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Copenhagen (AFP) – For Bayer Leverkusen the Champions League millions are in sight. The Rhinelander procured with a lackluster performance at the 3: 2 (3: 2) in the qualifying first leg at FC Copenhagen Danish runners-up in a good position for a place in the lucrative group stage of the Champions League. The return match will take place on next Wednesday (20.45 clock / Sky and ZDF) held in Leverkusen.
“We have well implemented many things over long distances. According to the first 20 minutes we had the game under control,” said the new Bayer coach Roger Schmidt: “At times we played excellently forward.”
The factory Self experienced four days before the Bundesliga opener on Saturday at Borussia Dortmund a rollercoaster of emotions, presenting some defensive problems. Despite a tremendous start with the opening goal from Stefan Kiessling (5) the Rhinelander first came before 18,000 spectators after conceding Mathias “Zanka” Jorgensen (9) and Daniel Amartey (13) in arrears before Karim Arabi Bell (31) and Heung-Min Son (42) turned the game again.
“We have played quite well except for the two faults. We will do better in the return game. Copenhagen has a very strong team,” said newcomer Hakan Calhanoglu in ZDF and Kiessling added: “.., we must stand back better, defend better This is among other things a matter of will from open play Copenhagen had not many chances.”
before kick-off Schmidt had described his anticipation for the first challenge of the season. His fondest hopes fulfilled Kiessling already with the first attack of the Bayer-Elf, as the scoring after a precise presentation of the 14.5 million-euro Calhanoglu blank range to 1:. 0 hit
But the state of mind of the Bayer coaches should change soon, because Zanka unchallenged with a header and a little later the Ghanaian Amartey the defensive chaos Leverkusen took the turn. Copenhagen prepared Bayer with its fast Umschaltspiel and at set-pieces in this phase biggest problems.
In the team of former Cologne coach Stale Solbakken on the tactical plan seemed to work. In addition, his team presented increasingly self-aware and continue to score goals. Leverkusen lacked long the clear actions in the campaign, it also amended the extremely happy 2: nothing 2 of Bell Arabi. Only Son after re-submission of Calhanoglu made for a playful highlight.
After the change then flashed increases the technical qualities of the Bundesliga fourth last season, the problems on the defensive, mainly from set pieces, however, remained . Offensively it failed Leverkusen to exploit their counterattack chances for early preliminary decision in the two “finals” against the combative Danes.
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