Leverkusen wins Europa League opener
Zan-Luk Leban played brilliantly for Celje, but Bayer Leverkusen nevertheless eased to a 2-0 win in its opening Europa League fixture.
Leverkusen had eight shots on target at BayArena, yet Celje goalkeeper Leban was in inspired form and kept out all but one of them.
That is because Leverkusen went ahead through an own goal from Svit Seslar in the 15th minute.
Leverkusen's opener came after Benjamin Verbic had blocked Moussa Diaby's close-range shot, Patrik Schick had fired wide and Martin Terrier had seen a shot tipped onto the post by Leban, who also thwarted Edmond Tapsoba.
Mark Flekken was called into action by Verbic at the other end, before the Leverkusen goalkeeper denied Seslar.
Facundo Medina was frustrated by Leban after the interval, but the pressure finally told in the 74th minute when the Argentine's volley deflected in to secure a winning start for Leverkusen.
