Roma comes close to achieving the feat in Leverkusen but is forced to say goodbye to the Europa League. Daniele De Rossi’s team drew 2-2 with Bayer and missed out on reaching the final of the continental tournament, where they would have met Atalanta. The Giallorossi were called to a feat: to beat the German team, who had never lost this season, and overturn the 2-0 first leg deficit at the Olimpico. With eight minutes to go the goal seemed within reach with at least winning extra time.
Paredes, very cool in scoring two penalties awarded by the Dutch referee Makkelie, brings Roma to the temporary 2-0 lead. Then a very unfortunate own goal by Mancini in the 80th minute put an end to the dreams of the Italian team. In full injury time, Stanisic’s final 2-2 made the Bay Arena explode with joy and gave the Germans the final. THE NEWS
De Rossi fields Azmoun alongside Lukaku, leaving Dybala on the bench. Behind are Spinazzola and Angelino on the flanks. Xavi Alonso relies on the new Hlozek and Hofmann. And the start of the match seems to be in favor of the Giallorossi who maintain possession of the ball and make themselves dangerous several times: Lukaku forces the opposing defense to retreat and creates space for his teammates. The most dangerous shot, however, came from the hosts with Hofmann in the 15th minute: he saved Svilar with his fists. The spirits on the pitch are hot. And in the 20th minute there were already three yellow cards: Mancini, Pellegrini for Roma and Tapsoba for Bayer. In the 20th minute, the Giallorossi get the ball rolling: Spinazzola gets hurt and makes way for Zalewski. The young Pole started badly, losing the match against the opposing attackers. Xavi Alonso’s team takes center stage, as happened in the first leg. The Germans’ lead seems close: in the 24th minute Hlozek tries a free kick, Svilar lifts it over the crossbar. In the 32nd minute the Giallorossi goalkeeper once again became the protagonist by deflecting Frimpong’s shot into a corner. In the 39th minute, Svilar again saved from a double shot by Adli and Xhaka. Roma seems to concede but in the 40th minute the action arrives which leads to the penalty making it 1-0. Azmoun was belted in the area by Tah, who was also booked for the foul, and thus earned the penalty. Paredes goes to the spot and shoots hard and centrally and goes past Kovar. The game changes face. Roma came close to making it 2-0 on at least two occasions but the whistle signaled the end of the first half and saved the Germans who appeared to be as tested as a beaten boxer. In the second half Roma tried to exploit the positive momentum of the first half. Cristante frees himself in the center of the area and engages Kovar. Bayer reacts and creates a long web of passes to get to the shot. In the 9th minute Adli shoots from outside the area and grazes the post. Roma hits a throw-in. Azmoun from distance and El Shaarawy from the edge scare the Germans. Bayer had a clear chance in the 14th minute: five against three on the counterattack with Hofmann who was stopped by Svilar who saved again on two other occasions. The turning point came in the 20th minute. Handball in the area by Hloze awarded thanks to the check-var. Paredes again on the spot, very cold, for the 2-0. in the 28th minute Grimaldo catches a ball in the middle of the area but shoots just to Svilar’s left. In the 35th minute Smalling and Abraham come on for Angelino and Pellegrini. In the 82nd minute Svilar comes up empty from a corner, the ball hits Mancini who scores a mocking own goal. Roma throws themselves forward in search of extra time. Bayer came under pressure and in the 7th minute of injury time grabbed the final 2-2 draw with Stanisic. Before the final whistle, there was a lot of nervousness on the pitch with a hint of a fight in front of the two benches. Roma gave it their all and exited the Europa League with their heads held high. The Roma fans understand the moment and applaud the team and coach under their curve
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