Page 22 - Minister Alex Schwengle

SPORTS A17
Thursday 10 December 2015

Lone Star

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi scores the opening goal during the Champions League Group E soccer match between Bayer Leverkusen and FC Barcelona in Leverkusen,
western Germany, Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015. A Barcelona side without many stars played to a 1-1 draw with Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on
Wednesday, sending the German side to the Europa League.

(AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Barcelona Draws With Leverkusen in Champions League

LEVERKUSEN, Germany (AP) rested, Barcelona still went of a better head-to-head for Messi with a perfectly Barcelona’s German goal-
— A Barcelona side without ahead through captain Li- record over Leverkusen, timed through pass. Messi keeper Marc-Andre ter
many stars played to a 1-1 onel Messi — the only one which also had six points. rounded goalkeeper Bernd Stegen produced two out-
draw with Bayer Leverkusen of the three forward stars Roma drew 0-0 with BATE Leno and slotted home for standing saves to protect
in the Champions League who started the match. Borisov, which stayed bot- his 80th Champions League Barcelona’s point in the
on Wednesday, sending Messi picked up a per- tom of the group at five goal. second half. He first foiled
the German side to the Eu- fect through ball from Ivan points. Leverkusen replied quickly. Karim Bellarabi and then
ropa League. Rakitic to score in the 20th. With nothing to play for, Admir Mehmedi sent in a turned away a late effort
Title holder Barcelona had Javier “Chicharito” Hernan- Barcelona coach Luis En- low cross from the left and by Hernandez with one
already qualified and was dez leveled three minutes rique did not even bring Hernandez fired a first-time hand.
sure to win Group E. Playing later. Andres Iniesta and Gerard shot into the roof of the net. “All we needed was one
without Neymar, who sus- Barcelona finished with 14 Pique to Germany. A bad clearance then al- more goal so we are very
tained a groin strain in the points, ahead of Roma with But Barcelona still took lowed Hakan Calhanoglu disappointed,” Leverku-
final practice on Tuesday, six. control at the start and to have a clear shot but he sen’s Christoph Kramer
and Luis Suarez, who was Roma advanced because Rakitic created the goal missed the Barcelona net. said.q