Bayer Leverkusen break unbeaten record to set up Europa League final date with Atalanta at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium
Bayer Leverkusen players and staff celebrate after beating Roma on aggregate to reach the Europa League final in Dublin on May 22
Atalanta players celebrate after the match
Bayer Leverkusen staged a late comeback to move into the Europa League final with a 2-2 draw at home against AS Roma to win 4-2 on aggregate as they set the longest unbeaten run in all competitions including European matches.
Leverkusen – who will meet Atalanta in the final at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on Wednesday May 22 – played their 49th match without defeat to surpass Benfica's record set from 1963-65 but they had to battle for the second leg draw.
Roma took the lead with a penalty from Leandro Paredes just before halftime after Jonathan Tah fouled Sardar Azmoun. Paredes scored with another spot kick in the 66th minute after Adam Hlozek's handball.
With eight minutes remaining, a Leverkusen corner confused the visiting defence, leading to Gianluca Mancini inadvertently deflecting the ball into his own net at the far post.
Joseph Stanisic then secured Leverkusen's place in the record books deep into stoppage time with the equaliser after a skilful move into the box.
Meanwhile, Atalanta's Ademola Lookman, Matteo Ruggeri and El Bilal Toure scored to send the Italians into their first Europa League final with a 3-0 win over Marseille for a 4-1 aggregate victory.
Lookman put Atalanta ahead in the second leg on the half-hour with a long-range strike past Pao Lopez before setting up Ruggeri to double the lead seven minutes after the break.
Atalanta players celebrate after the match
Substitute Toure put the nail in Marseille's coffin with a goal in the 94th minute.
Atalanta, who face Juventus in the Italian Cup final on Wednesday, are fifth in Serie A and have their sights set on a Champions League qualifying spot.
