Bayer Leverkusen are out for revenge as they take on Roma in the 2023/24 Europa League semi-finals.
Xabi Alonso succumbed to former boss Jose Mourinho at this stage of the competition last season, with Roma grinding out a 1-0 aggregate victory before losing to Sevilla in the final.
Alonso’s Leverkusen have matured and developed exponentially since that defeat, with the German side, who remain unbeaten across all competitions this term, already wrapping up the Bundesliga title.
Germany’s supreme force overcame a tricky challenge in West Ham United to advance into the last four for the second consecutive year, while Roma sauntered past domestic rivals Milan.
Here’s 90min’s preview of the first leg of this Europa League semi-final.
Roma vs Bayer Leverkusen H2H Record (All Games)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Roma |
Bayer Leverkusen |
|---|---|
|
Napoli 2-2 Roma – 28/04/24 |
Bayer Leverkusen 2-2 Stuttgart – 27/04/24 |
|
Udinese 1-2 Roma – 25/04/24 |
Borussia Dortmund 1-1 Bayer Leverkusen – 21/04/24 |
|
Roma 1-3 Bologna – 22/04/24 |
West Ham 1-1 Bayer Leverkusen – 18/04/24 |
|
Roma 2-1 Milan – 18/04/24 |
Bayer Leverkusen 5-0 Werder Bremen – 14/04/24 |
|
Milan 0-1 Roma – 11/04/24 |
Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 West Ham – 11/04/24 |
|
Country |
TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
|
United Kingdom |
TNT Sports 2, discovery+ App, discovery+ |
|
United States |
TUDN.com, TUDN USA, UniMás, CBS Sports Network, TUDN App, Paramount+, Univision NOW |
|
Canada |
DAZN |
Roma are without the suspended Zeki Celik, so we should see Dutchman Rick Karsdorp come into the side at right-back.
Romelu Lukaku could miss out with a muscle injury, but De Rossi does have Tammy Abraham fit and available again after a lengthy period out.
Chris Smalling is unlikely to feature.
Roma predicted lineup vs Bayer Leverkusen (4-3-3): Svilar; Karsdorp, Mancini. Ndicka, Spinazzola; Paredes, Cristante, Pellegrini; Dybala, Abraham, El Shaarawy.
Alonso is without bit-part players Adam Hlozek and Borja Iglesias for Thursday’s trip to Rome. There are also concerns surrounding centre-back Jonathan Tah. The German defender suffered a knock late on against Stuttgart at the weekend and is a doubt for the first leg.
Florian Wirtz is a sure bet to return to the XI after appearing off the bench on Saturday, while Victor Boniface will duel Patrik Schick for a place up top.
Bayer Leverkusen predicted lineup vs Roma (3-4-2-1): Hradecky; Kossounou, Tah, Tapsoba; Frimpong, Andrich, Xhaka, Grimaldo; Wirtz, Adli; Boniface.
Daniele De Rossi has called on his tired squad to stand up during crunch time, and the Italians must produce a big performance at the Olimpico to have a chance of getting past the competition’s favourites.
The Italian’s Roma are more varied than Mourinho’s iteration, with the new manager combining traditional and progressive ideals to render the Giallorossi formidable in knockout ties.
They’re excellent at home and were so impressive in the quarter-finals. As a result, Leverkusen might have to perform one of their trademark comebacks in the return leg to advance into the final. Roma might be tired, but the visitors will be feeling it as well and this could be the time for their unbeaten record to fall.
Prediction: Roma 2-1 Bayer Leverkusen
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