UEFA Champions League Round of 16
Bayer Leverkusen 1 - 1 FT Arsenal
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
2' R. Andrich
G. Martinelli 26'
HT
46' R. Andrich (A. Grimaldo)
58' E. Poku
↓ B. Saka ↑N. Madueke 60'
63' E. Palacios
M. Zubimendi 69'
74' ↓ I. Maza ↑M. Tillman
↓ V. Gyokeres ↑K. Havertz 74'
81' ↓ E. Palacios ↑E. Fernandez
81' ↓ M. Terrier ↑J. Hofmann
↓ E. Eze ↑Gabriel Jesus 82'
K. Havertz 89'
90'+4 A. Grimaldo
K. Havertz 90'+4
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Bayer Leverkusen
Goalkeepers
Janis Blaswich 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
92
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Jarell Quansah
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
92
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Robert Andrich 
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
Edmond Tapsoba
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
92
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
Ernest Poku
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
92
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Exequiel Palacios 
MAGNET
77
Activity
77
Activity
68
Passes
9
Duels
Aleix García
MAGNET
85
Activity
85
Activity
77
Passes
8
Duels
Alejandro Grimaldo 
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
1
Assists
43%
Pass Acc
Forwards
Martin Terrier
LATE SHIFT
9
Late Mins
9
Late Mins
82
Total Mins
81
Entry
Ibrahim Maza 
STORMTROOPER
3
Shots
3
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Christian Kofane
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
17%
Pass Acc
BENCH
Jonas Omlin 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Niklas Lomb
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Axel Tape
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Tim Oermann
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Malik Tillman 
FRIENDLY FIRE
Pen Given
Mistake
Pen Given
Mistake
1
Fouls
5.9
Rating
Ezequiel Fernández
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
10
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jonas Hofmann
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
10
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Montrell Culbreath
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Patrik Schick
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Arsenal
Goalkeepers
David Raya
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
92
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Jurriën Timber
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
William Saliba
MAGNET
92
Activity
92
Activity
86
Passes
6
Duels
Gabriel Magalhães
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
92
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Piero Hincapié
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Midfielders
Martín Zubimendi
MAGNET
74
Activity
74
Activity
67
Passes
7
Duels
Declan Rice
MAGNET
77
Activity
77
Activity
76
Passes
1
Duels
Bukayo Saka
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
60
Total Mins
60
Entry
Eberechi Eze
LATE SHIFT
8
Late Mins
8
Late Mins
82
Total Mins
82
Entry
Gabriel Martinelli
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Forwards
Viktor Gyökeres
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
74
Total Mins
74
Entry
BENCH
Kepa Arrizabalaga
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Khari Ranson
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Cristhian Mosquera
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ben White
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Riccardo Calafiori
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Myles Lewis-Skelly
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Marli Salmon
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Christian Nørgaard
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Max Dowman
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Noni Madueke
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
32
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kai Havertz 
CLUTCH HERO
89
Goal Time
89
Goal Time
Penalty
Impact
7
Rating
Gabriel Jesus
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
10
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07/08/2024 | Arsenal | 4 - 1 | Bayer Leverkusen | Friendlies Clubs | Emirates Stadium |
07/08/2024
Bayer Leverkusen Win
Arsenal Win
Draw
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Havertz Breaks Leverkusen Hearts in First-Leg Drama
Highly Entertaining Futmetrix Score: 69/100. A tense European battle culminated in late penalty heartbreak for the hosts, setting up a winner-takes-all clash in London.
The Chess Match at BayArena
The opening 45 minutes delivered a fascinating tactical stalemate as Arsenal controlled possession on foreign soil. Dictating the tempo with patient, methodical build-up play, the visitors constantly probed a stubborn and well-organised Bayer Leverkusen defence. Despite the away side generating higher expected goals and dictating the rhythm of the half, the German hosts absorbed the mounting pressure masterfully, rarely looking panicked at the back. The sheer Intensity of this knockout tie was palpable across the pitch, as both midfields fiercely contested every single blade of grass. Tackles flew in, but clear-cut goalscoring opportunities remained frustratingly at a premium before the interval, leaving the vibrant BayArena crowd eagerly anticipating a vital spark in the second half.
Andrich Strikes First
The tactical deadlock was shattered almost instantaneously following the restart. In the 46th minute, R. Andrich sent the passionate home supporters into absolute delirium. He ruthlessly finished off a beautifully slick attacking sequence, perfectly orchestrated by the ever-dangerous wing-back A. Grimaldo. This sudden and emphatic breakthrough injected a massive Upset Factor into the two-legged tie, putting Arsenal's previously flawless Champions League campaign under severe threat for the very first time this season. Shocked by the sudden deficit, the visitors were immediately forced to push their defensive line significantly higher up the pitch. This tactical shift left glaring gaps in behind, which Leverkusen eagerly attempted to exploit through rapid counter-attacks as the tension continued to build.
The Return of the King
Desperately searching for a crucial lifeline to take back to London, the visitors eventually turned to their bench, introducing K. Havertz in the 74th minute. This bold substitution proved to be an absolute masterstroke against his former employers. With the clock mercilessly ticking down to the 89th minute, a crucial penalty was awarded under immense pressure. Havertz stepped up and coolly dispatched the spot-kick to restore the delicate Balance on the scoreboard, silencing the stadium where he originally made his name. With the Stakes astronomically high for the decisive second leg on March 17th, this fiercely contested elimination tie remains perfectly poised for a truly dramatic conclusion. Neither side can afford a single mistake when they meet again.
Key Questions
Did Bayer Leverkusen deserve the late equalizer?
Arsenal scored the late equaliser, not Leverkusen. However, the German hosts defended valiantly and arguably deserved a clean sheet before that devastating 89th-minute penalty.
What does this mean for Bayer Leverkusen's season?
Surviving the first leg with a hard-fought draw keeps their European dreams alive, shifting all the knockout pressure onto the decisive second leg in London.
How did substitute K. Havertz change the game?
Entering the fray in the 74th minute against his former club, he provided a crucial attacking focal point and confidently converted the game-saving penalty.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Arsenal’s Juggernaut Faces a BayArena Ambush
Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 66/100. Arsenal arrive as undisputed heavyweights, but Leverkusen’s knockout resilience is the only thing standing between the Gunners and a dominant first-leg lead.
The Setup
Arsenal are operating on a different planet right now. Eight wins from eight matches in the Arsenal campaign tells the story of a team that doesn't just win; they colonize the opposition's half. Their Form is off the charts, having swept aside every challenger with clinical efficiency. Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen finds themselves in the unusual position of being massive underdogs at the BayArena. Sitting 16th in the standings, the German side has struggled for consistency, though their Stakes rating remains high as they look to salvage their season in Europe. This is the first leg of a high-tension tie, with the return leg set for London on March 17.
Key Battle
The outcome hinges on the flank. Alejandro Grimaldo is the creative heartbeat for the hosts, and his ability to deliver world-class service is their best path to an upset. He’ll be tracked every step of the way by Noni Madueke, whose explosive pace and recent scoring streak make him a nightmare for any backline. This duel of high-tier Stars will determine if Leverkusen can find the oxygen they need to breathe in this tie.
Our Prediction
Arsenal will dominate the ball and wait for the gap. While Leverkusen usually finds a way to score at home, the Gunners' defensive Balance is too disciplined to crumble. Our take is a professional performance from the visitors that puts them in control before the second leg. Expect the North Londoners to secure a vital away win.