The Werkself pushed the visitors back deep into their own half from the start of the game. After many fast passing moves in the Roma half, Moussa Diaby had the best chance of the first 45 with a shot against the bar from a tight angle (12’). The Italians were almost completely restricted to defensive work and they succeeded in denying further opportunities for the Leverkusen attack. The shots on goal after the first 45 minutes were 13 to 1 in favour of the hosts. The second half was marked by many interruptions to play and the José Mourinho team looking to run down the clock with Florian Wirtz and Co. unable to break down the massed AS Roma defence - in spite of changes up front with the introduction of Amine Adli, Adam Hlozek and Nadiem Amiri. That meant the Werkself missed the chance to progress to the Europa League final 35 years after winning the UEFA Cup in 1988. Here is the match report.
“All we lacked was the one goal. And a bit of luck,” said Kerem Demirbay hitting the nail on the head immediately after the final whistle. “It is a bitter disappointment. But: I’m proud of our lads! And of this club. It was an incredible atmosphere! Everybody here at the stadium produced a brilliant performance.” Nadiem Amiri added: “I can’t explain how we’ve gone out after the two games. We were so on top. It’s a big disappointment not being able to score a goal.”
Head coach Xabi Alonso also found emotional words for the events on the night in front of another full house at the BayArena: “We are grateful for the performance by our fans. Ahead of the game, during the game and after the game – it was incredible!” The Spaniard said about the display of his team on the pitch: “We played with high concentration and great intensity. The performances in the two games were worthy of the semi-final. The big difference was the one goal scored.”
Kerem Demirbay and Xabi Alonso said what was unmistakable and evident: The Werkself fans once again produced a really impressive display on the night. Greeting the team bus on Bismarckstraße in the shadows of the BayArena caused goose bumps. Ahead of kick-off, the Bayer 04 fans produced impressive choreography, which stretched across the North and East Stands. And during the game they urged the Werkself forwards non-stop. Impressive!
A glance at the shots on goal says everything about the semi-final second leg: The Werkself had 23 attempts on goal with a single effort by the visitors from Italy. The Black and Reds had 72% possession, pass completion was also clearly better (87% to 62%). The only thing missing was a goal.
“The Bayer 04 fans gave their all,” reported the Rheinische Post. The Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger talked about a “joint physical effort by team and fans” and the Bild Zeitung called the input from the stands at the BayArena a “brilliant stage.” kicker reported after the game: The Roma defence was unbreachable. Leverkusen put in a massive effort against a completely negative side from Rome, but remained without reward up front.” Kerem Demirbay, Edmond Tapsoba and Jonathan Tah received second highest marks for their performances in the second leg.
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In the last home game in the 2022/23 season the Werkself entertain Borussia Mönchengladbach at the BayArena on Sunday 21 May. The penultimate Bundesliga fixture for the Black and Reds kicks off at 19.30 CEST. The final away game of the campaign is a week later when Leverkusen visit VfL Bochum. The kick-off time – as is traditional on the final matchday in the Bundesliga – is at 15.30 CEST at all grounds.
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