The Europa League is back in action, and the excitement is mounting as the competition approaches the quarter-finals. One of the most highly anticipated matches of this round is between AS Roma and Bayer Leverkusen. Both teams have had a strong showing in the tournament so far, and this promises to be a close and exciting match.
AS Roma has had a successful run in the Europa League this season, finishing at the top of their group with an impressive record of four wins and two draws. The team then went on to eliminate Sporting Braga and Shakhtar Donetsk in the knockout stages, winning four out of five matches in total. The team is looking strong, and they will be eager to continue their winning form in the quarter-finals.
Started their Europa League campaign slowly
Bayer Leverkusen, on the other hand, started their Europa League campaign slowly but picked up the pace as the tournament progressed. The team finished second in their group behind Slavia Prague, but they then went on to eliminate Young Boys and Rangers in the knockout stages. Leverkusen has been in good form lately, winning four of their last five matches in all competitions, and they will be looking to carry that momentum into this crucial match.
When it comes to the head-to-head record between these two teams, AS Roma has the upper hand. The two sides have met twice before in European competition, with AS Roma winning both matches. The most recent meeting was in the Champions League in 2015, where AS Roma won 3-2 in a thrilling encounter.
In terms of team news, AS Roma will be without their star midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan due to injury, while Leonardo Spinazzola is also a doubt. Bayer Leverkusen, on the other hand, have a clean bill of health and will be able to field their strongest possible team.
So, what can we expect from this match? Given the quality of both teams, we can expect a close and hard-fought encounter. AS Roma will look to control the midfield and create chances for their attacking players, while Bayer Leverkusen will rely on their strong defense and fast-paced counter-attacks to cause problems for the Roma defense.
One key battle to watch out for will be between AS Roma’s striker Edin Dzeko and Bayer Leverkusen’s center-backs Sven Bender and Edmond Tapsoba. Dzeko is a proven goalscorer with a wealth of experience, while Bender and Tapsoba have been solid at the back for Leverkusen this season. Whoever comes out on top in this battle could have a big say in the outcome of the match.
Another factor that could play a role in this match is the home advantage for AS Roma. The match will be played at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, and the home crowd could give the Roma players an extra boost of motivation. However, Leverkusen has shown that they are a strong team on the road, having won three out of their four away matches in the Europa League so far.
In conclusion, this promises to be a close and exciting match between two strong teams. AS Roma will look to use their home advantage and control the midfield, while Bayer Leverkusen will rely on their solid defense and fast counter-attacks. With both teams in good form and eager to progress to the semi-finals, this is a match that should not be missed.
