Last Update: May 19, 2023, 03:15 IST
Mourinho’s Roma went into the first leg with a narrow 1–0 lead thanks to a second-half goal from Rome-born midfielder Edoardo Bove. (Image: AS Roma / Twitter)
AS Roma made little in attack but defended doggedly as an increasingly frustrated home side squandered their goal in search of an equaliser.
Jose Mourinho’s Roma remain on track for a second European trophy in two seasons after a 0-0 draw at Bayer Leverkusen on Thursday put them ahead 1-0 on aggregate.
The Europa Conference League holders created little in attack but defended doggedly as an increasingly frustrated home side squandered their goal in search of an equaliser.
The visitors held on after eight minutes of extra time and will face either Juventus or Sevilla in the final in Budapest in late May.
Roma entered the game with a narrow 1–0 lead in the first leg thanks to a second-half goal from Rome-born midfielder Edoardo Bove.
Mourinho, known for his defensive tactics, has been perfect this Europa League season, with the Europa Conference League holders conceding just three goals in eight knockout games on their way to the final.
Leverkusen, who have beaten Bayern Munich, Atlético Madrid and RB Leipzig at home this season, got off to a great start, with 20-year-old creator Florian Wertz pulling the strings in midfield.
Wirtz linked up with France forward Moussa Diaby after 12 minutes and the Paris Saint-Germain junior rattled the crossbar.
The same combination connected again ten minutes later, Diaby heading just wide.
Iran striker Sardar Azmoun was brought down on the counter at the edge of the box, but with the first half winding down, the referee waved off the incident despite protests from the home players.
Leerkusen’s Spanish coach Xabi Alonso brought on French winger Amin Adly and the French winger almost equalised, finding Azmoun in the box – but Irani pulled his shot just wide.
With the clock winding down, the home fans became increasingly displeased with the visitors’ stoppage tactics, resulting in eight minutes of extra time.
As the full-time whistle blew, an elated Mourinho headed straight for the visiting fans, shaking the net.
For Roma, who are six points off fourth place in Serie A with three games to play, the win means not only a shot at a maiden Europa League title but a chance to make next year’s Champions League.
Despite the elimination, Leverkusen’s short-term looks bright, with Alonso, who took Leverkusen from the relegation spots to the European semi-finals late last year, announcing he will be at the Bayern next season.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – AFP,
