded a penalty after a handball by Hincapie. The game was already over, but after checking the video footage, the referee awarded the penalty. Hradecky saved against Carrasco.
Leverkusen on Saturday in Leipzig
The next game for Leverkusen is on Saturday (3:30 p.m.). Then the team is a guest at RB Leipzig.