Atalanta deservedly won 3-0 (1-0) at home against Olympique Marseille and made it into a European final for the first time after the first leg was 1-1. This will take place on May 22nd in Dublin.
Thanks to a last-minute goal from Josip Stanisic (97th), the “Werkself” continued their incredible streak and set a European record with their 49th competitive game in a row without defeat. Successful coach Xabi Alonso’s team also managed to take revenge for last year’s semi-final exit against the Romans. For the first time since 2002, Leverkusen will be able to play in a European final, while AS Roma missed their third European Cup final in a row.
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After a foul by Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah, Leandro Paredes gave Roma the lead against the run of play with a penalty into the middle of the goal (43′). Hopes of a comeback were fueled by another penalty from the Argentine world champion in the left corner (66th), after Adam Hlozek clumsily touched the ball with his hand and referee Danny Makkelie pointed to the spot according to the video images. An own goal from Roma defender Gianluca Mancini from a corner (82′) took the hosts into the final, before Stanisic went one better with a shot into the far corner.
It took Leverkusen a long time to count
Alonso initially did without the recently injured Florian Wirtz and Robert Andrich, the two goalscorers in the first leg. After an even opening phase, the hosts got better and better and took the lead several times. Exequiel Palacios hit the inside bar with a long-range shot, the ball bounced onto the back of the outstanding Roma goalie Mile Svilar, but not into the goal (29th).
Leverkusen pressed on goal, but Roma took the lead. After the break, Svilar distinguished himself several times again, including against Jonas Hofmann (59th). Again it was the guests who were allowed to cheer. Amine Adli missed the goal by just centimeters (73′) before Mancini and Stanisic kept the hope of a perfect season alive.
Bergamo defeated Marseille 3-0
In Bergamo, Ademola Lookman put Sturm Graz’s group opponents on course for the final with a deflected shot from the edge of the penalty area (30th). Previously, Charles de Ketelaere had hit the woodwork for Gian Piero Gasperini’s team from a tight angle (6′) and striker Gianluca Scamacca from a corner (24′). After the break, Iliman Ndiaye missed the goal with Marseille’s first chance with a lob (49th), before Matteo Ruggeri (52nd) sank the ball into the top corner on the other side to make a preliminary decision for the fifth-placed team in Serie A. Accompanied by fireworks, El Bilal Toure scored the final score in the 95th minute.
