ROMA – Thrilling evening at the Olimpico, where the Roma hosts tonight the Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of the semi-final of Europa League. This is a replay compared to last edition, won by the Giallorossi 1-0 thanks to Bove’s goal. In a week’s time, the return to Germany is on the agenda, there in the den of the fresh Bundesliga champions. Up for grabs is the pass to the final in Dublin. Follow live all the updates and match reports.
21:53
The embrace between De Rossi and Xabi Alonso
Shortly before the start of the match there was a beautiful embrace between De Rossi and Xabi Alonso, two young coaches but already capable of impressing with their game ideas.
21:49
45’+1′ – Bayer takes the 2-0 lead. End of the first half
Yet another Bayer chance devoured: first Grimaldo and then Frimpong kick badly and without strength from inside the area a few steps from the goal. The first half ends.
21:46
43′ – PELLEGRINI CLOSE TO EQUAL
Pellegrini receives outside the area and doesn’t think twice: a first-time shot with the inside right and a ball that hits bottles near Kovar’s post.
21:44
41′ – Great shot from Andrich for Svilar
Another conclusion from Bayer which appears with Andrich, a great shot from distance but Svilar is attentive and blocks.
21:41
38′ – Wirtz from outside
Bayer pushes again, Wirtz also tries from afar but his right-footed shot ends up wide.
21:37
34′ – FRIMPONG NEAR DOUBLED
Bayer came close to doubling their lead and once again Frimpong was the most dangerous, turning the ball with his left foot and sending the ball very close to the post.
21:34
31′ – Yellow to Pellegrini. Wirtz still dangerous
Pellegrini knocks out Frimpong in the 30th minute, yellow for him. A minute later the Dutch winger, very fast, runs away, crosses backwards and Wirtz’s shot is too central. Svilar saves in two halves.
21:31
28′ – GOAL AT WIRTZ, ROMA-BAYER LEVERKUSEN 0-1
Bayer Leverkusen broke the deadlock thanks to a sensational error by Karsdorp who weakly supported Grimaldo, then assisted Wirtz who alone made it 1-0.
21:26
23′ – HUGE OPPORTUNITY FOR FRIMPONG
Xabi Alonso’s team responds immediately: fast action on the counterattack by Bayer who puts Svilar Frimpong in front, but the shot ends up on the outside of the net.
21:24
21′ – CROSS BY LUKAKU
From the development of a corner kick Paredes collects the ball and turns it into the area, Lukaku stands out and hits the crossbar with his head.
21:19
16′ – Tah is booked
Tah lets Lukaku escape, then pulls him down from the ground: yellow. He protests the public who wanted the red, but the German defender was very far from the goal, even if he was the last man.
21:13
10′ – Weak shot from Dybala
Roma responded with Dybala’s shot from outside, but it was too weak and central.
21:11
8′ – Great restart by Bayer
Bayer dangerous on the counterattack and Roma exposed, saves the defense: Xhakha’s shot is blocked.
21:03
1′ – ROMA-BAYER LEVERKUSEN BEGINS!
Let’s start, the first possession of the ball belongs to Roma.
21:03
Fiery Olimpico, choreography by the South
There is a fiery atmosphere at the Olimpico, the roar of the fans in the stands is crazy. Sud exposes her choreography: “Let’s advance”.
20:58
Great charge Rome in the tunnel
Before entering the pitch, still in the tunnel, the Roma players load up with hugs and concentrated looks.
20:56
I vip for Roma-Bayer Leverkusen
Among the VIPs present at the Olimpico for the match are Francesca Fagnani, Noemi and Pierfrancesco Favino.
20:50
2800 Bayer fans
There are 2800 Bayer Leverkusen fans at the Olimpico this evening. There were long queues at the entrance, but now all the German supporters are inside the stadium.
20:46
Xabi Alonso: “A pleasure to challenge De Rossi”
Xabi Alonso a Sky: “Luckily we have many options, no injuries. We have chosen this formation for today. My idea of football is to play in the most complete way possible. This evening we will have to defend strongly and also attack, it will depend on the moments of the match. De Rossi? It will be a pleasure, we are two young coaches. I have only been coaching for a short time and I still have a lot to learn.”
20:38
De Rossi: “Bayer won’t give us references, Lukaku a solution”
De Rossi on Sky before the match: “Bayer more defensive? We have also prepared this solution of theirs, in 90% of cases they play with the other formation, but it is no less offensive, they will provide fewer points of reference but the quality does not change. We will have to press to remove the supports, not only on Xhakha but also with those around him. Throwing on Lukaku is the solution for all matches, not just for tonight. Even the wingers are a solution, it’s not the only one, otherwise we become predictable.”
20:25
Lukaku, the bête noire of German teams
Romelu Lukaku has scored 7 goals in 9 matches against German teams in major European competitions, including one against Bayer Leverkusen in August 2020. Only against Swiss teams has he done better (8); in his only Europa League semi-final appearance he scored a brace against Shakhtar Donetsk in August 2020.
20:10
De Rossi’s choices
De Rossi relies on the best men and the formation that gives the most reassurance, the 4-3-3. Behind is Smalling, flanks manned by Karsdorp and Spinazzola, starting midfield and attack with Lu-Pa plus El Shaarawy.
20:01
Xabi Alonso surprises
Xabi Alonso surprises and chooses a more defensive formation, with Hincapié wide on the left and Grimaldo moved to the attacking trident, where there is neither the former Schick nor Boniface but Adli false nine. In the middle of the pitch Andrich, more covering and containment, preferred to Palacios.
19:50
The official lineups of Roma-Bayer Leverkusen
ROMA (4-3-3): Svilar; Karsdorp, Mancini, Smalling, Spinazzola; Paredes, Cristante, Pellegrini; El Shaarawy, Lukaku, Dybala. Trainer: From Rossi.
BAYER LEVERKUSEN (3-4-3): Kovar; Stanisic, Tah, High; Frimpong, Andrich, Crown, Hincafoot; Wirtz, Adley, Grimaldo. Trainer: Xabi Alonso.
19:45
Rome, positive streak in Europe
Roma have lost only one of their last 25 home games in the Europa League (19W, 5D), winning 10 of their last 11 (1D), only Villarreal (35), Sevilla (28) and Sporting (25) have more home successes in the competition compared to the Giallorossi (24).
19:35
The Roma bus arrived at the stadium
At this moment the Roma bus, with difficulty, arrived at the stadium. De Rossi and the players came out: very concentrated faces.
19:28
Roma bus blocked by fans
The Roma bus is trying to enter the stadium, but due to the many Giallorossi fans spilling out onto the street, it is struggling to arrive and proceed. Is locked. There is crazy enthusiasm among flags, smoke bombs and chants.
19:20
The probable lineup of Bayer Lverkusen
BAYER LEVERKUSEN (3-4-3): Kovar; Stanisic, Tah, Tapsoba; Frimpong, Xhaka, Palacios, Grimaldo; Adli, Boniface, Wirtz. All.: Xabi Alonso.
19:10
Bayer, training in the hotel
Bayer Leverkusen trained this morning in the hotel, at the Parc des Princes, between football, tennis, gym and tactical meeting.
18:58
De Rossi with the 4 defense
De Rossi should choose the back four with Spinazzola and Karsdorp on the wings and play with the 4-3-3. In Udine, in the last match of the championship, the Giallorossi coach chose the three-man line, this could change tonight.
18:48
Public order situation
At the moment the public order situation is totally under control, everything is calm. The gates of the Olympic stadium opened at 6.30pm.
18:38
Roma’s probable lineup
De Rossi could choose the 4-3-3 with these players tonight against Bayer Leverkusen.
18:30
Roma-Bayer Leverkusen: Olimpico sold out
Another full house for Roma. The Olimpico can make the difference once again in the Europa League. READ EVERYTHING
Olympic Stadium (Rome)
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
2024-05-02 19:41:00
#RomaBayer #Leverkusen #live #Europa #League #unlock #Wirtz #LIVE
