Bayer Leverkusen vs Roma: De Rossi’s Giallorossi Face Uphill Battle – Europa League Semi-Final Second Leg Preview

LEVERKUSEN (Germany) – Roma will attempt the feat in the second leg of the Europa League semi-final against Bayer Leverkusen, after losing 2-0 a week ago in the capital. De Rossi’s Giallorossi need to play the perfect match to qualify for the final in Dublin, scheduled for May 22.

20:45

De Rossi before the challenge

De Rossi speaks to the Sky microphones shortly before kick-off: “The goal of changing the line-up? To put some ‘fat’ in the area, also forced a bit by the position of Dybala. We have two climbers on the left who are strong at dribbling and good at putting in crosses . We aim to hit the area. If there had been another game we would have been left at home in the last 30 minutes.”

20:33

The history of the referee with Roma

Tonight’s referee, the Dutch Makkelie, has three precedents for Roma: the first leg was lost 4-1 against Barcelona in the Champions League in 2018 (the replay was then played at the Olimpico) , in which he denied Dzeko a clear penalty; a 4-0 win over Villarreal in the Europa League in 2017; the 2-1 win (with a brace from Zaniolo) in 2019 against Porto in the Champions League in Rome.

20:25

Teams on the field to warm up

Both teams entered the field to warm up before the game.

20:20

Lukaku before the game

Lukaku spoke to Sky ahead of the game: “Today we have to play an intelligent game, but our players want to do it. We have to be strong in ball possession, we studied them in the videos and we are ready for this. Can we play it all in three days? Sports are like this, but it’s good to play finals like this, let’s think about it today and then move on.”

20:05

Bayer and Roma mountains

Available for Bayer Leverkusen: Hradecky, Lomb, Stanisic, Kossounou, Andrich, Iglesias, Wirtz, Arthur, Schick, Tella, Boniface, Puerta.
Available for Roma: Rui Patricio, Karsdorp, Smalling, Abraham, Llorente, Celik, Renato Sanches, Dybala, Aouar, Baldanzi, Bove, Zalewski.

19:50

The official line of Bayer Leverkusen

Bayer Leverkusen’s 3-4-3 Question for Xabi Alonso: Cover; Tapsoda, Tah (captain), Hincapié; Frimpong, Xhaka, Palaces, Grimaldo; Hofmann, Adly, Head.

19:45

Roma official series

Here is the official Roma line-up (3-5-2): Svilar; Mancini, N’Dicca, Spinazzola; El Shaarawy, Cristante, Paredes, Pellegrini (captain), Angeliño; Azmoun, Lukaku.

19:40

Bayer is particularly fond of this

Bayer Leverkusen are especially keen to eliminate Roma tonight, also due to last year’s match. READ THE NEWS

19:25

Looking for the finale

Bayer Leverkusen could qualify for their third major European competition final, following the 1987-88 UEFA Cup (won) and the 2001-02 Champions League. On the other hand, Roma played in the finals of the 1960-61 Fairs Cup (won), the 1983-84 European Cup, the 1990-91 UEFA Cup, the 2021-22 Conference League (won) and the 2022- 23 European League.

19:11

Amazing Bayer series

Bayer Leverkusen have never lost this season in all competitions. Xabi Alonso’s team has reached 48 games without any setbacks: the last defeat dates back to last season, the last season of the competition against Bochum (3-0 on 27 May 2023 ).

18:56

Ryan Friedkin is also with the team

Ryan Friedkin is also on the Roma bus heading to the BayArena. This is not the first time that the son of the president, who has the role of active vice president, follows the team closely.

18:45

Roma will soon leave for the stadium

Roma will leave the hotel to go to the stadium around 7-7.15pm: the latest rumors confirm a three-man defensive selection, with N’Dicka in the middle, preferred by Smalling.

18:32

The precedent from last year

There are seven precedents between Roma and Bayer in European cups, with two wins each and three draws. The Germans are looking for revenge from last year, when, again in the semi-finals of the Europa League, they were eliminated by Roma Mourinho. The 1-0 first leg at the Olimpico was decisive, signed by a goal from Boveand in the return match the match ended 0-0.

18:20

Gates will be open from 7pm

Warm weather, also from an atmospheric point of view, in Leverkusen: the BayArena gates will be opened at 7 pm Many Roma fans are waiting near the stadium. Several law enforcement officers make sure everything goes smoothly.

18:09

The game will also be broadcast for free

Bayer Leverkusen-Roma will also be broadcast for free on Rai 1. Here is all the information to follow the Europa League match live on TV or in streaming: READ THE NEWS

17:54

The album that looks like Roma

They are all available in Roma De Rossi: even Dybala, who is recovering from an injury to his left thigh. The only absentees are Huijsen and Kristensen, who are not on the UEFA list. Among the Giallorossi, as well as among the Germans, there are no players with a ban.

17:40

Totti will follow Roma

Even Giallorossi legend Francesco Totti will follow a very important match tonight for Roma. The former captain, however, must see the challenge on the plane: READ THE NEWS

17:27

The referee team

The referee team for the match between Bayer and Roma is completely Dutch: the referee is Danny Makkelie, the linesmen are Hessel Steegstra and Jan de Vries, the fourth official is Serdar Gözübüyük, at VAR is Rob Dieperink, Avar Pol Van Boekel. The UEFA representative is the Englishman Mark Blackbourne and the observer is the referee the Serbian Dejan Filipovic.

17:15

Tonight Bayer-Roma

Bayer Leverkusen and Roma face each other tonight at 9pm at the BayArena: we start from 2-0 for the Germans in the match on May 2nd at the Olimpico.

Leverkusen (Germany)