Florian Wirtz and Robert Andrich were on target as Bayer Leverkusen kept their treble bid firmly on course with a hugely impressive 2-0 victory at AS Roma in the first-leg of their UEFA Europa League semi-final.
Match Report
Xabi Alonso’s newly-crowned Bundesliga champions took the lead through Wirtz’s low finish on 28 minutes but perhaps could have been further in front at the interval such was their dominance and menace in the final third.
Roma had hit the woodwork through Romelu Lukaku and also went close in the second period through Bryan Cristante and substitute Tammy Abraham but could not unlock the German outfit and eventually fell to just a second loss in 26 home matches in the competition.
Leverkusen were always in control and got the second goal their performance deserved when Andrich curved in a stunning effort 17 minutes from time to make it 47 matches unbeaten this season.
The teams will now reconvene next Thursday for the second leg in Germany with a place in the final in Dublin against Atalanta or Marseille on May 22 at stake.
Line-ups
Roma XI: El Shaarawy, Smalling, Lukaku, Paredes, Spinazzola, Dybala, Cristante, Karsdorp, Pellegrini, Mile Svilar, G. Mancini
Subs: Patricio, S. Azmoun, D.Llorente, R.Sanches, Angelino, Abraham, Aouar, N'Dicka, Nicola Zalewski, Tommaso Baldanzi, Pietro Boer, Edoardo Bove
Leverkusen XI: Xhaka, Alejandro Grimaldo, Robert Andrich, Tah, Tapsoba, Josip Stanisic, Kovar, Jeremie Frimpong, Piero Hincapié, Amine Adli, Florian Wirtz
Subs: Hradecky, Lomb, Hofmann, Schick, Iglesias, Exequiel Palacios, Nathan Tella, Adam Hlozek, Odilon, Victor Boniface, Gustavo Puerta, Arthur
Walmorak
618
Now, Roma will understand that Mourinho’s experience and tactics count. This same Leverkusen was dumped out of UEL by Mourinho last season at this same stage. Playing back to back European finals is not for babies. Only Real Madrid fans can relate💪💪 Respect to the Special One👌
dougiefresh
562
Bundesliga: Winners ✅ Europa League: 2-0 up in the semi-final first leg DFB-Pokal: In the final 👀 Xabi Alonso's side are on track for an 𝐈𝐍𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐈𝐁𝐋𝐄 treble 🤯
malablata
479
The engine room of Leverkusen.....His name is Xhaka, a man Arteta sent to help his childhood friend Alonso start his career on a high......💪💪💥💥💥💥👏👏👏🎉🎉🎉🎊🎊🎊❤️❤️❤️
dougiefresh
402
Alex Grimaldo has just registered his 𝟏𝟖𝐓𝐇 assist of the season across all competitions. Just a reminder that Bayer Leverkusen signed him on a free transfer this summer 🤯💰
Mazvita
370
Bayern still continue unbeaten run this season ohh I mean Leverkusen
showkeyd
320
Roma were expecting 85 minutes upward to renforce their defense because those are the minutes Leverkusen used to score goals but Leverkusen was so early this time around
521Jack
299
Gif here. Like me: http://www.goalgif.xyz/v2/live/matchGifs?match_id=53848524&language=en
dowaciprz
272
Leverkusen have been steps better than last season but i am strongly convinced Mourinho would prepare Roma to deal with them better... The special one was or built himself for difficult nights like these...
dougiefresh
270
3⃣7⃣ goal contributions and counting this season for Florian Wirtz. One of the best young talents in Europe ✨
Simpler02
106
One of the most dangerous youngsters in Europe 🇪🇺 Floran Wirtz
BigF1234
99
let them face mighty Madrid,they will know how it feels to get beaten home and away.If you doubt ask barcelona