It was an intense night time of European soccer as the primary legs of the UEFA Europa League semifinals occurred on Thursday. Bayer Leverkusen managed to win as soon as once more, 2-0 win on the Stadio Olimpico in opposition to AS Roma, whereas Atalanta drew 1-1 away in opposition to Olympique Marseille on the Velodrome in France. In seven days the groups will meet once more for the second legs that can decide the 2023-24 finalists. Let’s have a look at what occurred on Thursday:
Bayer Leverkusen 2, AS Roma 0
Bayer Leverkusen stay unbeatable, at the very least for now, and sure secured their spot within the closing in Dublin because of the objectives scored by Florian Wirtz and Robert Andrich. Roma tried to withstand at the very least within the first a part of the match as Romelu Lukaku additionally hit the crossbar, however then the distinction between the 2 sides turned obvious. Rick Karsdorp’s mistake led to the opening objective of the match scored by Wirtz which drastically modified the sport. It is troublesome to see how Bayer can lose the possibility to qualify for the ultimate within the second leg.
Marseille 1, Atalanta 1
It is 1-1 on the finish between OM and Atalanta after the visitors scored the opener with Gianluca Scamacca, the person of the second for the workforce coached by Gian Piero Gasperini. Olympique Marseille had been in a position to equalize with defender Chancel Mbemba a couple of minutes after Scamacca’s objective, however then Atalanta saved the draw and all the things can be determined subsequent week when La Dea will host Jean-Louis Gasset’s aspect in Bergamo.
Purpose of the day
Bayer Leverkusen’s Andrich scored the objective of the day, because the 2023-24 Bundesliga champions gained 2-0 in Rome in opposition to AS Roma. Josip Stanisic assisted Andrich, who scored an attractive objective from exterior the field that principally ended the Giallorossi’s desires to make a comeback within the first leg of the semifinals. That was Andrich’s fifth objective in all competitions this season thus far in 40 video games performed with Leverkusen.
Participant of the day
Who, if not him? Scamacca scored once more and gave Atalanta the massive likelihood to make their comeback in Italy with a draw within the first leg in France. The Italian striker resides an awesome second, as he scored 16 objectives in 37 video games in all competitions thus far, six in 9 Europa League video games, together with the brace scored in opposition to Liverpool within the first leg of the quarterfinals at Anfield. His possibilities to change into the starter of the Italian nationwide workforce at UEFA 2024 Euro this summer season is rising recreation after recreation.
Craziest second
A mistake that could not change the ultimate end result, however AS Roma’s Tammy Abraham had a giant alternative to attain the 2-1 within the final minutes of the sport in opposition to Bayer Leverkusen however his try went exterior regardless of being in the very best place attainable to attain his first European objective of the season. AS Roma may have extra possibilities (nonetheless little) to return again within the second leg, however after this error, it now appears unlikely that they’ll go to a European closing for the third season in a row.
What’s subsequent
On Could 9, Bayer Leverkusen will host AS Roma in Germany whereas Atalanta will host OM on the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo. As issues stand, it appears probably that Xabi Alonso’s workforce will make it to the ultimate, whereas Atalanta are actually the favorites of their tie, however it will not be straightforward in any respect. The winners of the 2 matchups will meet in Dublin on Could 22 for the ultimate.