Football

Atalanta, the unassuming club from Bergamo, stands on the cusp of history as they prepare to face Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Europa League final on Wednesday. The Italians aim to become the first team to defeat the newly crowned German champions this season and etch their name in European football folklore.Gian Piero Gasperini's side has already tasted heartbreak this season, losing the Coppa Italia final to Juventus. However, they have a chance to end their 61-year trophy drought in Dublin. Atalanta's remarkable journey to the final has seen them overcome Sporting Lisbon, Liverpool, and Marseille, all teams with illustrious histories and larger fan bases.The Bergamo club has defied expectations under Gasperini, reaching the Champions League four times and establishing themselves as a force in Italian football. Their success is built on a strong connection with their local community and a commitment to attacking football.Star forwards Charles De Ketelaere and Gianluca Scamacca have been instrumental in Atalanta's success this season. De Ketelaere, on loan from AC Milan, has scored 14 goals and provided eight assists, while Scamacca has been a constant threat with his physicality and finishing ability.However, Atalanta will be without key midfielder Marten De Roon due to a hamstring injury. Gasperini has expressed his disappointment at De Roon's absence, calling it a "real loss."Despite the setback, Atalanta remains confident in their ability to overcome Leverkusen. They will rely on the brilliance of De Ketelaere and Scamacca, as well as the potential return of defender Sead Kolasinac.Gasperini, who has lost his previous three finals with Atalanta, is determined to make history in Dublin. He believes that qualifying for the Champions League is the best Atalanta can achieve, but he is eager to see his team perform at their best on Wednesday.Atalanta's journey to the Europa League final has been a testament to their resilience and determination. They have overcome adversity and defied expectations to reach the pinnacle of European football. Now, they stand on the brink of history, ready to write a new chapter in the club's illustrious history.

Bayer Leverkusen etched their name in Bundesliga history on Saturday, becoming the first team to complete a full season without a loss. The treble-chasing side edged past Augsburg 2-1 on the final matchday, extending their unbeaten run across all competitions to an astonishing 51 matches.Xabi Alonso's team, who also face Kaiserslautern in the German Cup final on May 25, finished the season with an impressive 90 points, 17 ahead of second-placed VfB Stuttgart. Their remarkable achievement is a testament to their consistency and resilience throughout the campaign.Leverkusen's victory was set up by Victor Boniface, who intercepted a pass from Augsburg goalkeeper Tomas Koubek and tapped in the opening goal in the 12th minute. Robert Andrich doubled the advantage in the 27th minute, giving the home fans hope of a grand celebration.However, Augsburg fought back after the break, with Mert Komur reducing the deficit just past the hour mark. Both teams had chances to score, but it was Leverkusen's day. The fans erupted in joy as the final whistle blew, knowing that their team had made history.At the other end of the table, Cologne were relegated after a 4-1 defeat at Heidenheim, joining Darmstadt 98. VfL Bochum will face a relegation playoff.Leverkusen's unbeaten season is a remarkable feat, showcasing their dominance in the Bundesliga. They will now turn their attention to the Europa League final against Atalanta, where they will aim to complete a historic treble.

Bayer Leverkusen, the reigning Bundesliga champions, stand on the cusp of history as they aim to become the first team to complete an undefeated season in the league's history. On Saturday, they face Augsburg in a match that could cement their legacy as one of the greatest teams in German football.Xabi Alonso's Leverkusen have been unstoppable this season, setting a European record with a 50-game unbeaten streak that includes runs to the German Cup and Europa League finals. Their relentless form has seen them amass 87 points from 33 games, putting them on the brink of an unprecedented achievement.A victory against Augsburg would give Leverkusen 90 points from 34 games, equaling the second-highest tally in Bundesliga history. Striker Patrik Schick has described the match as "like a final," while captain Lukas Hradecky has spoken of the "immortality" that awaits his team.Meanwhile, at the other end of the table, Union Berlin face a desperate battle for survival. The club, which made its Champions League debut this season, must defeat Freiburg and hope for favorable results elsewhere to avoid relegation.Union's rise has been remarkable, from their debut promotion in 2019 to their fourth-place finish last season. However, a disastrous run of nine straight losses this season has left them in danger of falling back to the second division.Even a win against Freiburg may not be enough for Union, as they need Mainz or Bochum to lose their respective matches. Freiburg coach Christian Streich has vowed to "play to win," but Union will be determined to secure their Bundesliga status.In other matches, Borussia Dortmund host last-placed Darmstadt in Marco Reus' final game at the Westfalenstadion. Bayern Munich, already assured of second place, will look to extend their unbeaten run against Hoffenheim. Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur needs six goals to break Robert Lewandowski's single-season Bundesliga record of 41.

Bayer Leverkusen's remarkable unbeaten streak extended to 50 games with a dominant 5-0 victory over 10-man Bochum on Sunday. The triumph marked a significant milestone for Xabi Alonso's side, who are now on the cusp of an unprecedented treble.Bochum, who had previously defeated Leverkusen in May 2023, were unable to replicate their success as Leverkusen's attacking prowess proved too much to handle. Five different players found the net for the league champions, showcasing their depth and versatility.Robert Andrich, Leverkusen's midfield maestro, expressed his aspirations for a historic treble. "We couldn't have imagined how much the Bundesliga title meant to the club and the fans," he said. "Next week, we'll hold the trophy high in our own stadium, which will be emotional and beautiful. After that, we're off to Dublin and Berlin, and we want to grab both titles and go on holiday with the triple in our backpacks."Within three days in late May, Leverkusen will face Atalanta in the Europa League final in Dublin before taking on second-division Kaiserslautern in the German Cup final.Bochum's hopes were dealt a blow early on when Felix Passlack was sent off for a last-man foul on Nathan Tella. With Florian Wirtz absent due to injury, Alonso opted for a two-striker formation with Victor Boniface and Patrik Schick leading the line. Both forwards found the net before halftime, with Schick scoring a superb first-touch finish and Boniface converting a penalty.Amine Adli, who replaced Schick in the second half, headed in a corner to make it 3-0. Josip Stanisic, who had scored a crucial goal against Roma in the Europa League, added a fourth with three minutes remaining before setting up Alex Grimaldo's goal in the final moments.Meanwhile, Bayern Munich, under the guidance of Thomas Tuchel, bounced back from their Champions League disappointment with a 2-0 victory over Wolfsburg. Despite making eight changes to the team that lost to Real Madrid, Bayern controlled the game from start to finish.Lovro Zvonarek, making his first start, opened the scoring after just four minutes, while Leon Goretzka doubled the lead ten minutes later. Bayern's dominance continued throughout the match, with Bryan Zaragoza having a goal ruled out for offside.The win moved Bayern into second place in the Bundesliga, two points ahead of Stuttgart. Captain Manuel Neuer praised his team's resilience after the setback against Real Madrid. "We were in control for over 90 minutes and got into the game well, that was crucial," he said.In other Bundesliga action, Hoffenheim boosted their chances of European qualification with a 6-0 thrashing of already-relegated Darmstadt. Ihlas Bebou and Maximilian Beier scored doubles, while Pavel Kaderabek and Ozan Kabak also found the net.

Bayer Leverkusen's remarkable unbeaten streak continued in dramatic fashion as they secured a 2-2 draw against Roma in the Europa League semifinals, advancing to the final with a 4-2 aggregate victory.Despite trailing 2-0 on the night and 2-2 on aggregate after two Leandro Paredes penalties, Leverkusen refused to give up. An own goal by Roma defender Gianluca Mancini in the 82nd minute gave them hope, and substitute Josip Stanišić's equalizer in the seventh minute of stoppage time sealed their place in the final.Leverkusen's unbeaten run now stands at 49 matches, an incredible feat for Xabi Alonso's team. They have already won the Bundesliga title and reached the German Cup final, making them contenders for a historic treble.Roma, who were without injured star Paulo Dybala, had taken the lead through Paredes' first penalty in the 45th minute. Paredes converted another spot-kick in the 66th minute, putting Roma on the verge of a comeback.However, Leverkusen's resilience shone through as they fought back to preserve their unbeaten record and reach the Europa League final for the first time since 1988. They will face another Italian team, Atalanta, who defeated Marseille 3-0 to advance 4-1 on aggregate.Atalanta's victory marked their first European final appearance, while Olympiakos also made history by becoming only the second Greek team to reach a major European competition final. They will face Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final in Athens on May 29.

Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen, on the cusp of a historic achievement, will face Roma in the second leg of the Europa League semi-final on Thursday. With a 2-0 advantage from the first leg, Leverkusen is poised to extend their unbeaten streak to 49 games, surpassing Benfica's 59-year-old European football record.Leverkusen's remarkable run has already eclipsed Juventus' 43-match unbeaten streak from 2011 to 2012. A victory or even a one-goal loss against Roma would secure their place in the Europa League final in Dublin.The pursuit of an unbeaten season has become a driving force for Leverkusen. Goalkeeper and captain Lukas Hradecky believes it provides "extra motivation" and is a testament to the team's resilience.Despite Alonso's suspension, Leverkusen cruised to a 5-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday, showcasing their depth and determination. They are also through to the German Cup final and have already secured the Bundesliga title.Former Leverkusen coach Rudi Voeller praised Alonso's "brave and adventurous" decision to hire him and highlighted the team's exceptional squad depth. He believes that Leverkusen's ability to strengthen not only their starting lineup but also their reserves is the key to their unbeaten run.Leverkusen is expected to welcome back Florian Wirtz and Alex Grimaldo for the second leg against Roma. Wirtz, a key attacking midfielder, has been instrumental in Leverkusen's Europa League campaign with four goals and four assists.With a near-full-strength squad and the home advantage, Leverkusen is well-positioned to break Benfica's record and continue their pursuit of an unprecedented treble.

Bayer Leverkusen's remarkable unbeaten streak continued with a resounding 2-0 victory over Roma in the first leg of the Europa League semifinals. The German club, fresh from their Bundesliga triumph, silenced the Stadio Olimpico crowd with a clinical performance that extended their unbeaten run to 47 matches across all competitions.Leverkusen's dominance was evident from the outset, as they soaked up Roma's early pressure and struck on the counterattack. A failed back pass from Rick Karsdorp allowed Alex Grimaldo to set up Florian Wirtz for the opening goal in the 13th minute.Roma threatened sporadically, but Leverkusen's defense held firm. In the 73rd minute, Robert Andrich sealed the victory with a long-range strike, capitalizing on a moment of hesitation from the Roma defense.The result marked a measure of revenge for Leverkusen, who had been eliminated by Roma at the same stage last season. It also extended their unbeaten streak to a record-breaking length among Europe's top five leagues."We take things game by game and we are not thinking about being unbeaten," said Leverkusen midfielder Amine Adli. "We are not thinking about making history or things like that — that's why we are playing like this and the team is strong. We just want to enjoy ourselves."In the other semifinal, Atalanta and Marseille played out a 1-1 draw in France. Gianluca Scamacca gave Atalanta the lead, but Chancel Mbemba equalized for Marseille.The second legs of both semifinals will be held next Thursday, with the final scheduled for May 22 in Dublin. Leverkusen will be confident of reaching the final, having maintained their unbeaten record throughout the season.

Bayer Leverkusen, riding an astonishing 46-match unbeaten streak, sets its sights on revenge against Roma in the Europa League semi-finals. Last season, Roma's "Mourinhoed" tactics led to Leverkusen's agonizing penalty shootout defeat in the last four.Leverkusen's remarkable run, including a first-ever Bundesliga title, has made them favorites to reach the final in Dublin. Their ability to score late goals, with 16 in stoppage time this season, has been a key factor in their success.Roma, under the guidance of Daniele De Rossi, has had a hectic schedule in recent weeks as they aim for a third continental final in as many years. Despite their fatigue, they will be boosted by the return of Romelu Lukaku and Paulo Dybala.Leverkusen CEO Fernando Corro expressed the team's desire for revenge and hunger to reach the final. Coach Xabi Alonso praised his team's resilience and hopes it will continue for the rest of the campaign.Roma's De Rossi acknowledged Leverkusen's unbeaten record but emphasized that they are not unbeatable. He believes his team must be perfect to overcome Leverkusen's late-game heroics.The first leg of the semi-final will take place at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday, with the second leg scheduled for next week in Leverkusen. The winner will face either Manchester United or Real Betis in the final.

Bayer Leverkusen's remarkable unbeaten streak extended to 45 games in all competitions after a dramatic 1-1 draw at Borussia Dortmund on Sunday. The Bundesliga champions-elect looked set to lose their unblemished record when Niclas Fuellkrug put Dortmund ahead with nine minutes remaining. However, Josip Stanisic's stoppage-time header from a corner salvaged a point for Leverkusen.Leverkusen's resilience has been a hallmark of their season, and they have now scored 14 goals after the 90th minute. Their determination to remain unbeaten is fueled by a desire to become the first team to go through a Bundesliga season without a loss."It's not easy to play when you're already champions, but we challenged ourselves to stay unbeaten this season and that's our goal," said Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka.The draw leaves Dortmund two points behind fourth-placed RB Leipzig in the race for the final guaranteed Champions League place. However, Germany's strong performance in European competitions could secure a fifth spot for the Bundesliga.In other Bundesliga action, Mainz drew 1-1 at Freiburg to move out of the relegation zone for the first time since August. Jonathan Burkardt's equalizer canceled out Michael Gregoritsch's early strike, lifting Mainz to 15th place.Werder Bremen took a significant step towards top-flight survival with a 2-1 home win over Stuttgart. Marvin Ducksch scored a brace for Bremen, who moved eight points clear of the relegation play-off spot. Stuttgart's loss was their first since January, but they have already secured at least a Europa League place for next season.