AS Roma look to bounce back from a series of disappointing domestic results when they take on Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final tie at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday.
The Giallorossi have picked up just one point from their last three games and are in the midst of an injury crisis, but are focusing on success in the Europa League as a means to secure a return to the Champions League.
Leverkusen sit in sixth place in the Bundesliga but come into the clash against Roma off the back of a home defeat to Köln, whilst they see the Europa League as an opportunity to end a trophy drought stretching back to 1993.
AS Roma vs Bayer Leverkusen: Predicted line-ups
After only making a brief appearance from the bench in Roma‘s 2-0 defeat to Inter in Serie A last time out, Paulo Dybala is expected to start, according to Eurosport.it.
With a lack of defensive options, Bryan Cristante will continue to deputise at centre-back, as coach Jose Mourinho is unable to call upon Chris Smalling, Diego Llorente, Marash Kumbulla, and Rick Karsdorp.
Stephan El Shaarawy is also ruled out of contention, whilst Lorenzo Pellegrini, Dybala, and Roger Ibanez are a booking away from suspension.
Leverkusen are without former Roma forward Patrik Schick and goalkeeper Andrey Lunev through injury, but coach Xabi Alonso has an almost full-strength squad to choose from.
Jeremie Frimpong and Edmond Tapsoba must avoid a yellow card or face a ban for the second leg.
AS Roma predicted XI vs Bayer Leverkusen (3-4-2-1): Rui Patricio; Mancini, Cristante, Ibanez; Zalewski, Bove, Matic, Spinazzola; Dybala, Pellegrini; Abraham
Bayer Leverkusen predicted XI vs AS Roma (3-4-3): Hradecky; Tapsoba, Hincapie, Tah; Frimpong, Andrich, Amiri, Bakker; Diaby, Hlozek, Wirtz
AS Roma vs Bayer Leverkusen: When does the Europa League fixture start?
The Europa League fixture of AS Roma vs Bayer Leverkusen kicks off at 21:00 CEST on Thursday, May 11 – local time in Italy – making it a 20:00 BST kick-off.
In the United States, kick-off of AS Roma vs Bayer Leverkusen is 15:00 ET or 12:00 PT.
AS Roma vs Bayer Leverkusen: Where to watch the Europa League fixture?
In the United States, every Europa League game in 2022/23 can be seen on Paramount+, including AS Roma vs Bayer Leverkusen and Juventus vs Sevilla in the other Europa League semi-final.
In the United Kingdom and Ireland, you can watch AS Roma vs Bayer Leverkusen on BT Sport 3.
