1-0 Victory Over Bayer Leverkusen Not Easily Won By AS Roma, Mourinho: Very Tough Team

AS Roma coach, Jose Mourinho. (Twitter/@OfficialASRoma)

JAKARTA - AS Roma won 1-0 over Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of the Europa League semifinals 2022/2023, Friday, May 12 in the morning WIB. Judging from the score created, it is clear that this is not an easy victory for the Serie A club.

This was also acknowledged by Roma coach, Jose Mourinho. He said the match against Leverkusen had to be passed by his team with great difficulty.

Mourinho said the Giallorossi was hit by Leverkusen.

"It's not an easy game. It's strategically difficult because Leverkusen is a very tough team and it's hard to stay focused for 90 minutes," Mourinho said after the game.

The team nicknamed the Capital Wolf played defensively and waited more for chances during the match. That strategy is fairly accurate.

Roma even managed to release eight chances and four of them were shot on target. Meanwhile, Xabi Alonso's opponent seemed overwhelmed by the first line of defense.

The only goal came in the 62nd minute through AS midfielder Roma Edoardo Bove. In the 60th minute Tammy Abraham's pull pass was cheated by Bove, but his flick was pushed over by goalkeeper Leverkusen Hradecky. But the ball was thrown up by Bove until it became a goal.

Mourinho revealed that AS Roma's move in the Europa League is very dependent on players while playing on the pitch.

It depends on the players. They have mentality, passion, and empathy. They have a sense of responsibility that makes them want to give everything to make fans happy," said the Portuguese coach.

AS Roma with a one-goal lead coefficient will travel to Leverkusen's headquarters at the Bay Arena Stadium, Leverkusen in the second leg of the Europa League, May 19.