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European Champions League

Bayer Leverkusen 2 - Valencia 1

Leverkusen: Leno; Castro, Reinartz (Friedrich 46'), Toprak, Kadlec; Rolfes, Bender; Sam (Schwaab 90'), Ballack, Schürrle; Kiessling (Derdiyok 80'). 4-2-3-1.
Valencia: Diego Alves; Miguel, Rami, Víctor Ruiz, Jordi Alba (Canales 65'); Albelda (Aduríz 81'), Banega; Pablo Hernández (Feghouli 65'), Jonas, Mathieu; Soldado. 4-2-3-1.

Goals:
0-1. 24. Jonas. Got on the end of Soldado's cross to fire shot wide of Leno.
1-1. 52. Schürrle. Connected with Kadlec cross to beat Alves from edge of area.
2-1. 55. Sam. Ran on to Ballack's through ball and curled shot over keeper.

Valencia suffered the same fate as Villarreal the day before, throwing away a single goal lead to end up losing 2-1 to Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday night. After drawing their opening two ties, the two games against the German team are critical to their survival. And they got off to a good start, Soldado hitting the post before the striker intercepted a poor clearance and crossed in for Jonas to score. Leno did well to save from Jonas and Pablo later in the first half, but Diego Alves had to be at his best to tip over an effort from Schürrle before the break, and seven minutes after the restart Schürrle connected with a long cross from Kadlec to level the scores. Valencia were on the back foot, and just three minutes later Sam ran on to Ballack's through ball to steer a shot over Alves and in to the far top corner of the net. Soldado and Jonas both came up against Leno after that, but the locals held on for three priceless points. The Ches now need to beat Leverkusen at the Mestalla stadium in two weeks time to have any chance of progressing to the next round.