Bayer Leverkusen are struggling with AS Roma in the semi-finals of the Europa League. In the second leg, the Bundesliga club only managed a 0-0 draw.
Xabi Alonso hugged Jose Mourinho and patted his former mentor on the shoulder in congratulations, then the Bayer Leverkusen coach comforted his disappointed players. The dream of the first European final in 21 years had burst for the Bundesliga soccer club despite great efforts.
Leverkusen couldn’t get past a 0-0 draw in the Europa League semi-final second leg against AS Roma on Thursday evening. After the 0-1 draw in the first leg, the hunt for the third title in the club’s history came to a late end.
“We lacked a bit of luck. Bitter. But I’m proud of the boys and the club,” said Kerem Demirbay on “RTL”: “The Romans are very experienced, with a very experienced coach. In the end, they have it very disgusting made.”
Roma, who fought hard to defend their lead in the sold-out BayArena, are now aiming for their second European Cup in two years. Last year, the “Giallorossi” had won the newly introduced Conference League.
Exactly 35 years to the day after the historic UEFA Cup triumph, the euphoria under the Bayer Cross was palpable well before kick-off: Thousands of fans greeted the team bus frenetically on Bismarckstraße, and a choreography in the stadium fired up the team even more before the most important game of the season so far .
Bayer Leverkusen fails on the crossbar
After the defensive first leg, the Werkself, in which Florian Wirtz returned to the starting XI, wanted to put more pressure on the opposing defense – and after an initial approach on goal from Rome captain Lorenzo Pellegrini (2nd), the compliant Leverkusen team increasingly succeeded.
First, Demirbay (8′) and Moussa Diaby (10′) felt with the left before Wirtz staged the Frenchman with a through ball. But Diaby’s courageous shot from an acute angle hit the crossbar (12′).
The guests, with star coach Mourinho trusting the same eleven as at the Stadio Olimpico, seemed impressed. The deep-lying Roma hardly developed offensively, while the hosts played out more, albeit not really compelling shots.
Also in the episode the game concentrated almost entirely on the Roman half. Bayer pressed up, also knew how to please Wirtz’ wit without rewarding himself with goals until half-time.
Bayer Leverkusen remains goalless
Without a change on the Werkself side, the ball rolled less than 60 seconds and the game was stopped again immediately after the break. Bengalos lit up the Leverkusen fan block, clouds of smoke drifted across the pitch. About two minutes later referee Slavko Vincic resumed the game.
It was getting hotter on the pitch. Both teams fought for every ball, Bayer’s sporting director Simon Rolfes exchanged verbal blows with the Roman bench on the sidelines.
Leverkusen pushed for the opening goal, but Sardar Azmoun’s header (66′) was easily parried by Rome keeper Rui Patricio. 15 minutes later, the Iranian missed the greatest chance after the break. The eight-minute stoppage time didn’t change the result either.