Defeat against Juventus: Leverkusen must be satisfied with the Europa League

Bundesliga

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Bayer Leverkusen lost their home game against Juventus 0: 2 (0-0) on the final day of the group stage and have been eliminated from the Champions League. Cristiano Ronaldo (75th minute) and Gonzalo Higuaín (90. + 2) decided the game in favor of the Italians, who move into the round of 16 with 16 points as group first. But even a victory would have brought nothing, because Atlético Madrid prevailed in parallel play 2: 0 (1: 0) against Lokomotiv Moscow and secured the second place.

In the first half, Leverkusen had not only more control over the match, but also the better opportunities. In the eleventh minute Moussa Diaby pulled from 20 meters, but his shot from half-left position ended up only on the left post.

Bayer was stable behind and rarely let Juventus near his own goal. On the other side, Kai Havertz appeared in the 44th minute after passing ball of Karim Bellarabi in front of Gianluigi Buffon. The 20-year-old took the ball on the left and shot right out of the spin. But despite the short distance of six meters, Turin's center-back Merih Demiral managed to throw himself in the shot and steer him past the goal.

The 51rd-minute Ronaldo scored the first goal of the match, but the Portuguese were a few meters offside. Unlike in the 75th minute, when the Juve star used a cross from substitute Paolo Dybala to the lead. Shortly before the end of the game Higuaín increased to 2: 0 (90 + 2), also on presentation of Dybala.

Consolation for Leverkusen: After three defeats at the inaugural round, Bayer had won twice in succession and secured their place in the Europa League before the match.

Bayer Leverkusen - Juventus 0: 2 (0: 0)
0: 1 Ronaldo (75.)
0: 2 Higuain (90. + 2)
Leverkusen: Hradecky - L. Bender, Dragovic, S. Bender, Sinkgraven - Bellarabi (66th Bailey), Demirbay (65th Baumgartlinger), Aránguiz, Diaby - Havertz, Alario (82nd Volland)
Juventus: Buffon - Danilo, Demiral, Rugani, de Sciglio - Cuadrado (90th + 3Muratore), Pjanic, Rabiot (85th Matuidi) - Bernardeschi (66th Dybala) - Higuaín, Ronaldo
Referee: Bastien (France)
Yellow cards: none
Spectators: 20,000