Atalanta and Leverkusen continue their dream season by reaching the Europa League final

NOS Football•today, 11:01 PM

Atalanta and Bayer Leverkusen have added a new chapter to their memorable seasons. They will face each other in the Europa League final in Dublin on May 22.

Atalanta won 3-0 against Olympique Marseille in the semi-finals, after the 1-1 in the first leg in France. Bayer Leverkusen drew 2-2 against AS Roma at the last minute at Leverkusens, after last week’s 0-2 win in Rome.

Bayer Leverkusen’s performance remains unreal. The German champion still has a chance of winning the treble by reaching the final. On May 25, 1. FC Kaiserslautern will be the opponent in the final of the German Cup.

In addition, the club set a European record with the 49th unbeaten match in a row in all competitions, which it took over from Benfica (1963-1965).

After the 0-2 win in Rome, coach Xabi Alonso’s team was not going well at home. With an excellent Dutch international Jeremie Frimpong as one of the driving forces, Leverkusen played Roma off the mat, but Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar was in good form.

Moreover, Exequiel Palacios hit the post. While Leverkusen continued to miss, it was Roma that took the lead just before half-time. Referee Danny Makkelie gave a penalty after a foul by Jonathan Tah on Sardar Azmoun. Leandro Paredes scored the penalty (0-1).

A handball from Adam Hlozek meant a second penalty for Roma after the break. Paredes was again ice cold (0-2) and leveled the score over two games.

Roma then continued to rely on Svilar, but he made the mistake with a corner kick. The goalkeeper ducked under the ball and the ball disappeared into the goal via Roma captain Gianluca Mancini (1-2).

Leverkusen thus avoided extra time, after which Josip Stanisic, Frimpong’s replacement, completed the celebration by making it 2-2 in the 97th minute and maintaining the undefeated status.

With Teun Koopmeiners and Marten de Roon in the starting line-up and Hans Hateboer as a substitute, Atalanta was far too strong for Olympique Marseille in Bergamo. The Italians immediately pushed Marseille into defense and created several chances. Charles De Ketelaere hit the post and Gianluca Scamacca hit the crossbar from close range.

Ademola Lookman opened the scoring in the 30th minute. The Nigerian’s shot was touched along the way and with some luck disappeared into the goal (1-0). After the break, Matteo Ruggeri made it 2-0 with a nice shot in the far corner.

Marseille came close to the tying goal when a far free kick from Jordan Veretout surprisingly landed at the intersection. Atalanta substitute El Bilal Touré made the final score 3-0 in injury time.

Just like for Leverkusen, historic weeks are coming for Atalanta. On May 15, coach Gian Piero Gasperini’s team will play the final of the Italian Cup against Juventus and a week later the first European final in club history awaits in Dublin.

The two finals mean two chances for Atalanta to win the first prize in club history since 1963. Then the club won its only top prize to date, the Coppa Italia.