Michael Ballack previews Roma-Bayer Leverkusen semi-final: “It’s 50/50.” | OneFootball

Former Bayer Leverkusen, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich midfielder Michael Ballack previewed the upcoming Europa League semi-final tie between his former club and Roma.

The two sides meet on Thursday evening in the Italian capital for the first leg before the finale in Germany one week later—with progression to the final on 31 May in Budapest.

“Given the strength of Bayer Leverkusen this is a 50/50 tie,” Ballack told RTL.de. “They don’t have to run and hide scared at all.”

“But I also think it’s always a slight advantage when you have the return leg at home because you enter the game knowing what sort of result you need plus you have the crowd in your corner.”

Adding “Bayer is a solid side that’s robust enough to achieve this objective of winning the Europa League, it’s a special opportunity.”

“If they get their performance right I’m convinced they’ll progress.”