United States midfielder Malik Tillman scored an unusual though smart goal to give Bayer Leverkusen an early lead in the Champions League against Villarreal on Wednesday, then added a second to make it 2-0.
Alex Grimaldo added Leverkusen’s third in the second half to seal the win and a spot in the knockout round for the Champions League.
Leverkusen started play 20th in the 36-team standings, needing a win both to ensure a top-24 finish that qualifies for the knockout phase and also help rise into at least 16th place that will mean being seeded Friday in the playoffs draw.
Tillman ran across the penalty area and blocked Villarreal goalkeeper Arnau Tenas‘ attempted pass out of the six-yard box in the 12th minute and the ball bounced into the net.
The 23-year-old Tillman was mostly facing away from the Villarreal goal and trying to retain his balance when the ball crossed the line for a 1-0 lead.
«In this situation he’s very clever,» Leverkusen coach Kasper Hjulmand said of Tillman. «He reads the game very well. Malik’s cleverness and intensity are something he’s been working on.»
His second came in the 35th with a low right-footed shot from the edge of the penalty area.
Hjulmand’s team did indeed finish 16th and will have home advantage in the second leg against either Borussia Dortmund or Olympiakos. The two legs are played between Feb. 17 and 25.
Tillman is expected to be a big contributor to the United States team at the World Cup in North American this summer.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
