Tillman shines as Leverkusen secure Champions League play-offs spot | OneFootball

Kasper Hjulmand only made two changes to the lineup in the weekend’s narrow win over Werder Bremen. Malik Tillman, who was one of those coming into the team for his third Champions League start at the BayArena, was the difference-maker in the first half.

The US international capitalized on Arnau Tenas’ howler to score in the Champions League for the first time as a Leverkusen player by simply deflecting the goalkeeper’s poor clearance.

Before Villarreal’s first chance through Renato Veiga, Loïc Badé had a quickfire double chance. Shortly after, Tenas nearly added an own-goal to his abysmal start after Ibrahim Maza’s shot ricocheted off the post.

Patrik Schick had Leverkusen’s next chance in one of their best halves of the season. The Czech striker wasn’t able to add to Leverkusen’s lead, but he registered his first-ever Champions League assist ten minutes before the half-time break.  

The 30-year-old spotted the unmarked Tillman at the edge of the box with a brilliant header to set up Leverkusen’s second goal. The former PSV attacker completed his second Champions League brace with a smart finish.

The two-goal half-time lead propelled Leverkusen to 17th place in the live table, which meant that there is a possibility of a playoff tie against Borussia Dortmund in Friday’s draw. Villarreal’s poor first-half display reflected why they only had one point to their name in the league phase of the competition.

LaLiga’s fourth-placed team had their best spell of the game right after the restart, which could also result in a lapse in concentration from the hosts. In one of their few moments inside Leverkusen’s box, Nicolas Pépé was rightly denied a penalty-kick after a blatant dive.

The Ivorian also forced a first save from Janis Blaswich, but that was after Alejandro Grimaldo put the game to bed. The Spaniard scored his tenth Champions League goal with a first-time finish from an inviting cross by fellow wingback Lucas Vázquez.

The hosts regained control in the last half-hour, and they got into the top 16 when Borussia Dortmund conceded at home against Inter. Finishing the league phase in that position secures a home advantage for the second leg in the playoff round.

The draw for the knockout phase playoff stage will be conducted on Friday. Leverkusen will play against either Dortmund or Olympiacos in a two-legged tie as they finished the league phase in 16th place. Marcelino’s side finished in 35th place with only a goal difference separating them and debutant Kairat Almaty.

Leverkusen will face Eintracht Frankfurt away from home on Saturday before they’re back at the BayArena for a DFB-Pokal quarter-final clash against St. Pauli.