Bayer Leverkusen, unbeaten and with a foot within the Europa League ultimate, face Roma on Thursday to wrap up their semifinal conflict.
This marks the second consecutive season these golf equipment meet within the semifinals, however Leverkusen’s 2-0 victory within the first leg makes them the favorites to reverse final yr’s final result.
Not solely in search of revenge for his or her loss to Roma final yr, Leverkusen additionally took a big step towards reaching the ultimate, the place they may meet Marseille or Atalanta BC.
Despite a scare when Romelu Lukaku hit the crossbar, Leverkusen created a number of possibilities and sealed their victory with objectives from Florian Wirtz and Robert Andrich within the intimidating Stadio Olimpico.
With their ninth win in 11 Europa League video games this season, the Bundesliga champions-elect are actually simply 90 minutes away from securing a spot within the ultimate in Dublin later this month.
Leverkusen, already topped German champions properly forward of schedule, have been securing their undefeated streak with late objectives.
Their 5-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt prolonged this run to 48 video games.
Matching Benfica’s European report, set between December 1963 and February 1965, Leverkusen is now eyeing a historic second by retaining Roma at bay.
The staff can also be set for the DFB-Pokal ultimate in Berlin, dealing with second-tier strugglers Kaiserslautern.
Completing a complete Bundesliga season and not using a loss can be the last word achievement.
Coach Xabi Alonso’s resolution to remain for an additional yr provides to the staff’s stability.
Leverkusen, UEFA Cup winners in 1988 and Champions League runners-up in 2002, are poised to make their first Europa League ultimate look.
Roma, regardless of a uncommon house loss in UEFA competitions, nonetheless harbor hopes for a 3rd consecutive European ultimate, however the future seems to be grim for the Eternal City aspect.
Under Jose Mourinho, Roma secured a 1-0 combination victory over Leverkusen in final yr’s Europa League semi-finals earlier than falling to Sevilla within the ultimate.
Just a yr prior, that they had claimed the inaugural Europa Conference League trophy.
Current coach Daniele De Rossi, aiming to copy Mourinho’s European success, led the staff to a quarter-final win over AC Milan and has seen solely 4 losses in 22 matches since taking up from Mourinho mid-season.
Despite a powerful begin underneath De Rossi, Roma’s current kind has seen them rating a mean of 1 aim per sport of their final 11 matches, sliding to sixth place in Serie A, stage on factors with fifth-placed Atalanta, who’ve a sport in hand.
Similar to Xabi Alonso, De Rossi has dedicated to persevering with his tenure into the subsequent season.
However, a 1-1 draw in opposition to Juventus, regardless of initially taking the lead by means of Lukaku, casts doubt on their possibilities of securing a top-five end.
While Roma might nonetheless qualify for the Champions League by means of a Europa League victory, they face an uphill battle to attain a outstanding comeback and turn into simply the third staff to succeed in consecutive finals in Europe’s secondary event.
Xabi Alonso made vital modifications to his squad in opposition to Frankfurt, with eight new gamers beginning in comparison with the staff that performed in Italy.
However, for the second leg, he’s anticipated to area a extra acquainted lineup to steer Leverkusen to victory.
Atalanta-Marseille
The different encounter between Atalanta and Marseille hangs within the steadiness as they face off in Bergamo, with a spot within the ultimate at stake.
Atalanta are on the point of their first European ultimate, whereas Marseille are decided to advance and style the Dublin lights.
The first leg at Stade Velodrome led to a draw, with Atalanta unable to carry onto Gianluca Scamacca’s early lead.
Chancel Mbemba equalized for OM with a surprising long-range strike, his fourth Europa League aim of the season, essentially the most by any defender in UEFA’s membership competitions this season.
Despite Aleksei Miranchuk coming near securing a late winner, the match ended stage, setting the stage for a high-pressure encounter on the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo.
Having prolonged their unbeaten away run in Europe to 11 matches, together with a current 3-0 victory at Anfield, Atalanta are again on their house turf, the place they’ve gained 11 of their final 14 matches.
Throughout their historical past within the Europa League and its predecessor, the UEFA Cup, the Nerazzurri have misplaced simply two of 17 house video games, successful 10 and retaining eight clear sheets.
Under Gian Piero Gasperini’s management, Atalanta are thriving in Europe and has additionally secured a spot on this yr’s Coppa Italia ultimate, the place they are going to meet Juventus in Rome later this month.
They are additionally in competition for Champions League qualification by means of Serie A, at present sitting fifth with 4 video games remaining.
Atalanta are having fun with a golden period underneath Gasperini, however successful the Europa League would elevate his standing to an all-time nice in Bergamo.
While Atalanta have by no means made it to a continental ultimate, Marseille have a wealthy custom in that respect, having been topped champions of Europe in 1993.
Marseille, nevertheless, have struggled away from house, successful simply considered one of six away video games in Europe this season and incomes a dismal 11 factors on the street in Ligue 1, the joint-worst tally within the French high flight.
Despite their away woes, Marseille stay within the hunt for European qualification, mendacity 5 factors behind sixth-placed Lens with one sport in hand.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
