Bayer Leverkusen vs Roma – Europa League Match Preview | OneFootball

Bayer Leverkusen will be aiming to take another step closer to treble success with victory over Roma in the Europa League semi-finals this week.

The German champions have a healthy advantage from the first leg and will be looking to complete the job at the BayArena.

Here is everything you need to know about Thursday’s clash.

Form

Bayer Leverkusen: DDDWW

After a run of three consecutive draws that required late goals to preserve the club’s long unbeaten run, Bayer Leverkusen have returned to their swashbuckling best in recent games.

A 2-0 win at Roma in the first-leg of their Europa League semi-final has made Xabi Alonso’s side huge favourites to progress, before Leverkusen edged closer to a historic unbeaten Bundesliga campaign with a 5-1 thrashing of Eintracht Frankfurt at the weekend.

It’s now 48 games unbeaten across all competitions for Leverkusen this season and Die Werkself are just five wins from a staggering achievement.

The first title in the club’s 120-year history has long been confirmed, though another two games without defeat will see Leverkusen become the first team to complete a Bundesliga campaign without losing a game. Already assured of a place in the DFB-Pokal final, progressing past Roma this week will see Leverkusen in sight of an astonishing treble.

Roma: LWDLD

One win in five games across all competitions has slowed Roma’s momentum under new head coach Daniele De Rossi, ahead of their second leg in Leverkusen.

Romelu Lukaku was an isolated figure in the first meeting between the teams but returned to the scoresheet in the 1-1 draw with Juventus at the weekend. The Belgium international has eight goals and assists in the Europa League this season, with only Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (13) and Mohamed Salah (9) having more.

Dropped points for the second successive league game has left Roma facing an uphill battle to secure a place in next season’s Champions League. Though Italy are set to receive five entrants into next season’s competition, Roma are currently sixth in the table. The capital club are level on points with Atalanta above them, but have played a game more.

Last Meeting

Roma 0-2 Bayer Leverkusen, Europa League, 02/05/2024

Bayer Leverkusen took control of the semi-final tie with a comfortable 2-0 win at the Stadio Olimpico.

Florian Wirtz opened the scoring on 28 minutes with his 18th goal of the campaign, as Alejandro Grimaldo capitalised on a defensive mistake to tee up the German midfielder. Robert Andrich scored the second after the break with a long-range effort to hand Xabi Alonso’s side the advantage ahead of the return.

Tammy Abraham, off the bench late on, missed the best chance for Roma who managed just two shots on target.

Predicted Lineups

Bayer Leverkusen: Kovar; Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Andrich, Xhaka, Grimaldo; Wirtz, Adli; Boniface.

Roma: Svilar; Celik, Mancini, Smalling, Spinazzola; Cristante, Paredes, Pellegrini; Dybala, Lukaku, El Shaarawy.

Who is the referee?

Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)

What channel is Leverkusen vs Roma on?

UK and Ireland – TNT Sports 2.

What time is kick off?

20:00 BST, May 9th 2024.

Odds

Leverkusen – 1/2

Draw – 7/2

Roma – 5/1

Read – The games that defined Leverkusen’s Bundesliga title success

See more – Daniele De Rossi – A case study in loyalty