Leverkusen see off Sparta Prague to seal quarter-final berth

Die Werkself romped to three vital points and with it a place amongst the top-eight places to ensure direct passage to the quarter-final stage. Sparta Prague, whose European fate had already been decided in previous rounds resulting in elimination, had little to play for but pride. In the end, Xabi Alonso's well-oiled machine clicked into gear and secured an important victory to sign off on the league phase in style at the BayArena.

In truth, the visitors from Czechia were fortunate not to be further behind at half-time. Patrik Schick failed to convert a sumptuous Grimaldo cross. Danish shot-stopper Peter Vindahl was a busy man as Florian Wirtz continued to wreak havoc on the Sparta goal. While a VAR review denied Wirtz and Leverkusen of a potential penalty, the young German made it 1-0 just after the half-hour mark. Jeremie Frimpong cut the ball back for Wirtz to drill into the lower left corner from 14 yards. 

While Sparta Prague were courageous after the break as Victor Olatunji forced Matej Kovár into his first save, but Leverkusen eventually arose from their momentary slumber. Alejandro Grimaldo whipped a freekick in ontop of Vindahl. The Dane could only parry into the path of Nathan Tella to hoover up the rebound with a poachers instinct. Xavi Alonso's troops would ease into things again once they had their two-goal cushion. 

With an eye on the weekend and a fixture at home to Hoffenheim, Alonso looked to his bench to give rests to key players. Exequiel Palacios and goalscorer Nathan Tella made way for Aleix Garcia and Robin Andrich. The Spaniard who arrived from Girona last summer was thrust into the limelight instantly with a freekick but Vindahl was equal to it on this occasion. Arthur and Jonas Hofmann also got a run late on with the outcome already decided with sixth-place secured.