Europa League Results and Roundup of the 2nd leg of the Quarter-finals
Roma vs Bayer Leverkusen: 4-1 AET (4-2 AGG.)
AS Roma secured a place in the Europa League semifinals after a dramatic extra-time win against Feyenoord Rotterdam on Thursday. The hosts, who lost the first leg 1-0, started the game with a fierce determination to score. However, Feyenoord were also in the game and keeper Rui Patricio had to make a save to deny Sebastian Szymanski. Roma continued to create chances but were unable to convert them, with Lorenzo Pellegrini hitting the post shortly after the restart.
In the 60th minute, Leonardo Spinazzola put Roma ahead with a well-taken shot that deflected into the bottom corner. Feyenoord replied in the 80th minute with a goal from Igor Paixao, but the joy was short-lived as Paulo Dybala leveled the aggregate score with a tricky angled shot in the 89th minute. The match was forced into extra time, and Roma’s persistence paid off as Stephan El Shaarawy converted a cross from Tammy Abraham after 101 minutes to put the hosts ahead. Pellegrini sealed the win seven minutes later by scoring a rebound from an Abraham shot.
Roma’s win means they will face Bayer Leverkusen in the semifinals on May 11 and 18. The match saw the return of Paulo Dybala and Tammy Abraham, who were both on the bench due to injuries sustained in the first leg. The visitors were dealt a blow in the game’s final moments when Santiago Gimenez was shown a straight red card for a knee-high tackle on Gianluca Mancini. Mourinho’s men fought hard for the win, and their determination paid off as they booked their place in the semifinals.
Sevilla vs Manchester United 3-0 (5-3 AGG.)
Sevilla continued their impressive record in the Europa League with a resounding 3-0 win against Manchester United at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. The six-time champions extended their unbeaten record against the Red Devils to five matches, progressing 5-2 on aggregate to the next round. Manchester United knew they needed a positive response after relinquishing control of the first leg with two own goals in the final 10 minutes.
The hopes of a solid start for United were undone within eight minutes, as a calamitous error from Harry Maguire allowed Erik Lamela to score for Sevilla. Youssef En-Nesyri then picked up the loose ball and doubled the hosts’ lead beyond David de Gea. Despite the early setback, Manchester United desperately searched for a route back into the contest.
However, Sevilla’s solid defense and dominant performance in attack thwarted United’s attempts to make an impact in the final third. With time ticking into the final 15 minutes, even the return of Marcus Rashford failed to ignite any kind of spark in the Red Devils’ frontline. Meanwhile, Yassine Bounou stood firm to deny Casemiro, while Wout Weghorst saw a dangerous effort blocked by the brilliant Nemanja Gudelj. The victory secured Sevilla’s place in the next round of the Europa League, leaving Manchester United to reflect on their missed opportunities.
Sporting CP vs Juventus 1-1 (1-2 AGG.)
Juventus have made it to their first European semi-final in six years after drawing 1-1 with Sporting in Lisbon, winning 2-1 on aggregate to reach the last four of the Europa League. Despite earlier seeing their 15-point Serie A deduction provisionally overturned, Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri needed to focus on the job at hand and made three changes from the first leg. Federico Chiesa’s corner was deflected off Hidemasa Morita, with Sebastian Coates failing to clear, allowing Alex Sandro to take a fluffed bicycle kick that landed at Adrien Rabiot’s feet to fire in and double the Italian visitors’ aggregate advantage.
However, Juventus’ hero soon turned to a villain when Marcus Edwards burst down the right and his cross hit Francisco Trincao, rebounding off the woodwork. Rabiot failed to see Manuel Ugarte charging in and brought him down, giving away a clear penalty. Edwards took the spot-kick bravely, slotting home to alter the game’s complexion, and Ousmane Diomande could have levelled the tie before halftime, but his header from a Pedro Goncalves corner went just wide.
In the second half, the pace of the game continued to be quick, but big opportunities were few and far between. Dusan Vlahovic had a chance to end his six-game scoring drought, but he was off-balance and diverted Juan Cuadrado’s ball wide of the target with the goal gaping. Chiesa blazed over before Allegri’s opposite number Rúben Amorim saw the glint of extra time in his eyes.
However, neither Ricardo Esgaio nor Coates could demonstrate the necessary composure, as Danilo made a vital clearance off the line from the home captain. Juventus withstood a lot of late pressure and will now meet Sevilla in a mouthwatering semi-final clash, with the final in Budapest potentially just 180 minutes away.
Royale Berlin vs Bayer Leverkusen 1-4 (2-5 AGG.)
Bayer Leverkusen secured their place in the Europa League semi-finals with a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. Moussa Diaby opened the scoring in just the second minute of the game, rounding the goalkeeper after a defensive mix-up. Mitchel Bakker doubled the lead before half-time with a well-placed volley. Jeremie Frimpong added a third for Leverkusen after a mistake from Union goalkeeper Anthony Moris. Union continued to battle and managed to pull one back through Casper Terho’s deflected shot, but Adam Hlozek’s goal sealed the win for Leverkusen.
Royale Union had performed admirably in their debut Europa League campaign, holding Leverkusen to a draw in the first leg, but they were ultimately outclassed by the German side. Despite Union’s efforts to get back into the game, their mistakes at the back were ruthlessly punished by Leverkusen’s clinical attacking play. Although Union’s run in the competition has been inspiring, Leverkusen’s quality proved too much for the Belgian minnows.
Leverkusen will now be hoping to reach their first major final since 2002, and their first European semi-final in 22 years. Union can be proud of their achievements in the competition.
