Leverkusen fall to dramatic defeat in Madrid, Stuttgart keep qualification hopes alive | OneFootball

Atletico Madrid 2-1 Bayer Leverkusen

Starting as if they were the home side, Bayer Leverkusen were in complete control of the encounter's opening stage at in Madrid. However, as matches so often do at Atletico Madrid's Metropolitano in the Champions League, proceedings soon descended into chaos as the clock ticked on.

After multiple half chances in the opening minutes, the visitors believed that they had taken the lead in the 17th when Nathan Tella hammered home from a first-time Alejandro Grimaldo cross, the Spaniard however, went slightly too early with his run in behind the Atleti defence.

Less than ten minutes later, Pablo Barrios was sent off for the hosts after his reckless follow-through on Nordi Mukiele was adjudged by VAR to be too high and, therefore, red card worthy. And whilst struggling to take advantage of this throughout the first half, Pierro Hincapie would eventually open the scoring for the visitors moments before half time, looping a fantastic header back across Jan Oblak's goal to give Die Werkself the lead.

However, as the second half began, the aforementioned chaos began to ensue, whilst the decibel level inside the Metropolitano began to rise, and rise, and rise.

And then, after Jonathan Tah's momentary lapse in concentration, the hosts had dragged the scoring level via Julian Alvarez, who would simply not give up as he bullied Alex Grimaldo to volley the ball home into the bottom right corner.

Leverkusen would go on to join the hosts in regards to playing a man down, after Bayer's goalscorer Hincapie carelessly dragged down Marcos Llorente close to the byline before receiving a second yellow card.

And as the decibels continued to rise once again, the hosts were looking far more likely to be the side who find the back of the net for the second time.

And, as they did against RB Leipzig on matchday one, Atleti left it late once again at the Metropolitano, with Julian Alvarez capping off a fantastic performance as he rounded Matej Kovar and slid the ball home before a cacophony of noise serenaded Los Colchoneros before they saw out a dramatic victory.

Slovan Bratislava 1-3 VfB Stuttgart

Sporting their limited-edition Champions League kit, Stuttgart made an electrifying start to their crucial away fixture. Jamie Leweling opened the scoring in the 11th minute, finishing with authority after a well-timed pass from Undav. It was the perfect start for the visitors, who are determined to secure their place in the next round.

Leweling doubled his tally in the 36th minute, reacting quickest to a rebound after Millot’s effort was parried by the goalkeeper. Initially flagged offside, the goal was awarded following a VAR check, confirming Stuttgart’s dominance in the first half.

Whilst the initial strike lacked precision, the sheer power from close range was too much for the goalkeeper to handle.

Stuttgart’s strategy of utilizing long balls proved highly effective, with their centre-backs frequently finding Undav, whose creativity led to both goals. Die Schwaben went into halftime firmly in control on Slovakian soil.

VfB however, failed to remain in ‘firm’ control throughout the second half, despite creating numerous chances, with Maximilian Mittelstädt's lackadaisical miss inside the box being the biggest.

However, just moments after the hosts pulled one back in the 84th minute via Idjessi Metsoko, Sebastian Hoeneß's men seemingly woke back up on the road, with Fabian Rieder netting his first Champions League goal, finding himself in acres of space after Stuttgart cut Bratislava open.

Seeing out the eventual 3-1 win sees Stuttgart climb to 21st in the standings, keeping their chances of qualification alive.