Matchday News #ASRB04: Reunion in the Italian capital

#ASRB04 – match facts

For the second year running, Bayer 04 and AS Roma meet in the semi-finals of the Europa League. It's the first time ever that the Werkself have reached the final four of a major European competition in two consecutive seasons. For Roma, meanwhile, it's a fourth semi-final in a row - Real Madrid are the only other side to have achieved that since the 2020/21 season.

In total, this evening will be the seventh competitive meeting between the two clubs. The first was back in the group stage of the 2004/05 UEFA Champions League, which Bayer 04 won 3-1 at home. Since then, the Black-and-Reds have been winless against the Giallorossi (D3 L2).

focus on roma

The two semi-final first legs in Rome are almost a year apart. Much has changed with the team currently occupying fifth place in Serie A. For a start, the Italian club signed Sardar Azmoun on loan from Leverkusen last summer. And in January, a real club legend took charge of the side in Daniele de Rossi, who has overseen an upswing in fortunes since taking up his post. With 30 points in 14 league games under the 40-year-old, the capital club have climbed from ninth to fifth in the standings. In the Europa League, where they've lost just one of their last 25 home matches, they knocked out Feyenoord on penalties in the knockout round play-offs before getting past Premier League outfit Brighton & Hove Albion in the round of 16. Roma then clinched their place in the semis with two wins over league rivals AC Milan. Our in-depth opposition profile has everything else you need to know about de Rossi's side.

two world-cup winning coaches

There'll be a world champion in both dugouts tonight. De Rossi won the World Cup with Italy in Germany in 2006, while Xabi Alonso and Spain lifted the golden trophy in South Africa in 2010.

Letexier the referee

UEFA has appointed French official François Letexier for the first leg at the Stadio Olimpico. The 35-year-old will be assisted by his countrymen Cyril Mugnier and Mehdi Rahmouni on the sidelines, while Jérôme Brisard is the VAR.