Leverkusen. Bayer Leverkusen is in the final of the Europa League. The German champions are shaky against AS Roma, but make up a 0-2 deficit.
Overcoming last year’s trauma and very close to the triple: the invincible high-flyers from Bayer Leverkusen are also close to the crowning glory of their Europa League dream journey. The team of coach after the silver cup.
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After the show of force at the Stadio Olimpico the previous week (2-0), the Werkself initially impressed in the second duel, but missed countless chances and made things exciting for a long time after Leandro Paredes’ penalty brace (43’/66′). An own goal by Gianluca Mancini (82nd) and the last minute goal by Josip Stanisic (90th + 7) redeemed the German champions, who remained unbeaten in the 49th game in a row and saved themselves from the painful exit against Rome by reaching the final took revenge last season.
Bayer Leverkusen against AS Roma 2:2: The live ticker to read
Bayer Leverkusen – AS Roma 2:2: Click here for the live ticker
Leverkusen are in the final of a European competition for the third time after their triumph in the UEFA Cup in 1988 and their defeat in the Champions League final against Real Madrid in 2002. Bayer has the chance for the treble: Alonso’s team goes into the DFB Cup final against 1. FC Kaiserslautern (May 25th) as heavy favorites.
It was not for nothing that Alonso slipped into the role of warning before kick-off. The lead is of course good, “but it can be dangerous,” warned the Spaniard. After all, the Romans had “nothing to lose, and we have everything to lose.” His starting eleven was all the more surprising.
Bitter for Bayer Leverkusen: Daniel Paredes scores 1-0 for AS Roma from the penalty spot. © AFP | Ina Fassbender
Xabi Alonso leaves Florian Wirtz on the bench
Florian Wirtz, who was recently slightly injured, initially sat on the bench, and Alonso unexpectedly brought in Adam Hlozek – and, as in the first leg, no real striker. In total, he changed to six positions compared to the Bundesliga success at Eintracht Frankfurt (5:1).
However, this did not change the approach. After Leverkusen had despaired of the Romans’ wall tactics last year, the Italians started off more offensively this time. After the dangerous shots from Romelu Lukaku (4th) and Lorenzo Pellegrini (17th), Leverkusen took control.
Bayer Leverkusen misses many chances against AS Roma
With creativity, speed and determination, Leverkusen created chance after chance in a heated duel, but Alonso’s team sometimes carelessly let a clear lead slip. Exequiel Palacios hit the post (29th), and Amine Adli and Hlozek were denied within a few seconds by the outstanding goalkeeper Mile Svilar (39th).
AS Roma’s star striker Romelu Lukaku (l.) prevails against Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie. © AFP | Ina Fassbender
Without any need, Leverkusen suddenly gave the guests hope. National player Jonathan Tah tore Bayer loanee Sardar Azmoun to the ground, Paredes safely converted the penalty – and thus turned the previous game on its head.
Wirtz remained on the bench after the break and Bayer continued to look for a way forward despite the deficit. Adli (54th), Jonas Hofmann (59th) and Hlozek (61st) missed a goal despite other top-class players.
Bayer Leverkusen turns up the heat in the final phase
The penalty for negligence in exploiting the chances followed: Hlozek had the ball bounced to his hand after a corner, referee Danny Makkelie pointed to the spot according to the video images and Paredes stayed cool again. Adli narrowly failed again just a little later (73′). In the final phase, Alonso brought Wirtz on, and a little later the ball was in the Romans’ net for the first time.