The Europa League has reached the semi-final stage, with the first legs to be played out on Thursday night in Rome and Marseille. Some of the big names like Liverpool and AC Milan have fallen by the wayside en route to the semi-finals but four very strong teams remain in the hunt for the title. Thursday night will see Roma take on newly-crowned Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen at the Stadio Olimpico, while the Stade Velodrome will play host to Marseille against Atalanta.
Europa League 2024: Roma v Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen’s rise has been one of this season’s great stories in European football. Unbeaten in the campaign to date, Leverkusen have already sealed their first Bundesliga crown and have impressed on their way to the Europa League semi-finals.
Manager Xabi Alonso has deservedly been receiving plaudits for what he has been able to achieve at the club to overcome Bayern Munich to the German crown. Since winning the title, Leverkusen have managed to keep their unbeaten run going by the skin of their teeth.
Drawing against West Ham United, Borussia Dortmund and Stuttgart, Alonso’s side required last-gasp goals in all three games to level the scores. One wonders when their luck will run out and it might be on Thursday night against a Roma side who have been formidable at the Stadio Olimpico in Europe this season.
Winning all of their home games in the Europa League in the Italian capital last term, Roma have now lost just one of their last 20 games in this competition at the Stadio Olimpico. It’s an impressive record and with Daniele De Rossi impressing in the dugout, the Giallorossi have what it takes to inflict that maiden defeat on Leverkusen in 2023-24.
Europa League 2024: Marseille v Atalanta
Atalanta stunned Liverpool in the quarter-finals of the Europa League and now have Marseille firmly in their sights. La Dea produced the perfect away performance at Anfield to beat Jurgen Klopp’s side 3-0 and were fully deserving of progressing 3-1 on aggregate over the two legs.
Winning all of their last three games in all competitions, Atalanta are in fine form as they head to the south of France this week. With two wins in their last nine games in all competitions, Marseille have been stuttering at an important time of the season. Les Phoceens did manage to edge out a strong Benfica side on penalties in the quarters and will be wary of what Atalanta are capable of away from home.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s side’s form over recent weeks suggests they can do the business on the road again and take a lead into the second leg at Gewiss Stadium. With the likes of Teun Koopmeiners, Gianluca Scamacca and Ademola Lookman in attack, Atalanta have the firepower to come away from the Stade Velodrome with the win.
Europa League 2024: Semi-Finals first legs Tips
Roma to win @ 3.12 with kwiff
Atalanta to win @ 2.55 with kwiff
By Jack Ogalbe
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