Champions League – Leverkusen missed the knockout stages – Frankfurter Rundschau

09 December 2015

Leverkusen Kevin Kampl surrounded by three opponents. Photo: REUTERS

Despite the best scoring chances it is enough for Bayer Leverkusen against FC Barcelona at the end only to a 1: 1. The Werkself missed so that the knockout stages of the Champions League and now must deal with the Europa League content.

Bayer Leverkusen has the Champions League coup against defending champions FC Barcelona missed and must be comforted with Europe’s smaller football stage. The ailing Bundesliga side never came despite the best chances against an order Lionel Messi reinforced B-Eleven of the Spaniards in the final group match on Wednesday about a 1: 1 (1: 1) addition – it was not enough for the third knockout round moving into the premier class after another. The goal by Javier Hernandez in the 23rd minute as a quick response to Messi’s opening goal (20) was in the end not enough to avoid relegation in the Europa League.

more annoying was the failure of Leverkusen because of AS Roma and BATE Borisov in parallel game with a 0: 0 Protect assistance rendered. A 2: 1 had the Werkself thus suffices even to oust Rome from second place and spend the winter in the Champions League. “This is a huge disappointment,” known world champion Christoph Kramer. “Extremely bitter for us, because the heads are now first hang down. Today we had enough chances,” said midfielder Kevin Kampl.

CL-off for Leverkusen: 1: 1 against Barça too little

Leverkusen Christoph Kramer (l) and in a duel with Adriano. Photo: Jonas Güttler

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After the earnings crisis in recent weeks spoke little for a little football miracle Bayer Elf against the fixed already as group winners guests. “At the moment you can have almost the impression that the world has a bit against us,” judged sporting director Rudi Völler in the stadium magazine. At least came Barça coach Luis Enrique against the hosts and offered alongside superstar Lionel Messi a number of young reservists on. Top striker Luis Suarez sat initially on the bench, the Brazilian Neymar paused after his groin strain in the final training session. The regulars Andres Iniesta and Gerard Pique had remained at home.

Early showed Leverkusen, how they wanted to improve their dark record of six losses in series against Barcelona. Researchers attacked the protégés of coach Roger Schmidt already far in the opponent’s half and disrupted so always pass the game score. In the second minute Hakan Calhanoglu sat with a long shot the first character, ten minutes later located Barcelona’s German goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen had stretch with a free kick of the Turks.

But the first rough negligence of the owners took Messi to lead. Former Schalke Ivan Rakitic was not attacked in midfield, his dream pass ersprintete by Bayer defensive line Messi, attracted keeper Bernd Leno over and shoved a. It was Messi’s 15th goal against a German team in the premier class, no other player has more often taken against Bundesliga

.

Good opportunities for Leverkusen

After all, Bayer did not leave despite the recent setbacks of courage – on the contrary. Only three minutes later Admir Mehmedis found to flank “Chicharito” Hernandez, who einschoss immediately. With his fifth goal in this Champions League season, the Mexican newcomer proved once again that, at least on his goalscoring qualities is currently relied upon.

But after that their momentum was the Werkelf until the second half again. Barcelona B team was doing work to rule and revealed multiple weaknesses in the defensive work. The Leverkusen struggled But indeed, there lacked of consistency. Calhanoglu (58th) and Karim Bellarabi (60th), who appeared free before ter Stegen, forgave a good chance to lead.

Coach Schmidt went on risk brought the last sidelined pushed Stefan Kießling as a second striker. But even with the veteran lacking mostly at the punch – and also on the last will to win, which would have made the overwintering in the Champions League. As Hernandez shortly before the end and could not use the last major chance against the highly responsive ter Stegen, which consists of Leverkusen was sealed. (dpa)

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