The Italian side are still in the thick of a race to qualify for the UEFA Champions League in Serie A. They managed a 1-1 draw against third-placed Juventus on Sunday, with De Rossi making five changes to his team from the 2-0 loss to Leverkusen the previous Thursday. The entire defence was switched, with Rasmus Kristensen, Diego Llorente, Evan Ndicka and Angelino replacing Gianluca Mancini, Chris Smalling, Leonardo Spinazzola and Rick Karsdorp, who dropped to the bench and didn’t play. Tommaso Baldanzi also got the nod over Stephan El Shaarawy up front.
RB Leipzig loanee Angelino was lively down the left side in the first half, getting up and down and crossing the ball. There were numerous chances for both sides at the Stadio Olimpico before Romelu Lukaku put the Giallorossi ahead inside 15 minutes. Juventus hit back on the half-hour mark through Gleison Bremer. Paulo Dybala had two good opportunities from free-kicks before the break but failed to convert either.
The visitors made the better start in the second half but were either denied by the post or Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar. The Romans pushed for a winner late on, but Lorenzo Pellegrini, Kristensen and Tammy Abraham all squandered chances as it remained 1-1 and a point apiece.
It was a result that De Rossi wasn’t all that pleased about “because a draw doesn’t help us at the moment”. But he didn’t have any issue with how his side are performing: “I’m proud of the way the boys are playing, how committed they are, how they help each other. They always have the desire to achieve something.”
However, the draw saw Atalanta leapfrog Roma into fifth place after they won 2-1 at bottom side Salernitana. The Giallorossi are only behind on goal difference but have played one game more than their rivals. It means their coming encounter on Sunday could be crucial in the race for that fifth Champions League spot as De Rossi’s men head to Bergamo following their trip to Leverkusen.
Focus now is fully on the second leg at the BayArena, though. Roma believe they still have a chance despite their 2-0 loss at home. “Before we conceded the first goal, we were aggressive, kept the ball well and had good chances,” said the Italian coach, who is again looking to push his team in Leverkusen. “We can’t be rushed. We’re not five goals down, but two. We need to be energetic, intense but also intelligent, because we know the game is long.” De Rossi hopes to have a fit Dybala for the match after the Argentina international had to go off at half-time against Juventus with pain in his adductor.
Kicking off the new season with a fresh look: Bayer 04, in collaboration with sportswear manufacturer New Balance, has unveiled the official kit for Leverkusen’s e-Sports players for the coming season. The jersey is now available from the Bayer 04 online shop and the Fanwelt.
Show more
Paulo Sergio and Bayer 04 have enjoyed close ties since the Werkself training camp in his native Brazil last summer. The club legend is in charge of the Bayer 04 Soccer Academy, which opened in the summer of 2025, and he has also been at this year’s training camp in the Weimarer Land. As well as interacting with the many fans who travelled to the camp, the 1994 World Cup winner used the time to plan the next steps for the Academy together with club officials. In an interview with bayer04.de, Sergio spoke about the project’s future development, the upcoming visit by young Academy players to Leverkusen, and plans for the coming months in Germany and Brazil.
Show more
A round-up of the Werkself training camp in the Weimarer Land, all in one place: in our daily blog you’ll find all the insights and updates from the day. Day five (Thursday 6 August) is as follows: The squad have the final open session of the training camp in the morning. After lunch, there will be a team event.
Show more
A round-up of the Werkself training camp in the Weimarer Land, all in one place: in our daily blog you’ll find all the insights and updates from the day. Day four (Wednesday 5 August) is all about training. The day begins with a gruelling open training session – new signing Miguel Gutiérrez also takes part. A second session follows in the afternoon, this time behind closed doors.
Show more
At the training camp in the Weimarer Land region, Bayer 04 head coach Carles Martínez and his long-standing assistant Pol García talk about their first few weeks with the Werkself, their expectations of their own work, the coaching staff and the squad, as well as the style of football they want the team to play. They emphasise the importance of a winning mentality within the team, comment on cultural and personal differences in the world of football, and outline their goals for the coming season...
Show more
