Bayer Leverkusen extended their record unbeaten streak to 47 matches with a 2-0 victory over Roma in the first leg of the Europa League semi-final at the Stadio Olimpico. Leverkusen's win was payback for last season's defeat to Roma at the same stage. Leverkusen's last loss was almost a year ago, and they now aim to progress to the final, while Roma faces a challenging task to overturn Leverkusen's unbeaten run.

A commanding stadium in a major foreign capital failed to halt Bayer Leverkusen's remarkable unbeaten run across Europe. The newly crowned Bundesliga champions silenced the Stadio Olimpico with a 2-0 victory over Roma in the first leg of the Europa League semi-finals on Thursday, extending their unbeaten streak to 47 matches across all competitions.

No club from Europe’s top five leagues – Germany, England, Italy, Spain, and France – has enjoyed a longer unbeaten streak than Bayer Leverkusen.

The result also served as a measure of revenge for Leverkusen, as Roma had knocked them out at the same stage last season, marking their last European defeat.

Leverkusen's last loss in any competition was a 3-0 defeat to Bochum on 27th May 2023, in the final round of last season's Bundesliga.

Despite an early scare from Romelu Lukaku's header hitting the crossbar, Leverkusen capitalised on a defensive error from Roma to score on the counterattack. Florian Wirtz calmly finished from close range after a swift break led by Alex Grimaldo.

Midfielder Robert Andrich sealed the win for Leverkusen with a long-range strike in the 73rd minute, just as Roma threatened to equalise.

In the other semi-final, Atalanta drew 1-1 with Marseille.

The second legs will take place next Thursday, with the final scheduled for 22nd May in Dublin.

Leverkusen has only won one major European trophy, the 1988 UEFA Cup, and reached the 2002 Champions League final, losing to Real Madrid.

Roma, under coach Daniele De Rossi since January, is aiming for its third consecutive European final appearance after winning the Europa Conference League in 2022 and losing last year's Europa League final to Sevilla on penalties.

Roma hadn't lost a European knockout game at the Stadio Olimpico in seven years, dating back to a 1-0 defeat against Villarreal in the 2017 Europa League.

Despite Roma fans' pre-match enthusiasm ("AVANZIAMO" – Let's advance), the Italian side now faces a tough task to overturn Leverkusen's unbeaten season and progress in the Europa League.