Coach Daniele De Rossi admitted that this is Bayer Leverkusen’s year but maintains faith that AS Roma can turn the tables after a 0-2 defeat at home in the Europa League semi-finals on the morning of May 3.

AS Roma need a miracle to reach their second consecutive Europa League final after losing at Stadio Olimpico due to goals from Florian Wirtz and Robert Andrich on Bayer Leverkusen.

“We are playing against a strong team and it will be difficult if we are behind.

Lukaku’s unfortunate miss.

Sometimes incidents actually change the outcome of the match but are still 60-70 minutes later.

AS Roma seemed to lose direction when they took the lead and were in danger of receiving more goals before the end of the first half. Speaking about this issue, De Rossi continued: `We have to change, there are too many matches.`

I feel we are weak and get carried away by the opponent’s play style, this appeared in the match against Bologna, so we need to improve this issue immediately. I am sure we will have a say on the field

AS Roma needs to `transform` in the second leg. Photo: Club

Xabi Alonso surprised many when he announced his lineup, deciding to leave strikers Victor Boniface and Patrik Schick on the bench, with Amine Adli used in the number 9 position instead.

“Most of their matches they have a central striker whether it’s Schick or Boniface but against Bayern or Dortmund they played this way.

“When teams actively defend, you need to move quickly, because if you lose the ball, you will be counterattacked quickly.

Facing Bayer Leverkusen, who are very strong and undefeated all season, De Rossi concluded: `You can only do a few things against them, they have many players with strength and speed, we have technique and quality.`