Brave Bayer Leverkusen exit UEFA Europa League to Roma at semi-final stage
Despite a spirited display in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League semi-final against Roma at the BayArena, Bayer Leverkusen were held to a goalless draw and ultimately exited the competition after losing 1-0 on aggregate.
Bayer Leverkusen 0-0 Roma (agg: 0-1)
Leverkusen were perhaps a little sluggish at the Stadio Olimpico last week but, needing a victory to at least force extra-time on home soil, they flew out of the blocks and dominated the first half. Roma, meanwhile, had little incentive to attack their opponents while in possession of an aggregate lead, and sat back in an attempt to frustrate the hosts. As such, gilt-edged chances were few and far between, but that did not stop Leverkusen from testing the Italians on numerous occasions. Kerem Demirbay was particularly dangerous, forcing Rui Patricio into three saves, while Sardar Azmoun was also denied by the Portuguese goalkeeper, although his shot was straight at him. The best chance of the opening period, though, fell to Moussa Diaby who, despite pushing himself wide with a heavy touch when played in behind the backline, rattled the crossbar. No goal at the break for Xabi Alonso's men, then, but plenty for them to build upon after the interval.
Following the restart, Leverkusen continued to dominate the ball against the Giallorossi. Still, though, they struggled to work their way into the penalty area, instead having to generally make do with efforts from distance besides an Azmoun header that was well held by Patricio. The latter was again required to get down low and deny a fierce Demirbay drive, while Jonathan Tah's attempt was only deflected inches beyond the post. Next to try his luck was striker Azmoun, but he dragged his shot wide of the woodwork on one of the few occasions Leverkusen were able get closer to the goal. Jose Mourinho's men were solid defensively, but Leverkusen troubled them throughout and were desperately unlucky not to at least level the tie. Their attention must now turn to the remaining two Bundesliga matchdays, in which they will attempt to secure qualification for the next edition of this tournament.
0 - 0
(0 - 0)
Leverkusen
FINAL
Roma
Europa League Semi-final, second leg Semi-final, second leg BayArena, Leverkusen
Leverkusen miss out on final berth
Outstanding effort from Alonso's team, but they just couldn't find the goal needed to level the tie. The Europa League trophy won by Frankfurt last season will not be staying in Germany.
Frimpong collects a pass from Wirtz and shoots straight at Rui Patricio. IT's all hands on deck for Roma - can Leverkusen force equaliser?
81'
What a chance!
Adli drives in off the right fires goalwards. It hits Hlozek but falls for Azmoun, who steers wide of the left-hand post. The home fans expected to see the net bulge!
80'
All-out attack
Leverkusen now have Hlozek, Adli and Diaby on the pitch, as well as Wirtz. They just have to go for it...
Positive change from the Bayer coach, with Adli - an attacker - replacing left-back Bakker. Under 20 minutes of normal time for his team to level the tie...
Not for the first time, Demirbay sizes up the Roma goal from range. He hits it low and hard, forcing Rui Patrico to scramble across his goal line to make the stop, with Azmoun following up the rebound.
66'
Azmoun chance!
The Iran international connects with Tapsoba's cross towards the penalty spot, but it's a fairly routine save for Rui Patricio to make.
62'
Lack of precision
Twice in succession Leverkusen get balls into the Roma box, but the end product isn't there as Tapsoba heads wide and Bakker fails to direct his header to a teammate.
58'
Tah to the rescue
Brilliant intervention by the Leverkusen defender to stop Pellegrini's free-kick finding a white shirt in the area. Key phase of the game coming up for Bayer - they need a goal, but can't afford to leave themselves too exposed.
56'
Caution
Palacios is booked for a foul on Matic. He joins Hincapie in the referee's book.
Leverkusen are still the more active of the two teams, but Roma are pressing them higher compared to the first half. How long before Alonso shuffles his pack, with the likes of Adli and Hlozek on the bench...?
46'
Here we go again!
Leverkusen are unchanged following their impressive first-half showing. Mourinho has reacted by introducing an extra man in midfield - Wijnaldum - at the expense of forward Belotti.
Leverkusen have controlled proceedings at the BayArena, rattling off over 10 shots on the Roma goal. Diaby struck the bar, but it's as you were. They still need a goal to level this semi-final tie.
Demirbay's been heavily involved this first half, but his latest effort whistles over. For all their dominance, Bayer have yet to carve out a clear-cut opening...
44'
Time added on
Three additional minutes at the end of a very one-sided first half...
40'
Half chance
Rui Patricio gets two hands on Azmoun's looping header, following smart work from Wirtz. That's now 11 efforts on the Roma goal...
36'
Azmoun strike!
Rinse and repeat from Leverkusen as Azmoun lets fly from 18 yards, warming the palms of Rui Patrico. That needed to be either side of the goalkeeper.
34'
Roma switch
The Italians are forced into a change on the left-hand side, with Zalewski on for Spinazzola.
Wirtz and Diaby link up yet again, leaving the Roma defence chasing shadows. It's dropped off for Palacios, who sees his goal-bound shot charged down. Mourinho looks pensive to say the least.
29'
Azmoun chance!
The chance count continues to rise in Leverkusen's favour as Azmoun beats Rui Patrico to Diaby's inviting cross, only to head off target.
27'
Worth a go!
Roma only half clear Hincapie's probing cross-field pass. Palacios picks it up and finds Demirbay for a shot from outside the area that fails to seriously test Rui Patricio.
26'
Over from Palacios!
Another opening for Leverkusen as Bakker plays a pass inside for Palacios, who drives comfortably over. Roma are not being allowed to catch a breath.
23'
Wide!
Diaby gets up to meet a Wirtz cross, heading wide of the Roma goal. It's only a matter of time before Bayer convert one of these chances...
21'
Demirbay again!
The Leverkusen midfielder hits a wicked daisy-cutter from outside the box. It's really awkward for Rui Patricio, who shovels it behind for a corner.
17'
Leverkusen in charge
The home side are asking all the questions. Roma are under real pressure.
12'
Woodwork!
Desperately close from Leverkusen! It's that same combination again as Wirtz sends Diaby through on goal. He's under heavy pressure from Ibanez, but still gets a shot off that rattles the crossbar Bayer need to make their bright start count!
10'
Diaby!
Wirtz drives at the Roma defence, before laying the ball off for Diaby. He tries to catch out Rui Patricio with an outside-of-the-boot effort that sails wide.
8'
Demirbay!
Demirbay makes Rui Patrico work for the first time with a shot from distance. Encouraging stuff from the Bundesliga side. No fear - just what was asked of them.
5'
Warning shot
Bayer respond as Tapsoba finds Diaby from a free-kick. The shot's on for the Frenchman, but Bove gets in the way.
2'
Close!
Leverkusen are caught napping as Abraham heads a ball down for Pellegrini, who fires wide of Hradecky's goal from 20 yards.
Kick-off!
Twelfth man
The Leverkusen fans are really making a racket ahead of one of the biggest games in the club's recent history. Can they propel their team to victory?
Expert view
Lotthar Matthäus, who won two UEFA Cups as a player, is backing Leverkusen to get the job done. "Leverkusen are ready for the final," he told German broadcaster RTL. "They have the quality, but they have to show it on the pitch. Leverkusen need courage to get forward with their pace. I'm convinced that Leverkusen will make it to the final in Budapest."
The prize
If Leverkusen can turn things around, they'll face the winner of the other semi-final between Juventus and Sevilla in Budapest on 31 May. That one's finely poised after the first leg ended 1-1.
Hradecky demands another gear
Bayer No.1 Lukas Hradecky, who made some crucial saves in the Italian capital, admits Leverkusen "have to do more to unlock Roma" in tonight's decisive second leg. They need to win by two clear goals in order to progress after 90 minutes, while victory by the odd goal would send the tie into extra time.
3:29
Watch: Master vs. apprentice
Can Alonso get one over his former Real Madrid coach? He certainly knows what makes the Roma coach tick...
More on those teams
With Odlion Kossounou on the sidelines, Piero Hincapie moves to the left-hand side of the back three, with Mitchel Bakker starting out wide. Kerem Demirbay continues in place of the injured Robert Andrich in central midfield, while Sardar Azmoun is preferred to Amine Adli and Adam Hlozek as the lone striker. Roma are unchanged from the first leg.
We're expecting a modest 15 degrees at kick-off, cooling off later in the night - perfect for an intense 90 minutes of crunch European football! There could be an additional 30 or even penalties too - the away goals rule is no longer operating.
Wirtz's wonderful words
With Robert Andrich and Odilon Koussounou joining Leverkusen's injury list in the first leg, playmaker Florian Wirtz promised ahead of the clash: "We're playing for the boys who can't be a part of it too."
Rickety Roma away form
Roma may have a reputation as European specialists after their UEFA Conference League win, but they haven't really shown that on the road in this season's Europa League. A loss in Ludogorets in the group stage was followed by defeats in Salzburg and Rotterdam in the knockout stages. They have won just once away in the competition this season - at HJK Helsinki.
Leverkusen team news
In the opposite dugout, Alonso also has injury problems. He will be without Odilon Kossounou, who was forced off early at the Stadio Olimpico last week, and Robert Andrich for this clash, with Patrik Schick and Karim Bellarabi both still recovering from long-term setbacks. Otherwise, though, he has a full squad to choose from, giving him some difficult decisions to make.
Mourinho does have a few selection issues ahead of his side's trip to the BayArena, especially at the back. Defender Diego Llorente, Marash Kumbulla and Rik Karsdorp are all unavailable and, while Chris Smalling has travelled to Germany, the Portuguese head coach has suggested he is not ready to be thrown straight back into the starting line-up. There is good news for the Giallorossi, though, with danger man Paulo Dybala once again in contention.
Mourinho, meanwhile, appeared to take aim at Leverkusen's European journey this term, with Die Werkself having dropped down to this competition from the Champions League following the group stage. "Our objective is to win. I want to make very, very clear my respect for Bayer Leverkusen as a team, but there is greater value for a side built to play in the Europa League and has had 14 games in the Europa League rather than a team that made the investments to play in the Champions League group phase."
Alonso: "We can do it"
During his pre-match press conference, Alonso discussed the defeat in Rome, and is confident his players can use the result as inspiration on home soil. He said, "The experience from the first leg will help us. We need a balance between intensity, passion and good defense. AS Roma is a strong opponent, but if we give everything in our stadium with our fans, we can do it.“
2:34
Watch: Leverkusen's top 5 counter-attacking goals
Mourinho referred to Alonso's team as "the best counter-attacking team in Europe" prior to the first leg. Take a look at some of their finest goals in transition.
Watch: Highlights of Leverkusen's 1-1 draw with Stuttgart
Leverkusen prepared for this match with a draw away at the Mercedes-Benz Arena, as Exequiel Palacios' penalty earned his side a point.
Scoring power
If Leverkusen want to get the job done in normal time, they will need to win by at least two goals. Fortunately for them, they have already prevailed by such a margin in 14 separate games in all competitions this term. That group of games includes a 5-0 hammering of high-flying Union Berlin and 2-0 victories against both Atletico Madrid and RB Leipzig. Therefore, they will be confident they can get the job done here too!
Tah top of the pile
Germany international Tah made the move to Leverkusen from Hamburg in 2015, and now has more Europa League appearances than any other player in the club's history. The defeat in Rome was his 33rd game in the competition, and he will be hoping his 34th outing ends on a more positive note.
Comeback kings
Leverkusen have progressed to next round after failing to win the first leg twice already this Europa League campaign. They were defeated 3-2 at home by AS Monaco in the first leg of their play-off round tie before eventually progressing on penalties, while they drew 1-1 with Saint-Gilloise before cantering to a 4-1 victory in the return fixture. Can they do it for a third time this term?
Old friends
After the first leg, Xabi Alonso will be facing Jose Mourinho for just the second time in his managerial career. The Spaniard played under the Portuguese head coach between 2010 and 2013 at Real Madrid, where the two won the 2010/11 Copa Del Rey and the 2011/12 LaLiga.
The 1-0 defeat in Rome was the first time Leverkusen have failed to score in the Europa League this term since dropping down from the Champions League. They netted five across two legs versus Monaco, four against Ferencvaros and five against Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. As such, they will be confident of finding the back of the net here.
Long time coming
This is Leverkusen's first European semi-final since the 2001-02 campaign, when they defeated Manchester United on away goals. They were ultimately defeated 1-0 by Real Madrid in the final, and they will be hoping to go one step further in continental competition this campaign.
Welcome!
Follow all of the action as Bayer Leverkusen host AS Roma in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League semi-final clash. The Italy outfit carry a slender 1-0 advantage into this game, and Die Werkself will be hoping to turn the tie around at the BayArena.
Both of Leverkusen's defeats in European semi-finals have now come against Italian opposition (they were defeated by Parma in the 1994/95 UEFA Cup's final four.
This was Leverkusen's first continental semi-final since 2002, when they defeated Manchester United on away goals in the UEFA Champions League.
Alonso's men have now scored just twice in their last five outings in all competitions.
Leverkusen have now lost each of their last six competitive matches against Italian clubs.
Despite being just 20 years of age, only six players have made more appearances in the Europa League than Florian Wirtz.
Although no German club will win the competition this season, they have triumphed on seven previous occasions.
Bayer Leverkusen were defeated 1-0 by Roma at the Stadio Olimpico in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League semi-final, but still have at least 90 minutes at the BayArena to turn the tie around.
As Germany's final representative in European competition this season, Leverkusen travelled to the Italian capital with hopes of extending their journey in the continental tournament. Victory over the two legs would see Die Werkself progress to a first UEFA Cup/Europa League final since they lifted the trophy in 1988, and they came close to taking the lead within 42 seconds when Robert Andrich placed a low shot just wide of the post. In a busy start to proceedings, Florian Wirtz embarked on a mazy run, including a clever one-two with Adam Hlozek, before also shooting wide of the target, while Lukas Hradecky produced a vital stop to deny Roger Ibanez at the other end. After that initial flurry, though, chances were at a premium for the rest of the first half. Instead, players from both sides suffered injuries, with Odilon Kossounou's issue even forcing him from the field of play to be replaced by Mitchel Bakker.
Leverkusen started the second period on the front foot, controlling possession albeit without troubling Rui Patricio between the Roma sticks. However, shortly after the hour mark, they found themselves behind. Edoardo Bove was goalscorer, firing past Hradecky and into the bottom corner after the Finland international did well to parry Tammy Abraham's initial effort. A few minutes later, the Bayer captain had to be alert once again to deny Andrea Belotti as the Giallorossi looked to extend their advantage. The goal was a blow for Xabi Alonso's side considering they had looked comfortable at 0-0. Jeremie Frimpong had his team's best opportunity to level the tie, but was unable to drive the pall bast Bryan Cristante on the line after Patricio had fumbled a high cross. Leverkusen must now beat Roma at the BayArena on 18 May, if they're to have any chance of emulating Bundesliga rivals and Europa League holders Eintracht Frankfurt.
