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Roma will take a slender advantage to Germany after Jose Mourinho edged out his former player Xabi Alonso in the first leg of their Europa League clash.
Edoardo Bove scored the only goal of the game as Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma secured a narrow 1-0 win over Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final clash at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday evening.
Roma needed to win the tie to stand a realistic chance of qualifying for the Champions League next season. Mourinho's men have now done half of the job ahead of the return leg in Germany next week.
How it happened
Roma came into the match embattled with injuries, while Bayer Leverkusen were riding high on confidence with just one loss in their last nine matches, although it happened in their last league game.
Roma manager Jose Mourinho went with his strongest lineup, but there was no place for Paulo Dybala and Gini Wijnaldum, who were only fit to be on the bench.
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The absence of Dybala and Wijnaldum affected Roma as they struggled in possession against the German side.
Xabi Alonso’s men started the match on the front foot, and they almost took the lead inside the opening minute through Robert Andrich.
But the German footballer’s effort was saved by Rui Patricio. Leverkusen continued to threaten and went close again, but Florian Writz’s strike was just wide off the post.
Roma settled into the game following the early danger, having their sustained period of possession.
The home side nearly took the lead midway through the half as Lorenzo Pellegrini found Roger Ibanez from a set-piece.
However, Lukas Hradecky in Leverkusen’s goal made a brilliant save to deny the Brazil international.
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There was no other chance following Ibanez’s header, with both sides taking a cautious approach.
Bove breaks the deadlock
The second half resumed with both teams not willing to take chances going forward, although Leverkusen dominated possession.
Roma were dangerous on the break, though and also deadly with their direct balls. The Yellow and Reds looked dangerous every time they attacked and on set pieces.
Roma’s effort would finally pay off in the 63rd minute as Edoardo Bove put the Italian side ahead.
The young Italian finished off a rebound after Tammy Abraham’s initial effort was pushed into his path by Hradecky.
Leverkusen tried to respond but it was Roma who almost doubled their lead as Bove got on the end of another rebound but could only blaze over the bar.
Alonso’s men did apply pressure in the final quarter, Roma were resilient in defence, holding on for a slender 1-0 lead ahead of the second leg in Germany next week.
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