Roma surrenders to the greatness of the “gladiators” of Leverkusen International football

Despite the interest naturally aroused by the duel between the “executors” of Sporting and Benfica, the attention of the first leg of the Europa League semi-final turned to the Olimpico in Rome, where Bayer Leverkusen faced with distinction a new team. A test of their unbeatability in the 2023/24 season, leaving Roma with a two-goal lead (0-2) that could prove crucial in ensuring their presence in the Dublin final.

With Smalling and Lukaku recovering, Roma searched for the opener that no Bayer Leverkusen opponent has been able to discover this season. But it seems that the Germans were not at all surprised or intimidated by the promising entry to the final from the previous edition – still under the leadership of Jose Mourinho, after eliminating Xabi Alonso's Leverkusen side in the semi-finals.

Thus, the search for a third European final in a row began (they won the 2021/22 Conference League with Mourinho), after a shot from Dybala and a header that hit the crossbar from the powerful Belgian striker.”GiallorossiThe “Pharmacists” witnessed the withdrawal of the antidote and took the lead with a goal from Florian Wirtz (28'). The goal was born from a huge mistake by full-back Karsdorp, in a bad delay in front of Svilar that Grimaldo took advantage of to help Wirtz.

Under pressure, Roma ended up being vulnerable to the attacks of the Bundesliga champions, invested in the greatness of the Gladiators, who only failed to settle the tie in the first half due to Frimpong's ineptitude, squandering three very clear scoring chances.

Virtus also rested Svilar, who undermined the team's confidence with every tackle between the Romanian goalposts. The ineffectiveness that could have hampered the performance of the German team, had Pellegrini not made a mistake, by inches, which would have scored the equalizer before the end of the first half.

After the break, Roma returned to the attack, but Cristante did not have the ability to balance the numbers, so Leverkusen had no problem taking the lead with a wonderful goal from Andrich (73). It was the end of the game for the Italians, and perhaps a farewell for Dublin.

Mbmba He meets Macron

Encouraged by French President Emmanuel Macron, who wished good luck to Chancel Mbemba, the Congolese from Olympique de Marseille, at the reception of his counterpart from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, at the reception of Atalanta, the former Porto centre-back responded with a goal (20'). ) To compensate for the deprivation imposed by Italian Gianluca Scamaca (9') – scored two goals against Liverpool, after scoring three goals against Sporting, who were eliminated by the Bergamo team in the round of 16 of the competition.

Aubameyang, the competition's top scorer, was not happy; Onahi hit the crossbar and the tie (1-1) leaves everything open for the return match in Italy.

In Birmingham, Aston Villa lost to Olympiacos (2-4) in the first leg of the conference league semi-finals, a match with… hat trick By Moroccan Ayoub El Kaabi, who had David Carmo, Chekinho and Podence in the Greeks' starting lineup (Andre Horta was used as a substitute), which could secure qualification to the final in Athens on home soil.