The biggest game of the season for both clubs is here, the aspirations of reaching a European Cup final does not come often for either Roma or Leverkusen, although the Italian outfit would be reaching their second successive cup final after winning the inaugural UEFA Conference League Cup. On the other hand, Leverkusen, under the management of Xabi Alonso, who has played under the tutelage of Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid, are holding their own in sixth place in the Bundesliga and did well to avoid disappointment against debutants Union Saint-Gilloise in the quarter-finals.
ROMA
Jose Mourinho is one of the few managers that manage to win trophies wherever he goes, and with Roma he is looking like a rejuvenated figure. The team are not the most entertaining side in terms of football, but they get the job done and bring home the result, and that is what Jose Mourinho is all about. The players are performing well as well, especially in the quarter-finals when Paulo Dybala scooped and turned with the ball inside the 18-yard box to put his team level in the tie.
Defensively, they are very solid with Chris Smalling and Ibanez, who played alongside each other most of the time this season so there is a bond between the two and a special understanding. An open game where Roma win and both teams score during the match is priced at 4.30, and you can also get Roma to win and under 1.50 goals at 6.00.
BAYER LEVERKUSEN
The scenario for the German team is similar, the goal was never to win the trophy, but if you place yourself well to go to the final, that would be some achievement from a coach that is going through his first season as a manager. The talent on display is outstanding, with Jeremie Frimpong, the right-back, being shortlisted by most of the top clubs around Europe. His main attribute is bombarding down the right wing, taking advantage of his agility to get the better of his opponent. Moussa Diaby is no slouch either, so it will be a very interesting viewing as both teams approach games differently.
It’s not attack against defence but the way Roma approach big games in the Serie A especially, even at home, sit deep and hit on the counter or capitalise on a mistake from the opposition. We are pricing a 1-1 draw at the Olimpico at 5.90, with the away side being the first team to score in the match at 2.42
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*Odds subject to change. Odds correct at time of publishing