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Played
October 19, 2011 7:45 PM BST
BayArena — Leverkusen
Referee: C. Thomson
Attendance: 26384
October 19, 2011 7:45 PM BST
BayArena — Leverkusen
Referee: C. Thomson
Attendance: 26384
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| Bayer Leverkusen | 2.35 | 1.15 | 2.40 | 1.10 | 2.40 | 2.55 | 1.03 | 2.42 | 2.40 |
| Draw | 3.25 | 4.50 | 3.30 | 7.50 | 3.30 | 3.30 | 10.00 | 3.35 | 3.25 |
| Valencia | 3.15 | 34.00 | 2.85 | 46.00 | 3.00 | 2.80 | 80.00 | 3.10 | 2.85 |
Top of the Match
Andre Schürrle
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen
Michael Ballack
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen
Flop of the Match
Pablo Hernández
Valencia
Valencia
Stefan Reinartz
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 Valencia: Robin Dutt's men come from behind to win and go second in Chelsea's group
Things looked bleak for the Factory squad after Los Che took the lead early on, but the Germans managed to pull themselves together and triumph in the end
By Vasil Kotsev
Christof Koepsel
Bayer Leverkusen staged a hard-fought comeback with a 2-1 victory at the BayArena against Valencia on Wednesday night to continue their pursuit of Chelsea at the top of Champions League Group E.
Brazilian striker Jonas converted Los Che's early dominance into a goal in the first half, but strikes from Andre Schurrle and Sidney Sam after the break helped B04 to a breathtaking win.
Valencia made their intentions known right from the start as they aggressively pressured Leverkusen in their own-half, trying to force a mistake. This strategy clearly worked as Robin Dutt's men lacked composure on the ball and were easily losing possession.
Jeremy Mathieu was the first to seriously threaten Bernd Leno when in the 15th minute he powered a superb shot first time from outside the box, but the goalkeeper was well positioned and calmly collected.
Moments later Los Che got even closer to scoring as Roberto Soldado was picked out at the left-hand post by Ever Banega, but could only strike the woodwork from just seven yards out.
In the 24th minute, however, Valencia finally got their goal through Jonas, who deftly deflected a cross from the left wing by Soldado from inside the box to put the visitors ahead.
The goal woke up Bayer Leverkusen, who stepped up their game and never looked back. In the 38th minute Schurrle nearly scored the goal of the round with an immense volley from 30 yards out, and moments later Diego Alves showed great reflexes to deny Sam and Stefan Kiessling from close range.
Robin Dutt's men went all guns blazing after the restart and deservedly got the equaliser seven minutes into the second period through Schurrle, who powered an immaculate finish with his weaker left foot into the left corner to draw the game level.
On the opposite flank four minutes later winger Sam scored an even better goal as he burst into space and curled a super finish into the top-left corner, leaving goalkeeper Alves with absolutely no chance.
Germany international Schurrle continued to terrorise Valencia as he saw a free-kick saved by Alves shortly after the hour mark, and later went on a mesmerising run, skipping past five players before seeing his shot saved by the goalkeeper.
Los Che tried hard to equalise in the closing minutes of the match, but were ultimately unable to break Bayer Leverkusen's resolute defence.
Following tonight's result, Bayer Leverkusen are second in Group E of the Champions League with six points, while Valencia sit third with three. The two sides meet again on November 1 in Spain at the Mestalla.
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Brazilian striker Jonas converted Los Che's early dominance into a goal in the first half, but strikes from Andre Schurrle and Sidney Sam after the break helped B04 to a breathtaking win.
Valencia made their intentions known right from the start as they aggressively pressured Leverkusen in their own-half, trying to force a mistake. This strategy clearly worked as Robin Dutt's men lacked composure on the ball and were easily losing possession.
Jeremy Mathieu was the first to seriously threaten Bernd Leno when in the 15th minute he powered a superb shot first time from outside the box, but the goalkeeper was well positioned and calmly collected.
Moments later Los Che got even closer to scoring as Roberto Soldado was picked out at the left-hand post by Ever Banega, but could only strike the woodwork from just seven yards out.
In the 24th minute, however, Valencia finally got their goal through Jonas, who deftly deflected a cross from the left wing by Soldado from inside the box to put the visitors ahead.
The goal woke up Bayer Leverkusen, who stepped up their game and never looked back. In the 38th minute Schurrle nearly scored the goal of the round with an immense volley from 30 yards out, and moments later Diego Alves showed great reflexes to deny Sam and Stefan Kiessling from close range.
Robin Dutt's men went all guns blazing after the restart and deservedly got the equaliser seven minutes into the second period through Schurrle, who powered an immaculate finish with his weaker left foot into the left corner to draw the game level.
On the opposite flank four minutes later winger Sam scored an even better goal as he burst into space and curled a super finish into the top-left corner, leaving goalkeeper Alves with absolutely no chance.
Germany international Schurrle continued to terrorise Valencia as he saw a free-kick saved by Alves shortly after the hour mark, and later went on a mesmerising run, skipping past five players before seeing his shot saved by the goalkeeper.
Los Che tried hard to equalise in the closing minutes of the match, but were ultimately unable to break Bayer Leverkusen's resolute defence.
Following tonight's result, Bayer Leverkusen are second in Group E of the Champions League with six points, while Valencia sit third with three. The two sides meet again on November 1 in Spain at the Mestalla.
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Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking- Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Lionel Messi
Striker Barcelona |
14 | 4 |
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Mario Gomez
Striker Bayern Munich |
13 | 0 |
|
Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker Real Madrid |
10 | 2 |
|
Karim Benzema
Striker Real Madrid |
7 | 0 |
|
Didier Drogba
Striker Chelsea |
6 | 0 |
