Leverkusen, now in the Europa League final, aims for an unbeaten 'triple'

Leverkusen drew 2-2 with AS Roma in the second leg of the 2023-2024 UEFA Europa League quarterfinals at the BayArena in Leverkusen, Germany, on Tuesday morning (4:00 a.m. ET).

Leverkusen, who had won the first leg 2-0, advanced to the final with a 4-2 aggregate score in the first leg.

The 'home team' Leverkusen lined up in a 3-4-3 formation. Amine Adli, Jonas Hoffmann, Adam Hlozek, Granit Xhosa, Ezequiel Palacios, Jeremy Frimpong, Alex Grimaldo, Piero Incapie, Jonathan Tah, Edmond Topsova, and Matej Kovar (goalkeeper) started.

The visitors lined up in a 3-5-2 formation. Sardar Azmoun, Romelu Lukaku, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Bryan Cristante, Leandro Paredes, Leonardo Spinazzola, Stephan El Shaarawy, Gianluca Mancini, Evan Ndika, Angelinho, and Mile Svilár (goalkeeper) started up front.

Roma, who trailed by two goals in the first leg, were diligent in the early stages of the first half.

However, it was Leverkusen who created the first real chance. In the 28th minute, from a free kick, Palacios fired a right-footed mid-range shot. However, the ball bounced off the post.

In the 38th minute, Leverkusen looked to take the lead again, with a pass that found space in the back. Grimaldo then played a penetrating pass into the box, which Adlai finished with his left foot. The keeper made the save.

Roma didn't stand still. They earned a penalty kick in the 43rd minute. Tah pulled down Azmoun on a cross. 안전놀이터 추천 Paredes stepped up to the spot kick and converted.

The first half ended with Roma leading 1-0.

In the 17th minute of the second half, Roma earned another penalty kick. It was for a handball foul on Hlozek. Paredes stepped up to the spot kick and converted. Roma equalized the score at 2-2.

Leverkusen fought back. In the 27th minute of the second half, Tah hit a mid-range shot. The ball deflected off the defense and landed in front of Hlozek, who immediately fired a left-footed shot. But the ball went into the side netting.

In the 38th minute of the second half, Leverkusen pulled a goal back. From a corner kick, Roma Mancini headed home an own goal. Leverkusen regained the lead with a 3-2 aggregate score.

In the seventh minute of second-half stoppage time, Leverkusen scored a golden equalizer. Stanisic broke down the left flank and scored a theatrical goal with a pinpoint shot.

Leverkusen held on for a 2-2 draw. Leverkusen went 49 games unbeaten, the longest unbeaten run in European history.

The finalists will now face Atalanta, who beat Olympique de Marseille, for the title at the Aviva Stadium in Ireland on June 23.

Leverkusen are going for the triple. They have already clinched the Bundesliga title this season, are in the Europa League, and are in the final of the DFB-Pokal, a cup competition. They will play Kaiserslautern for the cup trophy.

In their remaining four matches (two in the league, one in the Europa League, and one in the cup), Leverkusen will be looking to complete the 'treble' by going unbeaten in 53 matches.