Bayer Leverkusen has reached the final of the UEFA Europa League after a thrilling semi-final against AS Roma. The match in the BayArena ended 2-2 and with the 0-2 victory in Rome, Leverkusen saved it on mutual results. It is the first time since 2002 that the German national champion has reached a European final.
Bayer Leverkusen has not lost a single match this season and it was also the better team against AS Roma for a long time. With Frimpong in the starting line-up, one chance after another was created, but Xabi Alonso’s team forgot to reward themselves. The Germans fell behind 0-2, but fought back to a 2-2 draw in the final phase. Once again Leverkusen did not lose, which means they have a new record with 49 unbeaten matches in a row. The Benfica of the sixties is now gone.
Penalties give Roma the lead
A foul by captain Jonathan Tah on Roma striker Sardar Azmoun in the penalty area turned the match, as Danny Makkelie decided to award a penalty to the Romans. Face to face with Kovar, Leandro Paredes had no doubts and shot the ball straight through the middle. Roma came into the match better with the lead in their pocket.
Followed by several chances for the Italians, the pressure on the German champions only increased further. It led to another penalty in the second half. A handball by Hlozek was punished. Once again, Paredes was the boss of Leverkusen’s goalkeeper, resulting in the same score on the scoreboard as last week in Stadio Olimpico: 0-2.
Turning the tide
But Leverkusen wouldn’t be Leverkusen if they managed to turn the tide again. In the final phase, Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar completely missed a cross and it was Gianluca Mancini who unfortunately got the ball against him and put the ball into his own goal.
After an exciting final phase that followed, it was ultimately Xabi Alonso’s team that prevailed thanks to Josip Stanišić who scored the equalizer in the very last second. As a result, Leverkusen once again managed to remain undefeated this season.
Leverkusen will face Atalanta in the final on May 22 in Dublin.
Tags: Bayer Leverkusen Roma Match analysis
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