Published on 05/02/2024
Granit Xhaka and Bayer Leverkusen have one foot in the Europa League final. The Werkself won 2-0 in Rome against AS Roma in the semi-final first leg.
The German champion opened the scoring through Florian Wirtz in the 28th minute. And even though the Romans had more possession of the ball, it was the Germans who were the most dangerous.
And in the 73rd minute, it was Robert Andrich who doubled the lead with a magnificent shot into the top corner. In the sequence of this goal, Granit Xhaka received a yellow card while tempers grew heated. Xabi Alonso’s team was able to maintain these two goal gaps which will prove very useful next week during the return match in a week’s time.
But the Germans were lucky because in the very last seconds, Tammy Abraham missed a huge opportunity. The Roman striker managed to place his header above the crossbar when the goal was empty.
In the other semi-final, Marseille and Atalanta drew 1-1 at the Vélodrome. The two successes came in the first half by Scamacca for the Italians and Mbemba for the Olympians.
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