Leno heroics delight Leverkusen boss Hyypia

Sami Hyypia praised Bernd Leno’s performance in goal in Bayer Leverkusen’s 0-0 Champions League draw at Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday.

The Ukrainians had scored in 31 consecutive campaigns prior to their clash with Leverkusen in October, but the Germans prevailed 4-0 that day to end the streak – and the Bundesliga outfit once again kept out Donetsk at the Donbass Arena to stay second in Group A.

Leno pulled off a string of saves to keep the hosts at bay in the first half, denying Facundo Ferreyra with a particularly impressive diving stop.

Hyypia hailed his side’s grit, as well as the Germany Under-21 keeper, and was happy with a point that keeps them in control of their hopes of reaching the knockout stages.

“Of course, Bernd Leno played very well today,” Hyypia said.

“We fought nicely and a couple of times we were lucky as well. But we had chances to score ourselves.

“Usually you play to win but today a point is OK.

“In the first half we had problems to keep the ball, there we were defending more, but in the second half things got a lot better, then we had a couple of chances as well.

“It now goes on, we will analyse this game and then the work starts anew.”

Leverkusen captain Simon Rolfes was left frustrated with his team-mates’ lack of fluidity in attack and will hope for better when they welcome Manchester United to the BayArena in their penultimate group match on November 27.

He added: “We did not pass the ball quickly enough today.

“They were very aggressive and we could not hold on to the ball and bring it forward.

“It was a defensive battle for us.”