Wirtz and Andrich Propel Bayer Leverkusen in Europa League Semi-Final, Xabi Alonso's Unbeaten Run Extends to 47 Games

Xabi Alonso's Men Triumph in Face of Roma Resurgence

Xabi Alonso's team arrived as strong contenders, yet the renewed energy of Roma's fans and their resurgence under Daniele De Rossi hinted at a closely contested match. This held true until the 28th minute when Florian Wirtz capitalized on a defensive lapse by Rick Karsdorp to score the opening goal for Die Werkself.

Seizing the lead, the Bundesliga champions dominated proceedings, limiting Roma's opportunities to level the score. However, it wasn't until Robert Andrich's thunderous long-range strike caught Mile Svilar off guard that Alonso's side doubled their lead, significantly bolstering their quest for a treble this season.

The Defensive Maestro: Alejandro Grimaldo Shines for Alonso's Side

Once again, Alejandro Grimaldo showcased his defensive prowess, playing a pivotal role in stifling Paulo Dybala's influence and containing Romelu Lukaku's threatening runs wide. Grimaldo's astute positioning and awareness disrupted Die Werkself's defense. Moreover, seizing on Rick Karsdorp's error, Grimaldo orchestrated a well-executed cutback to set up Florian Wirtz for the opening goal, earning himself an assist in the process.

The Costly Error: Karsdorp's Mistake Shifts Momentum in Semi-Final Clash

Rick Karsdorp's critical error proved to be the turning point in the semi-final encounter, dramatically altering the balance of the game. With the match evenly poised, a pivotal moment unfolded when Chris Smalling lost an aerial duel, allowing the ball to fall to Karsdorp. Under pressure, the right-back's misplaced pass to Mile Svilar gifted possession to the Spanish full-back, Alejandro Grimaldo. Grimaldo swiftly capitalized on the error, setting up Florian Wirtz to capitalize on the opportunity and give Bayer Leverkusen a crucial 1-0 lead.

Europa League Trivia: Marseille and Atalanta Lock Horns in Semifinal Draw

In the other Europa League semifinal clash, Marseille and Atalanta battled to a 1-1 draw at the Orange Velodrome. Gianluca Scamacca opened the scoring for Atalanta, but Chancel Mbemba's 20th-minute strike equalized for Marseille.

Upcoming Fixtures for Bayer Leverkusen

Following their Europa League encounter, Bayer Leverkusen, the Bundesliga champions, are set to face Frankfurt on May 5. They will then gear up for the second leg against Roma on Thursday, May 9.