Benni blows it as Blackburn bow out
The former Porto striker missed two clear-cut chances at Ewood Park that could have turned the tie.
Instead the Bundesliga side progress to the last 16 of the competition thanks to their efforts last week.
The German side used time-wasting tactics in last night’s second leg, securing their place 3-2 on aggregate in the last 16 with a goalless draw.
However, Blackburn could have got that vital strike with three minutes to go, only for substitute Shabani Nonda to hook his effort wide.
After the game, Mark Hughes rounded on Spanish referee Alberto Mallenco. The official gave a number of bizarre decisions which infuriated the home supporters, and that frustration spilled onto the pitch.
A number of players from both sides squared up at one stage as the game threatened to turn ugly.
Blackburn’s Stephen Warnock and Sergej Barbaraz were both booked following the melee.
Referee Mallenco also spoke to Hughes late in the game after he had queried a throw-in awarded to Bayer Leverkusen.
Hughes said: “Time wasting is part and parcel of the European game. It’s used by many clubs. The referee needed to be stronger in that respect.
“I was more disappointed in the referee that he allowed it to happen for so long. We need to learn from that.
“They also had players diving theatrically and stopping the game.
“That is what Leverkusen wanted at that stage of the game.”
McCarthy saw one effort go past the post then he screwed another shot wide, both from close range.
Nonda could have got that vital goal three minutes from time but failed to test goalkeeper Jorg Butt.
Hughes said: “We are obviously disappointed and frustrated because in the second half we just needed one of the chances we created to count for us. If we able been able to convert one of them the outcome could well have been different.
“They were good in possession and, in the first half, there was not enough tempo in our play.
“In the second half, we asked more questions of them. We threw a lot of attacking players forward.
“Over the course of two legs, you could argue we deserved to go through. We gave it everything but came up short.”
Delighted Leverkusen coach Michael Skibbe said: “We fought well and finished off the job. Generally, we controlled the game, although there was pressure on us at the end.
“They knocked a lot of long balls into our penalty area, but we defended superbly to keep them out.”
BLACKBURN: Friedel, Khizanishvili (Roberts 86), Nelsen, Warnock, Emerton, Bentley, Dunn, Tugay (Nonda 71), Pedersen, McCarthy, Derbyshire.
BAYER LEVERKUSEN: Butt, Babic, Juan, Haggui (Callsen-Bracker 59), Castro, Ramelow, Rolfes, Freier (Barnetta 73), Barbarez, Schneider, Voronin (Madouni 88).
Referee: Alberto Undiano Mallenco (Spain).
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