The Werkself impressed from the start with lots of possession and accurate passing, Atletico waited for their chance to play on the break but failed to produce a single shot on goal in the first half. It was different for the Werkself who had an extra man from 25 minutes when Pablo Barrios shown a red card for a foul on Nordi Mukiele. In added time in the first half, Piero Hincapie scored with a header – from a Mukiele cross – to finally give Leverkusen a deserved lead (45+2'). The German double winners were on top of the start of the second 45 but the scores were levelled at 1-1 on 52 minutes after a brilliant run by Julian Alvarez including a cool finish. It was the first goal conceded by Bayer 04 with an extra man in the Champions League since 2000. The Spaniards now had the upper hand. Hincapie was sent off for a second yellow card offence with 15 minutes to play, Alvarez netted the winner for Atletico at 2-1 (90'). The match report is HERE.
We gave Atletico the feeling it could be a battle and that there was still something in it for them and we weren’t smart enough to close the game down" said Jonathan Tah after the final whistle: "We let ourselves be drawn into it. We have to learn to keep a cool head in games like that."
Xabi Alonso summed up the proceedings as follows: "We were very solid up to half-time. Then Atletico increasingly came back into the game and we were scarcely able to create any positive moments. The equaliser took the wind out of our sails and then they played the game the way they wanted to. Today's match was decided at an emotional level. I'm sure we can use this experience in the coming games."
The kicker headline read: "Despite lead and an extra man: Leverkusen surrender at the Metropolitano." On the opening stages of the game: "From the start it was clear that Leverkusen wanted to dominate the game – and Bayer did that too." The assessment in the Bild-Zeitung is: "Atletico taught Bayer Leverkusen a lesson and won a wild encounter 2-1 in the end. The Werkself looked to have the clear advantage of the extra man after the deserved lead at half-time [...]. The hosts had something to say about that and they were completely on the case in the second half."
For Leverkusen, the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger most highly rates the performances of Nordi Mukiele and Exequiel Palacios, the Rheinische Post report talks about "a hot-blooded night" and an "extremely feisty, at times frenetic" atmosphere at the Metropolitano.
The celebration after the famous "first time" for Piero Hincapie must have felt very special. How else could it be? It was the first Champions League goal for the 23-year-old Ecuadorian in his twelfth UCL appearance. But another less pleasing "first time" also happened to Hincapie on the night: Being shown two yellow cards was his first dismissal in the Champions League.
Talking about personnel: Bayer 04 fielded the same starting XI in successive UCL matches for only the second time. Before that it happened in 2001 with an away game at Barcelona (1-2) followed by a 2-1 home win against Fenerbahce. Victor Boniface was not in the starting line-up but he did return to the matchday squad for the first time since the start of November last year. Great to see you back, Boni!
The Werkself remain without a win in Spain in the last six Champions League away games in succession (two draws, four defeats) with the last UCL win at a Spanish club back in December 2013 (1-0 at Real Sociedad). In addition, Leverkusen lost a Champions League away game after leading at half-time for the first time since 2015 and after that they went four games without defeat.
The match stats clearly favour the Black and Reds: 70% possession, 13 shots on goal to 5 and better pass completion (92% to 76%). Atletico were narrowly in front in terms of challenges won with 54%.
Bayer 04 now have another away game. The Werkself are at RB Leipzig on Bundesliga Matchday 19. The kick-off on Saturday, 25 January, is at 15.30 CET. That is followed by two home games against Sparta Prague to end the UCL league phase (tickets available) and TSG Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga.
Former Werkself star Michael Ballack, who won the German Footballer of the Year award in 2002 while playing in Leverkusen, celebrates his 50th birthday on Saturday. Bayer 04 sends him its best wishes!
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Attention Werkself fans: In addition to tickets for the floodlit home match against Werder Bremen, tickets are now also available for the Bayer 04 women’s team’s two subsequent fixtures against Eintracht Frankfurt and Hamburger SV at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. Both matches in the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga will take place at family-friendly kick-off times on Saturday afternoons. Here is the latest information on matchday ticket sales.
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Guéla Doué’s first 30 minutes in a Bayer 04 shirt during the draw away at Augsburg have definitely made the summer signing eager for more. The 23-year-old may have had to bide his time following his move from Strasbourg due to a muscular injury, but he’s been able to get a good taste of the BayArena atmosphere while watching from the stands in the home wins over Celje and RB Leipzig, as the Ivory Coast international explained in a chat with media representatives. “The fans’ enthusiasm and passion are incredible,” said Doué, looking forward to what lies ahead. The defender also spoke about his plans for a comeback, his teammates and his younger brother Désiré.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen welcomes a new official member to the Sponsors’ Club at the start of the 2026/27 campaign. KKV Kabelverlegung GmbH & Co. KG is expanding its existing partnership and will, with immediate effect, act as a supporter of the Bundesliga club at the second-highest partner level, just below the premium tier. As an official partner in the Sponsors’ Club, KKV will now enjoy significantly enhanced visibility during Werkself matches at the BayArena. The new contract is initially valid until 30 June 2028.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen has extended the existing partnership agreement with EDO Personalservice GmbH and, at the same time, expanded its collaboration with the Cologne-based company. The official partner in the Business Club has been upgraded within Bayer 04’s partner network. The revised and enhanced support for the club has initially been agreed for two years, running until 30 June 2028.
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