it’s a record-flavored procedure. Leverkusen is the champion of its country for the first time in its history, the final of the domestic cup and also the final battle for the trophy in the Europa League await it. In addition, they are also on a streak of 49 competitive games without defeat, surpassing Benfica’s feat between December 1963 and February 1965.
Even Thursday’s battle against AS Rome did not stop the journey. While in the opening match in Italy last week, coach Xabi Alonso only included Kovář in the starting line-up, Hložek also got a chance from the first minute in the rematch.
Both were very visible. At the very beginning of the match, the handsome forward Romelu Lukaku ran at Kovář, but the Czech goalkeeper ruined the chance with a timely run. During the match, he scored a few more sure saves, he was only short of two penalties by Leandro Paredes. The first was whistled by referee Danny Makkelie shortly before half-time after captain Jonathan Tah’s foul on Sardar Azmoun.
Photo: Matthias Schrader, CTK/AP
AS Rome’s gunner Romelu Lukaku did not make an impact against Leverkusen.
The Romans thus led, primarily defending in a deep block and waiting for rare opportunities. Goalkeeper Mile Svilar did an excellent job, catching even the active Hložek several times.
Then came the 63rd minute. The visitors’ corner kick flew over the heads of several players and Hložek was the first to hit it. Unfortunately for Leverkusen, right-handed and referee Danny Makkelie whistled another penalty after consulting the video referee. Paredes was not wrong again.
The German champions did not give up. They threw all their forces into the attack, Alonso sent Patrik Schick, the third Czech representative in the squad, instead of Hložka.
The resolution of the whole double match was brought by the last minutes. First, Svilar jumped the corner kick and the ball unfortunately bounced off Mancini into his own net. The stunned Romans didn’t create any pressure and on the contrary still conceded. The ever-lasting invincibility was scored by substitute defender Josip Stanisič. It was Leverkusen’s 17th goal of the season after the 90th minute.
The team with the Czech trio can continue to dream of the treble. The final of the European League in Dublin awaits him on Wednesday, May 22, the opponent will be the Italian Atalanta. The season will then end the following weekend with a battle for the German Cup against second-division Kaiserslautern.
| The second leg of the semifinals of the football Europa League: |
|---|
| Bayer Leverkusen – AS Roma 2:2 (0:1) |
| Goal: Mancini’s 82nd, 90th+7 Stanišič – 43rd from pen. and 66. from pen. Paredes. Referees: Makkelie – Steegstra, De Vries – Dieperink (video, all Dutch). ŽK: Tapsoba, Tah, Wirtz – Mancini, Paredes, Zalewski. First match 2:0, Leverkusen advanced. |
| Leverkusen: KOVÁŘ – Frimpong (90. Stanišič), Tah, Tapsoba, Hincapié – Xhaka, Palacios – Adlí, Hofmann (81. Wirtz), Grimaldo (90. Kossounou) – HLOŽEK (75. SCHICK). Coach: Alonso. |
| Rome: Svilar – Cristante, Mancini, N’Dicka, Angelěno (81. Smalling) – Pellegrini (81. Abraham), Paredes, Spinazzola (21. Zalewski) – El Shaarawy, Lukaku, Azmún (72. Bove). Coach: De Rossi. |
| Atalanta Bergamo – Olympique Marseille 3:0 (1:0) |
| Goals: 30. Lookman, 52. Ruggeri, 90.+5 Touré. Referee: Manzano – Barbero, Nevado – Munuera (video, all Sp.). ŽK: Éderson, De Roon (both Bergamo). First match 1:1, Bergamo advanced. |
| Bergamo: Musso – De Roon, Hien, Djimsiti – Zappacosta (76. Hateboer), Koopmeiners, Éderson (56. Scalvini), Ruggeri – De Ketelaere (61. Pasalič), Lookman (76. Touré) – Scamacca (56. Mirančuk) . Coach: Gasperini. |
| Marseille: López – Mbemba (59. Únahí), Gigot, Balerdi – Clauss (72. Moumbagna), Veretout, Kondogbia, Merlin (72. Luis Henrique) – Harít (84. Correa), Ndiaye (59. Sarr) – Aubameyang. Coach: Gasset. |
Tags: Leverkusen Rome fairy tale continues Leverkusen final Europa League continues dream treble
