AC Milan Failed, AS Roma Challenged Leverkusen In Europa League Semifinals

AS Roma striker Paulo Dybala celebrated the goal in the second quarter-final match against AC Milan. (X/@OfficialASRoma)

JAKARTA - AS Roma advanced smoothly to the Europa League semifinals after eliminating AC Milan. In the second quarter-final duel at the Stadio Olimpico, Friday, April 19, 2024 in the morning WIB, Roma won 2-1. In the semifinals, Roma challenged Bayer Leverkusen's superior team.

Roma showed their best performance against Milan in the duel of fellow Italian Serie A teams in European competitions.

Despite playing with 10 people since the 31st minute following Zeki Celik's expulsion, Roma were able to maintain a 2-1 advantage.

The victory put Roma ahead 3-1 on aggregate. Because in the first match at home to Milan, they won 1-0.

This made Roma qualify for the semifinals for the fourth time in European competition. Last season, Roma reached the final after being defeated by Sevilla on penalties.

Giallorossi' success in advancing to the top four brought them to meet an opponent who is no less tough, Bayer Leverkusen, who drew 1-1 against West Ham United.

Leverkusen, who have just won the German Bundesliga, maintain an unbeaten record in various competitions. They also won 3-1 on aggregate after winning 2-0 in the first match.

In that duel, Roma appeared confident. The 1-0 victory in the first match became valuable capital for Daniele De Rossi's team.

In the early minutes of the match, captain Lorenzo Pellegrini had already threatened the Rossoneri goal. But his shot from outside the penalty box still hit the post.

But in the 12th minute, Gianluca Mancini defender made no mistake. His header successfully beat goalkeeper Mike Maignan.

This is Mancini's second consecutive break into Milan's goal. In the first match, the Italian national team defender scored his only goal.

Winning 1-0 made Roma even more excited to press Milan. As a result, Paulo Dybala's forward increased Roma's lead in the 22nd minute.

Starting from the striker Romelu Lukaku's attempt to win the ball. From the right, he then released a cross in front of the opponent's goal.

Milan's defender tried to clear the ball but failed. The ball fell at Dybala's feet which then fired hard into the net.

However, Roma later lost Lukaku, who was injured in the 28th minute. He was forced to be pulled out and replaced by former Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham.

After leaving Lukaku, Roma instead lost defender Zeki Celik who got a red card in the 31st minute. Celik was expelled after committing a serious foul on Rafael Leao.

Playing with 10 people forced De Rossi to change his strategy by further strengthening the defense sector.

Dybala was then withdrawn and replaced by defender Diego Llorente. They were still able to secure a 2-0 advantage until the first half was over.

Entering the second half, Milan tried to pressure Roma. But the hosts still showed a slick game and even almost increased their advantage through Leonardo Spinazzola who carried out the solo run.

However, when dealing with Maignan, his kick could be too weak so that the French national team goalkeeper could secure it.

Milan continues to attack the hosts. However, Stefano Pioli's team could not take advantage of the advantages of the number of players.

Their efforts were only able to give results after Matteo Gabbia scored a goal in the 85th minute. Only, they failed to add goals so that the 2-1 score lasted until the end of the match.