Josip Stanisic’s thrilling stoppage-time goal helped Bayer Leverkusen eke out a draw against Roma to make it to the Europa League final on aggregate. Xabi Alonso’s men have extended their unbeaten run to a record-breaking 49 games.

Bayer Leverkusen’s Spanish head coach Xabi Alonso (C) celebrates after the UEFA Europa League semi final second leg football match between Bayer Leverkusen and ASC Roma in Leverkusen, on May 9, 2024. (Photo – AFP)

New Delhi: Bayer Leverkusen have made it to the Europa League final 4-2 on aggregate, courtesy of a stoppage-time goal from Josip Stanisic which snatched a 2-2 draw at their home – the BayArena on Thursday. With the semi-final win, they have set the record for the longest unbeaten run in European football, extending their tally to a record 49 games.

In what was a rematch of last season’s Europa League semi-final, Roma came to Leverkusen 2-0 down from the first leg but levelled it up despite lacking possession as Leandro Paredes scored on penalties in each half (43rd and 66th minute). As the tie was headed for extra time, Alex Grimaldo struck a curvy corner which goalkeeper Mile Svilar failed to catch and the ball went into the net after bouncing off Roma defender Gianluca Mancini in the 82nd minute.

Leverkusen’s stunning record of late goals was kept alive by Stanisic who scored on the counter in the seventh minute of added time as Leverkusen broke Benfica’s European unbeaten record of 48 games dating back to 1965. The Bundesliga champions will now meet Atalanta, who beat Marseille 3-0 (4-1 on aggregate), in the final in the Irish city of Dublin on May 22, hoping to keep the treble alive.

Atalanta dominate Marseille to reach final

Atalanta in the other second-leg semi-final, claimed the biggest win in their history after sweeping aside Marseille 3-0 at the Gewiss Stadium and booking themselves a Europa League final berth. They will be taking on Leverkusen in the Dublin final later this month after a game that they fully deserved to win, showcasing dominating performances and Ligue 1’s Marseille barely having their say.

The triple strike for Atalanta came from Ademola Lookman (30th minute), academy product Matteo Ruggeri (52nd minute), and El Bilal Toure (90+4 minutes)who led their side to their first-ever European final with a 4-1 aggregate win. Marseille have won only four games on the road in all competitions this season and once Ruggeri doubled it up for Atalanta, the French outfit had no way back with Toure adding the icing on the cake in stoppage time.

Atalanta could now end the season with two trophies as they face Juventus in the Italian Cup on Wednesday. The win is a remarkable achievement for a club whose only major trophy to boast is the 1963 Italian Cup. They can also qualify for next season’s revamped Champions League through Serie A as they are currently in the fifth and final position for the top club competition.