For their penultimate match in Group C in the Champions League, Bayer Leverkusen travelled to the Stadium of Light to face SL Benfica in what proved to be a monumental game for Die Werkself. Leverkusen sat a top of their group going into the match, knowing a win would send them through top of the standings. However, anything less would leave the door open for AS Monaco to take the top spot. In the reverse fixture back in October Die Werkself ran out 3-1 victors; Stefan Kießling, Heung-Min Son and Hakan Çalhanoğlu all grabbing a goal in the impressive win at the BayArena.
Following this weeks defeat away to Bayern Munich in Bavaria, Roger Schmidt made a plethora of changes to his sides starting line up. Sebastian Boenisch and Roberto Hilbert coming into the defence for Wendell and Tin Jedvaj. Simon Rofles and Robbie Kruse replacing Lars Bender and Heung-Min Son; with Josip Drmić coming in for Stefan Kießling up top.
For the hosts it has been a disappointing European campaign, As Águias have enjoyed some success on the European stage in recent years but bar a miracle tonight makrs the end of their spell in Europe this semester. Manager, Jorge Jesus also made a whole host of changes, 10 in fact to the side than defeated Belenenses at the weekend. In came Artur Moraes, Loris Benito, Lisandro López, César, Bryan Cristante, Bebe, Ola John, Derley, Lima and Pizzi.
It was a scrappy start to the game, with neither side keeping hold of the ball well enough. This would however contribute to the first real chance of the match; which should have resulted in the first goal. Dutch winger, Ola John powered down the left hand flank only to cut inside and shoot, which Bernd Leno dealt with well. However the ball trickled out to an unmarked Lima who somehow managed to hit the crossbar; all 10 Benfica fans present couldn't believe what they had just witnessed as As Águias should have taken the lead.
The same duo of players would involved in the next chance, again John setting up Lima but once again the Brazilian missed his chance; this time sending it wide of the post. Leverkusen's best chance would come through Josip Drmić, but the Swiss internationals shot was straight at Artur Moraes. That proved to be the extent of the action in a somewhat lacklustre first 45 minutes.
The second period started in somewhat the same style, but it improved as the half went on for Leverkusen. They would go very close in the 62nd minute, in rather somewhat fortutitous fashion. Right fullback Roberto Hilbery surged forward towards the Benfica goal, after a poor touch As Águias defender César decided to "clear his lines"; the ball rebounded of Hilbert and agonisingly for Die Werkself just floated wide.
As the news filtered around the Stadium of Light that Monaco had taken the lead against Zenit, Die Werkself began to speed up their play as only a win would secure them top place. You could tell Roger Schmidt wanted the victory as he brought on both Kießling and Son to try and get that ever important goal. Leverkusen went close through Karim Bellarabi late on, but Artur Moraes made his only meaningful save. It would turn out to be a disappointing night as in the 90th minute Toprak was sent off for a second booking; something that could be costly for Die Werkself.
It turned out to be a disappointing night for Roger Schmidt's men as in the end Monaco won 2-0 sending Leverkusen to 2nd place in the group. For Benfica the result put an end to a dismal European campaign and they'll be raring to go for next year's competition. Leverkusen will be awaiting the draw to see who they'll face in the last 16 of the competition; will this result prove costly for Roger Schmidt's side?