Tella fails Champions League audition as Atletico Madrid fight back to beat Bayer Leverkusen
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Nathan Tella was booked against Atletico Madrid | Imago

Tella fails Champions League audition as Atletico Madrid fight back to beat Bayer Leverkusen

Ayoola Kelechi 23:08 - 21.01.2025

Despite starting Nathan Tella, Bayer Leverkusen threw away their one-goal lead and one-one-goal advantage to lose to Atletico Madrid

Nigerian superstar Nathan Tella was unable to make the most of a rare start in the Champions League as the Super Eagles forward was largely ineffective in leading the line for Bayer Leverkusen against Atletico Madrid.

Despite taking a first half lead and having a man advantage for a significant portion of the match, Bayer Leverkusen lost 2-1 to Atletico Madrid, who had Julian Alvarez as their hero.

Bayer Leverkusen lose despite lead and advantage

With the game finely balanced in the first half, Atletico Madrid received a setback when Pablo Barrios was sent off after a VAR review after 25 minutes.

Bayer Leverkusen made the most of their one-man advantage, taking the lead through full-back Piero Hincapie in the first minute of first half added time.

Atletico Madrid responded soon after the half-time break as Julian Alvarez needed only seven minutes after the restart to draw the home side level.

Hincapie then went from hero to villain as he received his marching orders for a second bookable offence, erasing the advantage Leverkusen had.

Atletico Madrid capitalised on the numerical equality to snatch a late winner, with Alvarez the hero once again with his second of the game on the dot of 90 minutes to give the home side a crucial win.