Europa League: Leverkusen One Game from History

Bayer Leverkusen vs AS Roma

Do not adjust your monitor when reading this but Bayer Leverkusen are just two games from reaching half a century of matches unbeaten.

Yes, you did read that correctly.

As if winning the German title for the first time in the club’s history wasn’t an impressive enough achievement in itself, Xabi Alonso’s men are now on course for a possible cleansweep of the trophies they entered this term and have gone 48 games without defeat.

The 47^th was last week’s Europa League semi-final first leg at the Stadio Olimpico when goals from Florian Wirtz and Robert Andrich gave the newly crowned German champions only their second win in Italy.

That 2-0 advantage gives them a bit of wriggle room as they prepare to welcome the Italians and secure their place in the Europa League final in Dublin later this month.

 

Talking Points

It’s not just a final place that is at stake either.

If Leverkusen avoid defeat, they will set a new European record with a 49th consecutive game unbeaten – surpassing the record they currently share with the great Benfica side, who went 48 matches unbeaten in all competitions between December 1963 and February 1965.

That is just another accolade which can be bestowed upon the club from North Rhine-Westphalia who have so many heroes this term, including Victor Boniface who, along with teammate Patrik Schick, has five goals in this season’s competition to date.

Leverkusen’s streak was seconds from being ended in Borussia Dortmund a few weeks ago when Josip Stanišić equalised in the seventh minute of added time to make it 45 competitive matches without loss.

Incredibly, Leverkusen left it to the very last kick of the ball to salvage the hot streak the following week, as Andrich scored in the 97th minute of a thrilling 2-2 draw against VfB Stuttgart.

Roma would love nothing more than to turn the tie on its head and reach a final they lost in a penalty shoot-out last season.

In Romelu Lukaku they have the competition’s second-highest scorer with seven goals and the Belgian is always a threat as he proved when he scored again in their 1-1 draw with Juventus on Sunday evening.

Their quest for Europa League highlights would be helped greatly should Paulo Dybala be fit to play. He had a limited impact against Juve in Serie A, being forced off at half-time due to adductor discomfort, prompting concerns over his ahead of this return clash.

Roma will certainly need all the tools in their armoury to turn this one around.

 

History

This will be their fourth meeting in successive Europa League semi-finals in little over a year.

Roma won the tie 1-0 on aggregate last season.

After a solitary Edoardo Bove goal separated the sides in Rome, Jose Mourinho’s men progressed courtesy of a goalless draw in Germany.

Last week, of course, was a very different ball game in the Stadio Olimpico.

These teams have also met four times before – all in the Champions League.

In 2015 they shared an eight goal thriller which was pulsating from start to last.

Javier Hernandez netted twice inside the opening 19 minutes before a Daniele De Rossi (now Roma manager) double brought the club from the Italian capital level by the break.

Miralem Pjanic and Iago Falque then put the visitors 4-2 in front only for the spirited hosts to score twice in three minutes through Kevin Kampl and Admir Mehmedi as the contest finished 4-4.

There was plenty of excitement in the return fixture which Roma edged 3-2, thanks to an 80^th minute Pjanic spot-kick.

On that occasion, Roma had raced into a 2-0 lead via Mohamed Salah and Edin Dzeko before Mehmedi and Hernandez restored parity early in the second half.

In the 2004 group stages, the match in Roma finished level pegging as Dimitar Berbatov and Vincenzo Montella traded goals, all in the final eight minutes.

Leverkusen won in Germany as they recovered from conceding a first half own goal to run out 3-1 winners with Roque Junior, Jacek Krzynówek and Franca all on target in the second half.

Betting Tip

The SBOTOP Europa League betting odds tell us that Leverkusen are strongly fancied to finish the job – and I think they will.

This tie was goalless last season and a repeat is on offer with Correct Score @ 13.50, whereas another 2-0 Leverkusen triumph will pay out @ 7.30.

If the newly crowned German champions are to win again, then how about 1X2 @ 1.47 or Asian Handicap -1.25 @ 2.19.

A Roma success is worth a tidy payday with odds which include 1X2 @ 5.30 and Asian Handicap +0.75 @ 2.28.

I do not expect too many goals so Under 2.50 @ 2.21 is a good shout but my *** tip is for honours even – a 1X2 Draw @ 3.95 – as Leverkusen do what they need to progress and maintain their quite superb unbeaten run.

 

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