Bayer Leverkusen took a significant stride towards the Europa League final with a commanding 2-0 victory over Roma in the first leg of their semi-final clash at the Stadio Olimpico.
Florian Wirtz provided Leverkusen with a halftime lead, capitalizing on a defensive lapse from Roma to slot home his 18th goal of the season. Robert Andrich further solidified Leverkusen's dominance with a stunning 25-yard strike in the 73rd minute, leaving Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar helpless as the ball nestled into the net.
The win not only propelled Leverkusen closer to the Europa League title but also extended their unbeaten streak to an impressive 47 games across all competitions this season. Xabi Alonso's side, aiming for a treble, showcased their prowess against Roma, setting their sights on a potential final clash against either Atalanta or Marseille.
Despite Roma's occasional threats, including Romelu Lukaku's header hitting the crossbar, the Italian side struggled to contain Leverkusen's attacking prowess. Tempers flared after Andrich's goal, leading to a heated altercation between players from both teams, resulting in yellow cards for Leonardo Spinazzola and Granit Xhaka.
Roma, who had only suffered three defeats since Daniele De Rossi took over as head coach, were left frustrated by Leverkusen's dominance. Although they created chances, including Bryan Cristante's header narrowly missing the target and Piero Hincapie denying Sardar Azmoun, their efforts fell short.
Looking ahead to the second leg in Germany, Leverkusen aims to extend their unbeaten run further and potentially equal Benfica's record of 48 games unbeaten among Europe's top 10 leagues. However, they face a tough Bundesliga fixture against Eintracht Frankfurt before welcoming Roma for the decisive clash.
