Roma earn slender advantage over Bayer Leverkusen

2 years ago 31

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Last updated on 32 minutes ago.From the section European Football

Edoardo Bove of AS Roma celebrates after scoring the team's first goal during the UEFA Europa League semi-final first leg match between AS Roma and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Stadio Olimpico

Edoardo Bove's second-half goal gave Jose Mourinho's Roma the advantage over Bayer Leverkusen after the first leg of their Europa League semi-final.

The 20-year-old passed into the bottom corner after Tammy Abraham's shot was saved to score his first European goal.

Leverkusen's best chance saw Florian Wirtz drag wide in the sixth minute.

They had a chance to equalise in the 86th minute but Jeremie Frimpong's effort after a mistake by Rui Patricio was blocked.

Penalty appeals from the same incident were waved away by Premier League referee Michael Oliver.

However, Roma could have taken the lead before half-time but for an excellent save to keep out Roger Ibanez's header.

If they advance to the final, Mourinho would hope to maintain an outstanding record - he guided Roma to success in the Europa Conference League last season and has won his previous five European finals in charge of Porto, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Roma.

The game saw Mourinho up against his former player at Real Madrid in Xavi Alonso, with the Spaniard, now manager at Leverkusen, having previously played 151 games for the Portuguese manager over three seasons.

Reaction to Thursday's European action

Line-ups

Roma

Formation 3-4-1-2

1Rui Patrício
23ManciniBooked at 58mins
4Cristante
3Ibañez da SilvaBooked at 89mins
19Çelik
52BoveSubstituted forWijnaldumat 76'minutes
8Matic
37SpinazzolaBooked at 90mins
7Pellegrini
11BelottiSubstituted forDybalaat 77'minutes
9AbrahamBooked at 76mins

Substitutes

2Karsdorp
6Smalling
20Camara
21Dybala
25Wijnaldum
58Missori
59Zalewski
63Boer
68Tahirovic
73Faticanti
92El Shaarawy
99Svilar

B Leverkusen

Formation 3-4-2-1

1Hrádecky
6KossounouSubstituted forBakkerat 36'minutes
4TahBooked at 58mins
12Tapsoba
30Frimpong
25Palacios
8AndrichBooked at 50minsSubstituted forAmiriat 90+3'minutes
3Hincapié
19DiabyBooked at 57minsSubstituted forAdliat 72'minutes
27Wirtz
23HlozekSubstituted forAzmounat 72'minutes

Substitutes

5Bakker
9Azmoun
10Demirbay
11Amiri
17Hudson-Odoi
21Adli
24Fosu-Mensah
32Azhil
36Lomb
41Neutgens

Live Text

Match ends, Roma 1, Bayer 04 Leverkusen 0.
Second Half ends, Roma 1, Bayer 04 Leverkusen 0.
Corner, Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Conceded by Tammy Abraham.
Leonardo Spinazzola (Roma) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer 04 Leverkusen) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Leonardo Spinazzola (Roma).
Substitution, Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Nadiem Amiri replaces Robert Andrich because of an injury.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match because of an injury Robert Andrich (Bayer 04 Leverkusen).
Attempt missed. Amine Adli (Bayer 04 Leverkusen) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Florian Wirtz.
Ibañez (Roma) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Sardar Azmoun (Bayer 04 Leverkusen) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Attempt missed. Robert Andrich (Bayer 04 Leverkusen) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.
Foul by Sardar Azmoun (Bayer 04 Leverkusen).
Rui Patrício (Roma) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt blocked. Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer 04 Leverkusen) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Foul by Mitchel Bakker (Bayer 04 Leverkusen).
Georginio Wijnaldum (Roma) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Piero Hincapié (Bayer 04 Leverkusen).