Another Goal By Krychowiak And Long Ball By Barinov. Lokomotiv Beat Bayer In Champions League
By the matchday, Lokomotiv had been well shattered by an injury spree. Farfan and Kverkvelia have been out since the last season, both Miranchuk brothers have also been sidelined: Anton flew to Germany together with the team, went to the doctor to have a surgery and got back to the hotel in the morning of the matchday to a warm welcome of his twin brother Alexey.
Lokomotiv’s tactics came as a surprise. Counter to the expectations, Murilo played not as another central defender next to Corluka and Hoewedes but in defensive midfield together with Barinov, while Krychowiak moved upfield.
The Railroaders scored both goals utilizing high pressure tactics. In the 16th minute Zhemaletdinov forced Bayer to make a mistake at throw-in, Joao Mario made a timely pass to Krychowiak who scored his fifth goal this season. In the 37th minute Barinov forced a defender to roll back to the keeper, Smolov ran onwards, confusing Hradecky who made a bad back pass to a teammate. Barinov intercepted with a one-touch strike from 30 metres that left the keeper gazing the ball landing in the net.
Lokomotiv made the only mistake in the 25th minute and was punished. Bellarabi and Lars Bender played one-two on a flank, the latter crossed to Aranguiz in the area. Hoewedes tried to cover the Chilean but only redirected the ball into own net.
Lokomotiv secured a very important victory in the opening game of the Champions League and is now topping the section. In the other game, Atletico and Juventus drew tie. On October 1st the Spaniards are hitting the road to Moscow.
Champions League. Group stage. Group D. First leg
Bayer – Lokomotiv – 1:2 (1:2)
Goals: Krychowiak, 16 (0:1). Hoewedes, 25 (own goal) (1:1). Barinov, 37 (1:2)
Bayer: Hradecky, Tah, S. Bender, L. Bender, Bailey (Alario, 46), Baumgartlinger (amiri, 71), Wendell, Aranguiz, Havertz, Volland, Bellarabi
Lokomotiv: Guilherme, Rybus, Ignatyev, Corluka, Hoewedes, Murilo, Krychowiak, Barinov, Zhemaletdinov, Joao Mario (Idowu, 92), Smolov
Yellow cards: Barinov, 55. Aranguiz, 76.
Referee: Pawel Raczkowski (Poland)
September 18, 2019. Leverkusen. BayArena Stadium.
