AS Roma advanced to the 2023 UEFA Europa League (UEL) final.

Jose Mourinho guides Roma into UEL final.

AS Roma advanced to the 2023 UEFA Europa League (UEL) final after they followed up their semi-final first-leg win against Bayer 04 Leverkusen with a goalless draw at BayArena, meaning the Giallorossi reach the competition’s climax despite having not scored a single knockout-stage away goal.

With a guaranteed place in next season’s UEFA Champions League on offer for the winner of this tournament, a slender 1-0 first-leg victory for José Mourinho’s side set up this showpiece event between two sides in danger of missing out on their domestic top-sixes. With a deficit to make up, Leverkusen started with all of their characteristic pace and dynamism, and almost squared things up when Moussa Diaby raced away and smashed against the bar with under 15 minutes gone.

Despite being a former student of Mourinho at Real Madrid, the stark contrast of Xabi Alonso’s playstyle was on full display.

However, there was a hint of frantic desperation about Leverkusen’s forward play, and Roma had learned their lesson from Diaby’s early chance, striving to preserve their lead with a deeper block. There was nevertheless no shortage of attempts for Leverkusen, but a couple of long-range efforts from Kerem Demirbay were the best that Die Werkself had to show for the opening 45 minutes.

As is so often the case in German stadia, the stands were alight with the red of Leverkusen after the break, but the home fans were hoping that the likes of Florian Wirtz and Sardar Azmoun could produce fireworks on the pitch instead. In fact, the Iranian forward was the most dangerous outlet for the home side, going close on multiple occasions, but Roma’s game plan was executed perfectly. Searching for an 11th win in 12 European knockout ties, including last year’s UEFA Europa Conference League triumph, they completely suffocated Leverkusen’s momentum.

The resolute backline of the Italians eked out the result in typical Mourinho fashion, and the final whistle was greeted by incredible scenes of celebration in the away end. While there was disappointment for Leverkusen, Roma fans will now dream of a second European title in as many years when they face six-time Europa League winners Sevilla for this competition’s thrilling culmination in Budapest in two weeks’ time.

Flashscore man of the Match: Nemanja Matić (AS Roma)

Source: Flashscore

Richard Koomson| mediacentralonline.info |Ghana
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