Roma and Bayer Leverkusen to dish up thrilling Europa League semi-final first leg

AS Roma vs Bayer Leverkusen - 11/05/2023

Europa League | Preview

10/05/23

Roma and Bayer Leverkusen to dish up thrilling Europa League semi-final first leg

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AS Roma and Bayer Leverkusen will meet for the first leg of their UEFA Europa League semi-final showdown at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico on Thursday evening.

Roma booked their place in the last four with a 4-2 aggregate win over Feyenoord, while Bayer Leverkusen claimed a 5-2 victory over Union Saint-Gilloise.

Another big European night is approaching... ⌛️

While we wait, the Tunnel Cam from our last Europa League victory is now online! 🔥

➡️ https://t.co/KPcVtTQVaZ #ASRoma #UEL pic.twitter.com/3sPCGH78rm
— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) May 9, 2023

Can Jose Mourinho lead Roma to another European triumph? Or will Xabi Alonso guide Leverkusen to continental success? It’s time to take a closer look at both sides.

Let’s start with the first-leg hosts, Roma, who head into Thursday’s clash on a four-match winless run following Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Inter Milan.

Having taken two points from a possible 12 since their last Serie A victory, Mourinho’s men will be eager to return to winning ways on Thursday.

Roma have experienced mixed fortunes in the Europa League this season, recording six wins, two draws and four losses on their way to the semi-finals.

That said, the Italians have won each of their last four Europa League games on home soil, including a 4-1 thrashing of Feyenoord in the previous round.

On the flip side, Bayer Leverkusen suffered their first defeat since February last time out as they lost 2-1 to FC Koln in the Bundesliga.

Xabi Alonso’s side carried a 14-game unbeaten streak into the clash with Koln, having picked up 10 wins and four draws between February and April.

Still, Leverkusen will be confident of bouncing straight back on Thursday, given that Die Werkself have won four and drawn one of their last five Europa League matches.

It is also worth noting that Bayer Leverkusen have scored over 1.5 goals in each of their previous four away games in the Europa League.

Head-to-head: Roma and Bayer Leverkusen last met during the 2015-16 Champions League campaign. Following a 4-4 draw in Germany, Roma won the reverse fixture 3-2.

Across the four previous meetings between Roma and Leverkusen, the teams have combined for 19 goals, averaging 4.8 goals per game.

Team news: Roma’s injury list contains Chris Smalling, Georginio Wijnaldum and Rick Karsdorp, while Paulo Dybala and Diego Llorente are doubts for the first leg.

As for Bayer Leverkusen, they will be without the injured duo of Patrik Schick and Andrey Lunev on Thursday.