Bayer Leverkusen drew 2–2 with Roma and reached the Europa League final, maintaining their unbeaten status with a 4–2 aggregate win. Today we will discuss about Bayer leverkusen vs As Roma: Last Minute Goal And Angry Moments.
Bayer leverkusen vs As Roma: Last Minute Goal And Angry Moments
Josip Stanisic scored with the last kick of the game in the 97th minute to give Xabi Alonso’s side a 2–2 draw and a 4–2 aggregate win.
Roma, who had lost the first leg in Italy but were much improved in Germany, equalized through two penalties from Leandro Paredes.
But Gianluca Mancini’s devastating own goal gave Leverkusen a vital lead in the two-legged semi-final – before Croatia defender Stanisic ensured history with the latest in a long series of late goals for Leverkusen.
They have now gone 49 consecutive games without a defeat in all competitions, including 40 wins.
It means Leverkusen, who were beaten at this stage by Roma last season, are better than the undefeated run achieved by an Eusebio-led Benfica team between December 1963 and February 1965.
According to UEFA, this feat was the Portuguese giants’ longest unbeaten run since the advent of European competition until this remarkable Leverkusen campaign.
Alonso’s side, who are attempting to complete a treble by winning the Bundesliga title and reaching the German Cup final this season, will face Italian side Atalanta in the Europa League showpiece in Dublin on May 22.
Leverkusen’s players remained on the pitch throughout and celebrated a remarkable achievement, which they could have achieved earlier in the night had they taken advantage of the opportunity.
They dominated the first half, with Granit Xhaka hitting the post from 22 yards, before Roma keeper Mile Swiller made a good double save to deny Adam Hlozek and then Amin Adli.
But Roma took the lead against the run of play when Leverkusen captain Jonathan Tah pulled down Sardar Azmoun in the box, resulting in Paredes firing a penalty wide of Matej Kovar’s goal.
The same pattern continued after the break, with Leverkusen having the better chances without scoring. Swiller continued to deny the Bundesliga champions after the break, making a good one-on-one save from Jonas Hofmann.
Last Minute Goal And Angry Moments
The win extended Xabi Alonso’s team’s unbeaten streak to an impressive 49 matches in all competitions. He also overtook the previous record of 48 matches set by Benfica between 1963 and 1965 in European top-tier competitions. Leverkusen entered the match with a 2-0 lead from the first leg played in Italy last week.
Had it not been for Leandro Paredes’s penalty, the game could have ended in a clean sheet for Leverkusen, reducing the team’s overall lead. Paredes converted a penalty just before half-time before Jonathan Tah fouled Sardar Azmoun and then repeated the feat with a penalty awarded for a foul on Adam Hlozek.
Leverkusen players celebrate at the end of the Europa League semi-final second leg football match between Leverkusen and Roma at the BayArena in Leverkusen, Germany.
Roma’s Chris Smalling, center, stops on the pitch during the Europa League second leg semi-final football match between Leverkusen and Roma at the BayArena in Leverkusen, Germany.
Leverkusen’s Josip Stanisic celebrates scoring a goal during the Europa League second leg semi-final football match between Leverkusen and Roma at the BayArena in Leverkusen, Germany.