Bayern Leverkusen Survives Roma Scare To Reach Dublin Finale

Bayer Leverkusen secured their place in the UEFA Europa League (UEL) final in dramatic fashion, setting a new European record with an astonishing 49-game unbeaten run across all competitions. The clash against AS Roma was a high-stakes affair, with Roma needing not just a victory but a convincing one to progress to the final.

The match kicked off with Romelu Lukaku testing Leverkusen’s defense early on, only to be denied by a crucial save from Matej Kovar. Lorenzo Pellegrini also came close with a header that forced another impressive stop from the Leverkusen goalkeeper. The game was intense, with both teams creating chances, including a near-miss from Adam Hlozek that was stopped by a timely Gianluca Mancini intervention.

However, it was Leverkusen who broke the deadlock before halftime, courtesy of a penalty converted by Leandro Paredes after Jonathan Tah’s foul on Sardar Azmoun. The goal put Roma ahead but also left the tie finely balanced for the second half.

Roma fought back valiantly, equalizing through another Paredes penalty after a handball by Hlozek. The tension mounted as both teams pushed for a decisive goal, with Leverkusen eventually regaining the lead through an unexpected goal from Gianluca Mancini, who inadvertently redirected a corner into the net.

As Roma searched for an equalizer, Leverkusen capitalized on a counterattack, leading up in a stunning solo effort from Josip Stanisic in injury time to seal their victory and a spot in the UEL final. The match displayed the resilience and attacking strength of both teams, with Leverkusen’s unbeaten streak standing as a testament to their dominance in European football.

The stage is now set for a thrilling final in Dublin, where Bayer Leverkusen will face Atalanta in a bid to claim their first European title in over three decades.