Champions League: Leverkusen loses against Atlético and stands without points

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Bayer Leverkusen have also lost their third match in the group stage of the Champions League. The team of coach Peter Bosz defeated at Atlético Madrid 0: 1 (0: 0). Substitute Álvaro Morata scored the deciding goal in the low-chance game (78th minute). Leverkusen remains after the defeats against Lokomotiv Moscow (1: 2) and Juventus (0: 3) pointless bottom club. Atlético leads the group with seven points ahead of Juventus (4 points), the Turin will not play until later in the evening against Moscow (3 points).

Compared to the 3-0 loss to Eintracht Frankfurt last weekend, coach Peter Bosz switched to three positions. For the injured Wendell and Aleksandar Dragovic began Lars Bender and Jonathan Tah in the defense. Karim Bellarabi moved into the starting lineup for Lucas Alario, whose position was taken by Kevin Volland. Atlético meanwhile had to give up his injured offensive star Joao Félix.

The first significant chance had Julian Baumgartlinger after a corner kick, his shot from about 14 meters but flew over the gate (10). Shortly thereafter, Atlético coach Diego Simeone had to change for the first time: Mario Hermoso came for José Giménez, who had apparently injured in a running duel with Nadiem Amiri (15th). Only fifteen minutes later followed the only shot on goal of the first half. Lukas Hradecky parried the long-range shot by Renan Lodi but without problems (34.).

"Realistic chance" awarded to the knockout stages

More dangerous came Madrid after the break in action. Diego Costa put a header from a few meters but wide beside the goal (59.). Again, Costa was in focus as he fell in the penalty area over the struggling Sven Bender, referee Artus Dias but gave no penalty (65.). If Leverkusen came to counter chances, played the offensive series to Kai Havertz these possibilities not consistently. The revenge, as Morata met eight minutes after his substitution head to 1: 0 (78th).

"We have to score points", sporting director Rudi Völler said before the match. Only then Leverkusen have a realistic chance of the second round. That seems to be the defeat. Next up is in the Champions League on 6 November, the second leg against Atlético in Leverkusen.

Atlético Madrid - Bayer Leverkusen 1: 0 (0: 0)
1: 0 Morata (78.)
Madrid: Oblak - Trippier, Giménez (15th Hermoso), Felipe, Renan Lodi - Koke (70th Morata), Herrera, Thomas, Saúl Niguez - Correa (62nd Lemar), Diego Costa
Leverkusen: Hradecky - L. Bender, Tah, S. Bender (90th Dragovic) - Weiser, Baumgartlinger, Demirbay (84th Alario), Bellarabi - Amiri, Havertz (76th Paulinho), Volland
Yellow cards: Koke / Bellarabi
Referee: Artur Soares Dias (Portugal)
Spectators: 60,000