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Player Ratings: Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 Atletico Madrid

Sports Mole takes a closer look at how each individual played performed during Bayer Leverkusen's 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

Bayer Leverkusen beat Atletico Madrid 1-0 in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League meeting on Wednesday.

The only goal of the match came just before the hour, with Hakan Calhanoglu firing home from inside the box.

Leverkusen remained on top in the latter stages, but could not score a second despite Atletico playing the final 15 minutes with 10 men following a red card for Tiago.

Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at how each individual played performed in Germany.


Leverkusen's midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu, Leverkusen's midfielder Lars Bender and Leverkusen's Bosnian defender Emir Spahic celebrate during the first leg UEFA Champions League Group C football match Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs SL Benfica in Leverkusen, wester© Getty Images

LEVERKUSEN

Goal

Bernd Leno: Had a super match between the sticks. Made a world-class save to deny Tiago late in the first period and was always in control from high balls. Cannot really be faulted. (8/10)

Defence

Roberto Hilbert: Caused Atletico problems with his willingness to run forward, but the full-back was more defensively disciplined in the second half. A solid performance. (7/10)

Kyriakos Papadopoulos: On-loan Schalke 04 defender dealt with the physical threat of Mario Mandzukic, while he was also calm and composed in possession of the ball. (7/10)

Emir Spahic: Rattled the crossbar with a stunning strike in the first period, while he was excellent at the back. Knows all about Spanish football and showed that here. (8/10)

Wendell: Has been excellent for Leverkusen in the Champions League this season and that continued here. A real threat in wide areas and strong in the tackle. (7/10)

Midfield

Karim Bellerabi: A real live-wire in wide areas, with the German giving the Atletico defence nightmares for long spells. Set up the game's only goal with a brilliant flick. (8/10)

Gonzalo Castro: Not too involved in the build-up, but performed a solid role in front of the back four. Picked up a yellow card following a clash between both sets of players late on. (7/10)

Lars Bender: Took up some good positions in attacking areas, but his final ball should have been better. Not much wrong, but not one of his side's better players on the night. (6/10)

Hakan Calhanoglu: Proved the match-winner, with the Turk's strike just before the hour securing the victory. Was a constant threat during a really strong display in Germany. (8/10)

Attack

Heung-Min Son: Worked hard in forward areas, but had little to feed on in the final third. Still performed a vital role for his team despite his lack of serious involvement. (6/10)

Josip Drmic: Given the nod over Stefan Kiessling, but the forward struggled to make his mark. Won a few decent aerial challenges, but did not really make his mark for long spells. (6/10)

Substitutes

Simon Rolfes: Replaced Bender after 68 minutes and immediately picked up the pace of the match. Slotted into central midfield on what was a classy cameo appearance. (7/10)

Stefan Kiessling: Finally introduced 10 minutes from time, but the striker did not have an impact. (5/10)

Julian Brandt: Only given the final three minutes and saw little of the ball. (5/10)


Atletico Madrid's midfielder Gabi and Leverkusen's midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu (R) vie for the ball during the UEFA Champions League first-leg, round of 16 football match on February 25, 2015© Getty Images

ATLETICO

Goal

Miguel Moya: Made a couple of decent saves, but did not look comfortable from crosses. Has had a good season, but not really in the same league as Thibaut Courtois. (6/10)

Defence

Juanfran: Usually such a threat in the final third, but the right-back struggled to make his mark here. Was also caught out on a couple of occasions when Leverkusen countered. (6/10)

Diego Godin: Another strong performance from the centre-back, who kept Son and Drmic quiet. Needed a lot more from those around him in Germany. (7/10)

Miranda: Made a couple of vital blocks in the first period, but was caught a little flat-flooted in the second half when Bellarabi in particular broke with pace and trickery. (6/10)

Guilherme Siqueira: Did a good job of sweeping up in the early minutes, but lasted just 38 minutes after picking up an injury, with Jesus Gamez the Brazilian's replacement. (6/10)

Midfield

Gabi: Has struggled to replicate last season's form in this campaign and that was also the case here. Untidy in possession and did not work hard enough in midfield. (5/10)

Tiago: Had Atletico's best chance of the match late in the first period, but could not beat Leno. Also let his team down in the second half with a red card 15 minutes from time. (5/10)

Saul Niguez: Showed some nice touches in the first period, but was another that did not complete the half after picking up a back injury that he was unable to shake off. (5/10)

Attack

Arda Turan: Was passed fit in the hours leading up to the match, but did not look all that comfortable. Showed bits and pieces of his quality, but was replaced after 64 minutes. (5/10)

Mario Mandzukic: Starred in Atletico's last match against Almeria, but could not reproduce that form here. Never really had a sniff of a chance in the final third. (5/10)

Antoine Griezmann: Caused some problems with his pace, while he also had a couple of half-chances in the first period. Not great, but probably the best of his side's attackers. (6/10)

Substitutes

Jesus Gamez: It would not have been easy to come into the match late in the first period, but the most part, the Spaniard had a solid-enough evening. (6/10)

Raul Garcia: Usually such an influential figure, but that was not the case here. (5/10)

Fernando Torres: Thought that he had scored a vital away goal 15 minutes from time, but the Spaniard's header was chalked off. Can feel hard done-by that is for certain. (6/10)


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Atletico Madrid's Portuguese midfielder Tiago (L) is given the red card from Czech referee Pavel Kralovec during the UEFA Champions League first-leg, round of 16 football match against Bayer 04 Leverkusen on February 25, 2015
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Match Analysis: Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 Atletico Madrid
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