Winning run continues

AS Roma v Bayer Leverkusen – LIVE from 9pm

Great jubilation for the Leverkusen team

(Bild: ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Bayer Leverkusen are heading for the treble almost unstoppably! Germany's soccer champions won the first leg of the Europa League semi-final away to AS Roma 2:0 (1:0) on Thursday and put themselves in an ideal position for the second leg in a week's time. Florian Wirtz (28) and Robert Andrich (73) scored for the "Werkself" in their 47th unbeaten competitive match en suite. In the second semi-final, Marseille and Atalanta Bergamo drew 1-1. 

The Leverkusen players were eager for revenge beforehand. The previous year, the "Werkself" had been defeated in the semi-finals by Roma, then still coached by José Mourinho, by an aggregate score of 1:0. In the goalless second leg, the Romans' destructive style of play - and above all their provocative time-wasting - infuriated the fans. A year later, Leverkusen got off to the better start at the Stadio Olimpico, displaying their usual strong play and reliable passing.

"Not unbeatable teams"?
Roma, whose coach Daniele De Rossi had confidently stated before the clash that there were "no unbeatable teams", initially waited for transitional situations. The home team then created the first major chance following a set-piece. Romelu Lukaku headed the ball onto the top edge of the crossbar (21'). Xabi Alonso's side also had their first chance on the counter-attack. Jeremie Frimpong only hit the outside of the net (23').

At the start of Leverkusen's strongest phase, Florian Wirtz scored the opening goal (28') after Alejandro Grimaldo intercepted a misplaced back pass. The "Werkself" did not let up, Wirtz (31), Frimpong (34) and Andrich (41) missed the 2:0. A long-range shot from captain Lorenzo Pellegrini (43) still posed a danger for the inferior Romans. Roma gained more of the play after the break. Opportunities to equalize through Rick Karsdorp (49) and Bryan Cristante (56) went unused.

This took its revenge when Andrich curled the ball into the left-hand corner from a good 20 meters (73'). Sardar Azmoun (84') and Tammy Abraham (94') missed the best chances to score in the closing stages. For Leverkusen, the first international final in 22 years is within reach. Back then, the "Werkself" lost 2-1 to Real Madrid's star ensemble in the Champions League final.

No winner for Marseille against Atalanta
In Marseille, Atalanta goalscorer Gianluca Scamacca made the most of the first chance to take the lead with a well-placed finish (11'). The home team quickly digested the early shock, however, and Chancel Mbemba equalized with a shot from distance (20'). In an intense and hard-fought match, Marseille's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed his eleventh Europa League goal of the season shortly before the break (42'). In the second half, Iliman Ndiaye missed the crossbar (73').

A few moments later, Atalanta were lucky again when a mistake by goalkeeper Juan Musso went unpunished (74'). Atalanta then held on for the draw. The battle for a place in the final (May 22 in Dublin) therefore remains wide open.