Leverkusen Reach Europa League Final After Draw with Roma
Leverkusen Overcome Semifinal Loss
Paredes Scores Goal to Level Aggregate
Bayer 04 Leverkusen progressed to the UEFA Europa League final on Thursday, eliminating Roma 4-2 on aggregate after a 2-2 draw in the second leg at the BayArena stadium. The German side had lost the first leg 2-1 in Rome, but a goal from Exequiel Paredes in the first half leveled the aggregate score and set up a thrilling second half.
Roma dominated possession throughout the match, but Leverkusen created the better chances. The German side had 12 shots to Roma's seven, and four on target to Roma's three. Paredes' goal came in the 43rd minute, when he blasted a shot down the middle of the goal as Roma goalkeeper Pau Lopez dove out of the way.
Roma pushed for an equalizer in the second half, but Leverkusen's defense held firm. The German side will now face either Manchester United or Inter Milan in the final, which will be played on May 16 in Gdansk, Poland.
For Leverkusen, the victory is a redemption of sorts after losing in the semifinals of the Europa League last year to eventual champions Villarreal. The German side will be hoping to go one step further this year and claim their first major European trophy since the 1988 UEFA Cup.
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