Witness the remarkable achievement, how Leverkusen Reach Europa League Final After 2-2 Draw with Roma. Experience the excitement today!
Introduction:
On a riveting night in the Europa League, Bayer 04 Leverkusen and AS Roma locked horns in a pulsating semifinal match at the BayArena. The atmosphere was electric, with 30,210 fans packing the stadium to witness this epic clash. With high stakes and a ticket to the final on the line, the teams delivered an evening of drama, emotion, and footballing excellence.
The Lineups
Head coach Xabi Alonso made significant changes to the Leverkusen starting lineup, with six alterations from their previous game. Matej Kovar resumed his role as the Europa League goalkeeper. Roma, under the guidance of José Mourinho, fielded a solid lineup featuring Romelu Lukaku up front, with Lorenzo Pellegrini leading the midfield.
See also: Leverkusen’s thrilling 2-0 victory in the UEFA Europa League
Early Exchanges and Leverkusen’s Dominance
The game started with a nervous energy, with the first opportunity falling to Roma’s Lukaku after just four minutes. However, a heavy touch allowed Kovar to gather the ball safely. Leverkusen’s early play revolved around Adam Hlozek’s creativity, while Roma opted for long balls, seeking to exploit their forwards’ aerial strength.
The Werkself began to assert their dominance, with Exequiel Palacios testing Roma’s goalkeeper on 16 minutes. The hosts’ pressure continued, with Adam Hlozek coming close with a deflected shot and a dangerous free kick. Despite their efforts, Leverkusen found themselves trailing at halftime after a controversial penalty.
See also: Atalanta’s Historic 3-0 Victory Over Marseille: Through to the Europa League Final
The Penalty Drama and Roma’s Lead
Roma took the lead in dramatic fashion, capitalizing on a penalty awarded after Jonathan Tah pulled down Leverkusen’s on-loan player Sardar Azmoun inside the box. The referee didn’t hesitate to point to the spot and cautioned Tah for the foul. Leandro Paredes stepped up to take the penalty, displaying nerves of steel as he calmly stroked the ball down the middle of the goal. The Leverkusen goalkeeper guessed the wrong way, giving Roma a vital goal.
With the aggregate score now reduced to 2-1 in favor of Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen, the tension in the stadium grew palpable. Roma’s goal provided them with a much-needed boost as they fought to turn the tie around in the second half.
Second Half: Leverkusen’s Fightback and Late-Game Chaos
Goal for Roma! The match took an unexpected turn when the referee awarded Roma their second penalty of the night, this time for an unintentional handball by Adam Hložek in the penalty area. Leandro Paredes once again took responsibility for the spot-kick, and he didn’t disappoint. He aimed low and to the left, expertly slotting the ball past goalkeeper Matej Kovář, who had no chance of reaching it.
This second goal brought Roma level on aggregate, making it 2-0 for the Italians on the night and 2-2 overall. The BayArena crowd was stunned by the dramatic shift in momentum, and the game took on a new level of intensity. With everything to play for, it was truly “game on!” in the Europa League semifinal.
Gianluca Mancini’s own goal turned the match:
Leverkusen regain the lead with a touch of fortune! As they pressed for a way back into the game, a well-delivered corner from Alejandro Grimaldo proved decisive. The corner kick came from the right side and went deep towards the back post.
In a chaotic scramble, the ball ricocheted off Roma defender Gianluca Mancini and over the goal line, resulting in an own goal. The score now stood at 2-1 for Roma on the night, but Leverkusen’s aggregate lead was restored, 3-2. The BayArena erupted in cheers as the home team moved one step closer to the Europa League final.
Way to Europa League final
Leverkusen have done it! Just when it seemed like their unbeaten run would come to an end, Josip Stanišić rifles home an equalizer in the dying moments of the match, ensuring their place in Dublin for the final. What an incredible display of resilience from this Leverkusen side. It all started with Granit Xhaka, who released Stanišić with a precise pass down the right flank. The young defender showed remarkable composure, cutting inside his marker before unleashing a powerful shot into the net. With just 30 seconds left, this stunning goal sparked wild celebrations, as the Werkself secured their spot in the Europa League final.
Looking Ahead to the Final and Bundesliga Glory
With this thrilling result, Leverkusen reached the final of a European competition for the third time in their history. As they set their sights on the Europa League trophy, the team also has one eye on their final Bundesliga games. A crucial match against VfL Bochum 1848 awaits, followed by a home fixture against FC Augsburg, where they will be presented with the Bundesliga trophy for the first time.
Conclusion: Leverkusen Reach Europa League Final
It’s all over, and quite incredibly, Leverkusen advance to the Europa League final! At one point in the match, it seemed they were on the back foot, struggling to hold onto their unbeaten run, let alone their place in the final in Dublin. However, with remarkable resilience and late heroics, they achieved both. Leverkusen’s dramatic comeback secured their spot in the final, where they’ll face Atalanta, who triumphed 3-0 over Marseille. The Werkself have demonstrated their grit and determination, and now they have a chance to bring home the trophy on May 22. What an incredible journey!