Praise Roma Players, But Daniele De Rossi Calls Leverkusen Stronger

AS Roma coach Daniele De Rossi after the Europa League second semifinal match against Bayer Leverkusen. (X/@OfficialASRoma)

JAKARTA - AS Roma failed to reach the Europa League final after a 2-2 draw against Bayer Leverkusen in the second semifinal. Even though they failed, coach Daniele De Rossi did not hesitate to praise his players. Only, he admitted that Leverkusen was indeed stronger.

Roma appeared surprising. When competing in the second match at home to Leverkusen at the BayArena Stadium, Friday, May 10, 2024 in the morning WIB, the Italian Serie A team made the hosts furious.

Roma even had a two-goal lead which was all scored from the penalty spot that Leandro Paredes completed.

If you add one goal, the Giallorossi can turn things around. Or if you win 2-0, then the match will be continued extra time and then on penalties.

But that scenario did not go smoothly. Defender Gianluca Mancini made a blunder by making an own goal. Leverkusen finally avoided his first defeat this season after Josip Stanisic scored a goal in injury time.

The final score 2-2 and Leverkusen who qualified for the final to meet another Serie A team, Atalanta. They grabbed the ticket to the final after getting rid of Marseille.

Despite being eliminated in pain, De Rossi still praised the performance of his players. According to him they played extraordinary. However, De Rossi admits that the opposing team is indeed stronger.

"The team showed a heroic performance. But Leverkusen must admit that it is a strong team," said De Rossi.

"Our performance in these two semifinal matches is actually very good. It's just that we don't have enough shots into the goal that sometimes can make a difference. However, children play extraordinaryly," he said.

De Rossi praised the players' mental attitude because they were still exhausted after facing Juventus which ended in a 1-1 draw in the Serie A match.

But they were still able to play all out in their away game against Leverkusen.

"Just two days earlier we went all out against Juventus. Then we faced a match that needed extraordinary and mentally strong physical," said De Rossi.

"When you have to catch up 2-0 and need a miracle when facing an opponent who has never lost, it hurts when we concede like that. It really hurts," he said.

Roma have actually tried their best. But they must recognize Leverkusen's superiority who won 4-2 on aggregate.

Roma's failure to cancel the Italian team's duel scenario in the Europa League final. Leverkusen will face Atalanta at Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Wednesday, May 23, 2024 in the morning WIB.