Bayer Leverkusen belatedly breathed life into their Champions League campaign by recording their first points of the group stage with a 2-1 victory at home to Atletico Madrid on Wednesday. A bizarre Thomas Partey own goal gave Leverkusen the lead on 41 minutes at the BayArena before Germany international Kevin Volland fired in a second shortly after the break. Nadiem Amiri was sent off for a reckless challenge on Santiago Arias in the closing minutes with Alvaro Morata grabbing a consolation goal for Atletico in stoppage time. Morata nearly snatched an equalizer right at the death but was denied by an excellent save from Leverkusen goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky. "What was the difference with our other matches in the Champions League? It's that we scored goals," Leverkusen coach Peter Bosz said. "We scored some good chances and we put them away. My first win in this competition isn't important to me. What counts is the team." Diego Simeone's side fall three points behind Group D leaders Juventus after missing a chance to sew up qualification for the last 16 with two rounds of games to spare. Leverkusen, who lost their opening three matches in Europe, are level on three points alongside Lokomotiv Moscow with the two clubs meeting in Russia on Nov. 26.
