Atlético de Madrid draw against Bayer and say goodbye to the Europa League (1-1)
The ‘rojiblanco’ side were better and deserved the victory
Atlético de Madrid said farewell to the Europa League with a draw, 1-1, in their match against Bayer Leverkusen. The ‘rojiblanco’ squad looked for the victory from the opening minute and were even better than their opponents, but they weren’t just playing in Leverkusen. They needed Aris not to defeat Rosenborg to round off the miracle, but the Greeks are unbeatable at home and won 2-0. Therefore, the reigning Europa League champions will not be able to defend their title.
The ‘rojiblancos’ went into the fixture with the urgent need to win. A victory was fundamental to try and earn passage to the next round of the Europa League. Although Atlético de Madrid wasn’t just playing in Leverkusen, but also in Thessaloniki, as they needed the Greek side to get a worse result then they did in order to qualify for the next round. The match kicked off with the Spanish fans keeping one eye fixed on the Aris-Rosenborg match-up.
Quique Sánchez Flores drew up a game plan with a tough central midfield. Three players covered the middle area: Assunçao, Mario Suárez and Raúl García. The idea was clear, and that was to pressure and try to steal the ball quickly in order to look for Kun Agüero and Forlán up front. Snow fell on the pitch, the condition of the pitch didn’t allow the teams to play smoothly, and the ‘rojiblancos’ took a few minutes to settle in.
Bayer Leverkusen was the team that took early control of the clash, although without creating much danger. The first goal could have come in minute 9 for the visitors on their first dangerous attack. Kun got past a group of defenders down the right wing, but his angle was too tight to shoot and he decided to go for the centring pass. The ball passed over the end line as Forlán didn’t get to the low cross at the far post by inches. The play encouraged Quique’s charges, who continued to look for the goal. The midfield was very tough, but was lacking a connection with the strikers.
The minutes began to pass and the snow covered the pitch. The grass was deteriorating by the minute. There was still time for Simão, on a free kick, to give his squad the lead in the 20th minute, but his shot nicked off the head of a German player. Minutes later, again from the feet of Simão, Atleti had another good chance. His perfect pass was cut back to Forlán, but the Uruguayan’s shot was pushed out on a fine save by the Bayer goalkeeper. The visitors knew that a goal would earn them qualification, as the Aris-Rosenborg match was knotted up at nil-all.
Sergio Agüero had a chance to open the scoring in the 32nd minute. Once again he dribbled past several defenders, but his final shot was blocked by a defender. Atlético was pressing forward and it seemed like a goal would come soon. The change to a red ball and the abundant snow didn’t seem to matter, as Atlético were the better squad and deserved a goal. Forlán enjoyed another opportunity off a corner kick in minute 36. Atlético believed and a goal was within reach, but unfortunately the first half came to a close without the scoreboard having moved.
The start of the second half came with bad news from Thessaloniki. Aris had managed to take the lead on the final play of the first half. But the Europa League trophy holders didn’t give up. They wanted the win and went right back after it. They continued to be better situated than their adversary on a field that was in a horrible state. It was difficult to move the ball around, and at times it was even necessary to send long balls downfield to approach Bayer’s area.
Meanwhile, everything remained the same in Greece. Aris was beating Rosenborg and the possible win wouldn’t be enough for Atleti to qualify. But there was still time for everything to change, as the protagonists of the match had stated in the build-up to the encounter: anything can happen in a football match. But Quique Sánchez Flores wanted more strength up front and in minute 66 sent on Diego Costa for Forlán, who had had three clear chances to have scored, but had been unlucky.
The worst came in minute 68. A free kick taken by a Bayer defender bounced into the opposing area and Helmes got by Perea and drilled a low shot past De Gea. It was an excessive prize for what they had done over the course of the match. Bad luck fed on Atlético. But the Champions were going to leave everything on the pitch in search of the win. Fran Mérida, who had barely been on the field for 30 seconds, grabbed the equaliser after a nice play by Agüero. It was his first touch of the game and the score was all even at one. Atlético once again got excited, and two goals were needed for the victory. One in each stadium.
Atlético, spurred on by Mérida’s goal, pushed forward into the opposing area. They continued to move the ball around and attack Bayer’s goal with ease. In minute 76, Mario had a chance after a nice ball from Raúl García, but his shot sailed high. In the end they were unable to snatch a game-winner after Agüero had the final opportunity, but at least the team gave a positive image.
BAYER LEVERKUSEN, 1 (Helmes); ATLÉTICO DE MADRID, 1 (Fran Mérida)
Bayer Leverkusen: Giefer; Castro (Da Costa, 46’), Schwaab, Hyypia, Vida; Balitsch, Bender 8Vidal, 88’); Burak Kaplan, Renato Augusto (Kiessling, 46’), Jorgensen; and Helmes.
Atlético de Madrid: De Gea; Valera, Perea, Domínguez, Filipe Luis; Assunçao, Raúl García, Mario Suárez (Tiago, 84’), Simão (Fran Mérida, 71’), Kun and Forlán (Diego Costa, 66’).
Referee: Alexandru Dan Tudo (Romania). For Atlético booked Mario Suárez (49’). There were no cards for Bayer.
Incidents: BayArena Stadium. Final matchday of the Europa League group stage. More than 200 ‘rojiblanco’ supporters in the stands, including the representatives of the Peña Atlética Centuria Germana. 18,093 spectators in the stadium.
Goals:
1-0 (68’). Helmes beats De Gea with a low shot.
1-1 (71’). Fran Mérida scores after an individual play by Agüero.
The ‘rojiblancos’ went into the fixture with the urgent need to win. A victory was fundamental to try and earn passage to the next round of the Europa League. Although Atlético de Madrid wasn’t just playing in Leverkusen, but also in Thessaloniki, as they needed the Greek side to get a worse result then they did in order to qualify for the next round. The match kicked off with the Spanish fans keeping one eye fixed on the Aris-Rosenborg match-up.
Quique Sánchez Flores drew up a game plan with a tough central midfield. Three players covered the middle area: Assunçao, Mario Suárez and Raúl García. The idea was clear, and that was to pressure and try to steal the ball quickly in order to look for Kun Agüero and Forlán up front. Snow fell on the pitch, the condition of the pitch didn’t allow the teams to play smoothly, and the ‘rojiblancos’ took a few minutes to settle in.
Bayer Leverkusen was the team that took early control of the clash, although without creating much danger. The first goal could have come in minute 9 for the visitors on their first dangerous attack. Kun got past a group of defenders down the right wing, but his angle was too tight to shoot and he decided to go for the centring pass. The ball passed over the end line as Forlán didn’t get to the low cross at the far post by inches. The play encouraged Quique’s charges, who continued to look for the goal. The midfield was very tough, but was lacking a connection with the strikers.
The minutes began to pass and the snow covered the pitch. The grass was deteriorating by the minute. There was still time for Simão, on a free kick, to give his squad the lead in the 20th minute, but his shot nicked off the head of a German player. Minutes later, again from the feet of Simão, Atleti had another good chance. His perfect pass was cut back to Forlán, but the Uruguayan’s shot was pushed out on a fine save by the Bayer goalkeeper. The visitors knew that a goal would earn them qualification, as the Aris-Rosenborg match was knotted up at nil-all.
Sergio Agüero had a chance to open the scoring in the 32nd minute. Once again he dribbled past several defenders, but his final shot was blocked by a defender. Atlético was pressing forward and it seemed like a goal would come soon. The change to a red ball and the abundant snow didn’t seem to matter, as Atlético were the better squad and deserved a goal. Forlán enjoyed another opportunity off a corner kick in minute 36. Atlético believed and a goal was within reach, but unfortunately the first half came to a close without the scoreboard having moved.
The start of the second half came with bad news from Thessaloniki. Aris had managed to take the lead on the final play of the first half. But the Europa League trophy holders didn’t give up. They wanted the win and went right back after it. They continued to be better situated than their adversary on a field that was in a horrible state. It was difficult to move the ball around, and at times it was even necessary to send long balls downfield to approach Bayer’s area.
Meanwhile, everything remained the same in Greece. Aris was beating Rosenborg and the possible win wouldn’t be enough for Atleti to qualify. But there was still time for everything to change, as the protagonists of the match had stated in the build-up to the encounter: anything can happen in a football match. But Quique Sánchez Flores wanted more strength up front and in minute 66 sent on Diego Costa for Forlán, who had had three clear chances to have scored, but had been unlucky.
The worst came in minute 68. A free kick taken by a Bayer defender bounced into the opposing area and Helmes got by Perea and drilled a low shot past De Gea. It was an excessive prize for what they had done over the course of the match. Bad luck fed on Atlético. But the Champions were going to leave everything on the pitch in search of the win. Fran Mérida, who had barely been on the field for 30 seconds, grabbed the equaliser after a nice play by Agüero. It was his first touch of the game and the score was all even at one. Atlético once again got excited, and two goals were needed for the victory. One in each stadium.
Atlético, spurred on by Mérida’s goal, pushed forward into the opposing area. They continued to move the ball around and attack Bayer’s goal with ease. In minute 76, Mario had a chance after a nice ball from Raúl García, but his shot sailed high. In the end they were unable to snatch a game-winner after Agüero had the final opportunity, but at least the team gave a positive image.
BAYER LEVERKUSEN, 1 (Helmes); ATLÉTICO DE MADRID, 1 (Fran Mérida)
Bayer Leverkusen: Giefer; Castro (Da Costa, 46’), Schwaab, Hyypia, Vida; Balitsch, Bender 8Vidal, 88’); Burak Kaplan, Renato Augusto (Kiessling, 46’), Jorgensen; and Helmes.
Atlético de Madrid: De Gea; Valera, Perea, Domínguez, Filipe Luis; Assunçao, Raúl García, Mario Suárez (Tiago, 84’), Simão (Fran Mérida, 71’), Kun and Forlán (Diego Costa, 66’).
Referee: Alexandru Dan Tudo (Romania). For Atlético booked Mario Suárez (49’). There were no cards for Bayer.
Incidents: BayArena Stadium. Final matchday of the Europa League group stage. More than 200 ‘rojiblanco’ supporters in the stands, including the representatives of the Peña Atlética Centuria Germana. 18,093 spectators in the stadium.
Goals:
1-0 (68’). Helmes beats De Gea with a low shot.
1-1 (71’). Fran Mérida scores after an individual play by Agüero.