Bayer Leverkusen lost at home against rival FC Cologne (2-1) on Friday evening in its BayArena, six days before moving to AS Roma’s lawn at the Olimpico, for the half first leg of C3.
Led to the score on a goal by Davie Selke in the 14th minute, Bayer came back to score before the half hour mark thanks to Frenchman Amine Adli, served by his compatriot Moussa Diaby. But Selke went there with his double in the 36th minute.
This is the first defeat for Xabi Alonso’s men since February 19, and therefore the end of a series of 14 consecutive matches in all competitions without defeat.
The derby between the two clubs separated by just a few kilometers along the Rhine, had been brought forward by two days to give Bayer Leverkusen more time to prepare for their Europa League semi-final first leg against AS Roma in Italy on Thursday next.
With this setback, Bayer Leverkusen almost definitively gave up fourth place in the Bundesliga, the last qualifier for the next Champions League, eight points behind Freiburg, while there are only nine points left to look for. Leverkusen.
To compete in the premier competition next season, Leverkusen will have to win the Europa League, the final of which is scheduled for Wednesday May 31.
