Bayer Leverkusen have one foot in the Europa League final after winning 2-0 at Roma on Thursday to extend their remarkable unbeaten run to 47 matches.

Goals in each half from Florian Wirtz and Robert Andrich ensured victory for Xabi Alonso’s men in the Italian capital and gave the Bundesliga champions a great chance of reaching the final in Dublin later this month.

Leverkusen will meet either Atlanta or Marseille in Ireland should they hold out in Germany next week.

On the evidence of their performance in Rome they will be firm favourites to win their first European trophy since the old UEFA Cup in 1988.

Roma face a huge task if they are to reach a third European final in as many years after barely troubling Matej Kovar’s goal beyond Romelu Lukaku striking the woodwork with the scores level.