Bayer Leverkusen fails in the round of 16 of the Europa League after losing to Atalanta Bergamo

Super talent Florian Wirtz (cruciate ligament rupture), Jeremie Frimpong (season ended after syndesmosis rupture) and Patrik Schick (muscle fiber rupture): Bayer coach Gerardo Seoane was missing three important pillars on Thursday. After all, Robert Andrich and Karim Bellarabi returned in the 61st minute after surviving injuries.

In front of 19,871 spectators, the first few minutes belonged to Atalanta with a slight advantage. Bayer captain and goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky had no problems with the first and initially only goal from Luis Muriel, who scored twice in the first leg (6′). It became more dangerous for Atalanta keeper Juan Musso, who reacted brilliantly against the free-standing Moussa Diaby (8th).

As a result, both teams initially neutralized each other, emerging offensive actions were nipped in the bud. However, neither team took the final risk in the last third. As expected, the game was a long way from the offensive spectacle from the first leg.

A shot by Diaby from a promising position was blocked by the outstanding Merih Demiral, who made life difficult for Amine Adli. Ruslan Malinowskyj tried it on the other side for Atalanta (32nd), but shot right at Hradecky.

Towards the end of the first half, Atalanta picked up the pace a little: Muriel’s shot from a tight angle was blocked by Timothy Fosu-Mensah for a corner (35′). A direct free kick from Muriel went wide of the goal a few minutes later.

Bayer came out of the break with a lot of momentum and missed the huge opportunity to take the lead: Diaby ran alone towards Musso, but was denied by the goalkeeper who stayed there for a long time. Kerem Demirbay’s rebound was blocked by Demiral. Referee Francois Letexier asked VAR about a supposed handball – no penalty.

Leverkusen had tasted blood: Demirbay tried to circle a corner directly on goal, but Musso was there. Atalanta caught something as a result, Bayer continued to try everything until the end.

The voices after the game:

Robert Andrich (Bayer 04 Leverkusen): “We’re extremely annoyed. I’m really upset that we didn’t make it. We have to be accused of simply not scoring at the crucial moments.”

Jonathan Tah (Bayer 04 Leverkusen): “We did better than in the first leg. We are very disappointed, more was possible.”

The tweet about the game:

That was noticeable: Diaby’s missed shots cost the brave Bayer-Elf progress

The conditions before the game were extremely difficult for Gerardo Seoane’s team. Bayer had to do without the services of Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Patrik Schick. However, there was no sign of this in the initial phase. Bayer started boldly and coped well with the Italians’ early attacking pressing. And Leverkusen could have rewarded themselves early – Moussa Diaby has to take his first chance right away. Even worse was Diaby’s missed shot right after the restart. At the back, Bayer couldn’t think of anything else.

The stats: 6

Bayer 04 Leverkusen also had to cope with a defeat against an Italian team in the sixth duel in a row. Previously, the two games against AS Roma and Juventus Turin in the Champions League were lost. There was also a bankruptcy in the first leg against Atalanta Bergamo.