With a lonely goal by Hakan Calhanoglu, Bayer Leverkusen will travel to Madrid with a narrow lead to face Atletico at Vicente Calderon stadium. Despite not having to overcome a huge deficit, things may not be as easy for Simeone's men, since they won't be able to start neither Diego Godin nor Tiago. Godín saw his third yellow card of the tournament after a hard tackle on Lars Bender, while Tiago was booked twice before being sent off. Atletico's Number 5 became the first player in club history to be sent off during a Champions League match.
Things were going the right way for Atletico during the first 45 minutes, but coach Simeone was forced to change his tactics after injuries to Siqueira and Saul Ñiguez. After the break, Calhanoglu scored thanks to a backheel assist by Bellarabi, making Leverkusen's fans crazy.
Simeone used his last substitution by giving way to Fernando Torres, but El Niño was not able to make a difference for Atletico, and now last year's runner-up will have to find their top game to eliminate a complicated German side.
Fans reacted to Calhanoglu's goal, as well as Atletico's chances for the upcoming match. Want to know what they think? Scroll down and find out!
Great performance from Hakan Calhanoglu, a rising star in the bundesliga, announces himself on the world stage.
— Navid Rahman (@Navidr9) February 25, 2015
Simeone warned his team from Calhanoglu's shots before the game and Hakan scored
— Mohamad Al Sabe3 (@BundeSabeh) February 25, 2015
Çalhanoglu! 1-0 to Leverkusen. Fantastic goal. Neat lay-off by Karim followed by a sublime finish from Hakan. Chapeau!
— Aloñzo. (@AMBVB_) February 25, 2015
Hakan Calhanoglu is the ultimate Eurogoals special.
— Noschmuckatu Man (@rmmc89) February 25, 2015
Bellarabi and Calhanoglu made Godin, one of the best CBs in the world look average. Wonderful talents
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) February 25, 2015
"Schmidt vs Mono Burgos and Simeone"
Schmidt vs Mono Burgos y Diego Simeone: https://t.co/JFaNiPZFDu
— Invictos (@SomosInvictos) February 25, 2015
Diego Simeone's Atletico drank the same brew Arsenal had to allow Bayern Leverkusen a 1 goal away advantage..
— The Boondox (@DerickBoondox) February 25, 2015
"Every great thing Simeone has as a coach goes down the drain with his poor attitude when he loses. He is a poor loser."
Todo lo bueno q tiene como DT #simeone lo empaña las malas actitudes cuando pierde. No sabe perder
— Martin Zacarias (@manezacarias) February 25, 2015