Bayer Leverkusen secured their place in the Champions League last 16 with a goalless draw against Olympiacos, progressing 2-0 on aggregate.

BAYER Leverkusen progressed to the Champions League last 16 despite a frustrating 0-0 home draw with Olympiacos on Tuesday.

The German champions advanced 2-0 on aggregate following their comfortable first-leg victory in Greece.

This marks the first time Leverkusen have navigated a two-legged Champions League knockout tie since their 2002 final appearance. They will now face either Premier League leaders Arsenal or German champions Bayern Munich in the next round.

Captain Robert Andrich expressed his frustration with the team’s performance after the match. “The game didn’t go at all like we’d imagined. Too sluggish — really the only positive is that we kept a clean sheet and we’re through to the next round,” he told Amazon Prime.

Midfielder Jonas Hofmann echoed his captain’s sentiments, suggesting coach Kasper Hjulmand would need a drink to process the display. Olympiacos, who rested six starters in their domestic league to prepare, were energetic but lacked a cutting edge.

The Greek champions’ billionaire owner Evangelos Marinakis had promised an unprecedented bonus for reaching the last 16. Leverkusen’s best chance came when Alejandro Grimaldo struck the crossbar in the second half.

The only negative for the hosts was an injury to right-back Lucas Vazquez, who limped off late in the game. Leverkusen’s defensive solidity continued, having not conceded a home goal in any competition since early January.

 The Sun Malaysia