One of the most interesting showdowns in Europe this week will take place in the semi-final stage of the Europa League. For the second season running, AS Roma and Bayer Leverkusen will collide at this stage of the competition, with the German visitors bidding to extend their unbeaten record across all competitions.
Europa League Preview
Despite being crowned champions of Germany a few weeks ago, there are still some big challenges on the agenda for Bayer Leverkusen at this stage of the season. Xabi Alonso’s side will already be looking forward to a final in the DFB Pokal, but they could yet end the season with the club’s first ever treble if they are able to land Europa League success.
Leverkusen come into this semi-final in excellent form, having avoided defeat in all competitive matches throughout the 2023-24 season. But, they were forced to work hard to maintain that record over the weekend after scoring a late equaliser against Stuttgart. Leverkusen have reached the final four of a European competition on four previous occasions, but they have only progressed through to the final on one previous occasion.
AS Roma landed a nervy 1-0 aggregate success against Leverkusen when the sides collided at this stage of the competition last season, and they come into this final four showdown in excellent confidence after edging out AC Milan in the previous round of the competition. Their overall form also reads well after saving a point in their previous league outing against Napoli on Sunday.
Bet hereThis is the fourth straight season in which Roma have reached the semi-final stage of a European competition, with only Real Madrid only able to match that record since the start of the 2020-21 season. That is a huge improvement based on their previous record after reaching the semi-finals on just four occasions in 37 campaigns in Europe. Last season, Roma were beaten in the Europa League final by Sevilla.
AS Roma vs Bayer Leverkusen Head to Head
Leverkusen were beaten by an aggregate scoreline of 1-0 at this stage by Roma last term, and they are without a victory since landing a 3-1 home win against their Italian rivals in their first ever meeting.
Roma have won two of the previous five meetings, but three have ended in draws. Roma landed a 1-0 home success when these sides collided at this stage last term, before the teams played out a 0-0 draw back in Germany.
AS Roma vs Bayer Leverkusen Team News
Bayer Leverkusen have been incredibly fortunate with injuries throughout the season, which has enabled Alonso to field his strongest line-up throughout the campaign. However, the German champions will be without defender Jonathan Tah this week, as the centre back picked up a knock over the weekend. Borja Iglesias and Adam Hlozek are also unavailable.
Chris Smalling is the big player missing for Roma this week, with the defender likely to be fit enough to return for the second leg. Romelu Lukaku may also miss out on making the squad for this opening leg against Leverkusen after picking up a muscle injury.
AS Roma vs Bayer Leverkusen Prediction
Leverkusen’s unbeaten streak has come under threat in each of their last two league matches, and they will need to be back to their very best this week against a Roma side that have impressed defensively throughout their European campaign.
We could see both teams finding the net in this first leg, but it could be worth siding with the draw, giving the advantage to Leverkusen ahead of their home fixture against Roma next week.
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