Leverkusen look to overturn a 1-0 deficit against AS Roma in the second leg

Leverkusen host AS Roma at home with a bid to make their first European final since 2002 while Jose Mourinho’s side are trying to make it to back to back continental finals

(Football news) AS Roma are trying to seek a place in the Europa League final as they visit Bayer Leverkusen in the second leg as the Last year’s Europa Conference League winners won 1-0 in Rome but their hosts still have hope of securing a Champions League spot as they play either Juventus or Sevilla. Bayer Leverkusen have just lost once in their last 11 away matches in all competitions.

Leverkusen have now been beaten in each of their last seven matches against Serie A side and that cannot afford continue in this week’s return, as they want reach the Budapest’s Puskas Arena on the last day of May for the final.Over the past years only three teams have gone on to progress after losing their first leg in the semi-final opener, but Leverkusen have beaten the likes of Bayern, RB Leipzig and Atletico Madrid at home

Xabi Alonso who was subsequently managed by Jose Mourinho for three seasons at Real Madrid recently led his side to a 14-game unbeaten streak which featured 10 wins and 4 draws interest, However, a disappointing 1-1 draw with Stuttgart followed by two defeats this month, has somewhat derailed their season. Die Werkself haven’t won any of their last four matches, and sit 7th in Bundesliga as winning the Europa League could be their best route back into the Champions League. If Leverkusen do over turn the first leg deficit as they are aiming for a first UEFA final since 2002.

Bayer Leverkusen possible starting lineup:
Hradecky; Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Demirbay, Palacios, Bakker; Diaby, Wirtz, Adli

Mourinho last summer went onto sign seasoned pros who have such as Nemanja Matic, Paulo Dybala and Georginio Wijnaldum but it was one of the young guns in the Roma squad, Edoardo Bove scored at the hour-mark for a tough victory. Manchester United had knocked them out in the Europa League semis in 2021 but last year Roma saw off Leicester City in the Conference League last year. Mourinho aims to guide his side to a second continental final as the Portuguese coach has now won 15 of their last 17 knockout matches at the Olimpico, but they are generally a less formidable side away from home.

AS Roma in their most recent road trip, played very disappointing goalless draw with Bologna as they dropped down to sit sixth in the Serie A standings and remain unsure of a European place next season after they have gone five games without a win in the Serie A. Roma have also suffered defeats in Razgrad, Rotterdam and Salzburg on their route to the Europa League semi-finals but have also shown they can beat any side with the right gameplan.

Roma possible starting lineup:
Patricio; Mancini, Cristante, Ibanez; Celik, Matic, Bove, Spinazzola; Pellegrini, Wijnaldum; Abraham

Also read: Manchester City thrash Real Madrid to reach the Champions League final