Bayer 04 Leverkusen beat Atlético Madrid in the Champions League thanks to two late goals. The Werkself thus avoided a false start in the premier class.
Bayer Leverkusen landed the hoped-for relief thanks to a late brace and gave the coach Gerardo Seoane, who was under pressure, some breathing room with their first win in the Champions League. The Werkself beat top Spanish club Atletico Madrid 2-0 (0-0) on the second matchday of the premier class with goals from Robert Andrich (84′) and Moussa Diaby (87′) and recovered from the surprising opening defeat in Bruges (0-0). :1).
In the ninth competitive game this season, it was only the second win for Bayer. In the game against Diego Simeone’s team, Leverkusen quickly set offensive accents. Adam Hlozek didn’t get any pressure on a header after a nice run from Piero Hincapie, seconds later Andrich shot over the goal (7′).
VAR luck for Leverkusen in handball
Bayer had more game shares. Against the well-assorted Atletico-Defensive there were no further possibilities. On the other hand, Leverkusen were lucky when Edmond Tapsoba got hold of the ball from a cross. After studying the video for a long time, the English referee Michael Oliver stuck to his original decision and decided against a penalty.
In the next attack, Kerem Demirbay narrowly missed a long-range shot (26′). Leverkusen’s top scorer Patrik Schick initially had no access to the game. The Czech was repeatedly sought from deep but often lost the ball early. Captain and goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky, who blundered badly in Brugge last week, easily saved the only shot on his goal of the first half by Joao Felix ( 37.).
Double chance shortly after the break
Atletico’s keeper Ivo Grbic saved against Moussa Diaby in the follow-up (45′). Immediately after the change of sides, Bayer narrowly missed the lead with a double chance, it was symbolic of the season so far. First Schick hit the crossbar, Robert Andrich hit the post (49th).
In a duel: Atletico Madrid’s Felipe (left) and Leverkusen’s Patrick Schick
As expected, Simeone Antoine Griezmann came on and enlivened the visitors’ game. The very conspicuous Joao Felix failed with a long-range shot (65th). The Madrilenians played hard to win and squeezed the Werkself. Hradecky parried a flick from substitute Rodrigo de Paul (68′). Nevertheless, Leverkusen still had chances: Schick was interrupted at the last second, Kossounou just missed the post – then Andrich and Diaby scored late.