BATE Borisov held Bayer Leverkusen to a 1-1 Champions League draw which does little for either side’s chances of progressing from Group E but confirms Barcelona’s place in the knockout stages.
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“The early BATE goal threw us out of rhythm”.
Bellarabi came close to equalising 10 minutes into the second half as he soared past his markers to unleash a shot at goal, but the effort was deflected just past the post.
BATE took an early lead in the game after goalkeeper Bernd Leno allowed a weak Mikhail Gordeichuk shot to slip between his legs.
Leverkusen had 22 shots on goal, with eight of those hitting the target, but they had to settle for a draw which leaves them level on points with second-placed Roma in Group E.
As halftime approached Bayer thought they should have had a penalty when Hernandez chased down a square pass between two BATE defenders, coming into contact with their legs and taking the obligatory tumble, but the ref didn’t buy it.
As the hour mark approached Leverkusen became increasingly dominant, quickly and effectively moving the ball to the danger areas in and around the crowded, compact BATE box, but they struggled to find a way through.
Leverkusen’s position would have been even more perilous were it not for the freak equaliser by Admir Mehmedi – in the video above – on 68 minutes.
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Both sides searched for the victor, but it was not to be as the teams shared a point.
