Soccer-Leverkusen players easily motivated but cautious, says Alonso

Soccer Football - Europa League - Semi Final - First Leg - AS Roma v Bayer Leverkusen - Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy - May 2, 2024 Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso reacts REUTERS/Alberto Lingria

ROME (Reuters) - Bayern Leverkusen players were easily motivated to give their best as they grabbed a 2-0 win at AS Roma in the Europa League semi-finals on Thursday but remain cautious ahead of the return leg, coach Xabi Alonso said.

Goals by Florian Wirtz and Robert Andrich gave the newly-crowned Bundesliga champions a two-goal advantage over last season's runners-up Roma, extending their unbeaten run to 47 matches in all competitions.