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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Xhaka a key figure in Leverkusen's title charge</li><li>Set up his team's equaliser in stoppage time</li><li>Matched Juan Mata's unique UEL record</li></ul>

Granit Xhaka makes history! The incredible Europa League record ex-Arsenal man equalled for Bayer Leverkusen during dramatic semi-final victory over Roma

Bundesliga

Augsburg

Bayer Leverkusen

Premier League

Arsenal

Everton

Xabi Alonos's side remained true to their colours as they staged another incredible comeback, this time against the Serie A outfit in a crucial Europa League semi-final tie, from being 2-0 down to keep their treble hopes alive. Roma punished them for not making the most of their chances but Leverkusen pulled up their socks in the nick of time<a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/the-treble-is-on-xabi-alonso-bayer-leverkusen-leave-late-advance-europa-league-final-aggregate-win-roma/blt5b28fedc3caff95e" target="_blank"> to secure their passage to Dublin </a>- thanks to an own goal from Gianluca Mancini and a late equaliser from Josip Stanisic, set up by Xhaka.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The former Arsenal midfielder has been in dynamic form this season for Leverkusen and put in another masterclass performance when the stakes were high. In the process, Xhaka carved out a staggering 10 chances from open play to match Juan Mata's more than a decade-old record for Valencia against Club Brugge.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">10 - Granit Xhaka created 10 chances from open play against Roma tonight, equalling the record for the most in a UEFA Europa League match (also 10 by Juan Mata in February 2010, for Valencia v Club Brugge). Director. <a href="https://t.co/RW5ZDZ69Om">pic.twitter.com/RW5ZDZ69Om</a>— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/1788681686055620684?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 9, 2024</a></blockquote>
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THE BIGGER PICTURE

Xhaka admitted to having goosebumps after the victory at a raucous Bay Arena as the crowd went berserk at the final whistle."We are in the final, it’s a dream come true," he told RTL.“I feel goosebumps! You dream of being able to experience such atmospheres and you live like this. As a boy you would like to be part of such matches, truly incredible to have equalised just before the end. Now we will fully enjoy this evening.“We had clear opportunities, especially in the first half, but also in the second. Unfortunately, we conceded instead of scoring, but we came back against a team with a lot of experience. Not losing again is incredible, once again a great determination on our part."

WHAT XHAKA SAID

Leverkusen now <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/history-makers-late-comeback-bayer-leverkusen-longest-unbeaten-run-european-football-beating-benfica-record/bltcec6f4254f193d35#csec71691dde7b7e8a" target="_blank">boasts of having the longest unbeaten run (49) in European football history </a>after they broke Benfica's record that had stood for 59 years. Stanisic's equaliser was the 17th time that Leverkusen had scored after the 90th minute in this campaign.

DID YOU KNOW?

Leverkusen are just four games away from completing a historic treble. They have already secured the Bundesliga title and hence their next two league fixtures against VFL Bochum and Augsburg are dead rubbers. So, Alonso can potentially rest his key players ahead of the European showdown against Atalanta on May 22. After that fixture, they will have little time to regroup as they are set to face Kaiserslautern in the DFB-Pokal final on May 25.

WHAT NEXT?

Granit Xhaka makes history! The incredible Europa League record ex-Arsenal man equalled for Bayer Leverkusen during dramatic semi-final victory over Roma | Goal.com

Granit Xhaka made history by matching an incredible Europa League record while starring for Bayer Leverkusen in their dramatic victory over AS Roma.