Confident in the semi-finals: Roma, Atalanta and Bayer celebrate

With a record victory, German football champions Bayer Leverkusen moved into the semi-finals of the Europa League. Roma clearly eliminated Milan, Atalanta kept England's top club Liverpool in check.

18 April 2024

From: apa/dpa/fop

Four days after being crowned champions, Leverkusen avoided their first defeat of the season and can continue to dream of a treble. The newly crowned German football champions drew 1-1 away from West Ham in the Europa League on Thursday and qualified for the semi-finals after winning 2-0 in the first leg.

As is often the case this season, Leverkusen scored a late goal. A deflected shot from Frimpong averted their first defeat of the season (89). Coach Xabi Alonso's team remained undefeated for the 44th competitive game in a row and set a new record for the top 5 leagues in England, Spain, Italy, Germany and France. No team there has ever managed a series like this this millennium.

Leverkusen undefeated for the 44th time

Leverkusen will face AS Roma in the semi-finals, who beat Milan 2-1 at home in the Italian duel. The Romans also won the first leg 1-0.

After winning the first leg 1-0, Roma made everything clear in the first half. Gianluca Mancini took the early lead (12'), Paulo Dybala flicked the ball into the far corner (22'). However, coach Daniele De Rossi's team then weakened itself. Zeki Celik was sent off after a foul (32'). For a long time, Milan was unable to capitalize on their 60-minute advantage. Matteo Gabbia's goal (86') came too late. For the Milanese team, a titleless season is almost a certainty after their elimination.

Liverpool missed the comeback they were aiming for and were eliminated with an aggregate score of 1:0 despite a 1-3 away win at Atalanta.

Atalanta's surprise coup was celebrated in Bergamo. © ANSA / MICHELE MARAVIGLIA

The guests got off to a perfect start. Mohamed Salah confidently converted a hand penalty in the 7th minute. The Reds then stayed in control and were clearly the more dangerous team. Salah missed a huge chance to make it 2-0 with a lob (40th). After the break, Atalanta found their way into the game better. The Italians largely kept Liverpool away from their own goal and had opportunities themselves through Ederson (50th) and Teun Koopmeiners (60th). The Reds lacked ideas and pace, Atalanta managed the result without any problems.

For Jürgen Klopp, the last European Cup appearance in Liverpool's dugout ended in disappointment. Atalanta meets Olympique Marseille, who made up for a first-leg defeat against Benfica and held their own in the penalty thriller.

The quarter-final second legs of the Europa League:

Roma - Milan 2:1
Goals: 1:0 Mancini (12th), 2:0 Dybala (22nd), 2:1 Gabbia (85th)
First leg: 1:0

Atalanta - Liverpool 0-1
Goal: 0:1 Salah (7th)
First leg: 3:0

Marseille - Benfica 2-0 nE
Goal: 1-0 Moumbagna (79.)
First leg: 1:2

West Ham - Leverkusen 1:1
Goals: 1:0 Antonio (13th), 1:1 Frimpong (89th)
First leg: 0:2