Bayer Leverkusen were consigned to Europa League football this evening after being held by Barcelona in their Champions League clash.
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The hosts made a bright start to the game, as Hakan Calhanoglu fashioned two early chances on goal, forcing Barca keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen into action with the second.
Barcelona took a while to find a way into the match, but broke the deadlock with their first moment of danger on 20 minutes, as Ivan Rakitic picked out Lionel Messi for a composed finish.
Leverkusen pegged the champions back immediately, as Calhanoglu found Javier Hernandez from the left, before the Mexican striker placed a finish past Ter Stegen.
Messi could have added a second goal before the half-hour mark, as Jordi Alba picked out the Argentine forward in a good position, only for the 28-year-old to drag his effort wide.
After the break the hosts pushed for a goal to aid their qualification hopes, as Calhanoglu fired wide from a Hernandez cross, before Ter Stegen held a 35-yard free kick from the Turkish midfielder.
Leverkusen could have taken the lead on the hour mark, when Karim Bellarabi was played in for a one-on-one opportunity with Ter Stegen, only for the German shot-stopper to come out on top.
Ter Stegen was called into action again moments later, as the former Borussia Monchengladbach man tipped a dipping Kevin Kampl effort over the bar, before the German international kept out a deflected Bellarabi effort.
Bayer came agonisingly close to snatching victory before the final whistle, as Stefan Kiessling picked out Hernandez, only for Ter Stegen to keep the scores level.
Stephen Topping
