"Bayer" - "Roma" 2:2 (aggregate 4:2). Another miracle from Leverkusen.

 

Habi Alonso's team once again pulled off an epic comeback right at the end and advanced to the final of the UEFA Europa League.

Bayer - Roma 2:2. Highlights

Conceding two penalty goals from Leandro Paredes, Bayer once again displayed their resilience. Leverkusen managed to avoid defeat in the closing stages of the UEFA Europa League semi-final thanks to an own goal from Gianluca Mancini and a goal from substitute Josip Stanisic.

Key Events:

29': Palacios hits the crossbar

43': Paredes converts a penalty

66': Paredes scores again from the penalty spot

82': Mancini scores an own goal

90+7': Stanisic saves Bayer's historic run

Review:

Roma needed to overturn a two-goal deficit, so it's no surprise that they started the match more aggressively. Romelu Lukaku created the first threat, almost breaking through one-on-one, but Matheus Covarz blocked the Belgian's attempt.

Leverkusen quickly regained control and, in their usual style, dominated possession. Midway through the first half, Ezekiel Palacios came close to scoring, hitting the post, with the rebound deflecting off Mile Svilar's back and rolling along the goal line but failing to find the net.

However, Daniela De Rossi's team did not sit back defensively and had their chance when Jonathan Tah fouled Serdar Azmoun in the box. Paredes narrowed Roma's overall deficit with a successful penalty just before halftime.

In the second half, Bayer continued to dominate and create chances against Roma's goal, but in the 66th minute, Paredes scored again from the penalty spot, awarded for Adam Gloschek's handball - signaling a miracle in Leverkusen, as De Rossi had mentioned before the match.

But it's Bayer, who has repeatedly emerged from the most hopeless situations this season. In the 82nd minute, Svilar missed the ball at a corner, and the rebound from Mancini ended up in Roma's net.

The overall score was once again in Bayer's favor, but Leverkusen still pressed forward to save their incredible unbeaten streak. Jeremy Frimpong failed to beat Svilar several times, including a one-on-one opportunity.

In the end, Bayer's efforts paid off: as has happened many times before, Leverkusen avoided defeat in extra time. Stanisic, who came on in the 90th minute, burst into the box and scored a magnificent goal, extending Habi Alonso's team's historic streak to 49 matches.

In the Europa League final, which will take place on May 22 in Dublin, Bayer will once again face an Italian club - this time it will be the debutant in European finals, Atalanta.

Match Correspondent Matthias Retters

After losing in Rome 0-2, the guests managed to equalize with two penalty kicks. But then Bayer increased the pressure even more and waited for Mancini's own goal. And Stanisic allowed the "working team", as they call it here in Leverkusen, to avoid defeat again. The ticket to the final goes to them, and the dream of a treble for the season becomes more and more real!

Quotes:

Midfielder Granit Xhaka: "It's like goosebumps! You can only dream of such an atmosphere. Since childhood, I've wanted to participate in such games, and here you compare the score right before the final whistle and advance to the final. It's incredible. Such an evening must be enjoyed to the fullest."

Defender Josip Stanisic: "We understood what was at stake: we really wanted to reach the final. I think we were clearly stronger. Falling behind 0-2, we really didn't understand how it happened. I think the fact that we managed to equalize and draw 2-2 shows the essence of our team. I don't think defeat would have upset us given our place in the final. But this is even better..."

Roma's head coach Daniele De Rossi: "We heroically played the game, but the opponents are very strong. Bayer played well, but when you approach a real miracle, having realized that no one has won here yet, and then you get a silly own goal, it hurts. Well, we start over in the same spirit."

Roma midfielder Leandro Paredes: "It hurts because the game was in our hands. Unfortunately, because of Mancini's own goal, we were forced to open up. And against strong players, you can't do that. We did everything to score two goals, and until the 82nd minute, we played great. The own goal made us open up. It's a shame - we tried very hard. We wanted to give the fans a final, but we return home empty-handed."