Florian Wirtz and Robert Andrich netted goals that assured Bayer Leverkusen a 2-0 lead over AS Roma during the first leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday. The recent Bundesliga title holders and German Cup contenders got an early lead in Rome, with Wirtz scoring before half time in a simple, low finish that leveraged Roma’s defensive slip-up. Andrich doubled the lead around the 73-minute mark, not giving Roma’s goalkeeper, Mile Svilar, any chance with his powerful shot from distance right under the crossbar.
In the other semi-final first leg, Atalanta and Marseille managed to only get a 1-1 draw at Marseille’s home ground. Gianluca Scamacca gave the visiting team an early lead around the 11-minute mark, scoring his 16th goal of the season. He was unmarked in the penalty area, and he managed to successfully fire a low shot into the far corner after a pass from Teun Koopmeiners. However, Chancel Mbemba brought Marseille back into the game with an impressive long-distance strike that hit the post and ricocheted into the goal following a corner. Despite numerous opportunities, neither team managed to get any more goals in the second half.
The Europa League final is set to take place at Aviva Stadium on Wednesday, May 22nd.
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