Tella's Leverkusen rally against Juninho-inspired Qarabag to preserve historic run in Baku thriller

Nathan Tella and Bayer Leverkusen had to dig deep to preserve their historic unbeaten streak as Xabi Alonso's substitutions inspired a hard-fought 2-2 comeback draw against Qarabag in a pulsating Europa League first leg in Baku.

Pulse Sports Nigeria reports that Brazilian star, Juninho's goal and assist had fired the hosts into a shock 2-0 lead at the break after Alonso made eight changes, leaving stars like Granit Xhaka, Jeremie Frimpong, and Florian Wirtz on the bench.

Down at the break, Leverkusen were not out as the half-time introductions of Xhaka, Wirtz, Frimpong and Patrik Schick turned the tide in a dramatic second period as Leverkusen's big hitters made their mark.

Wirtz halved the deficit before Schick's thumping late header completed a rousing fightback to deny Qarabag a famous victory and keep Leverkusen's incredible 34-game unbeaten run intact.

Super Eagles’ Tella was one of the players sacrificed at half-time by Alonso as his rotated line-up initially struggled against the lively hosts.

Juninho seized on sloppy Leverkusen defending to help Qarabag take the lead before he tucked home from an excellent through pass to double the Azeris' advantage.

At that stage, Leverkusen looked buried. But Alonso's triple substitutions proved a tactical masterstroke as the German giants flexed their muscles.

Wirtz's precise finish sparked belief before Schick rose highest to powerfully head home the leveller in a breathless finale.

In the end, a draw was the least Leverkusen's second-half dominance deserved against a Qarabag side who tired after their blistering start.

The result leaves it finely poised ahead of the second leg, with the Bundesliga heavyweights strong favourites to progress after avoiding defeat in Baku.

But Qarabag have served a warning they won't go down without an almighty fight having run Leverkusen so close on home soil.