Bayer Leverkusen took a huge step towards the Europa League final after a deserved first-leg win in their last-four clash against Roma at the Stadio Olimpico. Florian Wirtz gave Leverkusen a half-time lead before Robert Andrich struck a superb second as the German champions proved too strong for their hosts. They take on second-tier Kaiserslautern in the German Cup final later this month, before what now looks a likely Dublin date with either Atalanta or Marseille, who drew in their first-leg tie in France.
Leverkusen underlined their superiority in the 73rd minute when Andrich struck a superb yard shot that looped over Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar and crept in under the bar. Roma were made to look second best, but did create other chances to give De Rossi hope for the return leg in Germany next Thursday. But the return match has not yet been played.
The commitment from the players has been fantastic. Robert Andrich scores from long range to put Leverkusen up in Rome.
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