Soccer

Europa League: Bayer Leverkusen on course for Dublin final after 2-0 win in Rome

Marseille held to a 1-1 home draw by Atalanta in the other semi-final first leg

Robert Andrich celebrates after scoring Bayer Leverkusen's second goal during the Uefa Europa League semi final, first leg against AS Roma at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. Photograph: Filippo Monteforte/AFP via Getty Images

Thu May 2 2024 - 22:29

Goals by Florian Wirtz and Robert Andrich gave Bayer Leverkusen a 2-0 advantage over AS Roma in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday.

The newly-crowned Bundesliga champions and German Cup finalists took the lead in Rome through Wirtz before the half-hour mark when the midfielder scored with a simple low finish, capitalising on Roma’s defensive error.

Andrich doubled the advantage in the 73rd minute, leaving Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar with no chance when he fired an unstoppable shot from outside the box and under the bar.

Marseille were held to a 1-1 home draw by Atalanta in their semi-final first leg.

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Gianluca Scamacca put the visitors ahead after 11 minutes when Teun Koopmeiners found him unmarked in the box to fire low into the far post for his 16th goal in all competitions this season.

Chancel Mbemba equalised for Marseille nine minutes later with a superb long-range strike that hit the post and into the net following a corner

Both sides missed chances to score further goals in the second half.

This year’s Europea League final takes place at the Aviva Stadium on Wednesday, May 22nd.

(c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2024

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