Leverkusen was close, but missed the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Bayer Leverkusen has tried everything, gave everything but missed the knockout phase of the Champions League. Against Barcelona it was enough despite a number of scoring chances in the second half only to a 1: 1. The Mexicans Hernandez equalizer came after 23 minutes from the Spanish opening goal by Messi (20). Since the other group match between AS Roma and Borisov 0: 0 ended Leverkusen plays in late winter in the Europa League
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Author: Peter Hess, sports editor
The Werkself came therefore defeating Barcelona so close because coach Luis Enrique spared almost all regulars. He changed in the second half, also an even more youth players. Bayer dominated Barcelona’s talents and substitutes in the second half, but has to be reproached for not precise and clear enough played the combinations to end. During the break were still alive the hopes of a miracle. The intermediate results of 0: 0 in Rome and 1: 1 in Leverkusen were all possibilities for the Werkself open, but still the first knockout round of the Champions League to reach
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However, the events of the first half, were already come up with mixed feelings Bayer. Although the FC Barcelona until Messi, Rakitic and Jordi Alba spared all starting players, led the clenched Elan and all the passion of Leverkusen professionals just to a balanced game.
Barcelona had to make a lot less effort to be at least as a goal threat as Bayer. Most of the time was Messi with his head down on the field, watching the action from the corner of his eye, but in the moment in which grabbed the ambition or it seemed to him the opportunity to become active very promising, he coined the game immediately.
A German’s visit: Barca goalkeeper ter Stegen “AML” Photogallery
A couple of times could Leverkusen to stop the use of several players the best footballer in the world, but in three or four scenes no longer remained as silent admiration. Messi – who else? – Scored in the 20th minute the lead the Catalans
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For the first time the Bayer Pressing was not working, Rakitic had two seconds, with the ball at his feet to consider a move. Messi launched into the depths, Traumpass Rakitic and the Leverkusen keeper Leno had no chance in a duel 1: 1 against the striker of Barcelona. As a slalom pole, he was clever curving around.
Interactive Game: The Champions League Quartet
Interactive
Before frustration in the Werkself could run rampant, it was 1: 1. In after 23 minutes Mehmedi sat through on the left wing. Although his cross missed the original addressees Calhanoglu, but behind him was still Hernandez. And Chicharito called Mexicans proved once again his marksmanship with a direct shot. Barcelona put the compensation unimpressed away, Leverkusen managed to break rarely convert coins to pressure by the pressing in dangerous goal scenes.
That changed with the start of the second half. Three great opportunities verschluderten Leverkusen in the first six minutes. First Chacharito surprised his teammates freestanding Bell Arabi with a hack through. Then a spectacular solo by Kampl ended with a press stroke.
In a roundabout way of ricocheting ball reached Calhanoglu, but the Arts Sagittarius Werkself curled his shot from five meters. And to finish the trilogy missed opportunities hesitated Bellarabi too long with his shot from a prime position.
The encounter leaned in favor of Leverkusen. Barcelona coach Luis Enrique did not take an opportunity to summon one of his starting players onto the pitch. When he took the debutants Kaptoum from the game in the 62nd minute, he sent neither, Luis Suarez, even Sergio Busquets or Javier Mascherano on the square, but the top 20-year-old Gerard Gumbau. Neymar, Iniesta, Pique and Dani Alves had the trip to Leverkusen not even participated.
The assault by Bayer was increasingly threatening. But in many scenes failed Leverkusen on excessive zeal or to a lack of overview. Time they stood in each other’s way, sometimes slipped out of someone, sometimes a player turned in the wrong direction. Overall the game Werkself looked too often too complicated.
A wonderful example how to do it more easily, announced after an hour Chicharito. With a direct pass, he played free Bell Arabi, who had on only the goalkeeper of FC Barcelona in front of him. But the national team shot at the Germans ter Stegen. It was by no means the last chance for Leverkusen, but the clearest. As well as all other were awarded Bayer missed the invitation of Barcelona first knockout round.
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