Bayer Leverkusen set European record with longest unbeaten run, through to Europa League final

Bayer Leverkusen’s 2-2 draw in opposition to Roma within the Europa League on Thursday evening means the German facet have gone 49 video games unbeaten and damaged the file for the longest streak with out dropping to a European membership because the introduction of UEFA membership competitions in 1955.

Leverkusen have been main their tie in opposition to Roma by two targets following the primary leg, however seemed set to lose their first recreation of the season after two penalties from Leandro Paredes had put the German facet behind.

An personal aim from Gianluca Mancini within the 82nd minute, nevertheless, and a 97th-minute equaliser from Josip Stanisic ensured Leverkusen progressed to the Europa League last following a 4-2 combination victory.

Stanisic’s aim, in the meantime, was Leverkusen’s seventeenth scored in stoppage time this season.

Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka stated to TNT Sports activities: “That is soccer. It’s the good a part of soccer. For the mentality we confirmed once more at present in opposition to an enormous crew to return again like this and undergo to the ultimate. We’re more than pleased at present.

“You see the will from the crew, we didn’t wish to decelerate. We wished to attain the subsequent aim to maintain going unbeaten, 49 occasions now. We’re happy with it.”

The unbeaten run, which is throughout all competitions and began with an 8-0 victory over FC Teutonia Ottensen within the German Cup on August 12, has surpassed Portuguese membership Benfica’s mark of 48 consecutive video games with out dropping from December 1963 to February 1965.

That Benfica crew was spearheaded by Eusebio and so they gained the Portuguese league and cup over the course of their unbeaten run.

Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen facet have averted defeat in 32 Bundesliga video games, 5 German Cup matches and 12 Europa League video games. They’ve gained 40 of those matches.

Unsurprisingly, this has left them on the point of a treble. They’ve already gained the Bundesliga — ending Bayern Munich’s 11-season dominance because of this — face second-tier Kaiserslautern within the German Cup last on Could 25 and Atalanta within the Europa League last on Could 22.

If Leverkusen additionally keep away from defeat of their last two league video games they’ll turn out to be the primary facet in Bundesliga historical past to go a complete season unbeaten.

Listed here are the 5 longest unbeaten runs by a European membership since 1955:

(Christof Koepsel/Getty Photos)