Bayer Leverkusen welcomed Atletico Madrid to Germany on Tuesday night for the first leg of their last-16 Champions League tie.
Saul Niguez's 17th-minute curling effort sent Atletico into the lead in Germany, before Antoine Griezmann doubled the away side's advantage eight minutes later.
Karim Bellarabi halved the deficit early in the second period, but Atletico scored a third just before the hour after Kevin Gameiro netted from the penalty spot.
Leverkusen were not finished and scored a second through a Stefan Savic own goal in the 68th minute, but Fernando Torres headed a fourth for Atletico late on to leave the Madrid side with a two-goal advantage ahead of the second leg next month.
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 Germany as Bayer Leverkusen welcome Atletico Madrid for the first leg of their last-16 tie. Atletico are the favourites to progress to the quarter-finals once again, but Leverkusen will be looking for an advantage to take to the Vicente Calderon next month. Stay tuned for what should be an entertaining night of European action!
Tonight will be the fifth time that Leverkusen and Atletico 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.
Atletico have always progressed past the Champions League round of 16 under Simeone, but the Spanish outfit, as mentioned, suffered a 1-0 defeat when they last visited this stadium and have found Leverkusen to be a tough nut to crack in their past meetings. It is a very balanced last-16 tie.
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Right, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news for this match. Both were in league action at the weekend – Leverkusen winning 3-1 at Augsburg in the Bundesliga and Atletico recording a 4-1 victory at Sporting Gijon in La Liga. Any changes? Let's have a look shall we...
TEAMS!
BAYER: Leno; Henrichs, Dragovic, Toprak, Wendell; Bellarabi, Aranguiz, Kampl, Brandt; Havertz, Chicharito
ATLETI: Moya; Vrsaljko, Savic, Gimenez, Luis; Gabi, Saul, Koke; Carrasco, Gameiro, Griezmann
Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah is once again on the sidelines with a hamstring problem, while Hakan Calhanoglu remains suspended for the hosts. Head coach Roger Schmidt has still gone with a very attacking XI, however, as goal machine Javier Hernandez is joined in the final third by 17-year-old Kai Havertz. Meanwhile, Charles Aranguiz starts in place of the injured Lars Bender.
The big news in the Atletico camp is that head coach Diego Simeone has resisted the temptation to start number one goalkeeper Jan Oblak, who has just returned to training following a dislocated shoulder. Oblak is on the bench, however, with number two stopper Miguel Moya again starting between the sticks. Juanfran and Diego Godin again both miss out through injury, but Kevin Gameiro is given a starting spot through the middle after his hat-trick against Sporting at the weekend.
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So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this mild evening in Germany. I shall speak about Atletico a little bit later, but let's start with Leverkusen, who are well off the pace in the Bundesliga this season. Bayer have won their last two in the league, but a disappointing campaign has left them down in eighth position in the table.
Leverkusen are seven points off third-place Borussia Dortmund in Germany's top flight as things stand, but a massive 15 points behind second-place RB Leipzig, who continue to enjoy an incredible season. In terms of this competition, Bayer have actually never won a last-16 Champions League tie and have suffered some extremely 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 competition, 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 then and Atletico will provide more difficult opposition this time around.
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In this season's group phrase, 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 are actually unbeaten in UEFA competition on home soil since a 1-0 loss to Monaco in November 2014, which is a run of 10 matches. They took seven points from their three home group matches this season, but worryingly, have lost their last six two-legged affairs with Spanish opposition, failing to overcome a La Liga side since beating Espanyol in the 1988 UEFA Cup final.
1999 - Kai Havertz is the first player born after the 1999 Champions League final to start a Champions League game. Youth. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 21, 2017
As for Atletico, 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 Atletico go all of the way? Only time will tell.
Atletico have won nine and drawn five of their 20 Champions League away matches since September 2013, but they have lost on their last three visits to Germany – failing to enjoy success over a Bundesliga side away from home since beating Hannover 96 in the 2011-12 Europa League quarter-finals.
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 finished third or better in La Liga in each of the last four seasons, but Simeone's side have a battle on their hands this term. The Madrid giants have won their last three in Spain's top flight, but they still sit down in fourth position – four points behind third-place Sevilla, six points behind second-place Barcelona and seven points off leaders Real Madrid, who have two games in hand.
Barcelona ended Atletico's Copa del Rey hopes this season, while success in La Liga is going to be very difficult in the final months of the campaign. That leaves the Champions League as the club's only realistic chance of silverware and there is just something about Atletico in this competition. Right, both sets of players have joined us on the pitch and kickoff is now just around the corner here.
KICKOFF! Bayer kick things off on home soil...
... I have a feeling that we could be in for a very interesting game of football tonight. As expected, the home side have looked to make a fast start with a high press, and that will be a feature of this match. Atletico will be happy to sit back and attempt to threaten on the counter, at least early on.
Bayer are the team forcing the issue in the early exchanges, but neither goalkeeper has been worked with four minutes on the clock. Atletico's first chance to break comes through the lively Saul, but the Spaniard cannot slide a pass into Gameiro, who had managed to evade Dragovic.
The home side are like a dog with a bone at the moment as they continue to suffocate Atletico in a bid to regain possession. Wendell breaks into a wide position before delivering into the Atletico box, but the visitors manage to clear their lines. This one is just ticking along nicely at the moment.
Eight minutes on the clock in Germany and neither side has really settled into a passing rhythm. Bayer are the team looking to build some possession in the final third, but Atletico are putting out fires when they sense some danger. The two teams are cancelling each other out at the moment.
Half-chance for Atletico as Carrasco finds space inside the Bayer box before looking to deliver a cross towards Gameiro, but Dragovic is on hand to make a very important defensive clearance.
Still goalless in tonight's other last-16 first leg between Man City and Monaco in Manchester. I shall keep you updated with any goals in that particular clash. Back in Germany, Atletico are just starting to have some joy on the counter-attack, especially down the right with Vrsaljko and Carrasco.
SAVE! Super save from Leno as the Leverkusen goalkeeper keeps out a strike from Gameiro, who had been afforded space inside the home side's box.
CROSSBAR! Atletico come close once again as Luis delivers a terrific cross into the Leverkusen box and Wendell actually smashes the ball against his own crossbar!
Brandt has a strike blocked behind for a corner as Leverkusen threaten down the other end.
BOOKING! Henrichs (Leverkusen) is booked for an elbow on Carrasco.
GOAL! Leverkusen 0-1 Atletico (Saul)
Oh my word! Atletico make the breakthrough in the 17th minute as Saul makes a yard of space outside the Leverkusen box before curling a quite sensational effort into the top corner. Wow!
Leverkusen just need to be careful that this game does not get away from them as Atletico continue to grow in confidence. It is the away supporters making most of the noise at the moment and why on earth not? It must be said that the visitors have been excellent in the opening 20 minutes here.
Leverkusen have been unable to feed Hernandez tonight, while Brandt and Bellarabi are also finding it difficult to get into the match. Hernandez has just had a half-chance for the home side, but a weak effort went straight into the arms of Moya, who has been very comfortable tonight.
Quite a scrappy game in the last couple of minutes as the referee is forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. Leverkusen have managed to break forward on a few occasions since the Atletico goal, but Moya has still not been troubled with 25 minutes on the clock here.
GOAL! Leverkusen 0-2 Atletico (Griezmann)
Atletico double their lead on the night as Gameiro races clear of Toprak before turning and feeding Griezmann, who strokes the ball into the top corner. It is wonderful vision from Gameiro and his mate did the rest. Leverkusen are in all sorts of bother in this knockout round tie now!
UPDATE! Man City lead against Monaco courtesy of a goal from Sterling. Plenty has happened in the opening 27 minutes of that match and it is the Premier League side that lead there.
SAVE! Moya makes a terrific save to keep out a curling effort from Kampl, who had tried his luck from the edge of the box. Leverkusen really need a quick goal back here.
Little under 15 minutes of the first period remaining and Atletico are in control of this last-16 tie. The visitors already have two away goals and are seeking more against a wounded Leverkusen.
UPDATE! Falcao has levelled for Monaco at Man City. Had to be him!
CHANCE! Stunning chance for Atletico to score a third as Gameiro breaks into a wide position before feeding Griezmann, who just has to score, but Leno makes a wonderful save!
Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining and Leverkusen are in all sorts of trouble tonight. Atletico look capable of scoring every single time that they break forward here.
I can tell you that it is still 1-1 between Manchester City and Monaco in Manchester and that, by all accounts, has been a terrific game of football. That can also be said for this match in Germany, with Atletico showing their excellence in this competition once again. They just love the Champions League.
It is so important that the home supporters stay with their team in the latter stages of the first period. The last thing that the players need at the interval is to be booed off the field here.
UPDATE! Monaco have taken the lead in Manchester courtesy of a goal from Mbappe. The Ligue 1 side have turned things around in the first leg of that last-16 tie. What a turn-up!
Possession football from the home side as we approach the final stages of this first period, which Atletico have dominated. I should not think that there will be too much added time here.
HALF-TIME: Leverkusen 0-2 Atletico
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Atletico leading 2-0 in Leverkusen courtesy of goals from Saul and Griezmann. The home side have had some decent moments, but Atletico have been by far the better team in the first 45 minutes of this first leg tonight.
STATISTICS! Leverkusen have actually had more of the ball tonight with 61% possession, while they hit the target with two of their five attempts in the first period. Atletico, however, managed four attempts on target and two of those - Saul and Griezmann - found the back of the net. Just the one booking to report in the first half and that came for Leverkusen's Henrichs in the 15th minute.
BENCH WATCH! Atletico have not exactly been short of attacking invention in tonight's match, but Simeone has the likes of Correa, Gaitan and Fernando Torres on his bench if the Argentine wishes to freshen his front-line in the second period. As for Leverkusen, head coach Schmidt has options in the shape of Bailey, Mehmedi and Volland. The home side really need some inspiration from somewhere.
RESTART! Atletico kick things off in the second period...
... no changes from either side at the break, but I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period develops here. Leverkusen need some sort of response here.
GOAL! Leverkusen 1-2 Atletico (Bellarabi)
Just what the doctor ordered! Leverkusen are back in this last-16 tie as Kampl delivers a super cross into Bellarabi and the German guides his effort into the bottom corner of the net!
CROSSBAR! Super chance for Atletico to score a third as Gameiro is released into the Leverkusen box once again, but the Frenchman smashes the crossbar! Should have been 3-1!
Another half-chance for the away side as Gameiro races clear in a wide position before delivering a low cross towards Griezmann, but the Frenchman just could not make contact! Leverkusen are living dangerously at the back in an attempt to score a second goal in this last-16 first leg.
End-to-end football in the last few minutes as both teams commit players in the final third. At 2-0, Leverkusen were dead and buried, but the German side have struck back in this second period and are now looking for a second goal. Atletico, however, are searching for a third away goal here.
LEVERKUSEN SUB! Volland replaces Havertz for the home side.
PENALTY ATLETICO!
BOOKING! Dragovic (Leverkusen) is booked for pulling Gameiro to the ground inside the home side's box. Atletico have the chance to score a third from the penalty spot here...
GOAL! Leverkusen 1-3 Atletico (Gameiro, pen)
Gameiro smashes his penalty past Leno for 3-1 Atletico here.
UPDATE! Aguero has levelled the scores at 2-2 in Manchester. Quite a night there.
UPDATE! Oh my word! Falcao has his second for 3-2 Monaco!
BOOKING! Wendell (Leverkusen) is booked for a late challenge on Carrasco.
LEVERKUSEN SUB! Pohjanpalo replaces Bellarabi for the home side here.
Little over 20 minutes of this first leg remaining and it must be said that it has been a brilliant game of football. Atletico have three away goals to their name, but Leverkusen are really pushing for a response as we approach the latter stages. Surely there are going to be more goals in this one.
GOAL! Leverkusen 2-3 Atletico (Savic OG)
Leverkusen have their second! Awful goalkeeping from Moya as the Atletico stopper pushes the ball straight against Savic and it ends up in the back of the net. Awful mistake there!
ATLETICO SUB! Thomas replaces Gameiro for Atletico.
Little over 15 minutes of this match remaining and it has been a super last-16 first leg in Leverkusen. Atletico have led 2-0 and 3-1, but Leverkusen have given themselves a chance with a couple of goals. Incidentally, 3-2 is also the score in Manchester tonight as Monaco lead Man City!
BOOKING! Aranguiz (Leverkusen) is booked for a foul on Gabi.
UPDATE! Aguero has his second in Manchester and it is Man City 3-3 Monaco.
Gimenez has to head a Wendell cross behind as Leverkusen continue to force the issue. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining and I fancy that there are yet more goals in this match. There have been 11 goals across two Champions League last-16 ties tonight, which is some going!
ATLETICO SUB! Torres replaces Carrasco for the away side.
ATLETICO SUB! Correa replaces Griezmann in Atletico's third change.
UPDATE! Stones has just sent Man City 4-3 ahead against Monaco.
CHANCE! Hernandez spins inside the Atletico box and almost sends Leverkusen level, but Luis is on hand to make a brilliant block. Exceptional defending from the Brazilian there.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes, but Leverkusen are the team pressing forward as Atletico sink deeper and deeper inside their own box here.
GOAL! Leverkusen 2-4 Atletico (Torres)
Oh my word! Atletico have their fourth of the night late on as Torres heads a super Vrsaljko cross into the back of the net. Again, terrible defending from the home side!
BOOKING! Torres (Atletico) is booked for dissent.
BOOKING! Gabi (Atletico) is booked for a foul on Hernandez.
BOOKING! Luis (Atletico) is booked for a foul on Henrichs.
We are into the second minute of four added minutes in Germany here.
SAVE! Leno keeps out a strike from Correa as Atletico threaten a fifth!
FULL-TIME: Leverkusen 2-4 Atletico
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Atletico running out 4-2 winners over Leverkusen in the first leg of their last-16 tie in Germany. It was another strong Champions League performance from Simeone's side. Thanks for joining us once again. Until next time!
