Let’s look at the numbers – Roma-Bayer Leverkusen: only one victory for the Germans in Italy

In the first leg of the Europa League semi-finals, Roma hosts Bayer Leverkusen at the Stadio Olimpico. Roma is in its eighth semi-final in UEFA competitions in its history. In the previous seven, they have qualified four times: in the European Cup by eliminating Dundee United in 1984, in the UEFA Cup by eliminating Brøndby in 1991, in the Conference League by eliminating Leicester in the 2021-2021 season and in the Europa League by eliminating Bayer. Leverkusen a year ago. Three eliminations: in the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1970 at the hands of Gornik Zabrze and the coin, in the Champions League in 2018 by Liverpool and in the Europa League in 2021 by Manchester United. For Bayer Leverkusen it will be the fifth semi-final in UEFA competitions: in the previous four they obtained two qualifications, in the 1987-1988 UEFA Cup by eliminating Werder Bremen and in the 2001-2002 Champions League by eliminating Manchester United, and two eliminations, at the hands of Parma in the 1994-1995 UEFA Cup and Roma in last year’s Europa League.

PREVIOUS – There are six precedents between Roma and Bayer Leverkusen. The first two in the 2004-2005 Champions League group stage, 3-1 for the Germans at the BayArena and 1-1 at the Olimpico, then two more in the 2015-2016 Champions League group stage, 4-4 in Germany and 3-2 at the Olympic Stadium and finally the two semi-finals last year, 1-0 for the Giallorossi at the Olimpico and 0-0 in Germany. In UEFA competitions, Roma have hosted German teams 16 times, achieving 10 successes, 2 draws and 4 defeats. Bayer Leverkusen played 13 times in Italy, winning only once, against Udinese 1-0 in the first leg of the third round of the 1999-2000 UEFA Cup, with a record of 3 draws and 9 defeats.

THE COACHES – Daniele De Rossi has never faced Xabi Alonso as a coach in his career. The Bayer Leverkusen coach was also on the bench in last year’s semi-final.

HOME AND AWAY – In the last 32 home matches in Europe, Roma have lost only once, against Real Betis in the group stage of the last edition of the Europa League: the balance is completed by 24 wins and 7 draws. Bayer Leverkusen, unbeaten this season in all competitions, have not lost away in Europe since the 1-0 at the Olimpico last year: this year they have played 5 matches away from home, obtaining three victories in the group stage against Molde, Qarabag and Hacken and two draws in the knockout phase, again against Qarabag in the round of 16 and against West Ham in the quarter-finals.