Though it was largely expected that Bayer Leverkusen would glide through to the UEFA Europa League final, there was still a tough task to overcome in AS Roma.
A 2-0 away win in the Eternal City last week made things easier for Xabi Alonso's men coming into the second leg, but this was still a Roma side who had won away at AC Milan and overturned a first leg defeat to Brighton during this European campaign.
Revitalised by former captain Daniele De Rossi, Roma posed a very different threat to the Jose Mourinho team that edged Die Werkself in this same fixture last season.
However, Leverkusen remained on top for majority of the first half, but did fall behind to a Leonardo Paredes penalty after Sardar Azmoun was pulled down in the box.
De Rossi's side remained resilient and, in the aftermath of a corner striking the hand of Adam Hlozek, equalised the tie from the spot again.
As the clock ticked towards extra time, the on-pitch captain Gianluca Mancini unwittingly deflected a corner into his own net as the Italian club's tenacity to stay in the contest was seemingly undone in an instant.
Mere seconds away from the final whistle full-back Josip Stanišić coolly strode home a low shot after cutting in from the right flank to make completely sure of the German champions place in Dublin.
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Leverkusen are record breakers
With their seventeenth stoppage time goal of the season, Bayer Leverkusen kept up their 100% unbeaten streak alive.
In turn, they broke Benfica's 59 year record of longest unbeaten runs in Europe, having not lost a match in any competitions this season.
It is now 49 games without losing for the Black and Reds, which began in August 2023 in an 8-0 win over FC Teutonia Ottensen in the DFB-Pokal.
It eclipses the 48 game stretch the Portuguese giants held during 1964/65, where they won the league and cup double. Although the Eusebio-inspired Eagles would come up short in the European Cup final against Inter.
Now also facing Italian opposition in their own European final, Leverkusen will be hoping to further cement themselves in the history books by lifting their second ever UEFA Cup title.
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Mistakes prove costly
Bayer Leverkusen's goal scoring was limited a lot more than usual. Despite a staggering thirty-two attempts, they could only find a way through an own goal and last minute effort.
A big reason as to why they struggled to convert their chances was Roma's goalkeeper Mile Svilar, who made thirteen saves on Thursday night.
Though very much the European competition keeper this season, the Belgium international has become a more regular feature since De Rossi took the helm.
An undoubtedly strong performance has the slight blemish of a mistake that inadvertently led to Leverkusen's first goal of the night.
As a corner was swung in, Svilar's attempted punch was weak and the ball looped over him, hitting Mancini before bumbling into the back of the net.
There were some protests from Roma players that he had been unjustly blocked, but it was simply the case of an unfortunate miscalculation leading to Roma's eventual defeat.
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If Bayern Munich were smart, they would keep Josip Stanišić
It's not been a great year for Bayern Munich, with the German titans undergoing their trophyless season for the first time since 2011/12.
Conversely, it has been a superb year for Josip Stanišić, the Croatian wing-back who has spent 2023/24 on loan in Leverkusen from the Bavarians. He even scored in the 3-0 victory over his parent club back in February.
Planning will be under way at the Allianz Arena for next season already, but one thing they should count is that Stanišić will be more than capable of filling a wide role in the first team.
Though used primarily as backup to Alex Grimaldo and Jeremie Frimpong, he is a astute defender that can offer the bursts of the creativity and threat Leverkusen so often need from the wing-back positions.
Leverkusen will likely try to keep hold of the Croat, but, even while Bayern Munich do not yet know who will be managing them come August, Stanišić’s versatility will provide a wealth of options for anyone in the hot seat.
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Roma need Atalanta
Should they have squeaked through the semi final, Roma would have met fellow Italian side Atalanta at the Aviva Stadium.
In reality, having not overcome Alonso’s near invincibles, they will still need help from La Dea should De Rossi lead his beloved club to UEFA Champions League qualification.
Serie A is already granted five Champions League spots for next season thanks to Italy topping UEFA's seasonal coefficient ratings.
If Atalanta were to lift their first European trophy and finish outside the top four then sixth place would get that extra spot in Europe’s elite, as the Europa League winners also get automatic qualification.
Moreover, Roma (6th) and Atalanta (5th) are currently level on 60 points and meet this Sunday. Gian Piero Gasperini's men do have a game in hand, but a win would put I Giallorossi in front on the head-to-head rule.
Should Roma want destiny in their own hands then a victory in Bergamo would be a huge step in attaining that.
