The Werkself made a flying start at an atmospheric Stadio Olimpico. The first big chance fell to Robert Andrich with a shot from outside the box on 30 seconds but the Leverkusen enforcer missed the target as did Florian Wirtz five minutes later. The best chance for AS Roma came from a close-range header from Roger Ibanez but he was denied by a brilliant save from Lukas Hradecky (19’). Apart from these clear-cut chances, the first half was dominated by two teams focused on defence and the duels became increasingly intense. Homegrown AS Roma player Edoardo Bove broke the deadlock with a goal from a rebound to give the Italians a 1-0 lead (63’). AS Roma played with one eye on the clock. As a shot late-on from Jeremie Frimpong from a few yards out was cleared off the line by Bryan Cristante, the score remained 1-0. Here is the match report.
The summary from Hradecky after the match: “We were unable to show our strengths in one-on-ones today. Mourinho’s teams are always solid in defence and hard to play against. I hope we can score a couple of goals in Stuttgart on Sunday and hopefully win to give us confidence for Thursday. It’s not worth being sad. We were unlucky to concede the goal.” Frimpong was also disappointed but remains ambitious: “We knew it would be difficult today but it’s far from over. We’ll attack next week. We can do it! We showed that against Monaco. We defended well and we should have scored. That’s what it will be about next week. We have to score and we will do it.”
Xabi Alonso took a similar view and issued a call: “We need a very special night in Leverkusen – at our stadium – as you only get in European games. Roma have an advantage in the second leg but anything can happen in football. We’ll fight to the end.”
The Werkself received a hostile reception at the Stadio Olimpico. The Black and Red fans also created a brilliant atmosphere: 2,500 supporters from Leverkusen travelled to Rome and the whole block was dressed in red. The Leverkusen fans remained in the visitors section long after the final whistle and celebrated despite the defeat for their team. Alonso took time out after his interviews to go to the Leverkusen fans. Incredible! – Us for you! You for us!
Bad news: Both Odilon Kossounou (33') and Andrich (90+2’) had to be substituted due to injury in yesterday’s game. With Kossounou there is a suspected torn muscle in his thigh and with Andrich there is also no final diagnosis. Both are travelling back to Leverkusen today to undergo tests.
Good news: Edmond Tapsoba has been nominated for the vote for UEFA Europa League Player of the week. Congratulations.
A look at the statistics reveals that the twelve attempts on goal from the hosts with two more than for Leverkusen but the Black and Reds were just ahead in all other areas: The visitors had the upper hand with 62% possession and the Werkself also won 54% of duels. In terms of pass completion, the Alonso team had 85% and AS Roma 78%.
The headline in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung reads: “Advantage Roma,” the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger summary: “Bayer 04 have to turn round a 1-0 scoreline” and the Express reports: “Despite defeat! Bayer still have everything to play for.” The Rheinische Post praised Hradecky’s performance: “Parried the header from short range by Roger Ibanez with an outstanding reflex save and thereby prevented his team going behind in the first half (19’). The Finland keeper was also in the right spot to keep out an effort from Tammy Abraham but was left with no chance as Edoardo Bove scored from the rebound (63’). Hradecky again impressively denied Andrea Belotti (67’).“ And the Bild Zeitung opted to look forward: “Round one in the semi-final went to Rome! But Bayer 04 still have the chance of going through to the final despite the 1-0 defeat in the first leg in Rome.”
The Werkself travel straight to Swabia from Italy on Saturday for the Bundesliga away game at VfB Stuttgart the next day. The match at the Mercedes-Benz Arena kicks off at 15.30 CEST. Four days later comes the semi-final second leg in the Europa League against AS Roma. That match at the BayArena kicks off at 21.00 CEST.
Goalkeeper Rafaela Borggräfe will continue to play for Bayer 04 Leverkusen next season. The loan of the Germany U23 international, who joined from Liverpool in the winter, has been extended by a further year.
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The Bayer 04 delegation, led by Fernando Carro, CEO, concluded their multi-day trip to Brazil with a visit to the community-based organisation Bola Pra Frente in Rio de Janeiro – founded by former Werkself player Jorginho. During the visit, Bayer 04 committed to extending support for the Bola Pra Frente project for a further five years. In addition, Jorginho, a member of the Brazil 1994 World Cup-winning squad, was named Bayer 04’s second official club legend. With the visit to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, the club has strengthened the relationships built up over the years in one of Bayer 04’s most important international markets.
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Ten years after retiring as a player, Kristina Sundov is returning to the Bayer 04 Women’s team as assistant coach. The 39-year-old former Croatia international takes over from Remzi Kahraman, who has taken up a new challenge abroad. She has been given a contract to 30 June 2028.
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The training pitches at the BayArena are already buzzing with activity again, even before training officially begins next week. On Monday morning, a small group from the Werkself first-team squad completed a session lasting around an hour. Both new and familiar faces were present.
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One ticket, two matches – and a varied programme of events, including appearances by players from the professional teams: Bayer 04 has come up with something very special for the 2026 season launch on Saturday, 8 August. From morning right through to the evening, Werkself fans can use just one ticket to not only enjoy top-class football from the Bayer 04 teams live, but also to experience unforgettable moments with the whole family through a variety of hands-on activities around the BayArena and the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The day will also end on a real high note: after both matches, Bayer 04 supporters will have the opportunity to interact directly with the players during joint activities and get to know them from a different angle.
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