UCL: Bayer Leverkusen progress despite 0-0 draw against Olympiakos
Bayer Leverkusen will face Arsenal or Bayern Munich in the Champions League last 16 after a second-leg goalless draw with Olympiakos secured their comfortable progress on aggregate. Leading 2-0 from
Bayer Leverkusen will face Arsenal or Bayern Munich in the Champions League last 16 after a second-leg goalless draw with Olympiakos secured their comfortable progress on aggregate.
Leading 2-0 from the first leg, the Bundesliga side dominated at the BayArena and almost found a breakthrough when Alejandro Grimaldo struck the crossbar midway through the second half.
But failing to score against Olympiakos for the second time this campaign did not matter for Leverkusen, as a double from forward Patrik Schick in the first leg was enough to earn the German side a place in the last 16 for only the second time since the 2016/17 season.
After easing to victory in Greece six days ago, Leverkusen picked up where they left off and took control from the first whistle.
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Kasper Hjulmand's side could have been ahead within four minutes as Schick glanced a header wide after connecting with Grimaldo's cross.
From there, it was one-way traffic but the Czech international fluffed his line with an attempt to lob the onrushing Konstantinos Tzolakis when presented with another opportunity shortly after.
Olympiakos - who beat the 2002 finalists 2-0 on home soil during the league phase - could have halved the deficit had Chiquinho not blazed his shot over from the edge of the area after a rare moment on the front foot for his side.
Lively wing-back Grimaldo almost broke the deadlock midway through a stale second half when he struck the crossbar after a surging run into the area.
Leverkusen will find out if they will face the Premier League leaders or the reigning Bundesliga champions when the draw for the next round takes place on Friday.
BBC
