Ballack-inspired Leverkusen floor Valencia
Friday, 21 October 2011
LEVERKUSEN, Germany, Oct 20 (AFP): Ex-Germany captain Michael Ballack inspired Bayer Leverkusen to come from behind to beat Valencia 2-1 in the Champions League Wednesday to stay in touch with leaders Chelsea in Group E.
With Chelsea going top of the group after hammering Belgium's Genk 5-0 at Stamford Bridge, the win puts Leverkusen second in the table and just a point behind as they now enjoy a four-point gap over third-placed Valencia.
The Spaniards will host Leverkusen in the return leg in Spain on November 1.
Ballack, 35, played his first 90 minutes of the season and set up the winning goal just after the break with a superb pass from the halfway line which split the defence.