Still unbeaten

Bayer Leverkusen v AS Roma – LIVE from 9pm

Leverkusen are through to the Europa League final.

(Bild: AFP/APA/INA FASSBENDER)

Bayer Leverkusen have made it through to the Europa League final. The new German champions thus remain on course for the treble. However, they struggled against AS Roma on Thursday. Two penalties allowed the Romans to equalize the 0:2 from the first leg. But coach Xabi Alonso's mental monsters struck back and scored the equalizer. As a result, they remain unbeaten. Atalanta Bergamo now await in the final in Dublin.

Thanks to a last-minute goal from Josip Stanisic (97'), the "Werkself" continued their incredible run and set a European record with their 49th consecutive competitive match without defeat. Successful coach Xabi Alonso's team also gained revenge for last year's semi-final exit against the Romans. For the first time since 2002, Leverkusen have been allowed to play in a European final again, while AS Roma missed out on their third European Cup final in a row.

Leandro Paredes scored twice from the penalty spot.

(Bild: AP ( via APA) Austria Presse Agentur/ASSOCIATED PRESS)

After a foul by Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah, Leandro Paredes gave Roma the lead with a penalty in the middle of the goal (43'). Hopes of a comeback were raised by another penalty from the Argentinian world champion into the left corner (66') after Adam Hlozek clumsily touched the ball with his hand and referee Danny Makkelie pointed to the spot after viewing the video footage. An own goal from Roma defender Gianluca Mancini after a corner kick (82') put the hosts into the final before Stanisic went one better with a shot into the far corner.

On the hunt for the perfect season
Alonso was initially without the recently injured Florian Wirtz and Robert Andrich, the two goalscorers in the first leg. After an even opening phase, the hosts got better and better and had the lead on their feet several times. Exequiel Palacios hit the inside of the bar with a long-range shot and the ball bounced off the back of the outstanding Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar, but not into the net (29').

Leverkusen are on an incredible run!

(Bild: AFP/ APA/INA FASSBENDER)

Leverkusen pressed for the goal, but Roma took the lead. After the break, Svilar once again proved his worth on several occasions, including against Jonas Hofmann (59). Once again, it was the visitors who were able to celebrate. Amine Adli missed the goal by inches (73') before Mancini and Stanisic kept hopes of a perfect season alive.