Bayer Leverkusen and Atalanta will face each other in the Europa League final on May 22 at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. This became clear after the rematches were played in the semi-final phase.
Xabi Alonso's Bayer side continued their incredible unbeaten run of the season and recorded a 49th consecutive game without defeat, again following a late stoppage time goal. The Aspirins had a 2-0 lead after the first leg against Roma, but in Leverkusen two penalties from Leandro Paredes leveled the aggregate. A Gianluca Mancini own goal in the 82nd minute put Bayer ahead again, and Josip Stanisic equalized for the hosts in the 97th minute.
In the other semi-final, Atalanta beat Olympique Marseille 3-0 at home and eliminated their opponents 4-1 on aggregate. Thus, Leverkusen or Atalanta will win the first European trophy in their history.
In the Conference League, Olympiakos recorded a second consecutive victory over Aston Villa. The Greek giants won their home game against Birmingham with 2:0 and continue to the final with a total score of 6:2. Olympiakos' title challenger on May 29 will be Fiorentina, and the Greeks will have a serious advantage because the final will be played at the stadium of their city rivals AEK. /BGNES
