There will be two minutes added on at the end of this match.
88'
Sporting have the league to focus on, which perhaps stole focus away from this match, but regardless of the reasoning, a performance like this does nothing good for a club. This will be a real blow to the confidence of the Portuguese side, who will need to muster a much better showing in one week at the BayArena.
86'
STAT: Leverkusen have lost each of their last four Europa League knockout stage matches, dating back to a 2-0 victory over Metalist at the BayArena in February 2011.
85'
R. Hilbert enters the game and replaces T. Jedvaj.
84'
With the tempo slowing drastically, Leverkusen make their final change in an attempt to run more time off the clock. The experienced Roberto Hilbert comes on to replace Tin Jedvaj.
82'
OFFSIDE! Wendell reads the play brilliantly as he steps up to force a turnover and then play the ball into the area for Kiessling, who sends the ball into the back of the net - only the striker was about three feet offside when that pass came in!
80'
A second change for Roger Schmidt's side, with Benjamin Henrichs replacing Admir Mehmedi.
79'
B. Henrichs enters the game and replaces A. Mehmedi.
78'
THUMPING EFFORT! Strong hands on display from Patricio who denies Mehmedi from point-blank range! The forward unleashed a venomous drive after taking a pass in space inside the left channel, but the Sporting keeper was up to the task!
Minute
Description
76'
STAT: These teams have met on four occasions previously, all in the Champions League group stage, with Sporting yet to record a victory. Leverkusen have won three, with Sporting earning a 0-0 draw in the most recent encounter in Lisbon (November 2000).
74'
Rúben Semedo gets a second yellow card and is sent off.
BAD TO WORSE FOR SPORTING! It's a dreadful challenge from Semedo, who slides in late, with little chance at winning the ball, into the feet of Bellarabi at the halfway line. There was absolutely no danger, nor was there a need for that tackle from the defender who picks up his second yellow card and is handed his marching orders.
73'
Ewerton enters the game and replaces S. Coates.
Jorge Jesus plays the final card in his hand, with Ewerton coming on for the final 17 minutes at the expense of defender Sebastian Coates.
72'
Kramer has been asserting his influence throughout in midfield, and over the last few minutes the big German has made his presence felt in attack. He's distributing the ball very well, and getting the better of William - a hot transfer target for many of the bigger clubs across Europe.
70'
So far the double change has done precious little for Sporting, who aren't generating anything of note in attack. Leverkusen's defence have had a stroll in the park tonight. This is more like a vacation in Portugal than it is a work trip.
68'
TURNED ASIDE! That was shaping up to be a menacing break for Leverkusen, spearheaded by Bellarabi. The goal scorer sprints forward down the left, cuts inside and picks out Calhanoglu in the centre. The midfielder sends a first-time effort at goal, but Semedo does well to get in front and block it behind for a corner.
66'
K. Papadopoulos enters the game and replaces J. Brandt.
The visitors make their first change and it is a telling one, as forward Julian Brandt is replaced by centre-half Kyriakos Papadopoulos. This will likely prompt a re-shuffling of their formation.
64'
STAT: Sporting have drawn two of their last three home matches (W1) following a string of 11-consecutive victories at the Estadio Jose Alvalade across all competitions.
62'
Adrien Silva enters the game and replaces A. Aquilani.
I. Slimani enters the game and replaces T. Gutiérrez.
Two very positive changes from Jorge Jesus! The coach brings on arguably his two best attacking players in a double change, which brings the crowd to life. The first sees Adrien Silva replace Aquilani.
The second change sees Islam Slimani, who is having a great season, replace Teo, who has been invisible up to this point.
60'
GREAT DELIVERY! Calhanoglu is a magician in these set-piece situations! He whips in a tremendous delivery to pick out Mehmedi at the fat post, but Patricio is able to scurry across and turn the forward's volley behind! The ensuing corner is dealt with by the hosts.
58'
Rúben Semedo gets yellow.
That's a real silly foul from Semedo who needlessly takes down Bellarabi, picking up a yellow card, and even more of a worry is this ensuing free-kick which will almost assuredly be taken by Calhanoglu.
56'
The life has been sucked out of the stadium. Creativity has been in short supply tonight for the hosts and you have to wonder when Jorge Jesus will start to turn to his substitutes - because this is far from the quality they need to get them into the next round.
54'
It's all Leverkusen at the moment. They're enjoying the bulk of possession, with Sporting constantly giving it away just moments after winning it back. The visitors have a good tempo and directness to their approach in attack, but haven't been able to force Rui Patricio into a save yet.
52'
STAT: Sporting have won just two of their 22 games against German opposition: W2, D6, L14 (W2, D5, L4 in Lisbon – W0, D1, L10 in Germany).
50'
Jedvaj commits a foul as he clips William, but it's the Leverkusen right-back who comes out worse for wear. The challenge caught the Sporting midfielder off guard, and it appears as though he caught Jedvaj with a stray arm. The Croatian remains down here, but it won't likely affect his ability to continue on.
48'
Cagey start to the second half, picking up right where we left off at the end of the opening 45 minutes. Leverkusen have had an easy go in defence, and remain quite comfortable in their efforts to keep Sporting out.
46'
H. Çalhanoğlu gets yellow.
Back underway in Portugal!
Calhanoglu wastes no time putting in a hard tackle, and is promptly issued the third yellow card of the night for Leverkusen.
45'
HALF-TIME: SPORTING 0-1 LEVERKUSEN.
44'
There doesn't figure to be much, if any, time added on at the end of this first half. There has been a few fouls, but nothing much in terms of injuries or stoppages. Kiessling spends a few seconds on the ground here, which brings the match to a complete halt, as the tempo had been fizzling out anyhow.
42'
Jedvaj continues to be a spark in the final third for Leverkusen, making another terrific run on the overlap before entering into a battle with Mane. That's not where Jorge Jesus will want to see the creative youngster, he'll want him higher up the pitch, but he does well in this instance to thwart the right-back's run.
40'
Jorge Jesus' emphasis on the competition may not be as strong as it was in years past, as resting two of their best players in Islam Slimani and Adrien Silva has plagued their attack in the first half. Sporting are getting into some decent areas, but Leno has had a pretty easy go at it thus far.
38'
STAT: Leverkusen last participated in the Europa League round of 32 in 2012/13, where they were paired with Benfica, coached by current Sporting boss Jorge Jesus. The German outfit lost both home and away, exiting the competition on the back of a 3-1 aggregate score.
36'
While Leverkusen have spent much less time in attack, they've been the more dangerous side on the front foot, always creating when they do get forward. Wendell provides support on the overlap and his interplay with Bellarabi sees them win a corner, but Sporting are up to the task defensively.
34'
Mane has dropped a bit too deep here. The speedy attacker needs to get into more of an advanced position where he can use his pace to run at defenders. Instead he's dropped into a central role, not too far ahead of William, which has plagued his ability to create.
32'
Sporting are picking up the pace again. The hosts are more than capable in attack, but they've really lacked any sort of consistency in this first half. Joao wins a free-kick for the hosts, but a pair of deliveries into the area are dealt with by Leverkusen.
30'
A. Mehmedi gets yellow.
Jefferson continues to be a threat down the flank and gets tripped up from behind by Mehmedi, who becomes the second Leverkusen player booked in this first half. The Dutch referee has been quick to take action thus far.
28'
STAT: Sporting have lost just one of their last 20 Europa League matches at the Estadio Jose Alvalade, while failing to score just twice over that span (W15, D4, L1).
26'
K. Bellarabi has scored a goal for Bayer Leverkusen! Assist by T. Jedvaj.
That was an excellent cross from the right-back, who picks up an assist just a few minutes after his booking.
LEVERKUSEN OPEN THE SCORING! It has come against the run of play, it must be said! Jedvaj finds space on the edge of the area and produces a terrific cross to serve the ball up on a platter for Bellarabi, who calmly finishes past a scrambling Rui Patricio.
24'
This has been a game of very distinct phases. The hosts started on the front foot, then after a lengthy spell of dominance from Leverkusen, Sporting picked up the pace again and enjoyed a positive spell in attack. Despite these waves of pressure from both sides, neither goalkeeper has had much to do up to this point.
22'
After a bit of a talking to, the referee issues Jedvaj a yellow card.
21'
T. Jedvaj gets yellow.
All of a sudden it seems like a fire has been lit under these Sporting players! They're attacking with pace, pushing waves of players forward as they sense an opportunity, Mane takes a nice, direct approach through midfield and is tripped up cynically by Jedvaj, who does seem to struggle with speedy wingers.
19'
FIRST CHANCE! The first shot on target of this match is taken by Jefferson, who makes a delayed run into the area and gets on a loose ball, cannoning a first-time strike at goal. Leno is able to react quickly, however, diving to his left to keep it out.
17'
STAT: Leverkusen’s 14 matches against Portuguese clubs have ended evenly with five wins, five losses and four draws (W4, D1, L2 at home – W1, D3, L3 in Portugal).
15'
Ambitious! Leverkusen win another free-kick, this one through Kiessling, who is fouled by Coates from just under 40 yards out. Calhanoglu decides to try his luck, and luck is exactly what he'd need to score from there, as his effort whistles well over the target.
13'
Great running from Bellarabi forces Joao into a foul along the edge of the penalty area, presenting the hosts with a real chance to whip in a cross from the ensuing free-kick. Calhanoglu's delivery is perfect, as he picks out Toprak, but the centre-half heads over the bar!
11'
Sporting seem to be a bit more willing to sit back and wait for their opportunities, eager to break with pace when the chances present themselves. They have plenty of bodies back with Leverkusen in possession, making it difficult on the visitors to break into the final third.
9'
Everything has evened out on the pitch, and the quick tempo we saw to start has slowed considerably. Both of these teams like to attack, especially through their wide players, sending their full-backs forward with regularity, which does suggest the pace will pick up again.
7'
STAT: Sporting faced German opposition at this stage of the competition last season, and were bounced by Wolfsburg in the round of 32 by a 2-0 aggregate score.
5'
Leverkusen have settled in now and enjoy a prominent spell of possession of their own. Kiessling tries his luck from range, not usually where you see the big German striker, but his effort sails over the bar. The visitors will be tested again in attack in the continued absence of Javier Hernandez.
3'
Great start from the hosts! They're full of energy early on, getting straight into attack and taking the game to the visitors. They win a corner, and Leverkusen have been known to concede quite a few from set-pieces this season, but this time they're up to the task.
1'
And we're off!
CONFIRMED TEAM NEWS:
Bayer Leverkusen, on the other hand, can’t even imagine a world where they can win their league title this season. With the top two – Bayern and Dortmund – separating themselves from the pack, Roger Schmidt’s side have set their sights on fending off those below them to secure a third-place finish. They will have some added incentive to make a deep run in the competition, given how their Champions League campaign ended abruptly as they failed to defeat Barcelona in their final group match, unable to break the 0-0 tie despite a plethora of chances.
Hello and welcome to live coverage from the Stadio Olimpico as Roma play host to Real Madrid in the first leg of their round of 16 Champions League tie! Jorge Jesus’ side have built a three-point lead over Porto atop the Primeira Liga as they chase down their first league title since 2002. As a result, the emphasis they put on the Europa League could suffer a bit, although Jorge Jesus has a strong track record in the competition, making back-to-back finals appearances with Benfica in 2013 and 2014, while also wining a league title in that time frame.
Karim Bellarabi's goal has the visitors in front at the interval, following a first half that was bereft of much attacking quality.
Bayer Leverkusen take a big step towards the last 16 as a first-half goal from Karim Bellarabi sees them leave the Estadio Jose Alvalade with a crucial away win, against a toothless Sporting side. The hosts looked nothing like the high-flying attacking side we've become accustomed to seeing this season, as Roger Schmidt's men made that win look quite comfortable and convincing. We'll see what sort of response Sporting can muster in the return fixture at the BayArena next week.
That's all for our live coverage from the Estadio Jose Alvalade! Thanks for following along. Goodbye!
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