ROME – Thrilling evening at the Olimpico, where the Rome 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.
9.44pm
41′ – Great shot by Andrich, saves Svilar
Another conclusion from Bayer which appears with Andrich, a great shot from distance but Svilar is attentive and blocks.
9.41pm
38′ – Wirtz from outside
Bayer pushes again, Wirtz also tries from afar but his right-footed shot ends up wide.
9.37pm
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.
9.34pm
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.
9.31pm
28′ – GOAL BY 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.
9.26pm
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.
9.24pm
21′ – LUKAKU CROSS
From the corner kick Paredes collects the ball and turns it into the area, Lukaku rises and heads it against the crossbar.
9.19pm
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.
9.13pm
10′ – Weak shot from Dybala
Roma responded with Dybala’s shot from outside, but it was too weak and central.
9.11pm
8′ – Great restart by Bayer
Bayer dangerous on the counterattack and Roma exposed, saves the defense: Xhakha’s shot is blocked.
9.03pm
1′ – ROMA-BAYER LEVERKUSEN BEGINS!
Let’s start, the first possession of the ball belongs to Roma.
9.03pm
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”.
8.58pm
Great charge Rome in the tunnel
Before entering the pitch, still in the tunnel, the Roma players load up with hugs and concentrated looks.
8.56pm
The VIPs for Roma-Bayer Leverkusen
Among the VIPs present at the Olimpico for the match are Francesca Fagnani, Noemi and Pierfrancesco Favino.
8.50pm
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.
8.46pm
Xabi Alonso: “A pleasure to challenge De Rossi”
Xabi Alonso on 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.”
8.38pm
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.”
8.25pm
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.
8.10pm
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.
8.01pm
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.
7.50pm
The official lineups of Roma-Bayer Leverkusen
ROME (4-3-3): Svilar; Karsdorp, Mancini, Smalling, Spinazzola; Paredes, Cristante, Pellegrini; El Shaarawy, Lukaku, Dybala. Trainer: De Rossi.
BAYER LEVERKUSEN (3-4-3): Kovar; Stanisic, Tah, Tapsoba; Frimpong, Andrich, Xhaka, Hincapié; Wirtz, Adli, Grimaldo. Trainer: Xabi Alonso.
7.45pm
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).
7.35pm
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.
7.28pm
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.
7.20pm
The probable lineup of Bayer Lverkusen
BAYER LEVERKUSEN (3-4-3): Kovar; Stanisic, Tah, Tapsoba; Frimpong, Xhaka, Palacios, Grimaldo; Adli, Boniface, Wirtz. Annex: Xabi Alonso.
7.10pm
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.
6.58pm
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.
6.48pm
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.
6.38pm
Roma’s probable lineup
De Rossi could choose the 4-3-3 with these players tonight against Bayer Leverkusen.
6.30pm
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)
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