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Sorry - this page has been removed. Hakan Calhanoglu scores as Bayer Leverkusen defeat Atlético Madrid
(4 months later)
This could be because it launched early, our rights have expired, there was a legal issue, or for another reason. Bayer Leverkusen beat last season’s runners-up Atlético Madrid thanks to a fine strike by Hakan Calhanoglu.
The Turkey international scored the 57th-minute winner to set Leverkusen, who are struggling for form in the Bundesliga, on the way to their first win at the last-16 stage of the Champions League.
For further information, please contact: For Atlético, who were reduced to 10 men when Tiago was sent off following a second booking in the 76th minute, it was only their second defeat in a Champions League away game since September 2013. He will miss the return leg in Madrid on 17 March as will the key defender Diego Godín after the Uruguayan was booked.
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Atlético’s coach, Diego Simeone, praised Leverkusen afterwards but believed his side would still go through. “They play as they do and they do it well,” he said. “We each had a clear chance and they took theirs and we didn’t. It could have been a worse result. But I am confident for the return leg.”
Atlético were forced to defend for much of the first half, during which the Bosnia defender Emir Spahic twice went close for Leverkusen. However, Atlético almost stole a lead on the stroke of half-time but Tiago’s powerful volley was denied by a brilliant reflex save from Bernd Leno.
But Leverkusen scored the goal their play merited when Karim Bellarabi drew three players before cleverly flicking the ball to Calhanoglu who lashed it into the roof of the net.
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“I put all my power into this shot, all the pressure from the last few games,” Calhanoglu said. “It was a bit of a liberation for me. It is great for the team. But we still have to do the same in Spain. In all Champions League games this season we have showed we can play well. We showed it today again.”
Roger Schmidt, Leverkusen’s coach, breathed a sigh of relief. “We looked forward to this game and we saw it as our path to the quarter-finals,” he said. “I don’t want to single out any player but Hakan’s goal was just amazing. We needed such a result after these weeks.”
It was a very physical encounter and the fire of battle was felt off the pitch when Schmidt and Simeone had a heated argument on the sidelines.
Atlético were toothless even when Simeone brought on Fernando Torres to form a three-pronged attack for much of the second half.