I actually thought this would have been closer. It's why I chose to watch this instead of what I knew would be the one-sided eventuality of United against the Belgian chocolates. The first leg was a very old-skool match against two teams that were both on an even level with chances at both fishnets. So I was assuming perhaps another one goal swing or even it going to penalties.
Leverkusen had other ideas....
For some reason, Pioli thought that he had Maldini and Desailly in defense and could hold a very attacking team like Leverkusen in their cribb for ninety minutes. Leverkusen were all over them, and you knew the goal was always going to come. And Leverkusen are not technically the best as they are very young and need some refining, but they had so much energy and just wanted to fight for every ball so much more than Lazio that the Italian team were totally shut down and did not know how to respond.
The only light for Lazio was a very young Keita Balde who did his best to cause a threat to Leverkusen and gave Tar a few dance lessons just to keep him fit. Apart from that, there was no spark. Felipe Anderson must have sent his invisible clone to play instead of him which would have pissed of Pioli when he finds out. Leverkusen just came to play, and they shouldn't have even lost that first leg, and this result showed just how much better they were than Lazio. And what about the man of the night....Cahlanoglu.
To have a guy who can deliver balls so expertly is a HUGE asset in football. You do need guys like Giroud and Mandzukic who are tall dudes that are good at heading, but to just have superb delivery is goldust for a football team. This young man really stood out on that pitch as such a young age. Ran for every ball, made plays happen, popped up in the right positions and was the one that really got Leverkusen going. Having someone who is ready to take the match by the scruff of the neck and is willing to drive the team forward is how you pretty much win games. Ask the French players in 2006 how that felt with Zidane playing in their team or Maradona in 1986. I do not DARE put Cahlanoglu in the same EXISTENCE as those greats, but I am just drawing a comparison.
The commentator made a very telling point though, which was the gulf in class between the fourth best team in Germany and the third best team in Italy. Leverkusen, even man-for-man, were simply better than Lazio. It really did not feel that these two teams were on a similar level. That spells bad news for Italian football and even Pioli came out and admitted that his boys are not ready for Champions League football...which is very true. If they had somehow gotten through into the Champions League, they would have either finished bottom of their group or at best...third. It is a further reminder of just how far behind the quality of Italian football is compared to the rest.
As for the Bundesliga. It's a great advert yet again. All four of their teams are now in the Champions League and it's time to stop ignoring the talent that they have. Leverkusen won't win the Champions League, but I expect them to get through the groups, and I can't see why they can't get into the quarters. And when you see how closely they fought a more experienced and physical Atletico team last year, if the chips fall in the right place, they can be the honorary dark horse of the competition. Son can go and earn his cheddar at Tottenham but Schmidt has a very good bunch of players here who still need tutoring and maturing. If they can keep these players and fend off any advances, and just build a family type of atmosphere where players don't want to leave, then in about two or three years time when Lahm, Robben and Ribery are now eyeing retirement, they could be the next dynasty in the Bundesliga.......IF they can keep their cats.HH
