Kevin Volland leads Leverkusen to victory over Atlético Madrid

Matthew Marshall –

Bayer Leverkusen v Atletico Madrid – November 6, 2019 – BayArena, Leverkusen

Bayer Leverkusen secured a crucial three points after a 2-1 win against Atletico Madrid at the BayArena. Thomas Partey’s own goal gave the Werkself a half time lead, Kevin Volland making it 2-0 before Morata scored in added time and went close to snatching an unlikely draw.

Bayer Leverkusen couldn’t get close to Atletico Madrid’s goal in the opening stages with Kevin Volland, Wendell, and Karim Bellarabi, all trying their luck from a distance. Leverkusen’s first legitimate chance came when Nadiem Amiri beat Felipe, his cross finding Volland, who couldn’t generate enough power to trouble Jan Oblak.

The hosts were manufacturing plenty of corners from which they created their best opportunities. Felipe headed one off his own bar but from the next corner, Atletico paid the price.

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Oblak could only punch the ball as far as Charles Aranguiz, the Chilean putting the ball back into the danger area where Partey headed into his own net. Half time came with neither goalkeeper having to make a save in a match with few clear cut chances.

Diego Simeone introduced Thomas Lemar for Renal Lodi in the 52^nd minute but it didn’t have the desired effect. Bellarabi’s cross looked harmless enough, but Mario Hermoso failed to clear and Volland was on the spot to take a touch and fire past Oblak.

Vitolo replaced Diego Costa as Atletico finally began to make inroads. Lemar drew a foul before firing a free-kick at Lukas Hradecky, the keeper then giving a cheap ball away that resulted in Correa failing to connect on a difficult chance.

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Charles Aranguiz took a blow to the head and was replaced by Julian Baumgartlinger in the 65^th minute. Simeone made his final substitution in the 70^th minute with Hector Herrera replacing Correa.

Lemar saw his shot from distance saved, Alvaro Morata put the ball into the back of the net from an offside position as Leverkusen got nervous. The hosts had a corner cleared off the line before Wendell made way for Panagiotis Retsos.

Nadiem Amiri was shown a straight red card for a foul on Arias as Kai Havertz made way for Aleksandar Dragovic. It all appeared wrapped up, but Morata scored in added time and had a great chance to steal a point with the final kick of the game, Hradecky standing strong to keep all three points in Leverkusen.   

Bayer Leverkusen v Atletico Madrid – Three Stars 

Leverkusen v Atlético Madrid – Sven Bender, Jonathan Tah and Charles Aranguiz of Bayer 04 Leverkusen celebrate their team’s first goal which was a Atletico Madrid own goal during the UEFA Champions League group D match between Bayer Leverkusen and Atletico Madrid at BayArena on November 06, 2019 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Sven Bender (Bayer Leverkusen)

Made a number of crucial interceptions and was a calming influence at the back.

Kevin Volland (Bayer Leverkusen)

Couldn’t connect on an early chance, but as usual, he persisted, and it paid off with Leverkusen’s second goal.

Mitchell Weiser (Bayer Leverkusen)

Weiser has come in for criticism in recent weeks but showed he can defend when he isn’t preoccupied with attacking.

Bayer Leverkusen v Atletico Madrid Goals: 1-0 (Partey OG 51’), 2-0 (Volland 55′), 1-2 (Morata 90+3’)

Bayer Leverkusen v Atletico Madrid – Line-ups

Bayer Leverkusen:

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Hradecky – Weiser, Tah, S. Bender, Wendell (Retsos, 81‘) – Aranguiz (Baumgartlinger, 65‘), Demirbay – Bellarabi, Havertz (Dragovic 88‘), Amiri – Volland

Atletico Madrid:

Formation: 4-3-1-2

Oblak – Arias, Hermoso, Felipe, Lodi (Lemar, 52’) – Koke, Partey, Niguez – Correa (Herrera, 70’) – Costa (Vitolo, 61’) , Morata

Matthew Marshall is a freelance football journalist. Born in Australia and living in Germany, he is sports mad but his passion is undoubtedly the beautiful game. Primarily covering the Bundesliga and the Portuguese national team, he follows all the major European domestic leagues intently alongside both UEFA club competitions. A member of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS). Follow Matthew Marshall on Twitter @noobzcorp