Live. The new German champions remain undefeated. Leverkusen won the first leg of the Europa League semi-final at Roma 2-0. Marseille and Atalanta Bergamo drew 1-1.
Bayer Leverkusen is heading almost unstoppably towards the treble. The German soccer champions won the semi-final first leg of the Europa League away from AS Roma 2-0 (1-0) on Thursday and put themselves in an optimal starting position for the second leg in a week. Florian Wirtz (28th) and Robert Andrich (73rd) scored for the “Werkself” in their 47th unbeaten competitive game. In the second semi-final, Marseille and Atalanta Bergamo drew 1-1.
The Leverkusen players had a great desire for revenge in advance. Last year, the “Werkself” failed in the semi-finals against Roma, who were then coached by Jose Mourinho, with an overall score of 1-0. In the goalless second leg, the Romans’ destructive style of play and, above all, their irritating time play angered people.
A year later, Leverkusen got off to a better start at the Stadio Olimpico, showing their usual strong play and passing skills. Roma, whose coach Daniele De Rossi confidently said before the duel that there were “no unbeatable teams”, initially waited for transition situations. Following a standard situation, the home team then scored their first big chance. Romelu Lukaku headed the ball onto the top edge of the crossbar (21′).
Practically in return, Xabi Alonso’s team also found their first top-class player. Jeremie Frimpong only hit the side netting (23′). At the beginning of Leverkusen’s strongest phase, Florian Wirtz scored the opening goal after preparation by Alejandro Grimaldo, who intercepted a failed back pass. The “Werkself” didn’t let up, Wirtz (31′), Frimpong (34′) and Andrich (41′) missed the 2-0. A long-range shot from captain Lorenzo Pellegrini caused danger for the defeated Romans (43′).
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After the break, Roma gained more of the game. Chances for equalization by Rick Karsdorp (49′) and Bryan Cristante (56′) remained unused. This took revenge because Andrich circled the ball into the left corner of the cross from a good 20 meters (73′). Sardar Azmoun (84th) and Tammy Abraham (94th) missed their best chances to score in the final phase. For Leverkusen, the first international final game in 22 years is within reach. At that time, the “Werkself” lost 2-1 to Real Madrid’s star ensemble in the Champions League final.
Delivered in Marseille
In Marseille, Atalanta striker Gianluca Scamacca took the first chance to take the lead with a well-placed finish (11th). The home team quickly digested the early shock and Chancel Mbemba equalized with a long-range shot (20′). In an intense and hard-fought game, Marseille’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed his eleventh goal of the season in the Europa League (42nd) shortly before half-time.
In the second half of the game, Iliman Ndiaye failed to hit the crossbar (73′). A few moments later, Atalanta were lucky again when a mistake by goalkeeper Juan Musso went unpunished (74′). As a result, Atalanta managed to draw over time. The fight for the final ticket (May 22nd in Dublin) remains completely open.