Leverkusen, Atalanta, Roma advance in Europa League

ROME (AP):

Liverpool failed to overcome a three-goal deficit and was eliminated from the Europa League yesterday despite beating Atalanta 1-0 in the second leg of their quarterfinal matchup.

The result officially ended Liverpool’s hopes of a treble of trophies in manager Jurgen Klopp’s final season at Anfield, though the feat had looked unlikely after the Italian team won 3-0 in the first leg in Merseyside.

But days after celebrating its first-ever Bundesliga title, Bayer Leverkusen remained on course to claim a historic treble by holding West Ham to a 1-1 draw at London Stadium to stretch their unbeaten streak to 44. Xabi Alonso’s team advanced 3-1 on aggregate.

In the semi finals, Leverkusen will face Roma after the capital club beat AC Milan 2-1 in an all-Italian quarterfinal to advance 3-1 on aggregate.

Jamaican international Michail Antonio put West Ham ahead early, heading in a cross from Vladimir Coufal. Jeremie Frimpong came off the bench and equalised in the 89th minute to clinch the aggregate victory and extend the team’s unbeaten run.

In Bergamo, Liverpool had a dream start after Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross hit Matteo Ruggeri’s hand. Mohamed Salah sent goalkeeper Juan Musso the wrong way from the penalty spot for an early lead in the seventh minute.

But the Reds failed to convert any other chances – a long way off from their 5-0 win at Atalanta in the Champions League in 2020.

Atalanta will meet Marseille in the semifinals.

EUROPA CONFERENCE LEAGUE

Emiliano Martínez saved two spot kicks, and Douglas Luiz converted the decisive penalty for Aston Villa to prevail 4-3 in a shoot-out over Lille and advance to the Europa Conference League semi-finals.

After Villa won the first leg of their quarterfinals 2-1 last week, Yusuf Yazıcı and Benjamin André scored in each half for Lille’s 2-0 lead before defender Matty Cash’s 87th-minute goal evened the aggregate score 3-3 to force extra time.

Villa are into their first European semi-final since 1982 and will face Fenerbahce for a spot in the May 29 final in Athens.

Fiorentina, last year’s runner-up, also reached the semi-finals after Nicolás González and Cristiano Biraghi both scored in extra time to edge 10-man Viktoria Plzeň 2-0 in the second leg. The opening leg was a goalless draw. The Italian team will face Club Brugge. Plzeň’s Brazilian midfielder Cadu received a red card in the 66th minute.