Werkself review #B04acsparta: 'Very happy with the result and the placing'

Summary: In control throughout

The Werkself attacked the opposition goal from the kick-off, were focused and determined to get a result. After several good chances, it was Florian Wirtz who finally scored the opener on 32 minutes to reward the great efforts from his team. In the second half, first there was a double chance for Sparta Prague's best player on the night Victor Olatunji (50', 51'), before Bayer 04 again took control of proceedings and scored the crucial second goal: Alejandro Grimaldo stepped up to take a free kick on 64 minutes with the Sparta keeper Peter Vindahl only able to parry the swirling ball from the Spaniard. Nathan Tella was in the right spot to score with a tap-in. In the closing stages, Leverkusen comfortably held on to win the game and secure sixth place. The match report is HERE.

Reaction: "Always remained patient"

"It was a convincing win," said Granit Xhaka after the game. "We knew we had to get our game right and therefore were primarily focused on ourselves. It doesn't matter if you score early or late on. Only the three points count in the end." Goalscorer Florian Wirtz said: "We are very happy with the result and the placing. That was our challenge today and we mastered it. We always remained patient, that was very important."

Head coach Xabi Alonso said at the post-match press conference: "We are very happy. We played with control and stability and achieved our target of finishing in the top eight in the league phase." Asked about the constantly changing position in the table on the night due to the 18 games being played at the same time, the Spaniard also said: "Of course, I looked at the table from time to time and checked the position but I was focused on us above all else. All the next opponents won't be easy as we will face top teams. But we're looking forward to it."

What the papers say: "Leverkusen hardly tested and dominant"

The Rheinische Post headline highlights the most important achievement on the night: "Leverkusen through to the Round of 16." kicker reported: "Leverkusen hardly tested and dominant. The Werkself took the initiative from the start, pushed the opposition back, opened up play and initially closed down the Czechs above all down the flanks. The headline in the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger reads "Through to the Round of 16 with hard-earned victory" and awards top marks to Jonathan Tah, Alejandro Grimaldo and Florian Wirtz. The Bild-Zeitung match report includes the financial benefits for Bayer 04: Florian Wirtz fires Bayer Leverkusen to a 2-0 win in the Champions League against the already eliminated Sparta Prague. And to €13 million! 11 million comes from qualifying directly for the Round of 16. Two million for finishing in the top eight in Europe in the league phase."

Personnel: Wirtz' next trophy, Tella's first goal

Florian Wirtz has clocked up another record on the big European stage: His opener against Sparta Prague was his sixth goal in the Champions League with no other Leverkusen player scoring more in a UCL campaign before (Chicharito netted five goals in 2015/16). In addition, Wirtz has again proved to be the one making the breakthrough with his fourth opening goal. The 21-year-old was officially named Man of the Match for another great performance – and that for the fifth time in his eighth UCL game.

And it was also a very special night at the BayArena for Nathan Tella, the second Leverkusen goalscorer: The Nigerian forward scored his first goal in the Champions League. In other good news: New signing Emiliano Buendía watched the home win and progress to the Round of 16 at the stadium. Once more, a warm welcome to Leverkusen, Emi!

Stats: Solid at the back in UCL home games

Bayer 04 have won four Champions League home games in succession for the first time: a crucial reason was the work in defence: The Werkself kept a clean sheet in eight games in the league phase (including four at home). Only Inter Milan have kept more clean sheets in this UCL campaign and that was only with the goal conceded in the 1-0 defeat against Bayer 04. Another factor for the Black and Reds: the large number of attacks. Just in the first half against Sparta Prague, there were 37 actions in the penalty area and 23 crosses – the Werkself have never before achieved such high numbers in either category in the first half of a Champions League game since records were kept in the UCL (2003/04).

The match stats also clearly favour Bayer 04:70% possession, 26 shots on goal to 12, 10 corners to 2 and a significantly better pass completion rate (93 to 80%). Sparta Prague were on top in challenges won (60%).

Outlook: Two more home games in two competitions

The next two games for the Werkself are at the BayArena. TSG Hoffenheim are the visitors in the Bundesliga on Sunday, 2 February (kick-off: 17.30 CET). That is followed by the DFB Pokal quarter-final against FC Köln on Wednesday, 5 February with the kick-off at 20.45 CET.