UEL Semi-Final 1st Leg: Leverkusen's Triumph Over Roma, Marseille and Atalanta Battle to a Draw

UEL Semi-Final 1st Leg: Leverkusen’s Defeats Roma, Marseille and Atalanta Battle to a Draw in Europa League Showdown!

Roma vs Bayer Leverkusen UEL Semi-Final 1st Leg
Roma 0-2 Leverkusen
Thursday’s Europa League semi-finals saw Roma facing off against Bundesliga champions in Rome, and it was a one-sided affair from the start.

Despite Roma having the initial chance with Paulo Dybala testing Lukas Hradecky, Leverkusen quickly seized control. A defensive error from Rick Karsdorp allowed Álex Grimaldo to set up Florian Wirtz for the opening goal, putting Roma on the back foot early on. Roma’s woes deepened when a back-pass from their home right-back, Rick Karsdorp, fell short, allowing Alex Grimaldo to set up Wirtz for his 18th goal of the season for Leverkusen.
The Italian side struggled to regain momentum as Leverkusen continued to press forward. Jeremie Frimpong came close to extending the lead before halftime, signaling the dominance of the Bundesliga champions.

Xabi Alonso’s team, having suffered defeat against Roma in last season’s Europa League, are now eyeing a treble as they gear up to face Kaiserslautern in the German Cup final. Meanwhile, Roma, under the guidance of head coach Daniele De Rossi since January, had shown resilience, losing just three times across all competitions since his appointment.

The clash between the two sides saw Roma initially threatening, with Romelu Lukaku’s header rattling the crossbar. However, a lapse in concentration from De Rossi’s men allowed Leverkusen to capitalize, seizing a 28th-minute lead. This setback added to the intrigue of the match, setting the stage for a fiercely contested battle between two determined teams.

In the second half, Leverkusen’s superiority was further emphasized when Robert Andrich unleashed a stunning long-range strike, doubling their advantage. Despite Roma’s efforts, they couldn’t find a breakthrough, with Sardar Azmoun being thwarted by Piero Hincapié’s timely intervention.
As frustration mounted for Roma, tempers flared, culminating in a heated exchange between players from both sides. Leonardo Spinazzola and Granit Xhaka found themselves in the referee’s book as tensions boiled over on the pitch. Despite their struggles, Roma managed to create other opportunities, refusing to go down without a fight.

As the final whistle approached, Roma’s frustration was evident, epitomized by Tammy Abraham’s missed opportunity from close range. The defeat marked Roma’s first home loss of the competition and left them with a significant deficit to overcome in the second leg at the Bay Arena.

On the other hand, Leverkusen’s unbeaten streak continues, showcasing their strength as they aim for a treble. With their commanding performance in Rome, they’ve positioned themselves as formidable contenders for the Europa League title.

Marseille Holds Atalanta to a Draw in Thrilling UEL Semi-Final 1st Leg

Marseille vs Atalanta UEL Semi-Final 1st Leg
Marseille 1-1 Atalanta
The second semi-final unfolded as Marseille hosted Atalanta in France, setting the stage for a tense encounter. Despite the home advantage, Marseille squandered numerous opportunities to seize a lead heading into the second leg. The missed chances added to the drama of the match, leaving both teams eager to make amends in the return fixture.

Despite the electrifying atmosphere at the Stade Velodrome, it was Atalanta who silenced the home crowd by taking the lead, thanks to the clinical finishing of Gianluca Scamacca. His precise strike from 14 yards out nestled into the bottom corner, handing his side an unexpected advantage in Marseille.

Marseille’s woes were further compounded by an injury to Sead Kolasinac, adding to their early frustrations. However, they managed to restore parity before the halftime whistle, courtesy of an impressive goal from an unlikely source, center-back Chancel Mbemba, whose strike from outside the penalty box, found the net.

Despite the equalizer, Marseille felt they deserved more, particularly with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang squandering a golden opportunity just before halftime. The French side continued to dominate proceedings in the second half, with Aubameyang and Sarr coming close to finding the breakthrough, only to be denied by the Atalanta defense and the woodwork.

Atalanta, on the other hand, struggled to impose themselves in the second half, managing just two shots with only one on target. However, they held firm defensively, determined to secure a draw and take the advantage back to Italy for the second leg.

Ultimately, Gasperini’s side succeeded in their mission, ensuring they have the upper hand heading into the return fixture, leaving Marseille with the daunting task of overturning the deficit on Atalanta’s home turf.