Bayer Leverkusen Reaches Europa League Final

Thrilling Draw Secures Spot Against AS Roma

Bayer 04 Leverkusen has punched their ticket to the Europa League final after a thrilling 2-2 draw against AS Roma on May 9, 2024. The match, played at the BayArena, saw both teams trade blows in a back-and-forth affair.

Match Summary

Leverkusen struck first through a penalty converted by Florian Wirtz in the 25th minute. Roma responded quickly, with Tammy Abraham equalizing just minutes later. The Italian side took the lead early in the second half when Lorenzo Pellegrini found the back of the net. However, Leverkusen refused to go down without a fight, and Patrik Schick's late header in the 83rd minute earned them a valuable draw.

The result means that Leverkusen will face Roma again in the Europa League final on May 24, 2024, at the Puskas Arena in Budapest. It will be Leverkusen's first appearance in a European final since 2002, while Roma is looking to win the Europa League for the first time since 2021.

Bayer Leverkusen's Impressive Run Continues

Bayer Leverkusen's draw against Roma extends their impressive unbeaten run in the Europa League to 11 matches. The German side has won seven of those matches, including a 3-0 victory over Atalanta in the quarter-finals.

Manager Xabi Alonso has praised his team's resilience and determination throughout the competition. "We knew that Roma would be a tough opponent, but we showed great character and quality to come back from behind," Alonso said after the match.

Roma's Disappointment

AS Roma, who lost to Manchester United in last season's Europa League final, will be disappointed with the result against Leverkusen. However, the Italian side still has a chance to reach the UEFA Champions League next season if they finish in the top four of Serie A.

Roma manager Jose Mourinho admitted that his team "deserved more" from the match but praised Leverkusen for their performance. "They are a good team, and they made it very difficult for us," Mourinho said.