Bayer Leverkusen takes an option in Rome! (0-2)
The German champion held his place this evening at the Olimpico Stadium. Sharper and above all more realistic in front of goal, Xavi Alonso’s men won by two goals (0-2) and entered their first Europa League final before the return leg on May 9!
Abraham not successful!
While Kovar had a hole in his exit from a corner, Abraham got the better of the German defense but saw his header go just over the bar!
Last change for the Germans
Kossounou replaces Grimaldo in defense.
Four minutes of added time
At the same time Dybala gives way to Abraham.
Very good outing from Svilar
Bayer is still dangerous on the counterattack. Launched into the area, Hofmann had the ball taken from his feet by Svilar, who came out at the right tempo.
Xavi empties his bench
Frimpong, who had chances this evening without being able to find the target, is replaced by Palacios.
The saving return of Hincapie
Barely on, Azmoun inherits a ball 11 meters away but Hincapie’s excellent return does not allow him to adjust his shot. Big opportunity for AS Roma!
Bayer’s invincibility continues
Xavi Alonso’s men are heading straight for a 47th match without defeat this season. With the German Cup final to play, 2 European matches to play in the best scenario and 3 days of the Bundesliga, the Germans will have a maximum of 6 matches left to make history.
Change also in the Roman ranks
Little found at the forefront of AS Roma, Lukaku gives way to Azmoun. Paredes is replaced by Baldanzi.
Double change for Bayer Leverkusen
Defensive changes made by Xavi Alonso with the entries of Tella and Hofmann in place of Adli and Wirtz.
Spinazzola and Xhaka escape
Tempers heat up after Bayer Leverkusen’s second goal. Mr. Letexier distributes the boxes.
Andrich widens the gap! (0-2)
The Bayer midfielder strikes once again outside the area and wrong-foots Svilar with a sublime right-footed shot! (0-2) At the start of the action, Xhaka launches Grimado who procrastinates on the right… then Andrich is served at the entrance to the area. This time his attempt is the right one!
Frimpong found in the surface
But the Bayer player is marked by two defenders and fails to target his left-footed shot which flies over Svilar’s cage.
The intensity goes down a notch
AS Roma is cornered in its own half and opposite, Bayer lacks realism…
Grimaldo doesn’t fit!
The visitors created chances but lacked precision to aggravate the score, like this new long shot, in the middle, from Grimaldo which passed well above the opponent’s goal.
First change for the Giallorossi
At the origin of Bayer’s opening score, Karsdorp was replaced by Angelino to the boos of the Roman public.
Corner for AS Roma!
Dybala takes care of pulling him to the left. Cristante bursts into the area to send a header, slightly too crossed! Kovar was beaten.
Hincapie forgotten
The Bundesliga champion offers himself a new goal opportunity on a corner taken from right to left. Left alone at the far post, the Bayer defender was surprised by the rebound and could not get his head on target.
Pellegrini accelerates
The AS Roma captain makes the difference on the left and sends a cross. Cristante misses her recovery. Just like Karsdrop at the far post.
Bayer pressing
The locals are still under pressure from the Germans who harass the ball carrier, hindering the construction of the Romans’ game.
It’s back to Rome!
The scorer, Florian Wirtz, begins the second half in the Roman capital.
AS Roma led at the Olimpico Stadium! (0-1)
After a first quarter of an hour with few chances, the German champion took advantage of the defensive generosity of the Romans to score the only goal of this first act through Florian Wirtz. The Giallorossi could have opened the scoring but Lukaku’s header crashed onto the crossbar. And Pellegrini missed the target by a few centimeters leaving Bayer in front (0-1).
One more minute before the break
While the fourth referee indicates one minute of added time, Bayer goes on the counter after a Roma corner. Served in the area, Grimaldo is countered by the Roman defense. The game rebounds on Frimpong who misses the 2-0 goal again by not pressing his shot sufficiently.
Pellegrini not far from the equalizer!
Served by Lukaku at the entrance to the area, the Italian curls a shot from the right which passes right next to Kovar’s goal! It’s been a while since we’ve seen the locals appear dangerous in front of the opposing goal.
Andrich’s missile!
German shots burst in front of the Roman cage. This time it’s Andrich who arms a powerful but floating shot with his right foot. Svilar was on the trajectory.
Wirtz takes his chance from afar
Xavi Alonso’s men dare! Like this distant shot, slightly shifted to the right, from the Bayer midfielder who flees Svilar’s left post.
Frimpong misses the break goal!
Bayer pushes to widen the gap before the break. After another good work from Grimaldo on the left, Frimpong is served in the area but he does not target his recovery from the right at close range. Just before, Wirtz had come up against Svilar.
Pellegrini warned in turn
Yellow card for the middle of the Louve!
Wirtz unlocks the Bayer Leverkusen counter (0-1)!
What a mistake the Romans made! Grimaldo takes advantage of a too-short delivery from Karsdorp to serve Wirtz at the penalty point. The Bayer midfielder adjusts a soft, grazing shot with his right foot which ends up in the back of the net! (0-1)
Second distant free kick for the Romans
It is again Dybala who takes charge of the set piece. This time his attempt goes well above Kovar’s goal.
Bayer responds immediately!
Immediate reaction from the German champion with this offering from Wirtz for Frimpong who misses his duel against Svilar!
Lukaku finds the bar!
Big opportunity for AS Roma! Receiving a corner taken from left to right, Paredes shoots a ball headed by Lukaku which crashes into the crossbar!
First alert for the German club
Launched deep into the left lane, El Shaarawy puts it back in the center towards Lukaku. Xhaka emerges to ward off the danger for a corner. The referee finally returned to an offside position for the Italian at the start of the action.
Bayer captain warned
Late on Lukaku, Tah holds the Belgian AS Roma striker by the jersey and receives a warning. The eccentric free kick on the right achieves nothing.
The official photos
While waiting to get something in your mouth…
German possession
Bayer got their foot on the ball at the start of the match when opposite, the Romans struggled to find Lukaku.
First strike on target for AS Roma
An interception by La Louve on the edge of the penalty area allows Dybala to curl in a shot from the right, well caught by Kovar.
Xhaka and Adli countered!
The German champion gets closer to Svilar’s goal but his two shots are repelled by the Roman defense!
Xhaka strikes into the stands
The Germans press high but fail to build their game in attack. The two teams measure each other… the first attempt, distant and off target, is to be attributed to the initiative of the Bayer midfielder.
Let’s go !
The Romans kick off this semi-final first leg between AS Roma and Bayer Leverkusen under the orders of the French referee, François Letexier!
Hostilities begin in 30 minutes!
The rain came this afternoon in the Italian capital. The showers are becoming rarer but the wind is blowing!
The Bayer lineup!
Xabi Alonso must do without Hlozek and Iglesias (injured). The Spanish tactician preferred to start Adli up front, Schick starts on the bench.
Lukaku well present in the AS Roma XI!
Only one absent in the Roman ranks: the former Lille defender, Zeki Celik, suspended (red card). Hampered by thigh pain, Romelu Lukaku is well aligned at the forefront of the Italian attack.
Hello everyone and welcome to RMC Sport for the AS Roma-Bayer Leverkusen match
“We are going to play the Bundesliga champion, undefeated, with one less day of rest. » The words of Daniele De Rossi alone sum up the immense challenge awaiting AS Roma, facing Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League semi-final. A remake of last year’s half (success of La Louve 1-0/0-0) which only has its name in common. Because opposite, Bayer has expanded: undefeated in 46 matches this season, Xabi Alonso’s men seem miraculous: after putting an end to Bayern Munich’s supremacy in the league, they remain in three draws, snatched in stoppage time. Second attack in the Bundesliga (77 goals), 18 games without to be silent… the figures are dizzying. Italians upset by their draw in Naples last Sunday and not sure of playing in the Champions League next year, will they be able to put an end to this daydream? First answers at 9 p.m. at the Olimpico Stadium!
