Aston Villa’s European dream came to an end on Thursday night, while Bayer Leverkusen etched their name into European football history. In a dramatic Europa League semi-final second leg, Leverkusen secured a 2-2 draw against Roma, progressing to the final with a 4-2 aggregate win. However, the real story of the night was the German side’s remarkable achievement – extending their unbeaten run to a record-breaking 49 games.
The Villans, despite a valiant effort in the first leg, couldn’t overcome a strong Leverkusen side throughout the competition. While details of their specific defeat are unavailable, their elimination paves the way for Leverkusen’s historic quest for silverware.
At the BayArena, Leverkusen found themselves staring down a potential upset after Roma clawed their way back from a 2-0 deficit on aggregate with two penalties from Leandro Paredes. The Italian side looked poised to force extra time, but a dramatic late surge from Leverkusen saw them rewrite the record books.
With just eight minutes remaining, a moment of misfortune for Roma defender Gianluca Mancini resulted in an own goal, putting Leverkusen back in front on aggregate. The drama wasn’t over, however. As the final whistle loomed, a last-gasp corner from Alex Grimaldo caused chaos in the Roma box. Goalkeeper Mile Svilar misjudged the flight of the ball, which bounced off Mancini and into the net. The BayArena erupted as Josip Stanisic, the unlikely hero, secured the 2-2 draw and, more importantly, Leverkusen’s historic 49th unbeaten game.
This achievement surpasses the previous record of 48 games, set by Portuguese giants Benfica between December 1963 and February 1965. Leverkusen’s manager, Xabi Alonso, has masterminded a remarkable season for the club. After securing the Bundesliga title, they now stand on the cusp of Europa League glory and potentially an unprecedented unbeaten treble, with the DFB-Pokal final still to come.
The manner of the victory epitomizes the fighting spirit that has been a hallmark of Leverkusen’s season. From a tactical standpoint, Alonso’s side has been a juggernaut, blending watertight defense with lightning-fast attacking prowess. Their unbeaten run is a testament to their consistency and adaptability, a quality on display against Roma as they battled back from the brink of defeat.
Leverkusen will face Atalanta in the Europa League final on May 22nd in Dublin. The Italian side, known for their attacking flair, will present a different challenge, but Leverkusen will enter the match brimming with confidence.
For Aston Villa, the Europa League exit is a disappointment, but they can take solace in a valiant European campaign. The experience gained will undoubtedly benefit them in future competitions. However, the night undeniably belonged to Bayer Leverkusen. They have not only booked their place in a European final but also cemented their place in European football folklore with a record-breaking feat. The question now remains: can they continue their remarkable run and achieve an unprecedented treble? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen are a team to watch.
