Werkself review #B04NEW: ‘Showed the perfect reaction’ after conceding

Summary: Grimaldo secures deserved last-minute draw

The Werkself began their sixth Champions League game of the season in a disciplined and focussed manner, allowing the Magpies very little space and proved to be highly dangerous on the counter-attack. The Black and Reds took the lead after 13 minutes thanks to the goal scored when a header from Robert Andrich rebounded off Bruno Guimaraes and into the Newcastle net. Even after this goal, the visitors remained largely devoid of ideas in attack and Leverkusen remained in control - the half-time lead could have been bigger with a little more luck in front of goal. The equaliser by Newcastle's Anthony Gordon from the penalty spot then turned the game on its head (51'). The visitors suddenly applied more pressure and were able to take the lead through Lewis Miley (69') despite the efforts of a battling Werkself defence. However, there was no sign of the Bundesliga side giving up: Backed by vociferous support from the fans at the sold-out BayArena, Bayer 04 came back into the game, pinned the English side back in their own penalty area in the closing stages and finally secured a deserved equaliser through Alejandro Grimaldo (88’).

• Match report
• Match highlights

Reaction: "Fought to the end"

"The little things are crucial in the Champions League," said an exhausted Aleix Garcia and explained: "Our first half was very strong, but in the second half we didn't handle the ball so well and allowed Newcastle to dominate." However, the Spaniard also said: "After the two goals we conceded, the team showed the perfect reaction."

"We fought until the end and scored the important equaliser," said Grimaldo, who was also happy to have helped the team with his goal: "That's the most important thing and of course I want to do that every week." Assistant coach Rogier Meijer, who deputised for Kasper Hjulmand for personal reasons, was happy with his team's performance after what was expected to be a difficult match: "The team showed character today after conceding goals and fought back to equalise in the end."

"We deserved the draw in the end," agreed captain Andrich, who put the reason for minor mistakes in the game down to diminishing strength. Nevertheless, the skipper was delighted with the point and is fully motivated for the home game against FC Köln: "We'll make the most of the next few days and give our all on Saturday at 6.30 pm."

What the papers say: "Bayer believe right to the end"

"Leverkusen secure last-minute point against Newcastle", is the headline in the Rheinische Post, while kicker writes: "Grimaldo's flash of inspiration secures a draw". "Bayer believe right to the end", meanwhile Bild Zeitung praised the Werkself's morale and summarised: "Leverkusen battle for a 2-2 draw." According to the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger, Bayer 04 also discovered "the last ounces of strength" to level in the final minutes of the game.

Personnel: Grimaldo scores again - Garcia's impressive passing

It was Spain international Grimaldo's third UCL goal of the season - more than in any previous campaign. The 30-year-old is not only Leverkusen's top scorer in this competition, but has also netted more times in two Champions League campaigns with five goals than he did in six seasons at Benfica (4). Ibrahim Maza meanwhile, collected his second assist in the Champions League and Garcia was once again the midfield maestro. He delivered every single one of his 50 plus passes to his team-mates well into the second half.

Stats: Werkself on target again

The first point in the third meeting with Newcastle United is also the Werkself's fourth unbeaten game in the last five matches against English teams. In addition, the Black and Reds were once again on target: Leverkusen have scored in each of their six UCL matches this season, which is the team's longest such run in the competition since September 2017.

The match stats show how much Bayer 04 deserved the late draw: In terms of possession and duels (both 51 per cent), the hosts had the edge over the English side, and they also had more shots on goal (17) and corners (9).

Coming up: FC Köln then RB Leipzig away

There are two more fixtures before the winter break: The Werkself host FC Köln on Saturday, 13 December at 18:30 CET, before the last clash before Christmas a week later on Saturday, 20 December (kick-off: 18:30 CET) at second-placed RB Leipzig.