Leverkusen in Europa League semis, stretch undefeated run to 44 matches

By AFP April 18, 2024 | 07:01 pm PT

Leverkusen players celebrate their victory over Werder Bremen to claim Bundesliga championship early, April 14, 2024. Photo by Bayer 04 Leverkusen

Newly-crowned Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen reached the Europa League semi-finals on Thursday and stretched their undefeated run in all competitions this season to 44 matches.

The German side drew 1-1 at West Ham in the second leg of their quarter-final tie and went through 3-1 on aggregate.

Michail Antonio put West Ham ahead on 13 minutes before Jeremie Frimpong leveled in the 89th minute for Xabi Alonso's side.

Leverkusen will face Roma for a place in the final.

"I think we felt it in the first half, for me, it was a typical English crowd. They were pushing West Ham unbelievably. We were lucky in the first half if we're honest," Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka told TNT Sports.

"It was a different phase in the second half, we controlled the game. We are happy we got through.

"We competed much more. If you see over 180 minutes, the better team go through."

Last weekend, Leverkusen won the Bundesliga for the first time, ending Bayern Munich's 11-year grip on the title.

They remain in contention for a treble trophy haul this season as they also face second-division Kaiserslautern in the German Cup final on May 25.