Bayer Leverkusen continued their impressive unbeaten run, extending it to a European record of 47 games across all competitions, with a commanding 2-0 victory over Roma in the UEFA Europa League semi-final first leg clash at the Stadio Olimpico.
Here are five key talking points from the game:
1. Leverkusen's Clinical Finishing: Leverkusen demonstrated clinical finishing, capitalizing on Roma's defensive errors to secure a comfortable victory. Florian Wirtz's cool finish after a defensive lapse by Rick Karsdorp set the tone for Leverkusen's attacking prowess.
2. Defensive Vulnerabilities Exposed: Roma's defensive vulnerabilities were exposed, particularly with Karsdorp's error leading to Leverkusen's opening goal. Despite Romelu Lukaku's early chance hitting the bar, Roma struggled to contain Leverkusen's attacking threat throughout the game.
3. Robert Andrich's Brilliance: Leverkusen midfielder Robert Andrich showcased his brilliance with a stunning long-range strike to double his team's lead. Andrich's goal not only highlighted his individual quality but also sealed the victory for Leverkusen, underlining their dominance in the match.
4. Missed Opportunities for Roma: Roma squandered several opportunities to get back into the game, with Piero Hincapié and Bryan Cristante failing to convert chances for the home side. Roma's inability to capitalize on these chances proved costly as Leverkusen maintained their defensive resilience.
5. Leverkusen's European Aspirations: With this win, Leverkusen moved closer to their first European final in 22 years. Under the guidance of manager Xabi Alonso, Leverkusen's European aspirations are within reach, with the prospect of facing either Atalanta or Marseille in the final looming large.