UEFA Europa League 2023-24 Match Ratings: AS Roma vs Bayer Leverkusen semi-final 1st leg

AS Roma and Bayer Leverkusen were drawn in the UEFA Europa League semi-final. The German side after winning their maiden Bundesliga trophy came out as favourites to win the game. Xabi Alonso's side are yet to lose a game in the ongoing season as they are in a run of 46 games unbeaten. They defeated West Ham United in the quarter-finals. On the other hand Roma had a decent season as they sit 5th in the league table. However they defeated AC Milan in the quarters. 

The game was end to end as it started, with both sides had their chance to break the deadlock. Leverkusen's pressure up the field paid off as they scored the opener after a sloppy back pass from Rick Karsdorp ended up for Alex Grimaldo who passed the ball to Florian Wirtz as the latter scored the opener in the 28th minute. The German side kept the pressure and they found the second goal after Robert Andrich's brilliant long range shot in the 73rd minute ended up in the back of the net. 

Here are the Match ratings: 

AS Roma

Mile Svilar-7

The Roma keeper was excellent in the night tested by the attackers of Leverkusen quite often made some good saves. However could not have done much about the goals he conceded. 

Rick Karsdorp-4

Karsdorp was decent in the game handled the situation well but did one sloppy mistake that led the visitors open the scoring. 

Gianluca Mancini-5

Mancini was the best man in defence for the side as he was the only player who made some crucial blocks and made interceptions inside the box.  

Chris Smalling-4.5

Smalling had a poor outing as he was caught out every time during the counter attacks of the German side could not close down Robert Andrich during the second goal. 

Leonardo Spinazzola-6

The Italian full back was good in the attacking half delivered some good crosses inside the box but no Roma players met with the balls. Defensively was decent as he struggled against the likes of Jeremie Frimpong.  

Bryan Cristante-5

Cristante was decent in the midfield created some chances for the side was good in the attack and defensively was also decent in the game. 

Leandro Paredes-5

Paredes failed to keep the tempo of the game in the hand of the home side as he could not destroy the attacks of Leverkusen much overall was decent in the game. 

Lorenzo Pellegrini-6

The captain was good in the night had the chance to score but his shots were near the target and could not find the back of the net. 

Paulo Dybala-7.5

The Argentine was the best man on the pitch for the side tried his best to score a goal or create a chance for the side but failed to although created problems with his runs for the visitors's defence. 

Stephan El Shaarawy-4

Merely seen on the ball as the winger was silent for the maximum time of the game as could not create much chances. 

Romelu Lukaku-4.5

The Belgian was silent for the whole game as he did not have much chances in the night, one of his header in the first half struck the cross bar other than that he could create much problem. 

Substitutions

Rui Patricio-N/A

Evan N'Dicka-N/A

Tammy Abraham-N/A

Diego Llorente-N/A

Sardar Azmoun-N/A

Renato Sanches-N/A

Houssem Aouar-N/A

Tommaso Baldanzi-N/A

Edoardo Bove-N/A

Nicola Zalewski-N/A

Pietro Boer-N/A

Angelino-4.5

The former Manchester City man came in as a substitute but could not have much impact in the game. Failed to deliver the attacking balls that he was brought on for. 

Bayer Leverkusen

Matej Kovar-6

Kovar was not tested much as he had a decent outing in the game made sure to keep a clean sheet in the match. 

Edmond Tapsoba-7

Taposba was successful in keeping Lukaku out of the box as the Belgian could not win the battles against the centre back and harm the defence. 

Jonathan Tah-7.5

Another authoritative performance from the Leverkusen captain as he made sure some good blocks and interceptions for the side. 

Piero Hincapie-7

Was not troubled much as he had good battles against Dybala and sometimes won the duels as well, he made one brilliant tackle inside the box to deny Sardar Azmoun to score the goal. 

Josip Stanisic-6.5

Stanisic was decent in the game as the right full back was good in his defensive duties equally contributed to the attack as well and linked up with Frimpong well. 

Robert Andrich-8

The central midfielder had an excellent game in the middle of the park controlled the tempo of the game, tried some shots from outside the box as it paid off as he scored the second goal for the side. 

Granit Xhaka-7

The experienced campaigner controlled the midfield for the side and delivered the balls in the wings during the counter attack of the side and helped Andrich to run into free space.  

Alex Grimaldo-7.5

Grimaldo's press in the Roma's half paid off as he picked up the sloppy back pass and assisting to Wirtz for the first goal. 

Jeremie Frimpong-7

The Dutch was amazing down the wings, he was unfortunate he could not score a goal for the side had some great chances to put his name on the sheet but failed to capitalise the chances. 

Florian Wirtz-8.5

The creative midfielder was excellent in the game as he made some good runs inside the box and scored the first goal and was indirectly involved for the second one. 

Amine Adli-6.5

Adli was much silent than his teammate tried his best to make his name to the score sheet but he failed to do so, was good down the wings created problems for the right-full back of Roma. 

Substitutions

Lukas Hradecky-N/A

Odilon Kossounou-N/A

Jonas Hofmann-N/A

Borja Iglesias-N/A

Arthur-N/A

Patrik Schick-N/A

Nathan Tella-N/A

Victor Boniface-N/A

Adam Hlozek-N/A

Exequiel Palacios-N/A

Gustavo Puerta-N/A

Niklas Lomb-N/A