UEL roundup: Leverkusen to face Roma in semis after staying unbeaten
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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.
In the semi-finals, Xabi Alonso's side will play Roma, who saw off Italian rivals AC Milan 3-1 on aggregate.
Atalanta will face Marseille in their first European semi-final since the 1988 Cup Winners' Cup after eliminating Liverpool. Gian Piero Gasperini's side advanced 3-1 on aggregate despite losing 1-0 in Thursday's quarter-final second leg at Gewiss Stadium.
Leverkusen drew 1-1 at West Ham in the second leg of their tie and went through 3-1 on aggregate.
Michail Antonio put West Ham ahead on 13 minutes before Jeremie Frimpong levelled in the 89th minute for Xabi Alonso's side.
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.
At the Stadio Olimpico, Gianluca Mancini put Roma ahead from close range in the 12th minute and Paulo Dybala doubled their advantage in the 22nd minute with a blistering strike.
Daniele De Rossi's side were reduced to 10 men in the 31st minute when Zeki Celik was dismissed for a foul on Milan forward Rafael Leao.
Matteo Gabbia got one back in the 85th minute, but his header was little consolation for Milan.
After losing last season's Europa League final against Sevilla, Roma are one step closer to finally winning the competition for the first time.
Roma, who won the Europa Conference League in 2022, are into their fifth European semi-final in the last seven seasons.
In the south of France, Marseille were 4-2 winners in a penalty shootout against Benfica following the French side's 1-0 victory in a tie that finished 2-2 on aggregate.
Faris Moumbagna struck in the 79th minute, heading in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's cross to force extra time.
In the shoot-out, Luis Henrique scored the winner for Jean-Louis Gasset's side after Benfica duo Angel Di Maria and Antonio Silva missed their kicks.