Bayer Leverkusen vs. Roma preview: Team news and predicted lineups
| Photo: Bayer 04 Leverkusen |
Bayer Leverkusen head into Thursday's Europa League semi-final second leg at home to AS Roma in a strong position to reach the final after winning the first leg in Italy 2-0 last week thanks to goals from Florian Wirtz and Robert Andrich.
Head coach Xabi Alonso opted to field a second-string side against Eintracht Frankfurt at the weekend, resting the likes of Alejandro Grimaldo and Florian Wirtz, but even without a number of key players they still managed to secure an impressive 5-1 victory - their 48th game without defeat.
Grimaldo and Wirtz both took part in the final training session before Thursday's game and are expected to return to the starting line-up, with Xabi Alonso expected to name a similar side to the one that won 2-0 in Rome.
Roma, who drew 1-1 with Juventus at the weekend, have their backs to the wall and know they need to score at least two goals to go through.
While Leverkusen have no fresh injury concerns, Roma are sweating over the fitness of Paulo Dybala after the Argentine forward picked up a knock in the draw with Juventus.
The winner of the tie will face either Atalanta or Olympique Marseille, who play the return leg in Bergamo after the first leg ended in a 1-1 draw.
