Bayer Leverkusen vs Roma

Bayer Leverkusen will look to finish the job after a 2-0 first-leg when they lock horns with Roma in the return leg of their Europa League semi-final tie at the BayArena.

After making it 47 consecutive games unbeaten at the Stadio Olimpico last week, Bayer Leverkusen equaled Benfica’s all-time continental record of 48 with a thumping 5-1 Bundesliga win at Eintracht Frankfurt over the weekend. Avoiding defeat against Roma would see ‘Die Werkself’ make history, yet it’s worth noting they’ve only won four of their 12 previous home European clashes against Italian visitors (W2, D3, L5). Chances are Xabi Alonso’s men will defy that record here after winning all five Europa League home matches this season, including four via multiple-goal margins en route to an eight-game unbeaten home run in Europe’s second-tier competition (W6, D2). It’s no less important to note they’ve progressed from nine out of ten historic European two-legged ties when winning the first leg on the road.

In contrast to Leverkusen’s formidable form, Roma must defy history to reach a third consecutive European final, having suffered elimination from five of their six previous UEFA knockout ties after a first-leg home defeat. Daniele De Rossi might have inspired ‘I Giallorossi’ to a 1-0 win at AC Milan in his second European game in charge, yet it was only their second triumph across their last ten continental travels (W2, D4, L4). Germany is hardly a place fro Roma to address their travel sickness, considering they’ve only claimed two wins on their 15 previous visits to the country (W2, D2, L11). If it’s any consolation, they held fierce Serie A rivals Juventus to a 1-1 draw at the weekend to set themselves up nicely for this trip.