Roma vs. Bayer Leverkusen: Europa League official 1st leg

Roma have Romelu Lukaku back with Paulo Dybala as they try to become the first team this season to beat a very defensive-minded Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League semi-final.

It kicks off at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game, Olympique Marseille-Atalanta and Fiorentina-Club Brugge on the LIVEBLOG.

Bayer Leverkusen already faced Roma in the Europa League semi-final last season and were eliminated 1-0 by Jose Mourinho’s side.

A lot has changed, as the Germans have already won the Bundesliga title and are the only side undefeated in all competitions this season with 38 victories and eight draws.

Daniele De Rossi took over the Giallorossi in mid-January and lost only three games out of 20, coming off a 2-2 draw with Napoli.

Lukaku returns from injury along with Dybala and Stephan El Shaarawy, while Chris Smalling also shakes off a knock in defence.

However, Zeki Celik is suspended after his red card against Milan, with Rasmus Kristensen and Dean Huijsen not in the UEFA list.

Bayer Leverkusen’s top scorer this season is Victor Boniface on 18 goals from 30 games, followed by Florian Wirtz on 17.

However, Boniface is surprisingly on the bench along with former Roma striker Patrik Schick.

It is a very defensive approach without pure centre-forwards.

Adam Hlozek, Borja Iglesias and Noah Mbamba are unavailable.

Roma vs. Bayer Leverkusen line-ups

Roma: Svilar; Karsdorp, Mancini, Smalling, Spinazzola; Cristante, Paredes, Pellegrini; Dybala, Lukaku, El Shaarawy

Bayer Leverkusen: Kovar; Stanisic, Tah, Rapsoba; Frimpong, Andrich, Xhaka, Hincapié; Wirtz, Adli, Grimaldo

Ref: Letexier (FRA)

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