Leverkusen make Europa League final after late draw against Roma
In an electrifying match on Thursday, Bayer Leverkusen managed to secure their spot in the Europa League final after a dramatic 2-2 draw against Roma, with the crucial goal coming in stoppage time from Josip Stanisic.
This thrilling finish extended Leverkusen’s record-breaking unbeaten streak to 49 games.
Roma, trailing 2-0 after the first leg, fought back bravely to level the tie with two penalties from Leandro Paredes.
However, Leverkusen struck back in the dying moments with a corner kick from Alex Grimaldo that ricocheted into the net off Roma defender Gianluca Mancini.
The final blow came from Stanisic, who scored the decisive goal in the seventh minute of added time, breaking Benfica’s longstanding European unbeaten record.
The Bundesliga champions, with their eyes set on a remarkable treble, will now face Atalanta in the final in Dublin on May 22.
Leverkusen’s head coach, Alonso, made strategic changes to the lineup, with key attackers like Florian Wirtz and Patrik Schick surprisingly starting on the bench.
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However, Leverkusen’s cohesive gameplay and dynamic movement overwhelmed Roma from the start.
Roma tried to disrupt Leverkusen’s flow with aggressive play, resulting in multiple yellow cards in the first half.
Despite their efforts, Leverkusen’s goalkeeper, Mile Svilar, showcased stellar saves to keep Roma at bay. The match took a dramatic turn with two penalties awarded to Roma, both converted by Paredes to temporarily put Roma in the lead.
As the game neared its conclusion, Leverkusen turned the tide with a well-placed corner kick that led to a chaotic goal. Stanisic’s late heroics sealed the victory for Leverkusen, sparking jubilation among the players and supporters as they booked their ticket to the final against Atalanta.
The spirited performance showcased by both teams made for an exhilarating spectacle, highlighting the drama and unpredictability of football at its finest. Leverkusen’s resilience and determination ultimately saw them through to the Europa League final, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown in Dublin.
