Bayer Leverkusen vs. Atlético Madrid, Champions League 2015: Bayer snag a great result

Bayer came the closest to opening the scoring in the first half when Emir Spahić hammered a shot off the woodwork from nearly 30-yards out. There wasn’t anything special to note in the build-up, just one of those moments where a player has some space, doesn’t see a better option and uncorks a shot. A mere inches prevented the Bayer defender from scoring a highlight reel goal.

Another interesting moment occurred midway through the half when the always excitable Atléti assistant Germán Burgos got into a shouting match with Bayer head coach Roger Schmidt. Diego Simeone joined in as well as fingers were pointed and exchanged, while a helpless fourth official tried to maintain peace. Presumably, the Atléti coaches were upset by Bayer’s decision to try and kick and frustrate their players.

We’re not sure what’s better here: Hakan Calhanoglu’s finish or Karim Bellarabi’s assist. Bayer Leverkusen lead Atlético Madrid, and in brilliant fashion.

(h/t @apaci__ronaldo)

Atlético Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen went into halftime scoreless, but only because of Bernd Leno. Had this shot gone in, we wouldn’t be blaming the goalkeeper -- he was badly screened. But he saw the ball even though there were defenders in front of him and was quick enough to palm it away. You won’t see many better saves this season.

(h/t @OGuiadoFutebol)

Josip Drmić gets the start as the lone striker in Roger Schmidt’s 4-2-3-1 formation. There had been some debate about whether Drmić or Bayer’s longtime star Stefan Kießling would get the nod up front. Kießling’s goal scoring has been way down this season, so going with the 22-year-old Drmić seems like the logical move.

Diego SImeone has shocked no one by opting for the customary 4-4-2 formation he’s been utilizing a lot this season. If not for a hamstring injury sidelining Koke, it would be a true first choice lineup at this point for Atléti, but youngster Saúl Ñíguez is a solid replacement for Koke, and he’s played well when given the chance this year.

After an impressive run in the group stages, last year’s Champions League runner-up Atlético Madrid begin another potential march towards the final with a trip to Germany to face Bayer Leverkusen. Atléti has been strong again this season, especially in Europe where they roared through Group A with just a single loss on their record.

Bayer disappointed some by finishing second in a weak Group C, and struggling to score goals at the rate we’d seen from them in past seasons in Europe. The bigger concern, though, for Leverkusen will be their shaky defense, that has conceded seven goals in their last two league games, including crucial ones late in stoppage time. If Atléti’s attack is clicking, especially in the midfield, they should be more than capable of getting past the Germans.

Atlético Madrid have taken a minor step back since losing Diego Costa and Thibaut Courtois in the summer, but Diego Simeone has done well to find replacements and maintain his side’s momentum. They won a tricky Champions League group with Juventus, and their reward is a very winnable Round of 16 tie against Bayer Leverkusen (Wednesday, 2:45 p.m. ET, FOX Sports 2).

The Bundesliga side is having a solid, though somewhat tumultuous first season under new manager Roger Schmidt. His up-tempo, aggressive pressing style has produced some serious entertainment for neutrals, but his team has yet to master the system. They sit sixth in Germany and got out of their group in second place, but Bayer fans probably expected slightly better results by this point.