Bayer edge FCK in Champions League first leg
Goals from Mathias Zanka and Daniel Amartey weren’t enough for FC Copenhagen as the Lions were downed 3-2 by Bayer Leverkusen in the home leg of their UEFA Champions League playoff clash.
by Joe Short
Zanka’s ninth-minute header cancelled out Stefan Kiessling’s early finish before Amartey nodded home a loose ball to hand Copenhagen a narrow advantage.
That was swiftly annulled, however, when Karim Bellarabi smashed in a leveller and Leverkusen took the lead moments before half time when Son Heung-Min found space on the right edge of the box to beat Stephan Andersen.
The Lions laboured for an equaliser in the second half but fell short, with Andersen keeping FCK in the tie with a couple of magnificent parries.
The result leaves FCK with a tough but not impossible remit in Leverkusen — a two goal victory the ultimate goal. The return leg kicks off 19:45 BST (20:45 CET) on Wednesday 27 August.
Watch match highlights of the clash in Telia Parken on FCKTV
Manager Ståle Solbakken made a handful of changes from FCK’s defeat to FC Midtjylland on Friday, pushing Amartey back into the midfield to leave room for Pierre Bengtsson’s return at left-back.
Bashkim Kadrii kept his place up front, with Thomas Delaney captaining the side from central midfield.
Despite a positive start for FCK it was Leverkusen who struck first, when Hakan Calhanoglu broke free down their right flank and centred to Kiessling for a tap in.
Copenhagen reacted quickly, however, and four minutes later — following Thomas Delaney’s deflected effort — the Lions drew level when Zanka rose unmarked to head a Bengtsson corner into the unguarded far side of Bayer’s goal.
And before the away team could settle themselves it was 2-1 to FCK. Again, the Bengtsson-Zanka combination worked as the Swede found his defensive partner from a deep free-kick, but this time a fortunate bounce saw the ball pop up kindly to Amartey, who headed in at the back post.
Yet Bayer weren’t to be outdone as a long punt forward saw the ball nestle kindly for Bellarabi on the half-hour mark, the striker pouncing on his chance to drill a effort low past Stephan Anderson from distance.
And, although the Lions continued to threat going forward, Heung-Min would prove the ultimate match winner with a well-taken shot from the angle after running on to a through ball.
The second half saw Cornelius head wide the best of FCK's chances, while at the other end Anderson spectacularly saved two efforts to keep the Lions in the tie.
But it wasn’t to be for Copenhagen, who require two goals in Leverkusen to stand a chance of progressing to the Champions League group stage.
Watch match highlights of the clash in Telia Parken on FCKTV
FC COPENHAGEN: 2 BAYER LEVERKUSEN: 3
FC Copenhagen: Andersen, Høgli, Nilsson, Zanka, Bengtsson, Amankwaa, Delaney, Claudemir, Amartey, Kadrii, Cornelius.
Bayer Leverkusen: Leno, Spahic, Rolfes, Heung-Min, Calhanoglu, Kiessling, Boenisch, Toprak, Donati, Castro, Bellarabi.
Goals: Kiessling, Bayer (5’), Zanka (9’), Amartey (13’), Bellarabi, Bayer (31’), Heung-Min, Bayer (42’).
Referee: Carlos Velasco Carballo (ESP).
