Bayer Leverkusen made history by setting a new European unbeaten record of 49 successive games after securing a late draw against Roma in the Europa League semi-final. The match ended in a 2-2 draw, giving Leverkusen a 4-2 aggregate victory and a spot in the final.
Roma, who had lost the first leg in Italy, put up a much-improved performance in Germany. They drew level in the tie through two penalties converted by Leandro Paredes. However, a disastrous own goal from Gianluca Mancini gave Leverkusen the crucial advantage in the two-legged tie.
The Croatian defender Josip Stanisic then scored with the last kick of the game, in the 97th minute, to secure Leverkusen’s place in history. This remarkable achievement surpasses the previous unbeaten run set by Benfica between December 1963 and February 1965, making Leverkusen’s run the longest since the advent of European competition.
Leverkusen’s success this season goes beyond their unbeaten run. They have already won the Bundesliga title and reached the German Cup final, making them contenders for a treble. Their impressive form and ability to score late goals, as demonstrated by Stanisic’s winner, have earned them a place in the Europa League final against Italian side Atalanta.
The Leverkusen players celebrated wildly at full-time, reflecting the significance of their achievement. However, they could have secured their unbeaten record much earlier in the match if they had been more clinical with their chances. They dominated the first half, hitting the post and forcing a fine double save from Roma keeper Mile Svilar.
Despite their dominance, Roma took the lead against the run of play through a penalty. Leverkusen captain Jonathan Tah was penalized for dragging down Sardar Azmoun in the box, and Paredes made no mistake from the spot. Leverkusen continued to create chances but failed to find the back of the net.
Roma punished Leverkusen’s wastefulness when Adam Hlozek handballed from a corner, allowing Paredes to score his second penalty of the night. However, Leverkusen’s luck turned when Svilar made a crucial mistake, flapping at a corner and inadvertently hitting Mancini in the face, resulting in an own goal.
With just eight minutes remaining, Stanisic cut in from the right and fired a low, left-footed shot past Svilar to secure Leverkusen’s victory and their place in the history books. This goal was Leverkusen’s 17th scored after the 90th minute in matches across all competitions this season, highlighting their ability to perform under pressure.
Leverkusen’s achievement adds to Germany’s success in European competitions this week, with Dortmund also reaching the Champions League final. This demonstrates the strength of German football and sets up an exciting showdown between Leverkusen and Atalanta in the Europa League final.
Overall, Leverkusen’s unbeaten run is a testament to their consistency and resilience. It showcases their ability to perform at the highest level and sets them apart as one of Europe’s top teams. Their upcoming final against Atalanta promises to be a thrilling encounter, as both teams vie for glory in Dublin.