Bayer Leverkusen won their first home game of the season as two late goals earned them a crucial victory over Atlético Madrid. A second consecutive H2H win in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) inflicted Atléti’s first away defeat in their last six road trips, Abbeylivenetwork.com reports.
Gerardo Seoane arrived into this contest under increasing scrutiny for his job, with Die Werkself beaten in four of their first six Bundesliga games, while also losing to Club Brugge in the UCL. There were certainly positive signs from the first half here though, with the hosts looking the more dangerous going forward despite being met by Atléti’s infamously stubborn rearguard. Piero Hincapié created an early opening after dribbling beyond Nahuel Molina, but his cross intended for Adam Hložek was met by Mario Hermoso – a potentially goal-saving header.
Kerem Demirbay, Roman Andrich, and Moussa Diaby all had efforts for Leverkusen before the break, but there was little sign of anything to really make Diego Simeone sweat in the opposition dugout. The ever-passionate Argentinian was left aggrieved before the break when Edmond Tapsoba appeared to handle the ball inside the area, only for both Michael Oliver and VAR to ignore the visitors’ protestations.
Leverkusen made a fast start after HT and spurned a huge chance to take the lead. Diaby slotted in Patrik Schick, who beat the goalkeeper only to be denied by the bar. On the rebound, Hložek rose highest to head towards goal, but inexplicably failed to score, denied this time by the post.
Simeone turned to his bench in an effort to bring his side into the contest as an attacking threat. One of his substitutes, Rodrigo De Paul, nearly provided the opener with a spectacular curling effort that was tipped over by a sprawling Lukáš Hrádecký. In the end though, Leverkusen would finally get the goal their performance had merited. Jeremie Frimpong’s endeavour earned him space on the right where he pulled back to Robert Andrich, whose first-time finish from the edge of the box proved too good for Ivo Grbić.
Frimpong was too hot to handle as he created the second moments later. Released on the right by Callum Hudson-Odoi, the Dutchman’s low cross presented the ball on a plate for Diaby to tap in. Atléti have now lost each of their last five trips to Germany, in a result that blows Group B wide open behind surprise leaders Brugge.
Man of the Match: Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen)
