Bayer Leverkusen are taking the belief gained from finishing in the top eight of the Champions League standings into the latter stages of their Bundesliga title defence.

Bayer LeverkusenStarting as if they were the home side, Bayer Leverkusen were in complete control of the encounter's opening stage at in Madrid. However, as matches so often do at

Bayern Munich took a small but potentially decisive step toward the Bundesliga title last weekend when defending champion Bayer Leverkusen dropped points at Leipzig.

We use our Champions League projections to work out where the drama will be located on the final night of the league stage

A goal in each half sent Bayer Leverkusen into the Champions League round of 16 on Wednesday with a comfortable 2-0 win over a toothless Sparta Prague side unable to offer much resistance to the German champions.

Manchester City snuck their way into the UEFA Champions League knockout rounds on Wednesday, avoiding elimination on a dramatic final day of the competition's first-ever league phase. Pep Guardiola's side entered halftime with a 1-0 deficit to Club Brugge but three goals after halftime ensured they would clinch a spot in the top 24 and participate in the knockout round playoffs with a 3-1 win.

Young England striker wants more playing time ahead of this summer’s European Under-21 Championship and is keen for switch to the Bundesliga

Leverkusen are eighth in the final automatic qualification spot with 13 points but their 2-1 defeat against Atletico Madrid on January 21 means they head into the final Champions League matchweek level on points with the five teams below them, while Sparta are 29th with four points and have already been eliminated.

LONDON — Here's the state of play after the conclusion of the first stage of the Champions League: Liverpool, Barcelona, Arsenal, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Lille, Aston Villa