(Roma – Bayer Leverkusen 0-2) They have already pushed boundaries this season, but there seems to be even more power left in Xabi Alonso’s team.
Thursday 2 May at 23:31
On Thursday evening, they secured a strong 2-0 victory over Roma in the Italian capital in the first semi-final match in the Europa League.
That means the final in Dublin on May 22 should be within reach before the return leg in Germany. They have already secured a historic Bundesliga title in superb fashion. and they are also ready for the German cup final.
And they refuse to lose. The triumph at the mighty Stadio Olimpico is Leverkusen’s 47th match of the season – and is also the 47th match in a row without defeat.
Leverkusen can win more in the space of a month and a half than they have done together in the club’s history. Two trophies are all that has been in the cupboard at the Bay Arena: One cup championship from 1993 and the Europa League precursor the UEFA Cup from 1988.
New editions of these trophies can be played in a few quick May days. And the Bundesliga gold is already in the box.
BUCKET LIFTERS: Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso. Photo: Alberto Lingria / Reuters / NTB
Late scoring has become a trademark for this Leverkusen team. Against Rome, it was almost a bit against normal and a relatively comfortable victory was secured early on.
After the home team’s Romelu Lukaku headed in the crossbar after around 20 minutes of play, the Germans took over more and more. In the 1st half, key player Florian Wirtz (20) was able to take the lead after teammate Alejandro Grimaldo intercepted the ball from the Roma defense and played Wirtz for a simple lead goal:
The latter has been brilliant this season and scored his seventh goal in the last eight games. In addition, he has a total of 12 goals in this year’s Europa League season.
2–0 came after 73 minutes. Robert Andrich had plenty of time to set the ball up for a shot just outside Roma’s 16-metre area and sent the ball beautifully into the farthest cross.
PS! The other semi-final of the tournament ended 1–1 between Marseille and Atalanta. In UEFA’s third tournament, the Conference League, Aston Villa lost somewhat surprisingly 2–4 at home to Greek Olympiakos. While the “Norwegian club” Club Brugge lost 2-3 to Fiorentina in Italy after a match-winning score in overtime. Hugo Vetlesen was replaced, while Antonio Nusa was an unused reserve.