On Thursday evening, Bayer Leverkusen progressed past West Ham in the Europa League quarter-finals with a 1-1 draw at the London Stadium and a 3-1 aggregate victory. This means that the recently crowned Bundesliga champions will face AS Roma in the semi-finals.
The Italian side had started the season in underwhelming fashion; however, since Daniele De Rossi took over the club from José Mourinho, their fortunes have changed magnificently. In Serie A, Roma have been in devastating form, losing just once to top-of-the-table Inter Milan.
They have also taken their performances into Europe, breezing past Brighton & Hove Albion before seeing off the challenge of AC Milan. Nevertheless, despite their unrelenting nature, when speaking to Sky Sport Italia, De Rossi acknowledged the strength of their upcoming opponents:
“We’re facing an unbeaten and seemingly invincible team. We’ll be ready for it because we only have to prepare for two games against them, not the other 50 that they haven’t lost. We will try to make it as difficult for them as possible.”
When the sides meet, it will be a clash between two of Europe’s most dangerous teams and a semi-final worthy of being in the Champions League. Regardless, Leverkusen will undeniably be the favourites, with Roma looking to be the side that finally topples Xabi Alonso’s invincibles.
GGFN | Will Shopland
