Good evening! Welcome to Sports Mole for live coverage of tonight's Champions League Group A meeting between Bayer Leverkusen and Real Sociedad at the BayArena.

Tonight will be the first time that these two sides have met each other in competitive action. The German side have an abysmal record in 27 matches against Spanish opposition, losing 15, drawing five and winning seven. On the other hand, Sociedad have only played six matches against teams from Germany, winning two, drawing two and losing two. Crucially, they have never won on German soil.

Right, we have some team news from the BayArena. Visitors up first...

SOCIEDAD: Bravo, C. Martinez, Mikel, Inigo Martinez, De La Bella, Markel, Elustondo, Zurutuza, Vela, Seferovic, Griezmann

LEVERKUSEN: Leno; Wollscheid, Toprak, Reinartz, Boenisch, Rolfes, Bender, Hilbert, Sam, Son, Kiessling

SAMI HYYPIA: "With it being our first home match of the group stage it's important that we win to stand a good chance of qualifying. Our opponents are very strong, a typical Spanish team – good technically and attractive to watch. They played extremely well last season and I'm expecting a tough game. At this level, games are decided by slim margins. We will have to be compact and organised to stop them playing. I know one of their best players and captain, Xabi Prieto is injured, but they have 11 other good players. We play Bayern in the Bundesliga this Saturday but we are 100% focused on Sociedad."

JAGOBA ARRASATE: "Leverkusen are at home, they are usually very strong here as we have seen in the Bundesliga, and they need to win after losing their first game in the Champions League. But we also need three points and if we play well we could win here. If we don't win it would not be the end of our hopes – we have four more matches – but we want to win here to be more sure of ourselves in the coming games. Yes, they are a typically German team, they have many tall and athletic players, but we are playing football, not basketball, and we know how to play against them. If we can do this, we will bring three points home and this is our aim."

Bayer Leverkusen lost their opening match of the Champions League campaign at Old Trafford, with Wayne Rooney putting two past them to silence any critics suggesting that his heart was not with the Red Devils.

Sociedad also lost out on their debut in the competition, falling to a 2-0 defeat at home to Shakhtar Donetsk. Alex Teixeira notched both goals in the second half of that match at the Anoeta Stadium.

All the stats point to a home win this evening. Not only have Socedad failed to won on any of their three previous visits to Germany, but Leverkusen also finished with a 100% home record in their last two European campaigns. Combine that with Sociedad's poor start in La Liga - in which they have just one win from seven outings - and you'd have to admit that the odds certainly seem stacked against Jagoba Arrasate's boys.

Leverkusen also come into the match fresh from back-to-back wins over Mainz and Hannover, which sees them sitting third in the Bundesliga after seven games.

As previously stated, Sociedad have won just one domestic game this season and that was on the opening day against Getafe.

REFEREE: Sergei Karasev (Russia). He took charge of Leverkusen's 4-2 defeat at Old Trafford, although he is relatively inexperienced in the competition, with just one other fixture to his name; last year's 2-2 draw between Schalke and Montpellier in Gelsenkirchen.

Arguably the most famous of Leverkusen's European nights took place against Spanish opposition in the final of the 1988 UEFA Cup. Then a two-legged affair, the German side found themselves chasing an almost-insurmountable 3-0 deficit, but coach Erich Ribbeck inspired his team to a 3-0 victory in the return leg before prevailing 3-2 on penalties. That is the only European trophy in the club's history, although it was also Spanish opposition who delivered their most gut-wrenching defeat. And it was all down to THAT goal from Zinedine Zidane at Hampden Park in 2002.

Let's have a quick look at the two benches this evening.


LEVERKUSEN SUBS: Palop, Spahic, Hegeler, Donati, Can, Derdiyok, Kruse
SOCIEDAD SUBS: Zubikarai, Ansotegi, Cadamuro, Pardo, Ros, Agirretxe, Castro

14 - Real Sociedad had the most shots without scoring on the opening matchday of this season’s #UCL (14). Effort — OptaJose (@OptaJose) October 2, 2013

Click here to read a more detailed analysis of the two teams this evening.

Not long until kickoff at the BayArena now. Just time to tell you about the other commentaries we've got going on at Sports Mole this evening...

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LIVE COMMENTARIES:
Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Manchester United
Juventus vs. Galatasaray
Real Madrid vs. FC Copenhagen
Paris Saint-Germain vs. Benfica
Anderlecht vs. Olympiacos
Manchester City vs. Bayern Munich

I'll also be updating you on the events of the other match in Group A this evening, which is the top one below between Shakhtar and Manchester United. At the BayArnea, however, the players are out on the pitch. We're now just a few moments from kickoff.

KICKOFF! The home side get us underway at the BayArena...

An early chance for Kiessling, as Rolfes shows nice skill in midfield before laying the ball off for Son to drive forward. He slips a ball through for the striker, who hits it straight at Claudio Bravo. However, the linesman had his flag up early, so it wouldn't have counted anyway. Still, early intent from the German side.

SAVE! It's all Leverkusen in the opening few minutes, with Son this time taking down a long ball into the area and shooting at Bravo's near post. The keeper has to turn it behind for a corner.

Sam takes the corner and it's Boenisch who gets his head to it, but Bravo gathers it safely.

Sociedad go forward for the first time tonight, with Seferovic searching for Griezmann, but his pass was read easily by Carlos Martinez.

Well it's been a great start from Leverkusen. Sociedad yet to settle, but the home side are dominating possession. They're getting their heads up and looking forward as soon as they win the ball, as well. An early storm to weather for the Spanish outfit.

Bergara fouls Kiessling 25 yards from goal, giving Sam the chance to line up a shot. He takes a bit of a run up but slams his effort straight into the wall. The ball rolls back for Wollscheid to lash at goal, but it's high and wide.

Wollscheid's back pass asks a bit much of Leno, but the goalkeeper manages to get a foot to it to prevent a corner. Sociedad waste possession from the throw in. They're still struggling to settle down. Vela and Griezmann are tracking back to form part of a five-man midfield when they don't have the ball, making it difficult for Leverkusen to break them down.

Griezmann and Vela are pulling wide when Sociedad approach the final third. That's an example of the transition they're making from defence into attack. Suddenly, they're starting to see a lot more of the ball.

SAVE! Leverkusen counter from Griezmann's corner, and it's Rolfes who has a dip from just outside the area, which is well saved by Bravo. Corner.

CHANCE! Kiessling climbs high to get on the end of Sam's corner, but the German striker gets it all wrong. That's the best chance of the match so far, he probably should have done better.

UPDATE! There has been a goal in Donetsk and it's gone to Manchester United. Danny Welbeck is the man who has put the visitors ahead at the Donbass Arena.

SAVE! Good stop by Leno from a Griezmann free kick! It looked a bit awkward, but he got his body behind it and used both arms to bat the ball away.

After a good start from the hosts, it's now the visitors who are in the ascendancy. Yet to create anything clear cut, though. Griezmann and Vela working very hard to get up and down the flanks. Sociedad looking very solid in defence, but perhaps a bit lost going forward. So far, at least.

Decent play by Boenisch. He showed good control to kill the ball with one touch, before playing a one-two with Rolfes. His cross into the box was too close to Bravo, who showed a safe pair of hands to take the ball first time.

First sniff at goal for Seferovic, but it's snuffed out by Leno. Decisive goalkeeping, although the Leverkusen defence was all at sea there. The attack came from their corner. Bravo collected the ball and quickly threw it to Griezmann, who played a ball over the top for the striker. It just wouldn't sit down for him, allowing Leno to nick the ball away with his head.

Ball in the net for Sociedad, but the linesman has his flag up. That came moments after Leno made a double-handed save from Gorka.

SHOT! Son tries to make something of nothing with a shot from all of 30 yards out, but his effort misses the target. Bravo had it well covered.

De la Bella puts in a dangerous low cross but no Sociedad players take a gamble on it. The ball runs across the face of the goal and Vela retrieves possession, but Leverkusen get back in shape.

Five minutes to go until half time. So far the game has threatened to entertain, without ever really doing so. Leverkusen have had the clearer opportunities, but Arrasate's men are defending very solidly. They need to produce more in the attacking department, though.

SHOT! Great play by Kiessling to charge down Gonzalez's clearance wide on the left, before coming back inside and striking right-footed across Bravo. Misses the target.

BOOKING! Mikel Gonzalez picks up a caution for bringing down Son on the edge of the area. Dangerous position to concede a free kick. Sam stands over it once more, but will need a better effort to beat Bravo than his last one.

The hosts take the lead on the stroke of half time! It was a great ball into the box from Sam, and the German international climbs high to power a head at Bravo, which is saved well. However, Rolfes is quickest to react to the rebound. It was a silly challenge from Gonzalez that led to that goal, I imagine he'll be in for a few stern words from Jagoba Arrasate at the break.

That was the last action of the first half. Sami Hyypia's men lead and it's hard to say that it's undeserved. They faded a bit after a bright start, allowing Sociedad into the game. However, the Spaniards have struggled to create much in the way of goal-scoring opportunities. On the other hand, Stefan Kiessling has been a constant menace to Jagoba Arrasate's defence, chasing the ball down at every turn. Hyypia will still ask a bit more of his side in the second half, though.

Leverkusen had 16 shots on goal during the first period, with seven of them being on target. Bravo has made a few good saves, none more so than from Rolfes first effort before poking home the rebound. His defenders stood static.

Kiessling and Rolfes have been the star performers so far. Son has popped up at intervals, but otherwise has struggled to really affect the game.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE HALF-TIME SCORES:
Shakhtar Donetsk 0-1 Manchester United
Juventus 0-1 Galatasaray
Real Madrid 1-0 FC Copenhagen
Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 Benfica
Anderlecht 0-1 Olympiacos
Manchester City 0-1 Bayern Munich

Sociedad may have enjoyed 55% of the ball, but just two attempts on goal is a paltry return. Even if both were on target. The teams are back out for the second half, and it'll be the Spanish side who get us underway...

RESTART! The second half is underway...

No changes at half time. If the scoreline doesn't change, or at least the attacking play, then it won't be long before Arrasate calls for the likes of Agirretxe.

SHOT! Son has the first effort of the second half, but a deflection takes the sting off it for Bravo.

Griezmann flicked the ball into the box for Vela to chase, and the Mexican got there just ahead of Hilbert, who brought him down as he tried to clear the danger. Vela himself stepped up, but his poor kick was saved by Leno. However, just like Rolfes at the end of the first half, he was first to react to the loose ball to draw his team level.

BOOKING! Leno was cautioned in the aftermath of the goal.

The hosts are seeing a lot of the ball at the moment. Nothing to report at the moment, though. It seems Sociedad have reverted to type following the equaliser.

CHANCE! Oh dear, Elisondo wastes a glorious chance to give Sociedad the lead! He found himself 10 yards out but fired over the bar! The referee has awarded a corner, so it might have taken a deflection. Still, that was a big chance for the visitors.

CHANCE! Leno thwarts Vela! That was another golden opportunity, but where was the Leverkusen defence?! It was a fairly simply ball through from Griezmann that found Vela scampering through completely unchecked. His first touch was a bit heavy, allowing Leno a split second extra to close down the gap but take no credit away from the goalkeeper, it was a tremendous save with his right foot.

SHOT! Son tees up Rolfes to bend one at goal but it's too high. He caught it well but Bravo never looked troubled.

Well Sociedad should really be in front. Elisondo and Vela have wasted two clear-cut opportunities to see them in front. Might they end up regretting their wasteful finishing?

We're yet to see a change this evening. The way the game is panning out, I'd imagine Sami Hyypia will be the first man to shake things up a bit. He has Eren Derdiyok on the bench, although he may choose to call on goal-scoring Aussie midfielder Robbie Kruse.

SOCIEDAD SUB: Ah, here we go. Both teams are going to make a change. Firstly it's Imanol Agirretxe coming on for Hasin Seferovic. Like for like at the top for Arrasate.

LEVERKUSEN SUBS: Robbie Kruse comjes on to replace Son Heung-Min, while Sebastian Boenisch makes way for Emre Can. That's an attacking move from Hyypia, who is looking to take full advantage at home.

End-to-end football in the last few minutes since the substitutions. Firstly Reinhartz has a shot blocked by Bergara, before Griezmann goes up the other end and forces a save from Leno. The game is really opening up now with 20 minutes to go in Germany.

SAVE! It's the visitors who look the more likely to score a second, with Leverkusen looking short at the back and prone to the counter. It looks as though they're now playing with a three-man defence, with Reinhartz sitting just in front. That's giving Sociedad plenty of space, but Alberto de la Bella cannot take advantage after being fed inside the area. He hits his shot straight at Leno.

SAVE! Sidney Sam brings a save from Bravo now. It's cut and thrust at the moment.

Sociedad are looiking far more solid in defence, as you'd expect as they look to play on the counter. Plenty of men behind the ball. Leverkusen really need to tread carefully, there's only so many times they'll get away with being caught short at the back.

UPDATE! There's been an equaliser in Donetsk! Brazilian midfielder Taison is the hero for the hosts. Will there be a winner in that match? Group A will still be wide open if everything stays as it is at the moment.

Once again Leverkusen are struggling for cover at the back from a long ball over the top. Vela was through, but the bouncing ball just wouldn't sit down for him, allowing Emre Can to make a good recovering tackle.

SOCIEDAD SUB: Antoine Griezmann makes way for Gonzalo Castro.

LEVERKUSEN SUB: Hyypia's final change of the evening sees Jens Hegeler replace Sidney Sam.

CHANCES! This time it's Sociedad's turn to scramble for defensive cover! Firstly Kruse skipped through on goal only to be denied by Bravo. Then Kiessling went one better by rounding the keeper, but Carlos Martinez got back to clear off the line! Either team could still win this game!

SOCIEDAD SUB: Vela looked like was the man to be replaced by Ros, but an injury to David Zurutuza means that he is the one to be sacrificed. He lips off clutching his thigh.

Oh my word! What a spectacular free kick from Jens Heleger! Claudio Bravo was left completely wrong footed as the ball sailed over his head and into the top corner! That should seal the three points for the home side and break the heart of Sociedad fans!

Well the German side could not have timed either of their two goals tonight any better, with Simon Rolfes and Jens Heleger striking in first-half and second-half injury time. Dramatic scenes at the BayArena, as the Leverkusen players celebrate in a frenzied huddle.

It was an extremely open game in the second half, and both teams could easily have won it. The better chances fell to Sociedad, who have ultimately paid the price for poor finishing.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FULL-TIME SCORES (IN FULL):
CSKA Moscow 3-2 Viktoria Plzen
Shakhtar Donetsk 1-1 Manchester United
Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 Real Sociedad
Juventus 2-2 Galatasaray
Real Madrid 4-0 FC Copenhagen
Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 Benfica
Anderlecht 0-3 Olympiacos
Manchester City 1-3 Bayern Munich

The result in Donetsk is definitely the best outcome for both Leverkusen and Sociedad. It leaves Group A looking like this:


1. Shakhtar Donetsk (4)
2. Manchester United (4)
3. Bayer Leverkusen (3)
4. Real Sociedad (0)

Thanks for joining us on Sports Mole this evening. Come back tomorrow for action from the Europa League, won't you?