UEFA Cups
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00:00his most magical memories and it bubbles over yet once more in anticipation of what might be
00:08by Leverkusen there 35 years since their one and only continental triumph
00:14but freshly imbued with belief by Xabi Alonso and bullishly intent here on making their 21st
00:21century mark on Europe Roma internally it had seemed reconciled to the idea that a European
00:30trophy was always just painfully out of reach but now within touch perhaps on a second such prize
00:38in two years Jose Mourinho is doing his thing perhaps his domestic seasons have run more or
00:47less parallel it's hard to pick between them the VIPs the UEFA's top man Mr. Seferin
01:02and so on a gorgeous Roman evening they march into the rowdy Roman den and into a riotous din
01:18the crazed Giallo Rossi in all their flamboyant fury deafening demanding and dreaming
01:37what a sight
01:45just more than 2,000 from Leverkusen outnumbered out sung by 60,000 Romans
02:15so
02:46two coaches who know each other well it is of course a tasty part of the narrative that for
02:50three years Alonso played under Mourinho at Real Madrid well it's Roma's immense misfortune to
02:57reach this climactic point of the season whilst heavily handicapped by injury the defense
03:01particularly badly hit no spalling Llorente, Kumbulla or Karstorp in the 11 so as against
03:07Inter at the weekend Brian Cristante is forced to drop back Zeki Celic has preferred to Zalewski
03:13it right back further forward with Dybala only fit for the bench Tammy Abraham and Andrea Ballotti
03:19are twin strikers it is the second consecutive European game here to be overseen by an English
03:27World Cup referee Anthony Taylor had charge of the final match tonight is Michael Oliver
03:34fresh from Nottingham Forest for Southampton 3 as recently as Monday
03:48has never refereed Roma before but he's played 3-1-3 with Bayer Leverkusen
03:52most recently in the Champions League last September against Atletico Madrid
04:04well having had their 14 match unbeaten run ended by neighbours Cologne on Friday night
04:08Bayer Leverkusen make three alterations Ivorian Odilon Kosunu comes into the back three with
04:14Hinkapie pushing out to wing back World Cup winner Ezequiel Palacios makes his first start after
04:20injury in midfield his first start for a month and Czech Adam Lozhek is preferred up front to
04:27Ameen Adly Bellarabi injured in training yesterday
04:31and out I gather for the season and Patrick Schick is also injured
04:44Roma's form since they won their quarterfinal has dipped somewhat their fall without a win
04:50their best crack at the Champions League now would appear to be this crack at the Champions League
04:57for Bayer Leverkusen albeit that they rescued their domestic campaign from a dreadful start
05:02this is the only real route to next season's big competition regardless of all of which
05:07this competition is they must believe worthy of winning in itself so three weeks
05:14less a day the Puskas Arena Budapest the final Roma who have now the taste for European glory
05:23or Bayer Leverkusen reborn and hungry for a bit of that taste
05:28what are you feeling about it Nigel I think it's got a nice balance to this game
05:33I think they're both playing with the back three and who dominates that
05:36midfield and attacking third I feel Diaby Wirtz who's been in truly creative form
05:44moved on here for Hinkapier who delivers early and it's struck back by Hendrik and gathered in
05:51by Rui Patricio inside the first 45 seconds it just shows you a confident start from Bayer Leverkusen
05:58not the best it finishes that Hendrik who hasn't had a goal this season you could see why he didn't
06:04quite believe that he'd find the back of the net but an early warning to Roma the pace on the counter
06:11the pace on the counter with Diaby and the team playing in that little deeper role very devastating
06:19Fabio Alonso who took over the Bayer Leverkusen helm on the 5th of October eight games into the
06:25Bundesliga season and they had just five points on the board he has dragged them up by their bootlaces
06:34they were in a position already whereby they would qualify for Europe next year
06:39sixth now on a remarkable run of form only ended and they'll have hated this in their local derby
06:46against Cologne on Friday yeah they wouldn't have liked losing that one they've been in tremendous
06:50form but you've got to lose at some point and maybe some of the eyes were on this game rather
06:55than the Bundesliga game at the weekend but over the two legs I have to say these teams are really
07:02matched up but I just feel Roma have lost a little bit of confidence and obviously with those injuries
07:08to the likes of Chris Smallings on the bench and Gini Wijnaldum a little bit of experience tonight
07:14Sobat, Palacios, Handrick, Hassounou and Frimpong
07:27who is instinctively front-footed and you were saying to me
07:31quite a kickoff swift yeah he is he is quick and Celtic supporters know him very well but
07:37I have to say a lot of top clubs are looking at him Frimpong and he's still only 22 got his
07:41best years in front of him and developing into an excellent footballer with pace but with ability also
07:49Tabsoba
07:52Frimpong, he's gone outside of him, Handrick
07:55It's
08:08licked away by Bellotti, time for Abraham to turn
08:14Pellegrini
08:14so
08:29yeah well he's the one who's better on the ball having been really a
08:32midfield player but having to play at the back but better on the ball
08:36Mancini and Ibanez likes to get tight and likes to get physical
08:44I think Matic has got a very important role to play tonight for Roma he's got to be the
08:48one who sits in and lets the other ones get forward and try and join in because Bellotti
08:53and Abraham need Pellegrini to get up and support so he's he's the one Matic has got to sit in
08:59just back things up
09:15so
09:17not a huge amount of history between these clubs it's only their fifth meeting but such
09:21history as does exist is promising the first four games produced nearly five goals per game
09:28goals for Montella and De Rossi, Hernandez and Berbatov, Pjanic,
09:32Salah, Dzeko so the back story such as it is encompasses some great great names
09:38left side against the Lozhek
09:50that's really tight that one isn't it but I think they're just about getting themselves
09:55sorted it's a back three they with Cristanti in and the two wing backs pushing on as much
10:00as they can spin up Zola down the left hand side who loves to get forward he's actually
10:04right footed but plays on the left likes to cut in but Celik maybe at right back right wing
10:09back here he is on the ball was less offensive maybe better defensive and that's why Jose picked
10:14him tonight Celik the 26 year old Turkish player who arrived from Lille last summer
10:24he was suspended for the intergame at the weekend having been sent off at Monza the weekend before
10:30as we saw last night Inter aren't a bad team are they
10:43so
10:57Landry Palacios of Argentina
11:02Wirtz
11:06Florian Wirtz dancing feet and he's picked away through Lozhek Wirtz oh that's close
11:13and that was intricate and easy on the eye lovely play good to see him back he's had a few injury
11:20problems this but tonight a little give and go and he just couldn't get it out of his feet I wonder
11:25if he could have gone for the near post rather than across the goalkeeper bend it in that left
11:29hand side but he goes for this side and just drags it wide I think Patricio had it covered anyway
11:37but that's what they can do those front three very fluid they've got a lot of pace as well
11:53we mentioned the shared history he has with Jose Mourinho
11:56he has come up against him a few times as well way back many of you will remember him in the
12:02Liverpool team that beat Chelsea in a Champions League semi-final by what became known as a
12:07ghost goal from Luis Garcia I think Jose's forgotten that yet I don't think he's forgotten
12:13I don't think any of the Chelsea supporters have forgotten it either but the Liverpool fans love
12:18it don't they that's Javier Alonso what a player him and Steven Gerrard in the middle of the pitch
12:24for Liverpool were devastating together but he's only 41 still looks really fit doesn't he
12:30looks like he could still play yeah
12:36Cristante, Mancini
12:41Czennik on the turn
12:42Sober across to meet him, Bikini Faso International, here's Tammy Abraham of England
12:54looks over tight at his back it's a big night I feel for Tammy Abraham not had the best of
13:00seasons last year he was fantastic this year he's been in and out of the team not scored many goals
13:05got a baby now as well that might not be getting so much sleep these days but
13:12on a night like tonight he's got to turn up for his team especially at home Tammy
13:17also last year's semi-final in the Europa Conference League the
13:20second leg Roma played at home and Tammy Abraham got the winning goal against Leicester
13:27yeah another trophy for Jose Mourinho yeah
13:29yeah
13:33his fifth European trophy five finals he's got two and when it gets to a final he wins it
13:40yeah and last year winning that Europa Conference League the first time it was played
13:47on his side into this competition and he'd love to win this competition
13:51against his side back in the Champions League where as you said he's won it a couple of times
13:59yeah he's actually 20 years this year since the first of those European prizes when he took
14:07Porto to Seville and overcame Celtic on the way to cup final and of course a year later he won
14:13his first Champions League yeah and nobody will forget that celebration it's Old Trafford down
14:17the touchline will they but he's been a fantastic manager still is but it'll be interesting to see
14:24where he goes on in the summer does he stay at Roma he's been linked with Paris Saint-Germain
14:28in the last few days
14:47they've got a really good shape to them
14:49Abercuse and you can see they play basically the 3-4-3
14:53but they're good they get on the ball they their movement off the ball is very good they've been
15:00worked at you can see that and sometimes Lodzek is up on his own in Diaby inverts a drop in to
15:06make it stronger in the middle of the park but it's high press here from Roma trying to not
15:11let them out playing from the back which they love to do
15:17the value of his method counter-attacking approach is manifested in their particularly
15:25their away form they can absorb pressure and shock on the break they're unbeaten in nine away games
15:34since losing at Augsburg on the 3rd of February that's 97 days now one day shy of 14 weeks since
15:41they lost an away game period that includes three European away wins wins at Hoffenheim
15:49and Bremen and Schalke draws in Freiburg Wolfsburg and at Union Berlin it's been an amazing turnaround
15:58under Xabi Alonso hasn't it but they've got to keep it going they want to get in the European
16:03places they want to get to the final of this competition over the two legs they've started
16:07this game very well away from home very confident on the ball they all know their jobs within it as
16:13well of course in a few problems for Roma who are starting to get a little bit deeper now
16:28Hendrik
16:28Tarr
16:44Triple
16:46patient breakdown with Hendrik
16:49Ken Corbett this is Abraham
16:52Corbett
17:00Pellegrini
17:05Spinazzola
17:11Kong Chokying, Spinazzola smart enough to get beyond him that was cover from Kosudu
17:17a lovely little nutmeg in there Spinazzola sticking through the legs of Frimpong trying
17:24to get around the other side and Kosudu just kicks it off it really but it's lovely little
17:32nutmegs around the other side but good defending back three coming across pretty tight there
17:39let's look at the gut that was winded
17:41looking at the back three of Bayer obviously Jonathan Tarr very experienced
17:50Topsoba who's a very good player and Kosudu who are all very quick very athletic but decent
17:57on the ball as well and with the pace of Frimpong down the right hand side the nice balance to their
18:03their back line just means that Palacios and Hendrik have got to make sure they protect
18:08at times and get forward and support the strikers at times as well
18:14by Bovey
18:39there's no fluidity really in this Roma team
18:44they're passing it around the back three here but they need movement in the middle of the
18:47park and up front move it with a bit of pace giving it away cheaply to Palacios
19:01Hendrik
19:04Tarr
19:09Bitts
19:15I mentioned before the game that Rome's form domestically has certainly faltered
19:20since that dramatic quarterfinal win against Feyenoord four games without a win they lost at
19:25Atalanta drew here against Milan drew in Monza which itself was a disappointment for a Tossi
19:31and all folk Rome and then as Nigel's been saying having himself worked on the game
19:37beaten by Inter at the weekend and that has caused them to slip away from probable qualification
19:44for the Champions League next year this is their likeliest course
19:49here with Napoli winning the title and celebrating on Sunday just shows you the other clubs got to
19:55do better and Roma Roma are one of those sides that don't score enough goals Peter and they
20:00put themselves under pressure if they concede first that's what they don't want to do tonight
20:05they don't want to concede first in this game I think Jose will be happy with a nil-nil actually
20:10in this first leg
20:16lifted forward by Mancini towards Bove
20:20look for Celic
20:24was kept at bay by Palacios
20:28did well to retain possession Mancini
20:31right now Roma are actually a seven-pinch area behind Atalanta level on points but behind on
20:37the head-to-head which is the deciding factor in the Italian top flight
20:43so as things stand they are not set to qualify for Europe at all next year
20:47it's very very tight they do actually have a fairly benign running
20:51their remaining games are Bologna who are 10th against Salerno Tana 15th
20:56their remaining games are Bologna who are 10th against Salerno Tana 15th
21:01Fiorentina the toughest nut to crack they go to them they're eight
21:05and they finish against Spezia who by then may very well have been relegated
21:10yeah but the problem is when you're in this competition and you've got a small squad
21:16and a few injuries you've got to try and pick the right teams to get those results but
21:20peak for this because that's what Jose wants to win of course but
21:24the fans at times demand so much here
21:28Roma and Jose's supposed to get them into the Champions League places and win a competition
21:34so it's tough but he's used to that
21:54we haven't seen Bellotti yet I just see him jumping for the ball and missing it
21:58he's not had the greatest of seasons he works so hard for the team though
22:02hasn't scored many goals I think just the one goal this season for Bellotti
22:06domestically three in this competition
22:14Abraham Pellegrini didn't stop just got away from him and Michael Oliver's called it back
22:20well he tried to play the advantage
22:24and then he didn't get an advantage so he's bringing it back but I'm surprised Jonathan
22:27Tarvin didn't get another yellow card for that one it's a late one on Tammy Abraham
22:32it's a very noisy crowd reaction and there's a fairly vigorous Roma reaction
22:40I have to say this is typical of Roma no disrespect I think Jose gets them wound up
22:44they did this at the weekend as well putting the referee under a lot of pressure
22:48and losing losing it at times especially the captain Pellegrini who's not that type
22:52of player he's a fantastic player but really getting incensed by some tackles and things
22:58weren't going their way they need to keep their heads and I think that's what Michael
23:01Oliver is saying to them I won't stand for any of that
23:11Pellegrini in charge of the dead ball
23:12in by Pellegrini and Badias and they couldn't smuggle it over the line what a save this is though
23:23the Decchi just reacts really quickly I'm not sure it was on side but who knows it's a brilliant
23:29header and that's a fantastic save and then they can't get it back on target and it's a
23:34a goal kick but look at this it's the right height for him but he's still got to get his hand up
23:38and push it away and that's what he does the captain the goalkeeper fantastic save
23:53first genuine threat from Roma on the night
23:57what for the most part to this point has been a game of patience
24:02yeah I think you're absolutely right they're trying to be patient trying to keep the ball
24:06and then try and make the most of set plays as they nearly did there
24:11excellent save from the goalkeeper
24:16Lucas Radetzky who has played in all 12 now 13 of Leverkusen's European games
24:25this season he's kept four clean sheets two in the Champions League two in the Europa League and
24:29he won't have produced many better stops than that one now you've got to have a strong wrist
24:34strong hand push that away away from danger that's what he did Deski brilliant save from the captain
24:46Rustante going long Abraham is his target
24:51juggling it away from Kosunu who stood his ground
24:54Matic pounced on it touch from Spinazzola Abraham beyond Belotti came down for Matic
25:03Spinazzola eased away by Tapsoba his Celic
25:12Silly challenge there got the pressure on I can't get out Leverkusen it's a silly challenge
25:17Robay the youngster giving a silly free kick away but that's been good
25:21from Roma really pushing Leverkusen back and then a silly handball in there
25:30you can see it clearly there in the arm into the foot
25:33it's getting a bit testy out there already the temperature is rising on what is by the way a
25:41classic sultry Roman evening it's uh for the time of year warm and a bit of a bit of a bit of a
25:48bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a
25:57bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of
26:27bit of a bit of a bit of a bit
26:57for the weekend was part of a back three that's his regular habitat though he's not entirely
27:19alien to the left back or left wing back position which he's asked to fill tonight in place
27:23of a Mitchell backer. That's a sore one when you're knocked like that onto the AstroTurf
27:30on the edge of the pitch and takes your skin off that's what he was not happy about. You
27:34can't beat it.
28:04They're just looking at time so when they try and play through that middle at the park
28:20Palacios looks like he's on his heels. A couple of balls have come to him he can't get there
28:25the Argentine. They need to be careful when they're playing those little square balls
28:31because that gives Roma the chance to go and press and get Pellegrini on the ball who's
28:35moving into the wide areas now causing problems.
29:05It's Palacios, Diaby and it's Cristante.
29:28Diaby scored in all three knockout ties leading to this one.
29:37He's a good player. He can play down the middle, he can play in the right, he can play in the left
29:41of that front player. He's got blistering pace and he's just getting better.
29:47In front of goal he's starting to score more goals these days. A bit more composure. Still only 23.
29:58Celik who is writhing. Still taking one in the ribcage.
30:07Oh it's a jarring fall. Yeah he comes down with his arm open under that armpit on his twisted arm rounds there. That's a nasty one.
30:15It would have been a great thrill, a massive pick-me-up for Celik to be selected in the XI this evening.
30:27It's only his third European start of this season and he won't easily be dragged off.
30:33This is though the damage isn't too severe.
30:38Zalewski who would be his natural replacement. Popping out for a quick warm-up just in case.
30:45Zalewski's been really good this season in that right wing-back position but I think because he likes to get forward a little bit more
30:53I think at home I think with the injuries and Chris Smalling being out I think he's decided to go maybe with Celik who's a little bit more defensive.
31:02Working hard as he does and keeping it in. Find Diaby and Matic can stride away.
31:20Pellegrini.
31:25Belotti. Pellegrini. Fiat's intervened.
31:33Matic. Spinazzola. Matic dancing with Frimpong.
31:47Costantin.
31:56Pancini. Celik. Restored to full fitness.
32:04Ibanez who's come as close as anyone to scoring for Roma on the night.
32:13Pancini. Celik.
32:17Yeah but it's a nice shape to Leverkusen defensively. They're dropping deeper but front three are dropping in.
32:23That compacts that midfield area and then the back three can push up if they need to.
32:28Because they're not frightened of the pace at the moment of Abraham or Belotti.
32:37Pellegrini.
32:38Pellegrini.
32:51Frimpong's got to do better there. They break.
32:54The foul wasn't given. You've got to keep the ball. He plays a square pass, gives it away against Gent.
32:59I don't think there's much of a foul there.
33:01I think Pellegrini trying to get a free kick for his team. The captain.
33:06Again the referee, Michael Oliver, isn't being deceived there.
33:13Got a brief glimpse then didn't we on the bench of Paulo Dybala. Much of the pre-match talk was around him.
33:19His fitness or otherwise. Shows him Mourinho wasn't giving anything away in his media conference yesterday.
33:25He said I'm not going to tell you whether he's in or out because if it turns out to be different you'll accuse me of telling you lies.
33:33Belotti tumbled on the challenge from hastily retreating Kosunu. That may be worthy of VAR inspection.
33:42I think they'll definitely look at it. He's onside.
33:46I think he just miscontrolled it on his left foot. There's a little bit too much pace on it.
33:51I don't think there's a penalty there but they will look at it.
33:57Whilst they are looking at it I'll just briefly tell you that Sevilla have taken a lead against Juventus
34:01in the other semi-final in Missouri. 26 minutes in, in Turin.
34:09Potential of course for an all Italian final in this competition but not if Sevilla have their way.
34:15Nor indeed by Leverkusen. Here's Belotti again.
34:19The penalty check having been and gone.
34:26Well done for Frimpol.
34:28And Spinazzola was taking no chances.
34:31He did well there. Spinazzola went with the run all the way. Just put it out because he knows how quick Frimpol is.
34:40Hendrik Alassios.
34:42Hendrik Alassios.
35:08Hendrik.
35:10That's by Diaby.
35:12Taken on by Frimpol. Support here from Alassios.
35:18Wirtz with the delivery. Ibanez away from the near post.
35:22Cleared by Spinazzola.
35:23Spinazzola.
35:35That was a really good ball in for Wirtz because he didn't hang it up because you've got three centre-backs, big centre-backs who would come and attack that.
35:41He whipped it in. With pace.
35:44It was really good defending from Ibanez.
35:54Oh, quite logical.
35:55Tapsoba.
35:56Alassios.
35:57Tarr.
35:58Kosunu.
36:00On the half-hour mark in the Stadio Olimpico.
36:05A hair's breadth between them.
36:08As much as it was anticipated.
36:12Tapsoba.
36:14Alassios.
36:17It's on for Wirtz but nicked away.
36:20Impressive Ibanez.
36:23He turned that into Frimpol.
36:25And fell.
36:27Did well in the first place with Ibanez and Frimpol got back.
36:29But again, Alassios plays a loose ball and suddenly that's what Roma want to hit on the counter, on the turnover.
36:54We're all Chelsea supporters watching this tonight that Hudson-Odoi is on the bench for Bayer Leverkusen but not been playing much since Xabi Alonso's been there.
37:06I don't think his loan has been that good for him so far anyway.
37:14Do we have the potential of Hudson-Odoi against Abraham in front of Mourinho?
37:20It's a very Chelsea-flavoured game, isn't it?
37:23As mentioned, Dybala watching on too.
37:27I think in recent games when Dybala's been not quite 100% fit, he's been on the bench and he's come on and made an impact as he did in the quarter-finals against Feyenoord.
37:38That was curious. Kossouda has just pulled up lane and has sat down.
37:44He went in for what appeared a fairly innocuous challenge and was momentarily kind of statuesque.
37:54He just didn't move with the lightness and ease of a natural athlete.
38:00He's probably standing down here, I think.
38:03Yeah, it's an interesting one, that one. Did he just kick the ball away and then drop to the floor?
38:07Let's have a look.
38:12Yeah, looks like his right hamstring.
38:15If that's his hamstring, he's off.
38:17Can't carry on with that.
38:20Can't think it'd be crap after 33, 34 minutes for a young man like him.
38:26Well, whilst he is receiving treatment, I can point out a few upcoming attractions for you.
38:32Premier League game from BT Sport, this Saturday lunchtime is an absolute belter at both ends of the table.
38:38Leeds against Newcastle, that will not be quiet.
38:41Half past 11 Saturday on BT Sport 1, nor indeed will it be quiet at Wembley.
38:46Three o'clock on Saturday afternoon from Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.
38:51Two former Football League teams trying to get back into it, Chesterfield and Notts County.
38:55Tomorrow night's, Friday night's, Serie A game is from this neck of the woods.
39:01It is Lazio inhabiting the stadium against Lecce from 7.45 on BT Sport 2.
39:08And if you're a Roma follower, you'll want to be with us again on Sunday at 5 o'clock on 2 for Roma's visit to Bologna.
39:20Well, this is a predictable way of dealing with the problem.
39:23Essentially, Alonso is going back to his previous formation.
39:27He'll ask Kinkapie to drop back into the back three.
39:31And here is the left wing back, Mitchell Backer, who he had originally left out of this starting XI.
39:43You see that ice pack on his hamstring there.
39:46I think no chances with that.
39:48Get him off, and we've got an experienced player coming on.
39:51Mitchell Backer.
39:53And as you said, they're just shuffle across, really.
39:55So hopefully no real disruption for them.
40:05That is very obviously, in human terms, a huge disappointment and point of sadness for the young Ivorian, Modulon Kosulu.
40:19One man's disappointment is another man's opportunity.
40:23Mitchell Backer, who scored in the last European game against the Union Saint-Gerois.
40:30It's an opportunity to impact again.
40:39They just keep the same shape, and as we said, they just shuffle across.
40:43That's over, a go to the right, Carr to the middle.
40:47Kinkapie to the left side of the back three.
40:50Backer just playing outside him as a left wing back.
41:09Some silver.
41:12Diaby determined.
41:16Halfway.
41:25I think he just gets a kick in the face there.
41:28It's not meant by Diaby at all.
41:32Just trying to hurdle him.
41:34Banez.
41:36Hopefully he'll be OK.
41:38Assaulted his wound, they said the free kick was awarded against him.
41:48It's not a pretty picture for Kosulu.
41:56How long's that? Nigel, how long's that injury?
41:58It's a hamstring. Will he play again this season?
42:01Well, not if it's a bad one, if he's pulled it completely, but if he's just tweaked it,
42:06then hopefully for them, in a couple of weeks he'll be back,
42:09but I don't see him being fit for next week.
42:11Unless he's a very, very quick healer.
42:14Kinkapie.
42:16Wirtz.
42:19Backer.
42:21Wirtz, Diaby.
42:26Celic, heaved away by Mancini, sorted out by Pellegrini,
42:30brought forward by Banez.
42:36Spinazzola.
42:38Saw the collision, wave play on.
42:40Bovey.
42:43Celic.
42:49Still down.
42:57It was just a coming together and Pong stayed down.
43:01Hopefully he'll be OK.
43:04But they've lost that little bit of fluidity up top at the moment, Leverkusen,
43:08and they're giving the ball away cheaply.
43:11It goes in, but Banez can't, I think Banez can't go anywhere
43:15except trying to jump out of the way and collide.
43:18I think Diaby, Wirtz and Godziek have got to get hold of that ball.
43:24Keep it, keep the little flicks around the corner, giving it away.
43:29Need to get to half-time now.
43:34Leverkusen, a few moments ago, had to change their left wing-back,
43:40and now their right wing-back is ailing.
43:43Down their list of potential replacements, Timothy Fosu-Mensah,
43:46another, of course, with whom we're familiar from the English Premier League,
43:50might be the natural there.
43:53There's always a secret toss-his-name on it.
43:56And Roma play at home.
43:59What a legend he is, and still is, I have to say.
44:15I have to say, Totti, it's good to see an ex-player.
44:17Totti's been very supportive of Mourinho since he's been here.
44:21I think that's good from a legend of the club,
44:23you've got someone like that supporting you as a manager,
44:25it really gives you confidence.
44:29It seems little question that shows that Mourinho has made a proper connection at this club.
44:34The supporters appreciate him, every game's a sell-out.
44:39Yeah, we have to remember back when he was at Inter,
44:42back in 2009-10, when he did the treble here,
44:46they took to him, won the Champions League,
44:50and Sarri and the Coppa.
44:53He's not been able to do that at Roma,
44:56but I think he'd tell you that he's not got the squad that he needs,
44:59he's still trying to build it,
45:00and have Roma got the money to really back him in the transfer market in the summer?
45:05I think that's a big thing,
45:07because he wants to compete for the Scudetto, that's for sure.
45:15He hasn't been a champion since 2001 on the Capello.
45:18He hasn't been a champion since 2001 on the Capello.
45:23He's never been a champion since Germany,
45:26five times runners-up.
45:30It's that remarkable year, wasn't there, in 2002,
45:33when they were runners-up in the Bundesliga,
45:35lost the cup final,
45:36and lost the famous Hamden Champions League final
45:40to Zinedine Zidane's goal forever.
45:43I was going to say, what a goal.
45:45You already mentioned it.
45:47But the big thing for Leverkusen is now that Xabi Alonso has been,
45:51because he's done so well here in such a short space of time,
45:53he's being mentioned with bigger clubs.
45:55I think he's been linked with Tottenham, Hotspur as well,
45:57so they want to hold on to him.
46:00Hopefully he'll stay here and build his career,
46:02maybe switch too early, as others have found out.
46:06Might not be the right move.
46:08But Xabi's a very sensible guy,
46:10he knows what he wants,
46:11and he's doing an excellent job.
46:14Diaby.
46:15Palacios.
46:16Tapsova.
46:20Palacios.
46:21Reyes.
46:24Tapsova.
46:38Diaby.
46:41Reyes.
46:42Zippo.
46:56Kampi.
46:59Bakar.
47:05Tom.
47:07Hendrik.
47:10Tapsova.
47:13It was good play from Leverkusen,
47:14until that final important ball down the side into Diaby,
47:17which he couldn't get hold of.
47:18But they've taken the sting out of the game,
47:20keeping the ball,
47:21and with the change with Bakar coming on,
47:23that's what you need to do,
47:24just get your place in the team ready.
47:28Everybody knows their jobs again.
47:37It's on for Abraham,
47:38and on to him goes Celik.
47:43Kruk is ground,
47:44and Abraham starts at the high.
48:05Yeah, this is what they need to do,
48:06just take the sting out of the game before half-time,
48:09make Roma run around a little bit.
48:13Come on.
48:24With a goal at the London Stadium
48:26in the first semi-final of the Europa Conference League tie,
48:29and it has not gone the way English folk might wish it had.
48:33Barzad Alkmaar, lead at West Ham,
48:35our Rinders goal, two or three minutes out from half-time.
48:40Alassios.
48:43It's beaten to it by Celik.
48:47Don't want to keep picking on Palacios,
48:49but he does give the ball away far too much in this team,
48:52and leaves his team open.
48:53He's got to make sure he's precise with that ball
48:56in the middle of the park.
49:05Palacios back in the side,
49:06he was injured in the first leg of the quarter-final
49:09against the San Giroir.
49:13Returned for the last half-hour or so
49:15of the Winters League game on Friday night
49:18against Cologne.
49:20Starting for the first time in a month here.
49:28Terrible by the infuriating Tami Abraham.
49:32Did well, though, the defender,
49:33he knew the challenge was coming in from Tami Abraham.
49:36The slightest of touch, he goes down,
49:38gives his team a free kick,
49:39in a really good area this beat-up.
49:42Out on that left-hand side,
49:43all the big guys that go up.
49:45Talk about keeping that ball away from the goalkeeper,
49:49Rui Patricio.
49:53Tick up towards the first-half stoppage time,
49:57which you wouldn't expect too much.
50:06Hurts to deliver.
50:09Straight into the breadbasket of Rui Patricio.
50:12That's what I was saying,
50:13just keep it away from the goalkeeper,
50:14give someone a chance.
50:15He's not the best at ball-in.
50:17Tries to whip it in with pace,
50:18loses control of it.
50:19He's much better than that.
50:26Three minutes of the first-half stoppage time.
50:37He's served around Bellotti,
50:38but he's a big boy,
50:40he can look after himself and he's fine.
50:54Vitalis, stopped back by Celic.
50:57Boxes up off Palacios.
51:05Celic quickly on with the throw,
51:06Bovey wins a corner.
51:08They've got to switch on here,
51:10David Kuzin making little mistakes there.
51:13Rudi Völler.
51:16Obviously knew his way to goal,
51:17for club and country.
51:22This is a chance for Roma just before half-time.
51:25Big guys in there,
51:26Matic is in there,
51:27Cristante, Mancini, Abanez.
51:31Pellegrini to take it, will it?
51:33He's delivered, he's excellent.
51:38Slung in high by Pellegrini,
51:41down by Bellotti, Abraham tumbled.
51:44Back in by Bovey, harmlessly.
52:08Pellegrini.
52:20Tapsoba.
52:23Ambitious.
52:26It's a long way out, ambitious,
52:27he struck it really well.
52:31Went in a bit of time,
52:32just coming down to that final second
52:34in this first half,
52:35and I think Xabi Alonso
52:36and Jose Mourinho
52:37will be fairly pleased with the way
52:39both their teams have played.
52:43Still an awful long way to go in this game,
52:45over the two legs, of course.
52:48Saffron, the boss of European football
52:50at UEFA.
52:52Pellegrini.
53:03Pellegrini.
53:05Rolled up here for Bellotti,
53:07who's claiming he had his ankle tapped.
53:10Not sure Michael Oliver's buying it.
53:12He's not, he's whistling for half-time.
53:16That has been an entirely watchable contest.
53:19To this point, albeit a goalless one.
53:21Closest, perhaps, for Bayer Leverkusen
53:23in the very early stages
53:24for those vociferous travellers from Andrik,
53:27who snatched the shot inside 45 seconds.
53:30Ibanez with a header at the other end,
53:32brilliantly saved by Lukasz Radecki.