Bayer Leverkusen and Atalanta are set to meet in the Europa League final after last night. This particular matchup promises to be a great one because both teams are hungry to win European silverware.
Xabi Alonso’s men looked down and out, and it felt like we were headed to a penalty shootout, but Bayer Leverkusen had ice in their veins, and they reminded everyone about their clutch gene.
Atalanta, on the other hand, dominated their Ligue 1 counterparts after a tight first leg last week, so their confidence is also quite high heading into the final.
The losses leave AS Roma and Marseille sad, but the former appears to be more optimistic than the latter, who saw their leader being visibly emotional.
Learn about the latest Europa League 2024 updates here at SBOTOP.
Bayer Leverkusen leave it late again
Bayer Leverkusen are through to the Europa League final, as they drew 2-2 against AS Roma for a 4-2 aggregate tally. The scoreline probably flattered Die Werkself because they made it hard for themselves in this game.
The counting stats are all in favour of Xabi Alonso’s men, as they had 32 total shots compared to AS Roma’s 11, and they also controlled 60-per cent of the ball and had 569 passes compared to only 372 for the Giallorossi. However, they were particularly wasteful in the final third early on.
It was AS Roma who took a two-goal lead, as Leandro Paredes converted back-to-back penalties in the 43rd and in the 66th minute, as Jonathan Tah fouled Sardar Azmoun inside the box on the first and Adam Hlozek’s handball caused the second.
But Gianluca Mancini’s own goal in the 82nd minute was the turning point of the contest, as it gave Bayer Leverkusen enough confidence to go for the equaliser. And they got it during stoppage time, as Josip Stanisic scored a 97th-minute equaliser to keep their invincible treble dream alive.
Bayer Leverkusen have now scored their 11th goal in added time this season, a testament to their never-say-die spirit a la Fergie Time for Manchester United.
Now that they’re unbeaten in 49 consecutive games across all competitions, Bayer Leverkusen have set the record for having the longest undefeated streak by a top-flight team.
After this incredible match, it’s back to the Bundesliga for Bayer Leverkusen next week, as they’ll round out their title-winning campaign against VfL Bochum and Augsburg.
This is just the beginning for De Rossi, AS Roma
Leandro Paredes may have scored the goals for AS Roma, but it was their young goalkeeper, Mile Svilar, who was arguably their man of the match because he has put in a great shift in goal.
The 24-year-old shot stopper had 12 amazing saves, as he did absolutely everything in his power to prevent Bayer Leverkusen from scoring. However, it was inevitable that Die Werkself would score, and there was nothing Svilar could do about it.
Despite coming up short against Bayer Leverkusen, AS Roma fans should feel excited with what they have, given the short amount of time that has been given to Daniele De Rossi to turn the club’s fortunes around this season.
Last year, De Rossi just made his dip into coaching in Serie B, but now he is the fifth AS Roma coach to lead the Giallorossi to a European semi-final after Jose Mourinho, Eusebio Di Francesco, Paulo Fonseca, Nils Liedholm, and Ottavio Bianchi.
Like Bayer Leverkusen, AS Roma are back to league matters, as they have four Serie A games left to try and secure their Champions League spot next season, including a big one against Atalanta in the 36th matchday.
Atalanta were too good for Marseille
Atalanta’s double hunt is well and alive, according to the Europa League 2024 odds, after they dismantled Marseille with a 3-0 scoreline yesterday to finish with an aggregate tally of 4-1.
Unlike in the first leg, La Dea kicked things up a notch in the final third, with 16 total shots and eight on target, while Marseille had six total shots and only one on target.
Ademola Lookman started the scoring binge for Atalanta, as his deflected strike went past Marseille goalkeeper Pau Lopez into the bottom corner.
Matteo Ruggeri then made it 2-0 after halftime when he drilled a right foot strike into the top corner, and El Bilal Toure put in the finishing touches by scoring the last kick of the match in stoppage time. Atalanta shut down Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang since he only touched the ball 36 times and failed to attempt a single shot. The Marseille striker was left in tears after the disheartening defeat.
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