AS Roma and Atalanta are on course
for an all-Italian final in the UEFA Europa League after
knocking out soccer giants AC Milan and Liverpool respectively
on Thursday to reach the semi-finals of the competition.
After winning the first leg of their quarter-final 1-0 at San
Siro, Roma took their aggregate advantage up to 3-0 thanks to
early goals by Gianluca Mancini and Paulo Dybala.
They held on to the advantage with relative ease despite having
Zeki Celik sent off with a straight red car for a dangerous
tackle in the 31st minute.
Defender Matteo Gabbia pulled a goal back for Milan in the
closing stages but they never looked likely to stage a comeback.
After beating Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield last week, Atalanta
completed their giant-killing antics, limiting Liverpool to an
early penalty by Mohamed Salah in Bergamo on Thursday.
Roma will face newly crowned German champions Bayer Leverkusen
in the last four while Atalanta will take on Marseille.
Italy also has a representative in the Conference League semis
after Fiorentina went through with a 2-0 win over Viktoria Plzen
after extra time.
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