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Bayer Leverkusen advanced to the Europa League final 4-2 on aggregate as Josip Stanisic’s stoppage-time goal secured a 2-2 draw at home on Thursday, extending their undefeated streak to a record 49 games.
In a rerun of last season’s Europa League semi-final, Roma arrived to Leverkusen trailing 2-0 after the first leg, but despite having limited control, Leandro Paredes scored penalties in either half to tie the tie.
With the game moving into extra time, Alex Grimaldo curled in a corner that goalkeeper Mile Svilar failed to catch, with the ball deflecting off Roma defender Gianluca Mancini and into the net.
Stanisic then extended Leverkusen’s incredible record of late goals by scoring on the counter in the seventh minute of added time, shattering Benfica’s European unbeaten streak stretching back to 1965.
“We had chances to score early and didn’t — but we will in Dublin,” Leverkusen coach Alonso told RTL.
“It was a special evening. There were stressful times, but they reflected the team’s personality and mentality.”
“We didn’t know how we were 2-0 down,” Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka admitted.
“To come back against a team like this is remarkable, and our determination is incredible. We’re in the final, on our path to realizing our ambition, and we’ll do whatever to bring the trophy back to Leverkusen.”
Bayer Leverkusen to battle Atalanta BC in the Final Match
Bundesliga champions Leverkusen will face Atalanta, who defeated Marseille 3-0 (4-1 on aggregate), in the final on May 22 in Dublin, with dreams of completing a historic treble still alive.
Leverkusen makes six changes.
Alonso again experimented with tactics, making six changes, including shocking benching star forwards Florian Wirtz, Victor Boniface, and former Roma striker Patrik Schick in favor of Adam Hlozek.
Leverkusen’s rhythm was unaffected by the alterations, as the hosts burst onto the pitch, cutting Roma up with clever, fluid movement.
In contrast, Roma fought hard and tried to disturb the Bundesliga champions, raking up four yellow cards in the first 30 minutes.
Exequiel Palacios was the victim of much of Roma’s roughhousing, but the Argentine World Cup winner nearly exacted revenge after 29 minutes when his low drive hit the inside of the post and came close to bouncing in off goalkeeper Svilar’s back.
On the 38th minute, Svilar made a spectacular double save to stop efforts from Amine Adli and Hlozek.
Roma launched a long ball up the other end, and the referee quickly pointed to the spot when Roma’s Bayer Leverkusen loanee, Sardar Azmoun, collided with Jonathan Tah.
Just before halftime, Palacios’ Argentine teammate Paredes delivered the ball down the middle, and Roma was 1-0 up and back in the tie.
The second half began similarly to the first, with Leverkusen failing to capitalize on their control on the scoreboard — until Roma gained another penalty, this time via VAR for a handball against Hlozek.
Paredes scored again, hitting the ball left to give the team a two-goal lead and even the tie.
Roma struggled to maintain their lead and went behind many times, similar to their performance in last year’s semi-final, which ended in a 0-0 tie and a position in the final.
Bayer Leverkusen advanced to the Europa League final with a record-breaking tie
Roma coach Daniele De Rossi was happy with his team, saying, “We played a heroic game — they’re strong.” We attempted, but only had a few shots. “The lads played an amazing game.”
But, with nine minutes remaining, Leverkusen won another corner, which Grimaldo swung between the hands of goalkeeper Svilar, who collided with Chris Smalling, bouncing in off Mancini’s face.
Roma pushed forward, trying to force extra time, but Bayern loanee Stanisic hammered the Italians on the counter, sending his teammates racing off the bench and preserving his team’s season-long unbeaten streak intact.
