Bayer Leverkusen’s Dutch defender Jeremie Frimpong (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring their first goal during the UEFA Europa League quarter-final second leg football match against West Ham United at The London Stadium in east London on April 18, 2024. (Photo by Ben Stansall / AFP)
The newly-crowned Bundesliga champions, Bayer Leverkusen, secured a spot in the Europa League semi-finals on Thursday, extending their undefeated streak in all competitions this season to 44 matches.
In the second leg of their quarter-final tie against West Ham, the German side drew 1-1, progressing 3-1 on aggregate. Michail Antonio put West Ham ahead in the 13th minute before Jeremie Frimpong leveled the score in the 89th minute for Xabi Alonso’s side. Leverkusen will now face Roma for a place in the final.
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Meanwhile, Liverpool was eliminated from the Europa League by Atalanta, with the Italian side advancing to the semi-finals 3-1 on aggregate. Despite Mohamed Salah’s early penalty giving Liverpool a 1-0 second leg win, Atalanta’s three-goal lead from the first leg at Anfield last week secured their spot in the last four of a European competition for the first time since 1988.
Liverpool’s season is ending on a sobering note, with just three wins in their last nine games in all competitions. Jurgen Klopp’s side, having already been eliminated from the FA Cup and Europa League, now trail Manchester City in the Premier League title race. Despite the disappointment, Atalanta’s victory was celebrated by their fans as one of the most significant moments in the club’s history.