Bayer Leverkusen hosted Shakhtar Donetsk in an intriguing Champions League Group A clash tonight, looking to match their strong start domestically with back-to-back European home wins.
Sami Hyypia's side started brightly and were ahead midway through the first half, courtesy of a header from talisman Stefan Kiessling.
Shakhtar never recovered and conceded three times in a dreadful start to the second half, which saw Kiessling add a second following strikes from Simon Rolfes and Sidney Sam.
Look back on a confident display from the Bundesliga giants with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute text commentary below.
Good evening European football fans. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for another packed night of Champions League action, with our focus here on an intriguing tie between in-form sides in Group A as Bayer Leverkusen host Shakhtar Donetsk.
Leverkusen are still looking to prove their worth in the Champions League to some extent, but go into this evening's clash on a terrific run of domestic form. Last Friday's controversial 2-1 win at Hoffenheim briefly took them top of the Bundesliga, where they have successfully kept pace with Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund thus far.
That hard-fought win made headlines across Europe for a 'phantom' goal, with Stefan Kiessling heading into the side netting, only to see the ball fall through a hole in the net and awarded as a goal by the referee. Sami Hyypia's side rather sheepishly accepted all three points, before turning their attention to Shakhtar and a highly competitive Group A.
Shakhtar meanwhile should arrive at the BayArena full of confidence, after finding form domestically in recent weeks. A huge 3-1 win over FC llychivets last weekend lifted Mircea Lucescu's men firmly back into title contention, matching their assured start to life in Group A.
The Ukrainian champions have already recorded one impressive away win in the Champions League this season, which came at Real Socidedad on the opening matchday. Shakhtar's band of Brazilians have just started to click of late, after losing the likes of Fernandinho and Willian long gone.
Manchester United got a taste of what Shakhtar are all about three weeks ago, made to work very hard for a 1-1 draw thanks to Taison's emphatic late equaliser. Alex Teixeira and Douglas Costa are also pushing for recognition this season, while big-money signing Bernand is still looking to stamp his authority on the European game.
Shakhtar's most recent memory of travelling to Germany is a painful one, knocked out by Borussia Dortmund at the last 16 stage last season. Lucescu's side are looking to at least repeat that feat again by progressing from Group A, with any kind of positive result at the BayArena tonight going a long way towards securing qualification.
BREAKING TEAM NEWS! We have just received word on tonight's starting XIs from Germany, with Emre Can a surprise starter in central midfield for Leverkusen. A full look at both sides will follow in just a few moments.
LEVERKUSEN: Leno, Spahić, Boenisch, Omer Toprak, Donati, Rolfes, Can, Sam, Castro, Heung-Min Son, Kiessling
SHAKHTAR: Pyatov, Kucher, Shevchuk, Rakitskiy, Hübschman, Fernando, Douglas Costa, Alex Teixeira, Srna, Luiz Adriano, Taison
In total Leverkusen have made four changes, with Hyypia choosing to rotate after Bundesliga exertions last Friday. Heung-Min Son is back in Bayer's preferred three-man attack alongside Sidney Sam and Stefan Kiessling, a trio that has been very successful so far this season.
Roberto Hilbert and Jens Hegeler miss out for the hosts this evening, with Emir Spahic back in central defence. Wiht Lars Bender still sidelined former Bayern Munich youngster Emre Can starts in central defence, while Gonzalo Castro keeps his place out wide.
Shakhtar meanwhile have made two changes to a winning side, which is something of a surprise. Croatian veteran and captain Dario Srna is back in the side after missing out last weekend, while Tomas Hubschman's experience is preferred to Taras Stepanenko in central midfield.
One thing that Lucescu has not tampered with tonight is a quarter of Brazilian talent in the final third. Luiz Adriano should play just ahead of three attacking midfielders asked to create chances on the counter, with Taison and Douglas Costa playing either side of Teixeira.
BENCH WATCH! Both sides have attacking options in reserve tonight, which should mean goals are definitely on the agenda. Former Arsenal striker Eduardo is a regular super-sub for Shakhtar, while Leverkusen are likely to call on Derdiyok if things don't go to plan.
BAYER SUBS: Palop, Wollscheid, Hegeler, Hilbert, Koh, Derdiyok, Kruse
Without question Leverkusen hitman Kiessling is the man to watch tonight, as he looks to find the back of the net once again following last Friday's controversy. The 29-year-old has scored six goals in 11 games this season, with Sam and Son providing superb support in a fluid 4-3-3 formation.
Losing Bender this evening is definitely a blow for Hyypia tonight, particularly against a Shakhtar side who like to attack wherever they play. Donetsk have scored in their last 31 competitive matches, so goals should be very much on the agenda tonight.
A quick reminder that just a point separates these two sides in Group A, with Shakhtar ahead by that slim margin, level on four points with Manchester United. Three points for Leverkusen tonight would be of huge significance, as they chase back-to-back home wins following their last-gasp victory over Real Sociedad last time out.
PREDICTION! A complete contrast in football philosophies should make for an intriguing encounter this evening, but I do expect Shakhtar's defensive frailties to be exposed at some point. Both sides are more than capable of scoring but I just expect the hosts to nick a vital three points, with Sidney Sam to find the target in a 2-1 win.
Both sides are out a the BayArena to a superb atmosphere, with pre-match formalities just about complete. Can Leverkusen build on their impressive home form this season, or will Shakhtar's commitment to attack prove decisive once again on the road? We are about to find out!
Here we go then with an important Group A clash, with Shakhtar getting us underway in a changed all-white strip, shooting from left to right.
Shakhtar show some early threat on the counter as Adriano and Taison nearly combine, with Toprak well placed to snuff out the danger. You sense he may be kept busy this evening by a mix of Brazilian pace and flair.
Leverkusen threaten for the first time as Spahic is allowed to play out from the back and advance into the final third, with his through ball towards Kiessling cut out at the second time of asking.
Srna gets forward down the right and finds Costa inside, with his strike from distance blocked clear in a crowded penalty area. The Croatian's willingness to advance has been a feature of Shakhtar's play for the best part of a decade now, expect tonight to be no different.
Leverkusen work a strong opening down the left as Castro crosses into the box in search of Rolfes, who meets the delivery but can only flick straight to Pyatov.
Shakhtar win the first corner kick of the night which Taison whips in dangerously towards the near post, with the effort cut out by a covering defender. The visitors look full of confidence but an over-zealous pass from Rakitskiy flies out harmlessly for the throw-in.
Emre Can concedes a cheap free kick after sliding into a challenge on Rakitskiy, giving Shakhtar the chance to shoot from around 30 yards. Rakitskiy takes himself and skids a low effort towards goal, which trickles just beyond Leno's near post.
This time it's Leverkusen's turn to win a dangerous free kick after quick thinking from Son, who draws a foul from Costa after running into traffic. Castro takes an age to set himself and blasts straight into the wall, before wasting an opportunity to cross on the follow-up.
Shakhtar show their ability to counter with a warning as Srna finds Adriano with a long, precise pass. His cutback just evades a late run into the box from Teixeira, but Leverkusen have to be wary of getting caught cold like that when they lose possession in advanced positions.
Son and Sam are still struggling to get a foothold in this match, as Shakhtar stroke the ball around confidently in midfield. Fernando's lofted pass picks out Srna, but his drilled cross into feet just evades Adriano.
GOAL! Leverkusen 1-0 Shakhtar (Kiessling)
It's that man again Kiessling with his first goal in the Champions League this season, breaking the deadlock with a composed header. His effort was knocked down towards the corner but Shakhtar keeper Pyatov will be disappointed not to keep it out, diving too late as he sprawled down to the far post. Leverkusen lead!
Leverkusen have now taken a firm grip on this match, as Son beats two before being shut down in the box. Kucher is then very fortunate to get away with a push on Kiessling in the penalty area, as he attempted to nod down in the box.
Fernando drags an aimless cross wide after Shakhtar had finally put a concerted spell of possession together, letting Leverkusen off the hook as they sat deep. Work to do here for the visitors!
Kiessling climbs into an aerial duel with Hubschman and rather harsly concedes a free kick, much to the striker's visible annoyance. Shakhtar use the chance to break down the left through Teixeira, but after twisting and turning is brought to an abrupt halt by Toprak's important challenge.
Leverkusen win a corner kick which Sidney Sam floats towards the penalty area. Emre Can attempts an overhead kick as the ball comes his way, but sends an effort off target before falling heavily under pressure from Fernando. The youngster still looking to stamp his authority on the match.
YELLOW CARD! Rolfes impressively intercepts Srna's pass inside before finding Kiessling, who is quickly shut down as he attempts to control and shoot. Shakhtar then look to break through Taison, who is cynically brought down by Donati, who gets booked for his troubles.
Douglas Costa just finds come space for the first time tonight in the final third, but fails to connect properly with a strike from 20 yards. Shakhtar then recycle possession and punt long in search of Adriano, who is beaten by the pace of the pass as Leno collects.
CHANCES! Kiessling quite surprisingly has just spurned a golden opportunity to extend Leverkusen's advantage, and is nearly made to pay by a rapid Shakhtar counter. His header from close range missed the target and allowed the visitors to break, but from a tight angle Teixeira can only slam into the side netting.
HALF-TIME Leverkusen 1-0 Shakhtar
Leverkusen lead at the break and it's an advantage they deserve, with consistent crosses from wide areas yielding a reward through Kiessling's opener. Shakhtar have offered little in the final third but should have levelled just seconds before the interval through Teixeira, who smashed wide with the goal at his mercy.
Hyypia's side have looked balanced and full of running in wide areas, though Shakhtar will still be asking questions defensively about the goal they conceded. Donati's cross was not shut down and when Kiessling's header went towards goal Pyatov was caught static, reacting late as the ball trickled inside the post.
The hosts could be further ahead if what looked to be a clear-cut penalty decision went their way. Kiessling was clearly hauled over by Kucher as he knocked a header back towards Son, but the referee disagreed. Could that call prove to be crucial when evaluating the match at full time.
Shakhtar have been unable to get a firm grip on central midfield, leaving Luiz Adriano and Taison to largely chase long diagonal passes, or wait for Srna's supply line from full-back. Lucescu's side need to take more risks and press higher up the pitch when play resumes and attempt to stop Rolfes controlling the match in central midfield.
SUBSTITUTION: Shakhtar are making a chance before the second half resumes and it's a positive one, with club-record signing Bernard brought on. The Brazilian international replaces Taison and will likely operate from an advanced wide position.
Leverkusen get the second half underway, with a long pass towards the corner flag just evading Sidney Sam.
The hosts have settled quickly in possession, with Rolfes moving the ball quickly from side to side in a deep midfield role. The ownnnes is very much on Shakhtar to raise their game now.
PENALTY TO LEVERKUSEN! Kiessling has just got a spot kick after being clearly shoved in the back by Srna, who looks stunned with the decision. What a chance for the hosts to go further ahead.
GOAL! Leverkusen 2-0 Shakhtar (Rolfes)
Rolfes steps up to send an assured finish inside the far corner, getting enough height on his effort to beat Pyatov's low dive in the same direction. The Leverkusen captain has now scored in three successive Champions League matches, with the hosts in complete control of the tie.
Almost as soon as play resumes Spahic goes down with what looks to be a hamstring problem. The centre-back cannot move freely and hobbles straight down the tunnel, although Hyypia looks to be taking his time with making a change.
SUBSTITUTION: Wollscheid comes on and immediately makes a telling contribution in defence, clearing a cutback after Leverkusen fell asleep, allowing Teixeira to cross. Just a warning sign there for the hosts.
GOAL! Leverkusen 3-0 Shakhtar (Sam)
Leverkusen's front three are all involved to create a third goal which probably takes this match beyond Shakhtar. A direct pass from Wollscheid found Kiessling, who flicked on towards Son. His quick thinking slipped Sam in-behind a static defence, with the forward duly applying a calm finish into the bottom corner. Hyypia will be delighted with that goal, a real team affair.
YELLOW CARD! Kiessling picks up a needless yellow card when play resumes, smashing into Bernard as the Brazilian cut inside from the flank. Shakhtar decide to make a second change before the free kick can be taken, with Ilsinho replacing Fernando in central midfield.
Insinho shows neat feet out wide to turn inside the box but is soon shut down by Wollscheid, who has been heavily involved since coming on. Damaged limitation now for Shakhtar.
Bernanrd drives down the left-hand side and beats Donati with close control before finding Costa with a clever ball taken with the outside of his right foot. Costa chests down and attempts to volley but fails to make contact under pressure. A chance missed there.
Bernard and Leno both miss Adriano's flash across goal as Leverkusen breathe another sigh of relief, before Sam and Son's neat exchange is interrupted by Ilsinho. With a terrific trio in attack Leverkusen have a chance in just about any match they play this season.
YELLOW CARD! Emre Can is cautioned for a late challenge in midfield, conceding a free kick which eventually sees Shevchuk's deflected volley fly behind for a corner kick. Srna comes forward to take but his delivery is a disappointment, allowing Sam to clear for the hosts.
GOAL! Leverkusen 4-0 Shakhtar (Kiessling)
Kiessling has his second and Leverkusen's fourth thanks to another horror show for Pyatov. The Shakhtar keeper failed to hold Can's cross into the near post, with Kiessling reacting quickly to control and poke home into an empty net. All too easy for the Germans, who will now leapfrog their opponents into second place in Group A without question.
The BayArena is rocking and is not concerned by Costa' strike on target, which forces Leno into a rare save. With the game won Leverkusen have taken the opportunity to rest Kiessling, with Derdiyok given a chance to impress late on.
Shakhtar have made their final change, replacing Adriano with Argentine forward Ferreyra. Lucescu looks unflustered on the touchline but his side have been very poor this evening, caught in transition constantly and ruthlessly exposed in the final third.
The visitors are pressing for a consolation as Insinho switches play to Srna, but when the ball is returned the Brazilian can only smash aimlessly into his marker.
Can fluffs his lines just as the youngster looks destined to add a fifth. The ball opened up for him just outside the penalty area, but after driving inside to create space a poor finish flew high over the crossbar.
Sidney Sam skips away from two challenges before looking for a pass inside the penalty area. The forward should have been more selfish, with his cross deflected behind for a corner kick.
Good defending from Boenisch denies Costa's dart into the penalty area, with the defender quickly involved again as he helps to clear Srna's corner.
Hegeler hits his own foot from 18 yards after being picked out by Sam, while at the other end Leno tentatively parries Hubschman's dipping drive after deciding there was too much swerve to attempt a catch.
Sam tries a one-two with Derdiyok when he really should have used his pace to go it alone. I'll let the forward off though, he has been quite magnificent this evening as we head into the final minute of stoppage time.
FULL-TIME Leverkusen 4-0 Shakhtar
In the end a surprisingly comfortable win for Leverkusen, who were just too strong for a Shakhtar defence that looked out of sorts all night. Kiessling's brace has helped Hyypia's men move up to second place in Group A, after a display full of attacking intent and initiative.
The good time just keep on rolling for Leverkusen then, who are really starting to look a force under Hyypia. With Kiessling, Sam and Son all firing in attack there is plenty to be excited about at the BayArena, while Shakhtar will lick their wounds ahead of the return fixture in a fortnight's time.
That just about does it for our live text coverage from Leverkusen, but stick with Sports Mole for comprehensive news and reaction on a packed night of Champions League action, which included four goals for Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Goodnight!
Written by
Liam Power
Liam Power
