This dream season never ends for Bayer Leverkusen. Xabi Alonso’s unbeatable team managed to qualify for the final of the Europa League on Thursday evening, after defusing an AS Roma comeback in an exciting match. Two late (own) goals were the deciding factor for Leverkusen, which remains undefeated for the 49th game in a row this season. On May 22, Jeremie Frimpong will face the Dutch-oriented Atalanta in Dublin.
AS Roma faced a tough task in the BayArena: turning around a 0-2 deficit against undefeated Leverkusen. But after two European finals in the past two years, you can send such a message to the Romans.
Roma immediately made its ambitions clear at the start of the match. Romelu Lukaku was a big toe short of lifting the ball over the goalkeeper, but after that the German engine started to turn. Leverkusen forced the Italians back and Serbian goalkeeper Mile Svilar had to make several appearances.
The visitors gasped for breath and found it, in the form of a penalty given by referee Danny Makkelie. Leandro Paredes did not fail. An unexpected but important goal for AS Roma. Would it?
The second half was more even. Both teams had chances, after which Paredes was allowed to score again from eleven meters after a handball from Adam Hlozek. The Argentinian once again sent Leverkusen’s Czech goalkeeper the wrong way: 0-2. So we suddenly headed for an extension in the BayArena.
But as has happened before this season, the sting was in the tail for Leverkusen. The 1-2 came when Roma goalkeeper Svilar made a mistake for the first time and the ball ended up in his own goal via defender Gianluca Mancini. The finale of the Houdini act came half a minute before the final whistle. Thanks to a goal from Josip Stanisic, who had just come on, the German champion retained its undefeated status and had a great chance of winning the treble.
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90’+9′
End of second half
90’+7′
2-2 GOAL by Josip Stanisic!
They just can’t lose. It will also be even!
90+1′
Seven minutes are added!
90′
Jeremie Frimpong is replaced by Josip Stanisic
90′
Álex Grimaldo is replaced by Odilon Kossounou
89′
Yellow card for Florian Wirtz
82′
1-2 Own goal by Gianluca Mancini!
Svilar is the man of the match, but he is terribly wrong about that. The ball therefore shoots through and lands on the head of Mancini, who unconsciously works it into his own goal.
81′
Jonas Hofmann is replaced by Florian Wirtz
81′
Lorenzo Pellegrini is replaced by Tammy Abraham
81′
Angeliño is replaced by Chris Smalling
74′
Adam Hložek is replaced by Patrik Schick
72′
Sardar Azmoun is replaced by Edoardo Bove
66′
0-2 GOAL (Penalty) by Leandro Paredes!
Hit! Paredes sends goalkeeper Kovar the wrong way. Roma stands next to Leverkusen, which has itself to blame for all those missed opportunities. So we are suddenly on course for an extension.
64′
Makkelie points to the dot again! Hlozek has made hands in his own sixteen. This is the opportunity for Roma.
65′
VAR: Penalty confirmed
60′
And again Svilar after a bet from Hlozek… That Serbian goalie is the best man on the field.
59′
Leverkusen comes out in excess. Frimpong puts the ball aside to Hofmann, but he bounces off goalkeeper Svilar. Moments before, El Shaarawy got a chance at the other end.
53′
Leverkusen continues to attack and a goal would of course give the Germans a lot more breathing space, but for the time being he does not want to go in. This time Adli’s bet goes wide.
45′
Second half kicked off
45’+5′
End of first half
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Tags: Invincible Leverkusen Frimpong strike Roma final phase Football
