Europa League: Atletico Madrid vs. Leverkusen – Full Time Report (Part 2)
The home side were simply shocked after conceding a goal against the Germans. The Spanish side were supposed to score first as it was their home ground and they are the current reigning champions of the Europa League. However,
their coach has admitted the fact that they are not aiming for the Europa League this season and they want to win a spot in the Champions League again.
The first half ended with the German side leading the score line. The Germans had shocked the Spanish side by scoring first however, Diego Forlan did look to be a "little" threat for the German side.
With the second half starting, both the teams sent down their men. However, the Spanish side did make two changes before starting the second forty five minutes of the game. The midfielder Raul Garcia was taken off while Fran Merida
took his place in the centre midfield while the "world cup" sensation Diego Forlan was taken off for the Portuguese striker Tiago.
The second half commenced and things actually changed for the Spanish side as they started to dominate the game and kept on passing the ball around to attack on the German goal. However, the German defence looked to be very tough
for them.
There was no breakthrough for the reigning Europa League Champions till the 51st minute when Tiago made a run inside the penalty area and was fouled by Hyypia inside the 18 yard box. After an unnecessary challenge from
Hyypia, Atletico Madrid were awarded with a penalty kick which was taken by Simao. The penalty was well struck and the Spanish side managed to bounce back and came back on level terms with the German side.
With Sergio Aguero out of the Spanish squad, they looked to be dull on counter attacks. However, after the goal, the Spanish team started to dominate the game. Right after 4 minutes, Diego Costa got a wonderful chance from inside
the box but he only managed to deflect his shot off the defender.
During the 61st minute, the visitors decided to change the cause of the game and brought in two fresh players; Arturo Vidal Pardo was taken off for Lars Bender while Hanno Balitsch went out for Simon Rolfes.
On the other hand, the Spanish side were still busy attacking on the German defensive walls and in the 66th minute Reyes got a wonderful opportunity to put his team ahead. Simao chipped in a wonderful cross and from
7 yards out, but the Spanish player Reyes only managed to put the ball out wide and a wonderful chance was given away by the champions.
Eren Derdiyok was taken off for Patrick Helmes. This change was inevitable as Derdiyok's night was not going as he probably planned since he was lacking the pace that was required in the game.
The very next minute, Sidney Sam was booked for a late challenge on Pedro Simao. The Portuguese player had the ball at his feet while Sam simply nudged him off the pitch after a "nasty" push on him with the help of his shoulder.
The tempo of the game had dropped since the last substitution and both the teams looked to be playing for a draw. The result would not cost both the teams anything and it would definitely be a "good" result for both the sides with
a point being awarded to both the sides.
During the 84th minute, Diego Costa got another chance to put the team ahead but the striker only managed to hit the goalkeeper on the chest while the ball deflected off him and went outside for a goal kick.
In the 90th minute of the game, Simao was taken down by Tranquillo Barnetta on the right flank. As a result the German player was booked for the late challenge on the Portuguese winger. Even though it was the last minute
of the game, the free kick was not very well utilized as the ball deflected off Tiago to go out for a throw in.
Filipe Luis got the "last minute action" of the game during the 91st
minute as he struck the ball from right outside the box and only managed to throw it into empty space. The shot was not even on target and the whistle was blown after the goal kick.
The match ended in a 1-1 draw. Even though the Spanish side could win the game because of the amazing chances that they created, the German side stood firm while defending the Spanish attack. The German team did not let the champions
score more than a single goal, which eventually came off a penalty kick. However, both these teams looked to be in good form and both these teams are contenders of becoming the Champions this year.
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