A goal in each half, again in the 28th minute: Wirtz takes care of it first, then in the second half a great right-footed shot from Andrich puts the point to the evening. But what a mistake in Abraham’s ending…
Journalist
May 2, 2024 (changed at 11.10pm) – ROME
And now a miracle will be needed. Or so. Because the 2-0 at the Olimpico bends Roma’s knees, also considering the difference in quality and dynamism seen on the pitch. Bayer Leverkusen remains unbeatable, at least for now, and secures the final in Dublin thanks to goals from Wirtz and Andrich. For a while Roma held out and even risked passing (Lukaku’s crossbar), but then the difference in values came out in every corner of the pitch. Also thanks to the madness of Karsdorp who gave the Germans the lead and in fact changed everything a bit.
choices and goals
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De Rossi prefers Spinazzola to Angelino, Xabi Alonso decides to play it without reference points in front, with the two little guys (Adli and Frimpong) on the outside and Wirtz juggling from the false nine. We stay at a distance, Adli and Dybala try to warm up their engines, but it takes some time for the match to take off. But Xabi’s move to lift Frimpong high to the right is the right one, with the Dutchman going twice as fast as Spinazzola and always putting him on the ropes. So much so that from the middle of the first half until half-time Frimpong will have 3 great opportunities to score (including a final save on the line by Spinazzola), as well as building a couple of very dangerous actions (on one he offers the ball to make it 2-0 to Wirtz which however he wastes in the arms of Svilar). And Rome? For the first twenty minutes he fights on equal terms and even comes close to taking the lead with Lukaku (unlucky, his header hits the crossbar), then he has to surrender to the wickedness of Karsdorp, who gives Grimaldo the ball which gives the German lead : convenient assist for Wirtz who scores alone in front of Svilar. The Dutchman’s mistake is sensational, one of those that leaves its mark. And in fact, it was as if Roma were imploding, they were almost unable to recover and found a way to become dangerous only with Paredes from outside. But it’s a flash in the pan, because once you put your head forward, it’s always only Bayer who comes close to scoring.
doubling
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Leverkusen started as they finished, always dribbling up and down to a maximum of two touches. On the other hand, however, Karsdorp (who was booed shortly after, at the moment of the substitution) arrives late on a nice cut ball and Cristante gets a header just wide. In short, Roma is trying to get back up and rebalance the games. And to achieve this De Rossi inserts Angelino high on the left, moving El Shaarawy to the right and effectively switching to a three-man defense (with Spinazzola playing arm on the same side as Angelino). And in the 28th minute the freezing shower also arrives, with Andrich making it 2-0 from the edge with a nice right-footed shot. And then Baldanzi and Azmoun also go in, with a front-wheel drive Roma. And the Iranian has the right ball to reopen everything thanks to Pellegrini’s invention, but he trivially wastes it in the arms of Kovar. And Abraham does the same with a sure shot, heading over from inside the small area. Two heavy errors, which could have given Roma one more chance. Appointment in Leverkusen for the return leg, it will take a miracle. Or so.
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