The Leverkusen players cheered hugely. © APA/afp / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV

Incredible: Xabi Alonso effect continues

Many eyes turned to Leverkusen on Thursday, where the second leg of the Europa League semi-final took place. The game was very emotional and offered a lot.

09 Maj 2024

From: mv

Xabi Alonso against Daniele De Rossi, Bayer Leverkusen against AS Roma. It was a real blast that awaited the football fans on Thursday evening. And the two teams also offered a lot. Leverkusen went into the second leg with a 2-0 lead from the first game, but the Romans didn't let that deter them and held on. In the end it was still not enough, thanks to the 2-2 draw Leverkusen are in the final.

It was interesting that Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso rotated things a bit in the semi-final second leg of the Europa League and left Florian Wirtz, Robert Andrich, Patrick Schick and Victor Boniface on the bench. This showed once again how much the Spaniard trusts his team. The start of the game was cautious, with both teams just feeling each other out at first. Slowly but surely it became clear that Leverkusen was the better team.

Leverkusen presses, Roma scores

The home team around the eye-catching Hlozek and Palacios pushed for the opening goal, but it didn't want to fall. A big reason for this was Roma keeper Svilar, who put in a great performance that evening and saved his team from falling behind several times. The first dangerous shot came from Palacios, but it was too central (16th). Then Hlozek tried a free kick from a central position, which Svilar directed over the goal (25th). Shortly afterwards, Palacios tried again with a shot from distance, which bounced off the post to Svilar's back and was then cleared off the line by Ndicka (29th).

Leandro Paredes (AS Roma) safely converted two penalties. © APA/afp / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV

Then came the guest keeper's greatest deed: First, Svilar made a brilliant save on a shot from Adli, and Svilar also secured Hlozek's follow-up shot (39'). Then it happened out of nowhere: Tah with an unnecessary foul on Azmoun, the referee awarded a penalty. Paredes coldly converted this to make it 1-0 for Roma (43') - and brought them back into business.

Suddenly it's 2-0

The same picture emerged after the break: Leverkusen were pushing for a goal, Roma seemed a bit overwhelmed, but the ball simply didn't want to go into the goal. First, Frimpong served Hofmann on a counterattack, but he was denied by the strong Svilar (59'). A little later it was Adli with a long shot – next to the goal (61st).

Adam Hlozek (right) was one of the most active Leverkusen players of the evening. © APA/afp / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV

And then it happened as it had to happen: During a Roma corner, Hlozek made an unfortunate handball in his own penalty area, and the guests were awarded a penalty again. Paredes stepped up and converted again with incredible confidence (66th). Afterwards the game calmed down a bit. Roma had now gained a lot of self-confidence, but the home team seemed increasingly nervous and lacking ideas.

The Xabi Alonso fairy tale continues

The turning point of this game happened in the 82nd minute. Grimaldo brought a corner into the middle, the completely free Roma defender Mancini was surprised and extremely unfortunate scored an own goal. The home fans were over the moon as this result put their team in the final, but Xabi Alonso still looked a little disappointed on the sidelines. His unbeaten streak was in jeopardy.

There was a lot of respect between the two coaches Xabi Alonso (left, Leverkusen) and Daniele De Rossi (right, Roma). © APA/afp / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV

But Leverkusen wouldn't be Leverkusen if they scored a late goal. And indeed, once again it was Stanisic who finally brought the BayArena to a frenzy in the seventh minute of stoppage time: first he left a Roma defender standing, then he casually flicked the ball into the far corner - 2-2! The Xabi Alonso team has now been unbeaten for a whopping 49 games.

Leverkusen in the final

Bayer Leverkusen is now in the Europa League final. The opponent there is Atalanta, who gave Olympique Marseille no chance after a 1-1 draw in the first leg on Thursday and won 3-0. Lookman gave the Gasperini team the lead in the first half (30'), shortly after the break Ruggeri increased the lead to 2-0 (52'). Toure finally put the lid on it in stoppage time (90th+5). The final will take place on Wednesday, May 22nd at 21 p.m. in Dublin.

Europa League, second leg on Thursday

Bayer Leverkusen – AS Roma 2:2
Goals: 0:1 Paredes (43rd/penalty), 0:2 Paredes (66th/penalty), 1:2 Mancini (82nd/own goal), 2:2 Stanisic (90th+7)
Overall status: 4:2

Atalanta Bergamo – Olympique Marseille 3-0
Goals: 1:0 Lookman (30th), 2:0 Ruggeri (52nd), 3:0 Toure (90th + 5th)
Overall status: 4:1