The Malta Independent 18 April 2024, Thursday
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Bayer Leverkusen host Atletico Madrid in Champions League

Associated Press Wednesday, 25 February 2015, 12:56 Last update: about 10 years ago

Bayer Leverkusen has been vulnerable to injury-time goals this season, something painfully familiar to Champions League opponent Atletico Madrid.

Atletico conceded a goal deep in injury time in last season's final, allowing Real Madrid to clinch its record 10th title.

Leverkusen, in its last two Bundesliga matches, was defeated 5-4 by Wolfsburg and drew 2-2 with Augsburg, losing points to injury-time goals. In the second one, it was Augsburg's goalkeeper that sealed the draw by venturing into Leverkusen's area.

Here are some things to know before Wednesday's match in the last 16:

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SHAKY DEFENSE

Leverkusen's defense has been anything but stable recently, and after a promising start under first-season coach Roger Schmidt, the team is struggling to hold on to a place in European competition.

Central defenders Emir Spahic and Kyriakos Papadopoulos look increasingly out of synch. The problems in defense are compounded by the suspension of Omer Toprak and the injury to Tin Jedvaj.

The return of Stefan Reinartz from a facial injury gives Schimd an option to use him as a defender rather than a midfielder.

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DRMIC OR KIESSLING?

Josip Drmic appears to be squeezing Stefan Kiessling out of Leverkusen's starting 11.

Some commentators had already written off Drmic as a misunderstanding and a failed acquisition destined to be offloaded in midseason. But Schmidt stuck by his striker and Drmic is slowly beginning to show his worth.

Drmic was hired on the strength of his 17 goals last season for relegated Nuremberg, two more than Kiessling had.

Kiessling, however, is a Leverkusen institution. He topped the Bundesliga two seasons ago with 25 goals and had 56 goals over the past three seasons in the league (it wasn't good enough to make him a Germany player, however).

The two have four goals apiece this season but Drmic seems to be finally getting the nod.

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NO DILEMMA FOR ATLETICO

Atletico Madrid's strike pairing of Mario Mandzukic and Antoine Griezmann honed their attack for the return to the Champions League by striking early and often to beat Almeria 3-0 in the Spanish league on Saturday.

Mandzukic scored a penalty before setting up Griezmann for two more goals, all in the first half hour. That gave Mandzukic 20 goals and Griezmann 17 in all competitions in their first season with the club.

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MANDZUKIC AND PEP

Mandzukic's return to Germany may be an occasion to show Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola once again what he can do.

Mandzukic was shown the door despite scoring 18 goals last season. But Guardiola left him out of the squad for the German Cup final, in a clear sign that he wasn't counting on the Croat for the next season, especially with the arrival of Robert Lewandowski.

Now, even Lewandowski is struggling to play regularly as Guardiola often prefers to play without a true striker.

Meanwhile, Mandzukic is making Atletico fans forget the departure of Diego Costa for Chelsea.

 

 

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