Bayer Leverkusen achieved a new European undefeated streak of 49 games with a late draw against Roma to advance to the Europa League final.

Josip Stanisic scored the game’s final kick in the 97th minute, giving Xabi Alonso’s team a 2-2 tie and a 4-2 aggregate triumph.

Roma, who had lost the first leg in Italy but improved significantly in Germany, levelled the tie with two Leandro Paredes penalties.

However, a devastating own goal by Gianluca Mancini gave Leverkusen a significant edge in the two-legged semi-final, before Croatian defender Stanisic made history with the latest in a long series of Leverkusen late goals.

They have now gone 49 games without a loss in all competitions, with 40 wins.

It implies that Leverkusen has bettered Benfica’s undefeated streak from December 1963 to February 1965.

According to Uefa, the Portuguese giants had the longest undefeated streak since the inception of European play, until this incredible Leverkusen season.

Alonso’s men, who are aiming for a quadruple this season after winning the Bundesliga championship and reaching the German Cup final, will meet Italian side Atalanta in the Europa League finale in Dublin on 22 May.

Andre Ayew has voiced faith in the current Black Stars team.

The Black Stars have recently performed below expectations in important events.

In the previous two Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) championships, the squad failed to go beyond the group stage in their quest to end the country’s trophy drought.

Similarly, at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, they were eliminated early in the group stage.

Nonetheless, Ayew, the team’s current captain, feels that young stars like Mohammed Kudus, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Kamaldeen Sulemana, and Ibrahim Osman are making key contributions as the Black Stars seek to reclaim their previous glory.

Ayew reflected on the team’s history, saying, “We dominated for several years.” I was a member of this squad with the golden generation. Then there was the generation of Mubarak Wakaso, Asamoah Gyan, and John Mensah. “Now there is a new generation coming,” Ayew stated on Canal+.

Despite the great expectations put on the current squad, Ayew is optimistic about Ghana’s future in football.

“There is a lot of pressure.” Even though this generation dominated, we were unable to win. So this adds to the pressure and demands, and the country wants even more,” the Le Havre player revealed. Today’s players lack the experience of those I just highlighted,” he remarked.

Ayew emphasised the gap in experience between the current players and previous stalwarts, but he remained enthusiastic about the team’s prospects.

Meanwhile, the Black Stars will reconvene in June for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic.

Andre Ayew, Black Stars captain, is confident in his team’s ability to overcome barriers to their advancement.

The four-time African Cup of Nations (AFCON) champions have come under fire in recent tournaments for poor performances, most notably failing to advance beyond the group stages in their previous three major events.

Despite great expectations, the Black Stars were eliminated from the group stage of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Despite recent failures, Ayew, who has over 100 caps for his nation, is confident in the team’s resiliency.

“The players begin by realising the significance of wearing this shirt, a symbol beloved by millions. “It’s a heavy responsibility that requires strong shoulders,” the 33-year-old said in an interview with Canal+.

Ayew acknowledged the existing problems but offered confidence.

“I know we’ll make it back. We are going through a difficult time, but I am certain that we will get through it.

Meanwhile, Andre Ayew will spearhead the team’s recovery when they return in June for World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic.