LEVERKUSEN (Germany) – Roma attempts the feat in the second leg of the Europa League semi-final against Bayer Leverkusen, after the 2-0 defeat a week ago in the capital. De Rossi’s Giallorossi must play the perfect match to qualify for the final in Dublin, scheduled for 22 May.
21:45
45′ Four minutes of added time
There are 4 minutes of injury time in the first half.
21:43
43′ ROMA LEAD 0-1
Paredes converts the penalty, wrong-footing goalkeeper Kovar: Roma lead 1-0 in Leverkusen. The goal arrived at the moment of greatest difficulty for the Giallorossi.
21:41
41′ Penalty for Roma
Roma’s attacking action: Lukaku’s header goes wide while Tah brings down Azmoun. The referee awards the penalty. Warned Tah.
21:39
39′ Double miracle from Svilar
Bayer very close to scoring: Svilar makes a double miraculous save on Adli and Hlozek.
21:37
37′ Roma in difficulty
Roma are in difficulty at this stage of the match: De Rossi’s boys are no longer able to leave their own half of the pitch to ease the pressure of their opponents and become dangerous in Kovar’s area.
21:30
30′ Bayer’s stick
The hosts one step away from scoring: long-range shot from Palacios, the ball hits the post and then Svilar’s back, bouncing menacingly off the line into an empty net. N’Dicka sweeps away, averting the danger for Roma.
21:29
29′ Zalewski is booked
Zalewski was also booked for yanking Frimpong who was speeding away.
21:27
28′ Paredes is booked
Referee Makkelie warns Paredes for an avoidable kick on Palacios.
21:25
25′ Another save from Svilar
Free kick from distance taken with the right by Hlozek: Svilar is attentive and deflects the ball over the crossbar.
21:21
21′ Zalewski enters, two yellow cards
Zalewski replaces Spinazzola. Referee Makkelie, meanwhile, warns Mancini and Tapsoba for the brawl just now. Clarification between Xabi Alonso and De Rossi: the German coach, who had asked his players to stop, apologizes to the Ostia coach.
21:19
19′ Spinazzola knocked out, tension on the pitch
Spinazzola is down injured: Zalewski is ready to replace him. A fight breaks out because Bayer, despite the Roma players’ requests, continued to play: READ THE NEWS
21:17
17′ Roma responds with Pellegrini
Roma still close to scoring: cross from the right by Cristante and header by Pellegrini, who forces Kovar to make a diving save.
21:16
16′ Parata di Svilar
Bayer Leverkusen becomes dangerous: Palacios’ right-footed shot, after a quick move, and a good save from Svilar.
21:04
4′ Lukaku close to scoring
Assist to Pellegrini’s kiss, from the left, for Lukaku launched into the net: the Roma striker stretches the ball slightly with his chest and goalkeeper Kovar saves himself with a reckless exit onto his feet.
21:03
3′ First corner of the match for Bayer
Sudden verticalization for Bayer, which forces Roma to save themselves in a corner. No risk for the Giallorossi on the corner.
21:00
The game begins
Kick-off at the BayArena: Roma beat with Lukaku.
20:58
Teams on the field for the draw
The Europa League anthem sounds: Bayer and Roma are on the pitch while the two captains, Tah and Pellegrini, are ready for the draw.
20:50
Lukaku alla Rai
Lukaku also speaks to Rai before the match: “We have to be confident tonight. Me with Azmoun? The coach asked us to be stronger in possession and to be good on second balls”.
20:45
De Rossi before the challenge
De Rossi speaks to Sky’s microphones shortly before kick-off: “The objective of the lineup changes? To put some ‘fat’ in the area, also forced a bit by Dybala’s condition. We have two wingers on the left who are strong at dribbling and good at putting in crosses. We aim to hit in the area . Dybala? If there had been another match we would have left him at home. We have done the checks and there are no injuries, but the symptoms are more important for a player than the machine says. We will see if he will be needed in the last 30 minutes.”
20:33
The referee’s history with Roma
Tonight’s referee, the Dutchman Makkelie, has three precedents for Roma: the first leg lost 4-1 against Barcelona in the Champions League in 2018 (the match was then replayed at the Olimpico), in which he denied Dzeko a clear penalty ; the victory over Villarreal 4-0 in the Europa League in 2017; the 2-1 victory (with a brace from Zaniolo) in 2019 against Porto in the Champions League in Rome.
20:25
Teams on the field for warm-up
The two teams entered the field for the pre-match warm-up.
20:20
Lukaku before the match
Lukaku spoke to Sky before the match: “Today we have to play an intelligent game, but we have the players to do it. We have to be strong in ball possession, we studied them during the videos and we are ready for this. Can we play it all in three days? Sport is like this, but it’s nice to play finals like this, let’s think about today and then move forward.”
20:05
The benches of Bayer and Roma
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 lineup of Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen’s 3-4-3 quest for Xabi Alonso: Cover; Tapsoda, Tah (captain), Hincapié; Frimpong, Xhaka, Palaces, Grimaldo; Hofmann, Adly, Head.
19:45
Roma’s official lineup
Here is the official Roma lineup (3-5-2): Svilar; Mancini, N’Dicka, Spinazzola; El Shaarawy, Cristante, Paredes, Pellegrini (captain), Angeliño; Azmoun, Lukaku.
19:40
Bayer is particularly keen on this
Bayer Leverkusen is particularly keen to eliminate Roma this evening, also in light of last year’s match. READ THE NEWS
19:25
Looking for the final
Bayer Leverkusen could qualify for their third final in a major European competition, after the 1987-88 UEFA Cup (won) and the 2001-02 Champions League. Roma, on the other hand, played in the finals of the 1960-61 Fairs Cup (won), the 1983-84 Champions Cup, the 1990-91 UEFA Cup, the 2021-22 Conference League (won) and the 2022-23 Europa League.
19:11
Bayer’s incredible streak
Bayer Leverkusen have never lost this season in all competitions. Xabi Alonso’s team has reached 48 matches without any setbacks: the last defeat dates back to last season, the last season of the championship 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 towards the BayArena. It is not the first time that the president’s son, who holds the role of executive vice president, follows the team closely.
18:45
Soon Roma will leave for the stadium
Roma will leave the hotel to go to the stadium around 7-7.15pm: the latest rumors confirm the choice of a three-man defence, with N’Dicka in the centre, preferred to 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-final of the Europa League, they were eliminated by Mourinho’s Roma. The 1-0 in the first leg at the Olimpico was decisive, signed by a goal from Bovewhile in the return match the match ended 0-0.
18:20
Gates open from 7pm
Warm weather, also from an atmospheric point of view, in Leverkusen: the gates of the BayArena will be opened at 7pm. Many Roma fans waiting near the stadium. Numerous law enforcement officers ensure that everything goes smoothly.
18:09
The match will also be broadcast free-to-air
Bayer Leverkusen-Roma will also be broadcast free-to-air on Rai 1. Here is all the information to follow the Europa League match live on television or in streaming: READ THE NEWS
17:54
Roma’s probable lineup
All available in De Rossi’s Roma: even Dybala, who is recovering from an injury to the adductor of 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.
Bayer Leverkusen-Roma, De Rossi’s official team
17:40
Totti will follow Roma
Even Francesco Totti, Giallorossi legend, will follow tonight’s very important match for his Roma. The former captain, however, will have to see the challenge on the plane: READ THE NEWS
17:27
The referee team
The team of referees for the match between Bayer and Roma is entirely Dutch: the referee is Danny Makkelie, the linesmen are Hessel Steegstra and Jan de Vries, the fourth official is Serdar Gözübüyük, at VAR there is Rob Dieperink, Avar Pol Van Boekel . The UEFA delegate is the Englishman Mark Blackbourne while the referee observer is 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 2 May at the Olimpico.
Leverkusen (Germany)