Roma almost completed the miracle of cancelling out the 2-0 first leg defeat, but Bayer Leverkusen simply refuse to lose their unbeaten 49-match record and reach the Europa League Final against Atalanta.
There was a mountain to climb after losing the first leg 2-0 at home, visiting a side unbeaten in 48 games. Paulo Dybala was only fit for the bench, with Dean Huijsen and Rasmus Kristensen cup-tied, but despite Zeki Celik’s return from suspension, the Giallorossi adopted a 3-5-2 formation. After using a False 9 in Rome, Xabi Alonso was unable to start Florian Wirtz.
See how it unfolded on the Liveblog.
Romelu Lukaku controlled an inspired Lorenzo Pellegrini long ball and the goalkeeper came rushing out to parry with his chest.
Exequiel Palacios stung Mile Svilar’s gloves after a give and go on the edge of the area and Pellegrini’s header was smothered by Matej Kovar.
The problems grew for Roma when Leonardo Spinazzola, who was in the back three, went down with a muscular problem and was replaced by Nicola Zalewski.
Gianluca Mancini made a decisive block on Adam Hlozek’s tap-in and Svilar pushed a Hlozek free kick over the bar, but Palacios went so close when his finish squirmed through a sea of legs to bounce off the inside of the upright and Evan Ndicka was quick to clear before anyone could get the tap-in.
Svilar also flew to fingertip a Jeremie Frimpong curler round the post, then made a desperate double save on Amine Adli’s strike and the Hlozek follow-up.
Just as Roma were struggling, Jonathan Tah dragged Azmoun down by the shirt for a penalty. With Dybala injured, Leandro Paredes stepped up and converted down the middle to halve the deficit on aggregate.
ONE BACK! 💪
Leandro Paredes cooly converts from the spot and it's game on for Roma against Leverkusen! 👀#UEL 📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/8FJzdht93q
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 9, 2024
It was almost a second moments later, as the Zalewski cross was whipped in from the right and Azmoun was inches away from getting his toes to it, as Edmond Tapsoba risked an own goal to clear.
Bryan Cristante’s finish was too weak on the Zalewski pass to beat Kovar, while Adli fired through Ndicka’s legs to skim the upright.
Kovar struggled with a sudden Azmoun snapshot and needed a tough one-handed save on the Stephan El Shaarawy curler, then Leverkusen countered on the corner but Svilar rushed out to deny Hofmann.
Roma have their second penalty of the eve 🍿
HUGE!#UEL pic.twitter.com/tX2LUgNTR5
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 9, 2024
There was another twist when Hlozek held up his hand near his face and with his fingertips pushed away a glancing Cristante corner. It was spotted by VAR and another penalty awarded to Roma, which Paredes again converted, this time sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.
ROMA ARE ALL SQUARE! 😱
Leandro Paredes scores his second penalty and Roma tie it up against Leverkusen! ⚖️#UEL 📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/dr927CSl0w
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 9, 2024
Hofmann tried and failed to coax Svilar into a penalty foul, while Adli drilled just past the post, but Roma’s luck was out.
Svilar misjudged the flight of the Grimaldo corner and the ball bounced in off Mancini at the back post for an own goal.
Never write off Leverkusen! 👊
The Bundesliga champions always find a way and now have the aggregate lead once again! #UEL 📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/4mOpVRBvN6
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 9, 2024
Roma threw everything forward and ran huge risks on the counter-attack, including a Patrik Schick lob off target, but Leverkusen simply refused to lose their 49-match unbeaten record. Stanisic cut inside from the right and bent a left-foot finish into the far bottom corner.
🤯 𝐁𝐀𝐘𝐄𝐑 𝐍𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐔𝐒𝐄𝐍 🤯
They've done it again!#UEL 📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/jwzrMDxW8H
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 9, 2024
Bayer Leverkusen 2-2 Roma (4-2 agg)
Paredes pens 43, 66 (R), Mancini og 82 (B), Stanisic 97 (B)
Player statistic
| Ademola Lookman (Assist: Charles De Ketelaere) |
 |
30' |
| Éderson |  |
47' | ||
| Matteo Ruggeri (Assist: Ademola Lookman) |
|
52' | ||
| Marten de Roon | |
63' | ||
| El Bilal Touré | |
90+5' |
Match statistic
Roma go out and Mancini with an own goal 😂Absolutely epic.
Roma needed Mourinho in this kind of situation. Regret having sacked him?