Atletico Madrid welcomed Bayer Leverkusen to Madrid on Wednesday night looking to secure their spot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Indeed, Atletico boasted a healthy advantage after recording a 4-2 win in the first leg last month, and that score still stood after the first 45 minutes at the Vicente Calderon.
Both teams had a number of chances to add to the scoring in the second period, but the night ended 0-0 as Atletico breezed into the quarter-finals once again.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live Champions League coverage continues from the Spanish capital as Atletico Madrid welcome Bayer Leverkusen for the second leg of their last-16 tie. Atletico will be looking to complete the job tonight after recording an impressive 4-2 victory when they travelled Leverkusen for the first leg last month. Stay tuned for live minute-by-minute coverage from Madrid!
As mentioned, Atletico will enter tonight's match as the firm favourites to progress following a 4-2 victory at the BayArena on February 21. Saul Niguez, Antoine Griezmann, Kevin Gameiro and Fernando Torres were all on the scoresheet for the visitors, who made use of some suspect Leverkusen defending to place themselves in a strong position. It is a massive ask for the German outfit to turn things around tonight, although this season's Champions League has already brought some extraordinary moments.
Tonight will be the sixth time that Atletico and Leverkusen have met in European competition. Their first two clashes occurred in the group stage of the 2010-11 Champions League and both fixtures finished 1-1. They then met in the last-16 stage of the 2014-15 competition and after both teams won their home match 1-0, Atletico triumphed 3-2 on penalties to make the quarter-finals.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from the Spanish capital. Both teams were in league action at the weekend – Atletico winning 1-0 at Granada, while Leverkusen were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Werder Bremen. Any changes? Let's see...
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TEAMS!
ATLETI: Oblak; Vrsaljko, Godin, Gimenez, Lucas; Koke, Saul, Thomas; Carrasco, Correa, Griezmann
BAYER: Leno; Hilbert, Dragovic, Jedvaj, Wendell; Bellarabi, Baumgartlinger, Kampl, Brandt; Hernandez, Volland
Gabi and Filipe Luis both miss out for Atletico tonight through suspension, which has opened spots in the team for Lucas Hernandez and Thomas Partey. Angel Correa has also been handed a start, while Fernando Torres is back on the bench for Atletico, two weeks after being discharged from hospital with a head injury. It is wonderful to see the 32-year-old back in a matchday squad.
As for Leverkusen, Jonathan Tah, Lars Bender, Omer Toprak and Stefan Kiessling remain on the treatment table, Benjamin Henrichs is suspended, while Kai Havertz misses out due to "important exams at school". Centre-back Tin Jedvaj is fit after missing the first leg, however, while Julian Baumgartlinger and Kevin Volland are both handed spots in the XI. It is a 4-4-2 for the visitors tonight.
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The two teams are in and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this mild evening in Madrid. I shall speak about Leverkusen a little bit later, but let's start with Atletico. Impressively, the Madrid outfit have always progressed past the Champions League round of 16 under Diego Simeone (2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16) and are well-placed to make the quarter-finals once again.
The Spanish outfit are bidding to reach the quarter-finals of the European Cup for the ninth time. Last season, they overcome Dutch side PSV Eindhoven on penalties at this stage of the competition and eventually reached another European Cup final – losing on penalties to neighbours Real Madrid. Could this be the season that Atletico go all of the way? Only time will tell.
This season, Atletico comfortably qualified for the first knockout stage of the competition after topping Group D ahead of Bayern Munich. They won five of their six group matches and only narrowly lost 1-0 at Bayern on December 6. What's more, Atletico have won their last seven two-legged affairs against German opposition, which is a record that stretches back to 1980.
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Atletico have also won 28 of their last 33 European matches at the Vicente Calderon, suffering just two defeats. Their home record against Bundesliga opposition is also extremely strong – winning 13 of their 18 meetings and losing just three times. What's more, Atletico have won all 20 UEFA competition ties in which they won the away first leg. The statistics are not great reading for Leverkusen!
As mentioned, Atletico will enter this match off the back of a 1-0 win over Granada at the weekend. It was a second successive league victory for Simeone's side, but they still sit down in fourth position in La Liga – 10 points behind the leaders Real Madrid, who have a game in hand. It has been a largely frustrating league campaign for Atletico, and they face a battle to finish in the top four.
Atletico might be 10 points off the top of their domestic league, but the situation is much worse for Leverkusen, who are currently struggling down in 10th position in the Bundesliga table. A record of nine wins, four draws and 11 defeats has brought Leverkusen just 31 points, and they are some 28 points behind the leaders Bayern Munich, in addition to 11 points off fourth-place Hoffenheim.
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In terms of this competition, Leverkusen have actually never won a last-16 Champions League tie, and have suffered some heavy defeats at this stage of the competition. Indeed, the German side lost 6-1 on aggregate to Paris Saint-Germain at this stage of the 2013-14 campaign, while they incredibly lost 10-2 on aggregate to Barcelona in 2011-12. The Werkself did reach the Champions League final in 2002 – losing to Real Madrid – but they have not been past the round of 16 since.
In this season's group phase, Leverkusen qualified as runners-up to AS Monaco, who face Manchester City tonight, in Group E. The Bundesliga outfit actually went unbeaten in their six matches, and a total of 10 points saw them finish above third-place Tottenham Hotspur. They had two standout results in the group stage – winning 1-0 away at Tottenham and beating Monaco 3-0 at home.
Leverkusen need to score at least three times tonight to have any chance of progressing to the next round. However, they have gone 31 Champions League games on the road without managing three or more goals. This is their first European match under the leadership of Tayfun Korkut, however, who has been appointed head coach until the end of the season following Roger Schmidt's departure.
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Leverkusen's record in Spain is also very poor. Indeed, the Bundesliga outfit have lost on their last three visits to La Liga opposition and have only won three of their 17 fixtures overall. The atmosphere inside this wonderful stadium is electric and kickoff in Madrid is just around the corner!
Here we go then - both sets of players have joined us on the pitch for the first period of action. Atletico hold a 4-2 lead entering this second leg, and in truth, it is going to take a minor miracle for Leverkusen to progress. Let's just hope for an open and entertaining game of football.
KICKOFF! Leverkusen kick things off in Madrid...
... If Leverkusen are to score three goals tonight, then they will need the shaven-headed Hernandez to have a strong game. It has been a decent start from the visitors as they enjoy some early possession, but they will need to work in order to carve out chances against this Atletico defence.
The onus is very much on Leverkusen to attack tonight, and that will suit Atletico as they sit deep and play on the counter-attack. It might not be the easiest game on the eye, especially if it remains goalless for long spells. Leverkusen really need to make a strong start to this second leg here.
CHANCE! Leverkusen come close to making the breakthrough as Kampl finds Volland inside the Atletico box, but the striker, after turning Godin, can only fire wide of the post!
It has been a very positive start from Leverkusen, who have to score first tonight in order to stand a chance of a remarkable turnaround. Volland is playing right up with Hernandez at the moment and Atletico are just struggling to get hold of the ball. Really good stuff from the German side here.
Not an awful lot for the home supporters to get excited about at the moment as Leverkusen continue to enjoy decent possession of the ball. The visitors really need an early goal in Madrid.
Better from Atletico in the last few minutes as they start to enjoy possession in the final third, but Leno has not yet had a save to make for the visitors. Just a reminder that Atletico scored four times in the first leg and as it stands, Leverkusen need three goals to turn this tie around in Madrid.
So, 14 minutes on the clock and the score from the first leg - 4-2 Atletico - still stands. Leverkusen have come the closest to scoring, but Volland's low effort just moved wide of the far post. It is the away supporters that can be heard as they continue to drive their team forward at the Calderon.
CHANCE! Atletico come close to making the breakthrough as Correa finds some space inside the Leverkusen box before having a go, but a mixture of Jedvaj and Leno keep the ball out!
Leverkusen are straight down the other end with Brandt, but Godin is across with a fine tackle.
The game has opened up in the last few minutes as both teams start to commit players in the final third of the field. Leverkusen need to score at least three times tonight whatever happens so they might as well have a go at this Atletico team. That should make for an entertaining game!
Volland continues to find space in forward positions, but we have seen little from Hernandez in the opening 21 minutes. The little Mexican usually does not need a second chance to find the back of the net.
CLOSE! There he is! Hernandez reacts first to a loose ball inside the Atletico box, but his effort is just over the crossbar. The visitors continue to cause the hosts problems here.
Leverkusen have a problem with Wendell as the left-back goes down and stays there.
Half-chance for Koke as the Atletico midfielder meets a dropping ball inside the Leverkusen box, but his effort was always flying over the crossbar. The home side have struggled to get going in the opening 26 minutes of this match, but their 4-2 first-leg advantage still stands in this tie.
Godin and Volland have clashed a few times tonight and that is a battle to watch as the pair continue to go head-to-head. Leverkusen continue to threaten as they force a corner from Gimenez, but Baumgartlinger misses the crossbar with his effort from outside the box.
No goals in this match, but Monaco are beating Man City 2-0 in tonight's other Champions League fixture. As it stands, that would be enough to take the Ligue 1 team into the quarter-final stage.
Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining and we are still goalless on the night, Atletico 4-2 on aggregate. Leverkusen are doing their best to force the issue, but that is easier said than done against an Atletico team that are so impressive at the back. Godin has been a mountain once again.
Good possession for Leverkusen in the last few minutes, but they are not really going anywhere with it as Atletico continue to sit deep and absorb the pressure. Simeone is comfortable.
Atletico's defenders are all over Leverkusen like a bad rash at the moment, which is making it almost impossible to carve out chances. Kampl decides to have a pop from distance after working some space outside the Atletico box, but his effort was always flying over Oblak's crossbar.
SAVE! Wonderful save from Leno as the Leverkusen goalkeeper keeps out an effort from Correa, who had been released by Griezmann inside the box. Sensational stop there!
SAVE! Another top save from Leno as he tips Koke's low effort wide of the post.
Kampl delivers a wonderful ball into the Atletico box, but Godin's block prevents Hernandez from having a clear sight of goal. This match has really livened up in the last five minutes here.
It does appear that the two teams will enter the half-time break at 0-0, but it has been a first period full of opportunities for both sides. Leverkusen still need three goals to progress, however, and that is with keeping Atletico out down the other end. The home side are still very comfortable here.
Just the one minute of additional time at the end of the first period.
HALF-TIME: Atletico 0-0 Leverkusen
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0 on the night. Atletico, meanwhile, still lead 4-2 on aggregate. It has been a first half full of chances for both teams, but neither have been able to make the breakthrough at the Vicente Calderon tonight.
STATISTICS! Leverkusen have actually shaded the possession with 58%, while they managed six attempts in the first period, although none of those were on target. Atletico, meanwhile, hit the target with three of their seven attempts. No yellow cards to report in the first 45 minutes here.
BENCH WATCH! As mentioned in the build-up, Fernando Torres is back on the Atletico bench after that serious head injury, and we might well see the Spaniard in the second period. The likes of Gaitan, Cerci and Juanfran, meanwhile, are also available for the home side. As for Leverkusen, head coach Korkut has options in the shape of Bailey, Aranguiz, Mehmedi and Da Costa.
RESTART! Atletico resume the action in Madrid...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period gathers pace here.
Just a reminder that Leverkusen need to score three times, without reply, in order to turn around this Champions League last-16 tie. It is a serious task against this Atletico team, who are just so strong at the back. Neither side has really settled in the early stages of the second period here.
Possession for Atletico in the last couple of minutes, but they are not overly concerned with pressing players forward, which is creating a lull in proceedings here. One goal for Leverkusen would at least give the away side something to fight for as the second period gathers pace.
Leverkusen need the ball, but Atletico are more than happy to just keep hold of the possession in the final third. It is not creating a great spectacle, but the minutes continue to tick on.
CHANCE! Brilliant counter attack from Leverkusen as the German side break forward before Brandt releases Volland, but the forward gets caught in two minds and fires wide of the far post when he tried to look for Hernandez inside the Atletico box. That was a big chance.
CLOSE! Correa just misses the far post after dancing past a number of challenges and firing the ball towards the bottom corner. Wonderful feet from the forward there.
Little over 30 minutes of this second period remaining and the score is still goalless on the night, Atletico 4-2 on aggregate. There will become a point where Leverkusen have to start throwing numbers forward, and that will open up space for Atletico Madrid to exploit on the counter-attack.
Griezmann chips one wide of the far post after breaking into a dangerous position.
We are entering the stage of the match where both managers will be considering alterations. However, there is no movement on either bench as things stand. Leverkusen's task is still the same as when they started - they need to score three answered goals in order to make the quarter-finals.
Good pressure from Atletico in the last couple of minutes as they force two corners in quick succession, but Leverkusen manage to clear their lines. It is a shame that Atletico were so comfortable entering this match because the German side have been impressive tonight.
Super challenge from Godin as the Atletico centre-back prevents Hernandez from having a clear shot on goal inside the Atletico box. That was brilliant from the Uruguay international once again.
BOOKING! Jedvaj (Leverkusen) is booked for a foul on Griezmann.
ATLETICO SUB! Gaitan replaces Correa for the home side.
BOOKING! Gimenez (Atletico) is booked for a late tackle on Hernandez.
The resulting free kick is delivered into the Atletico box, but the offside flag is raised.
CHANCES! Incredible! Leverkusen have four separate chances in the same move, but Oblak makes two wonderful saves to keep out Brandt and Volland in quick succession, before Godin clears off the line and Bellarabi sends the ball wide of the far post. Incredible!
Griezmann hits the side-netting after leading a counter-attack for the home side.
BOOKING! Baumgartlinger (Leverkusen) is booked for a foul on Griezmann.
ATLETICO SUB! Savic replaces Carrasco for the home side.
SAVE! Another super save from Oblak as the Atletico goalkeeper keeps out a strike from Bellarabi, and Savic is on the scene to clear ahead of the waiting Hernandez.
Leverkusen have played extremely well tonight, but they are going to fall short in this competition. On another night, they would have had a couple of goals and given themselves a real chance in the latter stages, but Oblak has had a quite wonderful game between the sticks for the home side.
It is all happening over in Monaco. The hosts now lead 3-1 on the night and as it stands, they are heading into the quarter-finals on away goals. That match has stolen all of tonight's goals.
LEVERKUSEN SUB! Bailey replaces Brandt for Leverkusen.
SAVE! Super save from Oblak to keep out Wendell's long-range effort.
LEVERKUSEN SUB! Mehmedi replaces Hernandez for the away side.
Little over five minutes of the second period remaining and still Leverkusen search for a goal. Barcelona scored three late goals in that remarkable tie with PSG and therefore the German side still have hopes of a comeback! I am not sticking my money on that occurring here though.
SAVE! Leno is down to keep out a tame effort from Saul.
The referee has been busy in the last couple of minutes as both teams commit a series of late challenges. It is only a matter of time before Atletico are confirmed as quarter-finalists once again.
LEVERKUSEN SUB! Aranguiz replaces Volland for the away side.
BOOKING! Gaitan (Atletico) is booked for a foul on Kampl.
We are into the first of three additional minutes here.
Not an awful lot happening in stoppage time as Atletico close on a spot in the quarter-finals.
FULL-TIME: Atletico 0-0 (Atletico win 4-2 on aggregate)
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Atletico breezing into the quarter-finals of the Champions League courtesy of a 0-0 draw with Leverkusen at the Vicente Calderon. Atletico are through 4-2 on aggregate! Thanks for joining us once again - until next time!
