Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 Sparta Prague: Die Werkself end league phase with straightforward win over Sparta
Bayer Leverkusen advanced directly to the UEFA Champions League (UCL) Round of 16 following a 2-0 victory over Sparta Prague, while also preserving their perfect record of winning every home match in the competition this season without conceding a goal.
The Werkself commenced the match positioned within the top eight and displayed dominance from the outset as they sought to solidify their standing.
However, they needed to exercise patience, as Granit Xhaka's shot went off-target, and Martin Vitik cleared the ball after Peter Vindahl mishandled a corner, with Patrik Schick subsequently heading wide.
Florian Wirtz attempted a long-range shot that went astray and had another effort brilliantly saved by Vindahl, while Tomas Wiesner sent two headers off-target at the opposite end.
Despite lacking any chance of advancing to the play-offs, Sparta demonstrated resilience, exemplified by Jaroslav Zeleny blocking a strike from Edmond Tapsoba with his head, even though Georgi Kabakov initially awarded a penalty for handball.
The Werkself eventually broke the deadlock shortly thereafter when Jeremie Frimpong delivered a cutback to Wirtz, who effortlessly placed the ball into the bottom corner.
With Xabi Alonso’s team continuing to press forward, Nathan Tella sent two attempts wide and another directly at Vindahl before intercepting a powerful strike from Kaan Kairinen.
Vindahl then executed another impressive save, diverting Alex Grimaldo’s curling shot wide just before halftime.
After the interval, the visitors displayed determination as Olatunji surged forward twice in quick succession, only to be thwarted by Matej Kovar and then sending another attempt off-target. It did not take long for Leverkusen to regain the upper hand, with Grimaldo unleashing another long-range effort.
Vindahl managed to save a Grimaldo free-kick but was left powerless as the ball rebounded to Tella, who instinctively struck to net his first-ever UCL goal.
Leverkusen persistently posed challenges, with Wirtz and Grimaldo serving as the primary playmakers, while Aleix García had a free-kick thwarted shortly after his introduction.
Die Werkself effectively restricted their opponents, leaving no uncertainty as they bounced back from two consecutive matches without a win to claim all three points and ascend to sixth place in the UCL standings, thereby advancing directly to the Round of 16. Conversely, Sparta Prague suffered their sixth consecutive defeat in European competition, placing them at 31st.
SportsLigue