2023-24 UEFA Europa League Semi-Finals: First Leg – Roma vs Bayer Leverkusen

Roma meet Bayer Leverkusen at Stadio Olimpico in the first leg of their 2023-24 UEFA Europa League semi-final. 

Roma saw off AC Milan to qualify for this stage, whilst Bayer Leverkusen battled past West Ham to secure their spot in the last four.

 

Team News

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Zeki Celik is suspended for Roma after he picked up a red card during the second leg of their Quarter-Final win over AC Milan.

Romelu Lukaku (muscle) is a doubt but Chris Smalling (muscle) is ruled out.

Leverkusen will hand Jonathan Tah a late fitness test after he picked up a knock during their 2-2 draw against VfB Stuttgart in Bundesliga.

Adam Hlozek (ankle) and Borja Iglesias (muscle) remain absent.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Roma host Bayer Leverkusen at Stadio Olimpico on Thursday 2 May at 9pm CEST, live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Roma have lost one of their six previous meetings against Bayer Leverkusen in all UEFA competitions (W2, D3, L1).
• Bayer Leverkusen are winless in three previous visits to Roma in all UEFA competitions (D1, L2).
• Roma have avoided defeat in their two previous Europa League clashes against Leverkusen, which came at this stage last season (W1, D1), winning 1-0 at home then drew 0-0 away.
• Paulo Dybala and Gianluca Mancini have scored in each of Roma’s last two home games in this competition (W2).
• Each of Leverkusen’s three away goals in the knockout stage came after half-time (D2).

 

Prediction

Although defending has been a weak point in their last four matches, Roma certainly can’t be underestimated given their attacking quality with just two blanks this calendar year – albeit on the road so I expect them to come out and certainly score at least one goal.

Leverkusen meanwhile can afford to throw everything into this game with the Bundesliga title already won, but their defence seems to have switched off lately with the team having come from behind to draw their last three games.

It is therefore imperative that Xabi Alonso sorts out his defence because if they play like they’ve done lately, I do feel like Roma will clinically punish that lax play and if score twice then they will nick the win, but Leverkusen do have the quality at least scrape a draw if can concede just once.

Prediction: Roma 1-1 Bayer Leverkusen

Result: Roma 0-2 Bayer Leverkusen