Bayer Leverkusen vs Atletico Madrid - Player Ratings

Bayern Leverkusen players celebrating after their 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid

The Germans take a narrow lead into the second leg after beating the Spanish champions 1-0 at their home. After a goalless first half, a stunning strike from a tight angle from Hakan Calhanoglu put Leverkusen in front while Fernando Torres late equaliser was cancelled out in controversial circumstances. However, a late sending off for Tiago meant Atletico Madrid sat back to see out the game.

Not getting an away goal may irk Diego Simeone, but he will still fancy his chances at Estadio Vicente Calderon in the return leg.

Let us look at how the players performed on the night:

Bayer Leverkusen

Bernd Leno - 7.5/10

Leno cleared a definite goal from the head of Griezmann and made a fantastic save right at the end of first half to deny Tiago. Good game between the sticks for the keeper.

Roberto Hilbert - 7/10

He was solid in defence and went forward time and again to support his attackers.

Kyriakos Papadopoulos - 6/10

He stood tall at the back, however he got an unnecessary yellow card in the first half for confronting the keeper which kept him at check for the rest of the game. He also missed a glorious chance to seal the tie for Leverkusen late on.

Emir Spahic - 7/10

He could have had one of the goals of the season if his long range strike in the first half had not come back off the post. Otherwise his defending was good.

Wendell Nascimento Borges - 6.5/10

Just like his full-back partner, he surged forward regularly to support his attackers. He also defended well.

Gonzalo Castro - 6/10

His passing was good on the night and he also offered good support to his defenders by sitting in front of them.

Lars Bender - 6/10

He formed good partnership with Castro and helped his defenders well. He also regularly surged forward to add an extra body in the attack.

Karim Bellarabi - 7/10

A strong physical performance from the midfielders. It was from his well timed backheel, Leverkusen got their opener.

Hakan Calhanoglu - 8/10 (Man of the Match)

The Turkish midfielder scored a stunner from a tight angle. Also his pace was a usefeul asset in various Leverkusen counter attacks.

Son Heung-Min - 6.5/10

It was a lively performance from the South Korean. He was a constant threat for the opposition defenders with his workrate. However, his final ball wasn't good enough.

Josip Drmic - 6.5/10

Due to Atletico Madrid's resolute defending, he hardly got many chances to have a shot at goal. However, he did well when he got those few openings and closed down his opponents really well.

Substitutes

Rolfes (68') - 5/10

He helped his team see out the single goal lead.

Keisling (80') - N/A

Hardly anytime to make an impact.

Brandt (87') - N/A

Hardly anytime to make an impact.

Tiago was sent off following a second booking in the 76th minute

Atletico Madrid

Miguel Angel Moya - 6/10

He looked shaky everytime the ball came into the box. He wasn't assured in coming and collecting the crosses. Atletico Madrid definitely missed the assured presence of Thibaut Courtois.

Juanfran - 6/10

The full back didn't offer much in attack as his crosses were at times wayward, average performance from the Spaniard.

Joao Miranda - 7/10

The Brazilian formed a good partnership with his defensive partner and produced a solid performance.

Diego Godin - 6/10

He looked settled in defence. However, a moment of madness resulted in him getting a yellow card which will keep him out of the second leg.

Guilherme Madalena Siqueira - 5/10

His clearances put his team in trouble early on in the game. He however was replaced in the first half with an injury.

Gabi - 6.5/10

He sat in front of his defenders and offered great protection for them. He was at the heart of various Atletico counter attacks.

Tiago Mendes - 6/10

A typical Tiago performance. His workrate on the night was second to none. If not for Leno, he would have been on the score sheet. However, he received two yellow cards and got himself sent off in the second half.

Saul Niguez - 6/10

He looked lively both in defence and attack. However he was also replaced in the first half with an injury.

Arda Turan - 5/10

He wasn't at his usual best and was closed down regularly by Leverkusen defenders and was hardly given time and space to show his potential. He was rightly taken off in the second half.

Griezmann - 6/10

He did not get much support from his attackers to threaten Leverkusen. He did reasonably well whenever he got the chance to run at Leverkusen defenders.

Mario Mandzukic - 6.5/10

With Atletico Madrid sitting deeply in their half, he hardly got chances to threaten Leverkusen goal. He however did well to hold the ball up and bring others in to the game. Also he cleared many balls while defending in their own box during corners.

Substitutes

Jesus Gamez (38') - 6/10

Despite being a natural right sided defender, he did well to fill in the left back position after replacing the injured Siqueira.

Raul Garcia (42') - 6/10

The physical game suited his style. Atletico Madrid's play improved after he came on. However, there was no meaningful contribution from his side.

Fernando Torres (64') - 5/10

He may feel let down by the officials for disallowing his goal in the second half. Apart from that moment Torres rarely got involved in the play.

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Edited by Staff Editor
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