A repeat of last season’s semi-final was one to get the mouths watering in anticipation when the draw was made. Last year, it was Roma who came out narrow victors across the two legs winning just 1-0 on aggregate. 

However, Xabi Alonso’s unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen were seeking revenge in Rome, as they aimed to keep their hopes of a treble in this fairytale season alive. On the other hand, Daniel De Rossi was looking to emulate the success of his predecessor Jose Mourinho reaching yet another European final. 

On the night, it was a classy performance from the visitors at the Stadio Olimpico who secured a two goal victory, putting them in touching distance of the Europa League final in Dublin. 

An opportunistic attack saw Leverkusen take the lead after 28 minutes as Florian Wirtz punished Roma's disappointing defence.  

Leverkusen created an abundance of chances, but struggled to find their second. It took until the 73rd minute for another to fly into the back of the net. But it was worth the wait as Robert Andrich scored a 30-yard screamer. 

Roma have it all to do heading to the BayArena next Thursday as they attempt to turn a two goal deficit around to keep their hopes alive of a third consecutive European final against a side who are unbeaten in all competitions this campaign. 

  • Story of the Match

Daniel De Rossi made four changes to the side that drew 2-2 with Napoli on Sunday. Rick Karsdorp, Chris Smalling, Leandro Paredes and Romelu Lukaku all returned to the starting lineup with Rasmus Kristensen, Evan Ndicka, Edoardo Bove and Sardar Azmoun making way. 

Leverkusen made five changes as Matej Kovar, Josip Stanisic, Granit Xhaka, Piero Hincapie and Florian Wirtz all came into the side. Lukas Hradecky, Odilon Kossounou, Exquiel Palacios, Jonas Hofmann and Patrik Schick all dropped to the bench. 

It was the visitors who began the brighter, Alonso’s side seemed settled and were looking after the ball well. Roma, however, remained firm in defence as the visitors were unable to carve out a clear-cut chance. 

15 minutes had passed before the first real opening of the affair. A long ball wall played over the top into the Roma half towards Romelu Lukaku. Leverkusen captain Jonathan Tah dragged Lukaku down after he ended up on the wrong side of the Belgian striker. Roma were awarded a free-kick and the German defender was booked. The set play was poor, but nonetheless, it showed that the unbeaten German side could be vulnerable to balls over the top. 

Roma started to grow into the game, they started to press and win the ball in high areas. The hosts had become a gigantic threat. Their best chance to go in front came from a wonderful corner routine in the 20th minute. Paulo Dybala's deep delivery found Leandro Paredes who was free at the far post, he hooked the ball back towards the penalty spot, Lukaku took a gigantic leap, but his header rattled the crossbar which denied Roma an early advantage. 

Just minutes later, Leverkusen had a fantastic chance to take the lead down the other end. Florian Wirtz threaded an excellent ball through to Jeremie Frimpong, who burst into the Roma box, one-on-one with Mile Svilar, the expectation was that the net would rustle but the fullback shot just wide.

Leverkusen had begun to get on top, and the chances were becoming more threatening every minute that passed. After 27 minutes, Leverkusen took their chance. The German side pressed high and put Roma under pressure as Rick Karsdorp crumbled. Karsdorp looked to play the ball back to his Svilar but instead completely miscued it and played it straight into the path of Grimaldo on the edge of the box. I Giallorossi were all over the place at the back, Karsdorp was on the floor with Chris Smalling and Gianluca Manciniboth out of position. Leonardo Spinazzola was left to handle three attackers. He tried to shut down Grimaldo, who calmly played the ball straight past him, finding Wirtz on his left who just rolled it into the back of the net. 

Stunning football from Leverkusen should have seen them double the lead in the 33rd minute. Wirtz picked the ball up in midfield, turned and drove at the Roma defence. He opened up the Roma defence so easily as he slid Grimaldo in. The play was lightning-fast. Grimaldo cut the ball back to the centre of the Roma box, Frimpong was free but he could only put his left-footed effort wide of the post. 

It was all Leverkusen. Roma were stunned as the German side continued to come forward seeking their second. 

In the 41st minute, the hosts once again began to show some signs of life as Lorenzo Pellegrini's long-range effort just nestled past the post. As half-time approached, Roma began to get a foothold back in the game with the hosts having a couple of half chances. 

But, the away side should have wrapped things up in first-half stoppage time. Roma had a corner, which they failed to test Leverkusen from. All of a sudden, the visitors were embarking on a fast and fluid counter-attack. Wirtz had picked the ball up from inside his own half and drove at the Roma defence. As he entered the final third, Leverkusen were five on three with the Roma backline. The young German attacker found Amine Adli on his left, he cut it back to Grimaldo who unleashed a shot that was blocked by Mancini but straight back into the path of Adli. The ball pinged around the Roma box before the home side eventually cleared. It was a huge let-off for Roma who could have left themselves a gigantic mountain to climb. 

It was an excellent first half for Die Werkself who played fluid football and arguably should have found themselves out of sight.

Roma, who were seeking to reach a European final for the third consecutive year, came to life in the second half. Three good chances in the first ten minutes should have seen the Italian side at least level proceedings. 

Just three minutes into the half the first of the chances had presented itself, Spinazzola played a cross to the far post. Karsdorp was rushing onto it but totally mistimed it and completely missed the ball. 

The best of the cluster of chances came in the same fashion as it did in the first half—a Dybala corner. Cristante met the ball and flicked it towards the near post. His shot bounced just wide of the far post and out for a goal kick. If the Roma attacking unit had been more savvy, someone could have gotten on the end of it. 

Twenty minutes had passed in the second half with the affair seemingly much more competitive. Roma had become much more of a threat than in the first half and were battling well. Bayer Leverkusen were carrying out their game plan while waiting for an opportunity to extend their lead to present itself. 

After 72 minutes, the chance presented itself and Leverkusen took it. A recycled attack fell to Robert Andrich who curled an effort from 30-yards out straight into the top corner. The wondergoal had put Roma in grave danger in the tie. 

Roma struggled to come back to life as their faithful had to wait until the 83rd minute for a chance to present itself. Pellegrini threaded a ball through to Azmoun - he was about three yards from goal, but Hincapie did just enough to deny Roma a lifeline. 

As four minutes of stoppage time were indicated, Leverkusen got men back behind the ball, keeping things tight and not giving their opposition the slightest sniff of getting back in the tie. 

But, Roma found an opening was Tammy Abraham - who was introduced in stoppage time - missed a golden chance with seconds left in the game, the net was gaping yet the English striker could only head his effort over the crossbar from a matter of yards out. 

Leverkusen extend their unbeaten run to 47 games, taking a 2-0 victory back to the BayArena ahead of the second leg next Thursday. 

  • Player of the Match: Florian Wirtz

Classy from start to finish. He pulled all the strings. Finished his chance with great composure to give his side the lead. Played extremely positively and always looked to drive his side forward. Roma did not know how to handle him. A classy performance.