After a completely crazy end to the match, Atlético Madrid could not do better than a draw against Bayer Leverkusen (2-2) at home, a draw synonymous with elimination from the Champions League for the Colchoneros .
While the French referee of the match Clément Turpin had whistled the end of the match on a parity score (2-2), he was called back by the video assistance for a hand from a Leverkusen player, and awarded a penalty to Atlético.
Three minutes later, Yannick Carrasco did not have the nerves strong enough, however, and saw his penalty saved by goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky. Saul Niguez’s header landed on the crossbar, and Reinildo’s shot was deflected by… Carrasco as the ball headed for the net.
Only one Spanish club, a first for more than 20 years
With this result, Atlético can still qualify for the Europa League provided they do better than Bayer on the last day.
Already eliminated from the Champions League at kick-off after Inter Milan’s 4-0 victory over Viktoria Plzen at the start of the evening, FC Barcelona, for its part, was again corrected 3-0 by Bayern Munich on Wednesday, and sadly turns to the Europa League.
It was a match for the honor… And even that, they lost it. Despite the constant encouragement of their supporters, who came in large numbers to support them at Camp Nou (84,016 people), the Catalans did not even manage to save appearances against the German ogre, triple gravedigger of Barça in 2020, 2021 and 2022 “A disaster,” Pedri lamented after the encounter.
There will therefore be only one Spanish club (Real Madrid) in the round of 16 of the C1, a first since the 1998/99 season.