An own goal from Gianluca Mancini (82nd) brought Leverkusen back into the game after Leandro Paredes had equalized the Italians’ 2-0 deficit from the first leg twice from the penalty spot (43rd, 66th). Josip Stanisic ensured in stoppage time (97′) that Leverkusen’s run of games without defeat continued. In the 49th competitive game in a row, the new German champions at least played a draw.
Successful coach Xabi Alonso’s team also managed to take revenge for last year’s semi-final exit against the Romans. For the first time since 2002, Leverkusen will be able to play in a European final again. At that time, the Germans lost 2-1 to Real Madrid in the Champions League final in Glasgow. Meanwhile, AS Roma missed their third European Cup final in a row.
Reuters/Thilo Schmuelgen Mancini (l.) was in the wrong place at the wrong time and maneuvered the ball into his own goal
In Bergamo, Ademola Lookman (30th), as well as Matteo Ruggeri (52nd) and El Bilal Toure in stoppage time (95th) made things clear in favor of the home team, who wrote club history after the 1-1 draw in the first leg. For the first time Atalanta is fighting for a European title. The final against Leverkusen, which won the 1988 UEFA Cup title, will take place on May 22nd at the Aviva Stadium in the Irish capital Dublin.
Penalties give Roma hope
Unlike in northern Italy, the fans in Leverkusen had to tremble for a long time. Alonso initially did without Florian Wirtz, who was recently injured, and Robert Andrich, the two goalscorers in the first leg. After an even opening phase, the hosts got better and better and took the lead several times. Exequiel Palacios hit the inside bar with a long-range shot, the ball bounced onto the back of the outstanding Roma goalie Mile Svilar, but not into the goal (29th).
Leverkusen pressed on goal, but Roma took the lead. After a foul by Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah, Paredes gave Roma the lead against the run of play with a penalty into the middle of the goal (43′). After the break, Svilar distinguished himself several times again, including against Jonas Hofmann (59th). Again it was the guests who were allowed to cheer. Hopes of a comeback were fueled by another penalty from the Argentine world champion in the left corner (66th), after Adam Hlozek clumsily touched the ball with his hand and referee Danny Makkelie pointed to the spot according to the video images.
Reuters/Thilo Schmuelgen Parades didn’t take much time from the penalty spot twice
Leverkusen now threw everything forward. Amine Adli missed the goal by just centimeters (73′) before Mancini became the unlucky one from the Italians’ point of view. After a corner, the ball bounced unluckily into the Roma defender’s face and from there into the goal (82′). Leverkusen was back in the final. In stoppage time, Stanisic ensured that the Bayer team continued to dance undefeated on the national and international scene with a shot into the far corner.
Atalanta sets off fireworks
In Bergamo, Ademola Lookman put Sturm Graz’s group opponents on course for the final with a deflected shot from the edge of the penalty area (30th). Previously, Charles de Ketelaere had hit the woodwork for Gian Piero Gasperini’s team from a tight angle (6′) and striker Gianluca Scamacca from a corner (24′).
Lookman shoots Atalanta into the lead
With a deflected shot, Lookman gave the hosts the lead after half an hour
After the break, Iliman Ndiaye missed the goal with Marseille’s first chance with a lob (49th), before Matteo Ruggeri (52nd) sank the ball into the top corner on the other side to make a preliminary decision for the fifth-placed team in Serie A. Accompanied by fireworks, El Bilal Toure scored the final score in the 95th minute.
Ruggeri makes it 2-0
With a remarkable shot into the top corner, Matteo Ruggeri made the preliminary decision in the game.
UEFA Europa League, semi-final second leg
Wednesday:
Atalanta Bergamo – Olympique Marseille 3:0 (1:0)
Bergamo, 14,994, SR Gil Manzano (ESP)
Tore: Lookman (30.), Ruggeri (52.), Toure (95.)
Atalanta: Musso – de Roon, Hien, Djimsiti – Zappacosta (76./Hateboer), Koopmeiners, Ederson (55./Scalvini), Ruggeri – De Ketelaere (61./Pasalic), Scamacca (55./Al. Mirantschuk), Lookman ( 76./Toure)
Olympic: Lopez – Mbemba (59./Ounahi), Gigot, Balerdi, Merlin (72./Luis Henry), Clauss (72./Pemi Moumbagna), Veretout, Kondogbia (59./I. Sarr), Aubameyang, Harit (59./I. Sarr). 84./Leash)
Yellow cards: Ederson, de Roon
First leg: 1:1 – Atalanta with an aggregate score of 4:1 in the final
Bayer Leverkusen – AS Roma 2:2 (0:1)
Leverkusen, 30.210, SR Makkelie (NED)
Goals: Mancini (83rd/own goal), Stanisic (97th) and Paredes (43rd/penalty kick, 66th/penalty kick)
Leverkusen: Kovar – Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie – Frimpong (90./Stanisic), Xhaka, Palacios, Grimaldo (90./Kosounou) – Jo. Hofmann (81./Wirtz), Adli, Hlozek (74./Schick)
Roma: Svilar – Mancini, N’Dicka, Angelino (81./Smalling) – El Shaarawy, Spinazzola (21./Zalewski) – Cristante, Paredes, Lo. Pellegrini (81./Abraham) – Azmoun (72./Bove), Lukaku
Yellow cards: Tapsoba, Tah, Wirtz and Mancini, Lo. Pellegrini, Paredes, Zalewski
First leg: 2-0 – Leverkusen with an overall score of 4-2 in the final
