Bayer Leverkusen of Germany put the game ahead in the final of the Europa League Championship, following their valuable and deserved 2-0 win over Italian hosts Roma on Thursday night in the first leg of the competition's semifinals.

Florian Vertz opened the scoring for Leverkusen in the 28th minute, while Robert Andrich secured the second goal in the 73rd minute.

It is enough for Leverkusen to lose by one goal in the second leg, which takes place next Thursday, in order to qualify for the final.