Bayer Leverkusen, having clinched the Bundesliga title undefeated, stand on the brink of more history as they face Roma in the Europa League semi-final second leg.
Xabi Alonso’s men lead 2-0 from the first leg and aim to secure their spot in the final.
Match Preview
Bayer Leverkusen defeated Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1 on Sunday, widening their lead in the Bundesliga to 15 points.
In the Europa League, Leverkusen won nine and drew two of their 11 matches this season, scoring 19 goals in five home victories (3.8 goals per game).
They won 21 of 24 home matches this term across all competitions, scoring over 2.5 goals in 16 games and keeping 11 clean sheets.
With four games left, Alonso’s team aims to add the Europa League and the DFB-Pokal to their Bundesliga title.
On the other hand, Roma drew 1-1 against Juventus on Sunday after their first-leg defeat, entering Thursday’s match winless in three games.
However, De Rossi’s side lost only two of their last 10 games, with three defeats in their previous 18 matches.
Roma lost two of their last nine Europa League matches, winning one of their last five away games.
Yet, they suffered only one defeat in their last 10 away games.
Head-to-Head:
Roma had a four-game unbeaten streak against Bayer Leverkusen before the German side won last week.
The previous five meetings between the teams averaged 3.2 goals per game, suggesting a high-scoring affair on Thursday.
Team News & Updates:
Bayer Leverkusen and Roma have no injury concerns, with both teams having a full-strength squad.
Fourteen of Leverkusen’s 24 home games this season had over 3.5 goals, indicating another lively match on Thursday.
Prediction & Analysis
With Leverkusen’s penchant for high-scoring games at home, and Roma’s recent defensive vulnerabilities, Thursday’s clash promises goals.
The head-to-head history suggests an entertaining encounter, likely to produce another high-scoring affair.
- Bayer Leverkusen 2-2 Roma