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For a brief moment, even the Leverkusen players seemed surprised by their luck. They did not really know who to cheer for, because the scorer came out of the ranks again. So Sven Bender and Jonathan Tah ran to assist Charles Aránguiz, whose cross from Atlético Thomas had strangely scored into his own goal (41 minutes).
Bayer Leverkusen won 2-1 (1-0) to beat Atlético Madrid. The chance to reach the last sixteen remains minimal, but she remains after the first Leverkusen victory in this Champions League season. It's okay, you could think. Why not from the first matchday on? What could have been possible? However, this first success also showed: In the knockout round of the Europa League, this team is much better off. Only there does she have good international chances.
Yes, Leverkusen controlled most of the game against Atlético. "We did very well for a very long time," said Kevin Volland. Just defensive Bayer showed a good performance. But if a particularly curious own goal falls to a corner and this hit is still symbolic of the Leverkusen Torgefahr on Wednesday evening, then it says a lot about the offensive game of this team.
Leverkusen only at corners often dangerous
For Leverkusen was really dangerous only after Kerem Demirbay's strong corner kick, and then in most cases by players of the Madrilenians: Shortly before the 1-0 Felipe had the ball on the bar of its own goal (38) beheaded. In the second half Thomas almost lost his second own goal, this time his injured header was steered over several posts next to the post (77.).
Already in the defeat in Madrid Bayer had problems despite proper performance to create opportunities. On Wednesday, Leverkusen came out of the game only on two clear occasions. In the first half Volland failed Atlético goalkeeper Jan Oblak (21), after the break he enforced to 2: 0 (55). After a good 324 Champions League minutes had for the first time this season a Leverkusen player scored a goal. Also in 1: 2 at the start of the group stage against Lokomotiv Moscow, the opponent an own goal was undermined by the ex-Schalke Benedikt Höwedes.
Now Atlético is known for its defensive strength. The team of coach Diego Simeone had conceded only three goals in the past ten competitive matches. Nevertheless, the hosts too rarely came to dangerous rooms because they played too rash.
Bellarabi is running fast
Symbolic for it stood Karim Bellarabi. On the right wing he ran regularly, failed if not the first, then the second player. In Gegenpressing he acted then often plump, solved pressure situations by unnecessary fouls on. In addition, Bellarabi tried in many situations with unprepared, hasty flanks - even if it were such attempts, after which both goals fell. But in both scenes Bayer benefited from serious mistakes of the opponent.
AP Photo / Martin Meissner
With his header into his own goal Thomas initiated the Leverkusen victory
First, Bellarabi took out the corner that led to Thomas's own goal when he simply shot Renan Lodi from close range with an angled attempt. Before the 2: 0 Bellarabi played from far outside flat in the middle, although Volland was guarded in the center of two players. Just because Mario Hermoso let slip through the cross, the action became the gate. "Game luck", named Bayer goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky that.
In football jargon, such goals often talk about enforcing a situation. In fact, Leverkusen must play such scenes quieter, to really force opportunities and not let their emergence to chance. Actually, the team is capable of such a way of playing. But Bayer, currently only tenth in the league, has not been able to meet the high expectations of the squad in almost every summer.
Hradecky rescues Bayer
The fact that Leverkusen almost gave up the game in the final phase within a few minutes fits into the picture. Nadiem Amiri saw the red card (84.) for a hard, unnecessary entry into the midfield at the outer line. Only because Hradecky prevented the equalizer by Álvaro Morata in the fifth minute of stoppage time, it was enough for the narrow victory. The direct duel with Atlético has now lost Leverkusen by Moratas first hit (90 + 3).
Leverkusen have to win against Moscow and Juventus for a progress, while Atlético can only win one point against both opponents. An extremely unlikely scenario. In the second round of the Europa League in turn Bayer would play against many opponents as a favorite.
But in order to reach third place and thus the Europa League, Leverkusen should win in Moscow. Coach Peter Bosz has to improve the offense. In any case, Leverkusen can not rely on luck and further own goals of the opponent.