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Leverkusen seals last 16 spot, Bayern and Dortmund to meet in Champions League playoffs

0 Comment(s)Print E-mail Xinhua, January 30, 2025
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BERLIN, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Leverkusen booked their place in the UEFA Champions League last 16 with a 2-0 win against Sparta Praha, while Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund will have to battle through the playoff stage after Wednesday's final round of the league phase.

Leverkusen nearly broke the deadlock in the 11th minute when Alejandro Grimaldo's pinpoint cross found Patrik Schick, whose header sailed over the bar from close range.

In the 25th minute, Sparta goalkeeper Peter Vindahl denied Florian Wirtz, tipping a long-range effort over the bar.

But Vindahl could do nothing in the 32nd minute, when Jeremie Frimpong raced down the right wing and sent a precise cross into Wirtz's path, with the Germany international firing home from 14 meters.

Leverkusen dominated proceedings for the remainder of the first half, but due to their profligacy in front of goal, the scoreline remained 1-0.

The visitors came out stronger after the interval, with Victor Olatunji twice testing Leverkusen goalkeeper Matej Kovar. But Leverkusen quickly regained control, and their dominance paid off in the 64th minute when Grimaldo's curling free kick was parried by Vindahl into Nathan Tella's path, before the striker slid the ball home.

With the win, Leverkusen finished sixth in the league phase, securing direct qualification for the last 16.

Elsewhere, Bayern Munich's 3-1 triumph over Slovan Bratislava wasn't enough to avoid the playoffs, and Borussia Dortmund defeated Shakhtar 3-1 but will also need to go through the playoff stage.

Meanwhile, Stuttgart's Champions League campaign ended as Paris Saint-Germain cruised to a 4-1 victory thanks to Ousmane Dembele's hat-trick. Enditem

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