Bayer Leverkusen set European record with 49th straight match without defeat, advance to Europa League final
CBSN
A defeat looked likely, but they came back from 2-0 down to AS Roma to draw 2-2 and cruise into the Europa League final
Bayer Leverkusen's have now gone 49 matches without a defeat, drawing AS Roma 2-2 on Thursday in the Europa League semifinal second leg. Down 2-0, Xabi Alonso's men managed to score two goals late to draw the match to surpass Benfica's record from 1963-1965 and hold the mark for the longest unbeaten streak in Europe in the post-World War II era. The German side advanced 4-2 on aggregate and will face Atalanta on May 22.
In true Leverkusen fashion, they were able to overturn two early Roma penalties for Josip Stanisic to score the equalizer in the 97th minute of play. Xabi Alonso's men have taken on all challenges in their path already winning the Bundesliga. Now, they can also add both the Europa League and German Cup to their honors as they search to become the first team ever to go undefeated for a full season while also taking part in European competition.
Nicknamed 'Neverkusen' due to not winning a Bundesliga title in their 120-year history before this season despite finishing as runners-up five times, it's now shifting to a new nickname, 'Neverlusen'. In late-game situations, they've been able to turn matches around time and time again.
