Leverkusen defeated Roma to go to the final of the Europa League

Following their thrilling 2-0 victory over Roma on Thursday, Bayer Leverkusen has advanced to the Europa League final and extended their incredible unbeaten streak to 47 games.

Xabi Alonso’s team won in the Italian city thanks to goals in each half from Florian Wirtz and Robert Andrich. This gives the Bundesliga champions a strong opportunity to go to the final in Dublin later this month.

In Ireland, Leverkusen will play Marseille or Atalanta if they manage to survive in Germany the following week. They will be strong favourites to win their first European trophy since the 1988 UEFA Cup based on their success in Rome.

In the past few weeks, Alonso’s squad has needed a number of late goals to maintain their unbeaten streak, but in the Italian city, Leverkusen’s dominance was evident and no dramatic endings were required.

Roma, who only about managed to trouble Matej Kovar’s goal beyond Romelu Lukaku striking the woodwork with the scores equal, have a monumental task ahead of them if they are to make it to their third consecutive European final.

While Leverkusen continues to aim for a Bundesliga, German Cup, and Europa League treble, Daniele De Rossi’s club is fighting for a spot in the redesigned Champions League in Serie A next season.

Leverkusen started with Victor Boniface and former Roma man Patrik Schick on the bench as Alonso, who is gunning for an unbeaten season, started with a conservative line-up.

It was a cagey affair until Lukaku headed onto the crossbar in the 22nd minute after Leandro Paredes did brilliantly to bring down an overhit corner and hook the ball back for the Belgium forward.

Moments later the away fans briefly roared with celebration as Jeremie Frimpong slipped clean through a dozing Roma back line and lifted his finish into the side netting.

But the Leverkusen fans didn’t have to wait long to see their side take the lead, and it was another Roma slip up which allowed it to happened in the 28th minute.

Rick Karsdorp cleaned up after Chris Smalling misjudged a header but his weak back pass allowed Alejandro Grimaldo to set up Wirtz for a simple finish.

The hosts were lucky not to be two down five minutes later when Frimpong flashed wide from a great position.

Roma looked shaky every time Leverkusen came forward and after Smalling gave away a cheap corner under pressure from Amine Adli the home defence left Piero Hincapie free to head over the bar six minutes after the break.

Bryan Cristante lanced a great chance wide from Paulo Dybala’s corner but Roma’s fans were finally deflated in the 73rd by Andrich’s brilliant strike which put the tie firmly in Leverkusen’s hands.

Roma would have had a lifeline in stoppage time had substitute Tammy Abraham not headed over in front of an open goal but instead their European adventure is all but over.