AS Roma will host Bayer Leverkusen at Stadio Olimpico in the UEFA Europa League semi-final first leg, looking to inch closer to the final.
AS Roma are currently unbeaten in five of their last six matches in all competitions, and they will look to extend their fine run of form with a positive performance against Bayer Leverkusen at Stadio Olimpico on Thursday night.
Meanwhile, Leverkusen are unbeaten in their last six matches in all competitions and they have been in sublime form this season. Xabi Alonso’s men have already won the league title and they will look to finish the season with a European trophy now.
They are unbeaten in all competitions this season and it remains to be seen whether they can grind out a positive result away from home in the first leg of the semi-finals.
Both teams are quite evenly matched on current form and this should be a cracking contest.
Team News & Tactics
AS Roma
Zeki Celik is suspended after his red card in the last round. Other than that, AS Roma have a fully fit squad to choose from. Mile Svilar will start in goal for the home team, who will line up in a 4-3-3 formation on Thursday.
Rick Karsdorp and Angelino will start as the full-backs, and they will look to protect the central defenders and help out during attacking transitions. Gianluca Mancini will start alongside Evan Ndicka at the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Leandro Paredes will protect the back four and win the ball back for his side. Bryan Cristante will add creativity and control to the side alongside him. Lorenzo Pellegrini will look to add drive and goals to the midfield. Finally, Romelu Lukaku will lead the line for AS Roma against Bayer Leverkusen, with Stephan El Shaarawy and Paulo Dybala on either side of him.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Svilar; Karsdorp, Mancini, Ndicka, Angelino; Cristante, Paredes, Pellegrini; Dybala, Lukaku, El Shaarawy
Bayer Leverkusen
Borja Iglesias will miss out with a muscle injury for the away side. They will also be without Adam Hlozek due to an ankle problem. Other than that, Xabi Alonso should be able to field a full-strength lineup. Lucas Hradecky will start in goal for the visitors.
In the back three, Odilon Kossounou will start alongside Jonathan Tah and Piero Hincapie. The trio will look to keep things compact at the back and help Bayer Leverkusen build from the deep against AS Roma.
Jeremie Frimpong and Alejandro Grimaldo will start as the wing-backs. They have been phenomenal going forward and will look to contribute at both ends of the pitch. Exequiel Palcios will add defensive cover in the midfield and look to break up opposition attacks. Granit Xhaka will add control and composure alongside him.
Florian Wirtz and Amine Adli will start as the attacking midfielders, and they will look to create goalscoring opportunities in the final third. Finally, Patrik Schick will lead the line for the away side.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Hradecky; Kossounou, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Palacios, Xhaka, Grimaldo; Wirtz, Adli; Schick
Key Stats
- Bayer Leverkusen are unbeaten in all competitions this season.
- AS Roma are unbeaten in five of their last six matches in all competitions.
- AS Roma are undefeated in their last six matches against Bayer Leverkusen in all competitions.
- 20 goals have been scored in the last six meetings between these two teams.
- Bayer Leverkusen are winless in their last three matches in all competitions.
Player to Watch
Florian Wirtz
The 20-year-old attacking midfielder has been a key player for Bayer Leverkusen this season, and he will look to influence the game in the final third with his creativity and ability to score goals.
The German international has 17 goals and 19 assists in all competitions, and the newly-crowned Bundesliga champions will rely on him to open up the home defence. Wirtz is our key player to watch out for this week, and it remains to be seen whether he can guide his side to a vital win.
Prediction
AS Roma 2-2 Bayer Leverkusen
Both teams are in impressive form right now, and they are coming into this game on the back of a comeback in the league. AS Roma did well to come from behind and snatch a draw against Napoli, whereas Leverkusen picked up a point against VfB Stuttgart thanks to a 96th minute equaliser.
Neither team will want to end up on the losing side here, and this is likely to be a close contest. Both teams have been scoring goals in recent weeks, and a high-scoring contest is on the cards. They are likely to cancel each other out and share the spoils.
