Hardly anyone would have thought that Bayer Leverkusen would still have to worry about reaching the Europa League final. It’s enough for the trip to Dublin – after a strange game.
Edoardo Bove from AS Roma (right) and Granit Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen in a duel on Thursday (May 9th)
Ronald Wittek/EPA
(dpa)
When the unexpected thriller had a happy ending and Bayer Leverkusen were in the final of the Europa League, there was no stopping Xabi Alonso. The coach of the German soccer champion stormed onto the field with his arms spread wide to celebrate his players. On Thursday evening they jumped and hopped around in front of the north curve with red final shirts and were celebrated by the enthusiastic fans after another crazy end.
Bayer also remained unbeaten in the 49th competitive game of the season – because Josip Stanisic scored well into stoppage time (90th + 7) to make it 2-2 against AS Roma and the worries finally disappeared after the interim 0-2 deficit . Bayer were overwhelmingly superior, but Leandro Paredes equalized the 2-0 lead from the first leg in Rome with a foul penalty (43′) and a hand penalty (66′). An own goal from Gianluca Mancini (83′) got Bayer back on track and ensured successful revenge after last year’s semi-final exit against Roma.
“We don’t know ourselves how we were 2-0 down. We had clear chances. But to come back afterwards and not lose is incredible. We are now in the final, a dream has come true. It’s unbelievable to find the right words now,” said Leverkusen leader Granit Xhaka on RTL. “It’s pure goosebumps, you dream of such an atmosphere and such games. We’re going to enjoy the evening tonight. We’re going to the final to win. We will do everything we can to take the pot with us to Leverkusen.”
To cap off a remarkable season, Bayer will contest two finals within four days. Three days after the European final against Atalanta Bergamo in Dublin, the DFB Cup final against second division team 1. FC Kaiserslautern takes place in Berlin. For Leverkusen it is the third European Cup participation in the club’s history. Leverkusen won the UEFA Cup in 1988. In 2002, the Rhinelanders were in the Champions League final, which they lost 2-1 to Real Madrid.
Somewhat surprisingly, Wirtz initially sat on the bench. After being spared from injury in Frankfurt (5-1) on Sunday, Alonso announced on Wednesday that the offensive player was completely fit. The second goal scorer in the first leg, Robert Andrich, also initially sat outside. Rome coach Daniele De Rossi brought in three fresh players with Bundesliga experience: Leverkusen loanee Sardar Azmoun, ex-Frankfurt Evan N’Dicka and Angelino, who previously played in Leipzig and Hoffenheim.
The Romans didn’t initially act with full risk, but it was still the expected heated game. The first pack formation in the 19th minute resulted in three yellow cards, two of them against Römer. After 28 minutes, two more were added.
Romelu Lukaku could have had an early chance for the visitors in the fourth minute, but Leverkusen’s cup goalkeeper Matej Kovar grabbed the ball from his foot. And after that only Bayer actually played. Andrich representative Exequiel Palacios tested Roma keeper Mile Svilar (15th) and also hit the post (29th). Wirtz replacement Adam Hlozek was blocked by Gianluca Mancini at the last second (23′). Svilar held strong for the rest against Granit Xhaka (25th), Jeremie Frimpong (32nd) and Amine Adli as well as Hlozek (39th).
15:3 shots on goal and 6:0 corners up to the 40th minute did not exactly indicate a Roman comeback. And then, out of nowhere and completely undeservedly, it was 0:1. Because Tah unnecessarily pulled his ex-colleague Azmoun’s arm in the penalty area, there was a penalty kick, which Paredes safely converted.
After Leverkusen’s shock was clearly evident until the break, they picked themselves up at halftime. After the change the game looked the same as before. But at first it remained the case that Bayer didn’t hit the goal. Adli narrowly missed the ball (54′), Jonas Hofmann (59′) and Hlozek (61′) were again denied by Svilar. But for the fact that they were still leading overall, the Werkself had now moved up a bit. Roma now also had chances through counterattacks, Kovar had to save against Azmoun (55th) and Stephan El Shaarawy (57th). The penalty after a handball from Hlozek was still unexpected – as was Mancini’s own goal. Stanisic got the party started in the stands in added time.