Bayer Leverkusen lose late against Atlético Madrid in passionate ...

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Bayer Leverkusen lose late against Atlético Madrid in passionate

Bayer Leverkusen let a one-goal lead slip against the 10 men of Atlético Madrid Xabi Alonso's men eventually succumbed to a Julián Alvarez double after having goalscorer Piero Hincapié sent off.

Bayer Leverkusen let a one-goal lead slip against the 10 men of Atlético Madrid Xabi Alonso's men eventually succumbed to a Julián Alvarez double after having goalscorer Piero Hincapié sent off.

Atlético de Madrid 2-1 Bayer LeverkusenGoals: 0-1 Hincapié 45'+1 (assist: Mukiele), 1-1 Alvarez 52' (assist: Griezmann), 2-1 Alvarez 90'Red cards: Barrios 23’, Hincapié 76'The Bundesliga champions went into this game sitting in fourth spot in the Champions League standings – one point ahead of their Spanish opponents – and boasting a run of 11 straight victories in all competitions. Yet with in-form forward Patrik Schick only on the bench alongside the Werkself’s fit-again striker Victor Boniface, it appeared Alonso was erring on the side of caution on his return to the Spanish capital. Not a bit of it. As the half progressed, Leverkusen played more like the home team, the men in black pouring forward against Diego Simeone’s 5-4-1 set-up. Jan Oblak was soon the busiest man on the pitch, thwarting efforts from Florian Wirtz and Nathan Tella, after the latter had a goal ruled out for offside. Bayer 04’s task was then aided by Pablo Barrios’s red card for a foul on Nordi Mukiele just 23 minutes in. The away storm continued towards Atlético’s goal and just when it seemed the home side had weathered it ahead of the break, Hincapié brilliantly diverted a Mukiele cross back across Oblak for the opening goal.

The hosts emerged for the second half in battle mode, and as the game opened up soon after the restart, they were level. Jonathan Tah’s failed attempt to reach Antoine Griezmann's flighted cross made Alvarez’s task that much easier, but he still had work to do to get past Alejandro Grimaldo. A deft touch of the head and a finish to the far post did the trick and the locals suddenly had the encounter just where they wanted it inside the cauldron of the Metropolitano. There was no let-up in the passion, with the game now in territory Leverkusen would have wished to avoid. When Hincapié was ordered off for a quick-fire, double booking inside the game’s final quarter, the home supporters sensed momentum was now theirs. Sure enough, a ball hoiked into the final third caused all sorts of problems for Edmond Tapsoba, with Alvarez eventually taking advantage to slot the winner past Matěj Kovář. Bayer must now wait to confirm their direct passage through to the knockouts in their final game against Sparta Prague.

Match stats

Wirtz has five goals in seven Champions League games this season. Ahead of Matchday 7, only Robert Lewandowski (seven), Raphinha and Borussia Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy (both six) have more.
Bayer have now met Atleti on 11 previous occasions in UEFA competition, including eight Champions League fixtures.
Alonso faced Simeone’s Atlético four times as a player in the Champions League - all with Bayern (W2, D2).
Leverkusen’s head coach won the Champions League as a player with Liverpool (2004/05) and Real Madrid (2013/14).

Teams

Atlético: Oblak (c) - Molina, Giménez, Lenglet, Galán (Reinildo 46') -Llorente, De Paul, Barrios, Simeone (Lino 87') - Griezmann (Correa 87'), Alvarez (Le Normand 90'+2)Unused subs: Musso, Antonio Gomis, Azpilicueta, Gallagher, Koke, Lemar, Riquelme, WitselOut: Sørloth (muscular)Coach: Diego Simeone

Leverkusen: Kovář – Mukiele (Schick 46'), Tapsoba, Tah (c), Hincapié - Frimpong (Arthur 82'), Xhaka, Palacios, Grimaldo - Tella (Hofmann 68'), Wirtz (García 89')Unused subs: Hrádecký, Lomb, Andrich, Boniface, Hawighorst, Stepanov, OnyekaOut: Adli (broken leg), Belocian (cruciate ligament), Terrier (Achilles)Coach: Xabi Alonso

As it happened!

Full-time: Atlético 2-1 Bayer

Julián Alvarez's double turned the tables on Leverkusen, who had led against the ten-men of Atlético following Piero Hincapié's first-half opener. By the time the Ecuadorian was sent off, Alvarez had already equalised but the dismissal didn't help Bayer 04's cause and they succumbed to a sucker-punch late on that leaves them waiting on automatic qualification to the knockouts.

Atlético ahead

It's all a bit of a mess defensively for Leverkusen but the ball ends up at the feet of Alvarez, who is ahead of Tapsoba and takes a touch wide of Kovář before rolling home for 2-1.

Alvarez

GOAL!

2:1

Substitution

Five to play

We're inside the game's closing stages and it's impossible to predict how this all might end. We might have only had two goals, but this encounter has developed into a Champions League classic.

Substitution

Chaotic finish

Atlético give the ball away and suddenly Wirtz looks to be in. The Germany international goes down inside the area with three players in close proximity and appeals. The ref waves play on and the hosts break and suddenly it's three on two. Griezmann fluffs his final pass and that's a let off for Bayer 04.

Griezmann off target

Griezmann goes close from the subsequent free kick. This has been an incredible game.

Hincapié ordered off

Giuliano Simeone races down the right, passes Hincapié and cuts inside at the byline. The Leverkusen man brings down Atlético's attacker just outside the area and the referee shows a yellow card. Hincapié bites back with some words and he's off for a second yellow.

Passions waning

The raucous nature of this game has dissipated somewhat as the ten-men of Atlético begin to tire. Both sides might well take a point at this stage, but there is quite a way to go still.

Bayer 04 change

Xabi Alonso looks to take the sting out of this encounter by introducing Hofmann for Tella.

Substitution

Simeone sees yellow

Giuliano Simeone slips and upends Grimaldo, who collapses in pain. It was accidental, but it's a booking all the same.

Tense times

Palacios fouls De Paul. More of the same, as Simeone - irate - dances along the touchline.

Wirtz foul

Pandemonium in the Metropolitano. Alvarez looks to escape and is checked by Wirtz, who has already been booked. The Atlético bench erupts, as do the home supporters. It was nothing more than a foul but the hosts have taken on an attitude of the hard done by and are revelling in this battle.

Bayer 04 back on the ball

The Werkself do their best to apply a little calm to this situation and pass it around in attack. Hincapié finds Grimaldo, whose cross is deflected into the arms of Oblak.

Not what B04 want

Palacios is called back for a foul and the home fans go berserk. Suddenly, this Champions League fixture is now a battle and that's just the way Atlético and Simeone like things.

Atlético are level

Suddenly the game is end to end, with both teams launching counter-attack after counter-attack. The hosts move forward quickly and Griezmann delivers a high pass towards Alvarez. Tah lunges for the ball and misses, leaving the Atlético attacker with a run on goal and Grimaldo for company. A finish to the far post lifts the lid off the stadium as the hosts go level.

Alvarez

GOAL!

1:1

As you were

The second half starts much like the first, with the away side bringing the attack to an Atlético side who are watching and waiting.

Changes

Xabi Alonso brings on his 12-goal-in-eight-games striker Patrik Schick while Reinlido is on to help shore up Atlético's defence.

Away we go again ...

The second half is underway, with changes on both sides ...

Substitution

Half-time: Atlético 0-1 Bayer

A flurry of yellow cards before the half-time whistle and boos and whistles around the stadium as the visitors do their utmost to keep cool in this fiery atmosphere. Piero Hincapié's goal just before the break has the Bundesliga side in front against the ten men of Atlético

Leverkusen lead

Leverkusen's persistence pays off! Mukiele sends a searching cross from the right across the area, where Hincapié controls and sends back across Oblak and into the corner. That's no more than the visitors deserve.

Piero Hincapié

GOAL!

0:1

Wirtz warned

Harsh for the Leverkusen No.10, who was having his shirt pulled off him and told the referee as much soon afterwards. The Leverkusen player is booked for his protests.

Hosts pushing

Buoyed by a passionate backing, Atlético are attempting to create in the final third here. Diego Simeone's side are lacking bite, however.

Tapsoba miss

The Leverkusen defender hits a very ambitious effort a long way over the crossbar. A little more composure needed from the Bundesliga champions here.

Up and away

Decent build-up from the Rojiblancos ends with Galán smashing a shot high and wide of the target.

Opportunity knocks

This game now represents a huge chance for Bayer 04 to enhance their qualification options. They've had six goal attempts to the hosts' one so far and, facing ten men, will be desperate to convert their statistical and numerical advantage into a goal.

Xhaka has a go

The Swiss midfielder fancies his chances from distance but looks on to see Oblak gather easily.

Frimpong foul

Frimpong fells Griezmann on the left and the crowd are up in arms. It's nothing more than a free kick but the home fans are now in defiant mode. This is getting tasty.

Atlético down to ten

Pablo Barrios comes through the back of Mukiele and lands his studs on the Bayer 04 man's calf. The referee whips out a yellow cards but is soon going to check his monitor. After seeing the incident again, the official takes out a red card and Barrios is off.

Tella effort

Tella, right-footed from outside the D, sends the ball goalwards. Oblak is there again to save.

All Bayer 04

Leverkusen come again and this time it's Frimpong providing for Wirtz, whose close-range effort is beaten out by Oblak.

Goal ruled out

Grimaldo is really hurting the hosts and it's his cross that is knocked in from close range by Tella, whose effort is ruled out for offside.

Hincapié chance!

Grimaldo moves onto a ball popped over the top and gets to the byline before pulling all the way back for Hincapié, who fires over.

Hoping to take advantage

Xabi Alonso is on his feet and urging his players to take advantage of their start here ...

Bossing the ball

The visitors have had 66 per cent possession until this point, although Atlético are starting to come more into this game as the minutes pass.

Bayer counter

Tremendous counter-attack by Leverkusen, with Grimaldo freeing the onrushing Wirtz, who eventually returns the pass to his Spanish teammate inside the Atlético box. Luckily for the hosts, Galán is there to concede a corner, which comes to nothing.

Noisy fans

There is a tremendous atmosphere inside the Metropolitano and the home fans finally have something to get their teeth into with an Alvarez shot from range that Matěj Kovář had covered.

First shot

Palacios latches onto a loose ball and batters a shot at goal which zips narrowly wide of the upright. Solid start by the visitors.

Calmly does it

Leverkusen are popping it around in these early stages, with Atlético seemingly content to watch their opponents from a deep block.

Peeeep!

Bayer Leverkusen get us underway in Madrid.

Handshakes

Atlético and Bayer 04 get acquainted in the centre circle and all that's left is for the referee to signal the start of this huge Champions League encounter.

Teams out

Both sides make their way out onto the pitch. Champions League anthem time.

Away support

There are around 1,500 Bayer 04 fans in the ground tonight and they will need to go that extra mile to out-roar their hosts this evening. Can Xabi Alonso's men give the supporters something to get excited about? We're soon to find out.

Atlético anthem time

The stadium is not far from full and the home fans are belting out the club anthem as we await the appearance of both teams onto the pitch.

Bench options

What a luxury it is for Xabi Alonso to have two strikers of the quality of Patrik Schick and Victor Boniface on the bench tonight. The former is in flying form, having scored 12 goals in his last eight Bundesliga games while the sight of Boniface among the replacements will give everyone at Bayer 04 a lift, with the powerful forward having recovered from the hamstring injury that saw him miss the last 12 games in all competitions.

Warming up

Both sides are going through the final stages of their respective warm-ups at the Metropolitano Stadium and we're edging ever closer to kick-off!

More on those teams

Xabi Alonso makes five changes to his starting line-up compared to the team that began the weekend victory against Gladbach. Goalkeeper Matěj Kovář along with Nordi Mukiele, Piero Hincapié, Jeremie Frimpong and Exequiel Palacios are all in from the get-go for the visitors. Patrik Schick drops to the bench, where he is joined by the fit again Victor Boniface. José María Giménez and Marcos Llorente come into Atlético's side.

Leverkusen starting XI

Kovář – Mukiele, Tapsoba, Tah (c), Hincapié - Frimpong, Xhaka, Palacios, Grimaldo - Tella, Wirtz

Leverkusen subs

Hrádecký, Lomb, Hofmann, Andrich, Arthur, Schick, Boniface, García, Hawighorst, Stepanov, Onyeka

Atlético starting XI

Oblak (c) - Molina, Giménez, Lenglet, Galán -Llorente, De Paul, Barrios, Simeone - Griezmann, Alvarez

Atlético subs

Musso, Antonio Gomis, Azpilicueta, Gallagher, Koke, Correa, Lemar, Lino, Riquelme, Witsel, Reinildo, Le Normand

Strong home record against German opposition

Atlético are unbeaten in their last 14 UEFA competition matches on home soil against Bundesliga opposition, since a 1-0 defeat by Dortmund in the 1996/97 Champions League group stage.

Can Atlético bounce back?

Whilst Leverkusen may be on an 11-game winning streak, opponents Atlético were themselves enjoying a 15-game winning streak until it was derailed on Saturday with a 1-0 defeat against Leganés. Alonso will be hoping the Madrid side don't rediscover their mojo against his Leverkusen team.

Xabi Alonso on facing Atlético Madrid

"You need a lot to get a result against Atletico. They can play at different levels – they can bide their time on the ball, but also be strong in challenges and accurate with their passing," said Alonso before healing praise on opposite number Diego Simeone. "I have great respect for him. He has had a big influence on the club for 13 years. He has developed a clear DNA in that time and the current squad is possibly the best he has ever had. Therefore, they are justifiably very ambitious in this campaign."

Diego Simeone on facing Bayer Leverkusen

"Xabi is doing an excellent job, as he showed last season, and he is on track to repeat it. He has a reference for how he saw football from the centre of the pitch, which is where it is best seen. [As a player] he had great coaches. We will have to take the game in a direction where we think we can do the damage on Tuesday."

2:59

Florian Wirtz watch

No doubt Atlético coach Diego Simeone will be warning his players to keep close tabs on Bayer 04 star Florian Wirtz. The Germany attacking wizard is lighting up the Bundesliga and Champions League this season and as well as 17 goal involvements in the former, his five goals in European club football's top competition has the 21-year-old among the competition's top scorers.

3:28

Schick danger

With 12 goals in his last eight Bundesliga games, striker Patrik Schick represents a real threat at the Metropolitano Stadium on Tuesday. The Czech forward's latest goal came on Saturday in Bayer's win against Gladbach.

Alonso's Atlético links

Bayer coach Xabi Alonso has a storied history against Atlético having lined out against them 16 times (winning 12) as a Real Madrid player and even scoring against the Spanish side while at Bayern Munich. The latter goal came in a 2016 Champions League semi-final, which Atleti won on away goals.

Close encounters

This will be the 11th meeting between Atlético and Leverkusen in European competition and results until now could not be closer, with both sides winning three games each and playing out four draws.

Wirtz and Co. primed

Automatic qualification for the Round of 16 is in sight for the defending Bundesliga champions, who currently sit fourth in the Champions League standings after four wins from their six games. The Werkself have lost just once, to one of the tournament favourites Liverpool.

2:03

Bayer on a roll

Leverkusen are in flying form as they head to the Spanish capital, with Xabi Alonso's side picking up their 11th win on the spin in all competitions against Gladbach at the weekend.

Welcome!

Thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of Bayer Leverkusen's seventh UEFA Champions League game of the 2024/25 league phase away at Atlético Madrid on Tuesday.

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