Europa League Semifinals First Leg: Are Leverkusen Running on Empty? Has Atalanta’s Challenge Weakened?

The Europa League semifinals are set to be thrilling as teams battle it out for a place in the final. This year, Bayer Leverkusen and Atalanta will face off against AS Roma and Marseille, respectively. Leverkusen, having secured their first-ever Bundesliga title, are struggling to maintain their form, while Atalanta, after eliminating Liverpool, seem to have a comparatively easier path to the final. Here, we dive into the matchups, team dynamics, and potential outcomes for the first leg of the semifinals.

Roma vs. Bayer Leverkusen: Who Does the Bundesliga Champion Want to Beat the Most?

In football, comparisons often reveal the true measure of teams and managers. Under former coach José Mourinho, Roma suffered two defeats to AC Milan. However, with Daniele De Rossi at the helm for just three months, Roma managed to defeat Milan twice, showcasing a clear improvement. In their quarterfinals against Milan, Roma made dream starts in both legs, scoring within the first 20 minutes and even taking a two-goal lead in the second leg. However, maintaining a lead proved challenging, as Milan dominated possession after falling behind, forcing Roma to defend resolutely. In the second leg, Roma had to play with ten men for an hour but held on, with goalkeeper Svilar and defender Mancini being standout performers, highlighting the immense defensive pressure they faced.

Leverkusen’s quarterfinal opponent was last season’s Europa Conference League champion, West Ham United, presenting a formidable challenge. In the first leg, Leverkusen showcased their strength, firing 33 shots, though they only broke the deadlock in the final ten minutes of regular time to secure a 2-0 victory. The second leg saw West Ham start strong, scoring in the 13th minute and putting Leverkusen under constant pressure. However, the newly crowned Bundesliga champions’ defense held firm, ensuring their progression to the semifinals.

Since securing their historic Bundesliga title, Leverkusen have not won a game, suggesting a possible relaxation in their mindset. Their unbeaten run nearly ended, indicating a slight complacency among the players. Last season, Roma knocked Leverkusen out of the Europa League in the semifinals without conceding a goal, making them the team Leverkusen might be most eager to defeat this time. However, under De Rossi’s management, Roma’s defense has been incredibly tight, and they might only need to play at a fraction of their capability to secure a result, while Leverkusen could continue to show signs of complacency.

Marseille vs. Atalanta: Have the True Nerazzurri Crossed the Toughest River?

Marseille, a three-time Europa League finalist (having lost all three), advanced from both the round of 16 and the quarterfinals by winning one leg and losing the other. Although their quarterfinal opponent Benfica was less formidable than Villarreal in the round of 16, Marseille had lost two consecutive games before the second leg against Benfica. Their ability to turn the tie around and progress was surprising. Despite Atalanta’s 2-0 win at Anfield in the 2020 Champions League, that victory came when Liverpool had already secured top spot in the group, suggesting a different level of motivation. In this season’s Europa League quarterfinals, few expected Atalanta to prevail against Liverpool, even considering Liverpool’s poor form.

Fortunately for Atalanta, Gianluca Scamacca, previously of West Ham, was in excellent form, scoring twice with remarkable efficiency. Atalanta’s defense also denied Liverpool any opportunities, leading to a stunning 3-0 away victory, setting the stage for their progression. These two teams have never met in European competition before, but Atalanta’s current squad is slightly stronger and younger, likely to perform better as the season progresses. They are expected to play to a significant portion of their potential in the first leg, while Marseille will need to give their utmost effort to keep up.

Tactical Analysis and Key Player Performances

Bayer Leverkusen: Managing Expectations and Fatigue

Bayer Leverkusen’s recent struggles to win since clinching the Bundesliga title highlight potential issues with player mentality and fatigue. Coach Xabi Alonso must reinvigorate his squad, ensuring they approach the semifinal with the same intensity that secured their domestic success. Leverkusen’s attacking prowess, led by Florian Wirtz and Patrik Schick, remains potent, but they must translate their dominance into goals more effectively.

Roma: Defensive Solidity Under De Rossi

Under Daniele De Rossi, Roma’s defense has become incredibly robust, capable of withstanding significant pressure. The team’s ability to score early and then hold onto leads will be crucial against Leverkusen. Players like Gianluca Mancini and Rui Patricio will be vital in maintaining defensive discipline, while Lorenzo Pellegrini and Tammy Abraham need to capitalize on their scoring opportunities.

Atalanta: Youth and Energy

Atalanta’s youthful squad, characterized by its high energy and relentless pressing, will be a major asset. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini’s tactics emphasize aggressive attacking play and quick transitions, which will be key against Marseille. Scamacca’s goal-scoring form and the defensive reliability of players like Berat Djimsiti and José Luis Palomino will be crucial in securing a positive result in the first leg.

Marseille: Overcoming Defensive Vulnerabilities

Marseille’s defensive issues, particularly in the latter stages of matches, have been evident. Coach Igor Tudor must address these weaknesses, ensuring his team maintains concentration and physical endurance. The attacking duo of Dimitri Payet and Arkadiusz Milik must also be clinical in front of goal, as they will need to make the most of any chances against a solid Atalanta defense.

Key Matchups and Tactical Battles

Midfield Dominance: Roma vs. Leverkusen

The midfield battle between Roma and Leverkusen will be a critical area. Roma’s Bryan Cristante and Jordan Veretout must control the pace of the game and disrupt Leverkusen’s playmaking. Conversely, Leverkusen’s Exequiel Palacios and Kerem Demirbay will aim to dominate possession and create scoring opportunities for their forwards.

Defensive Resilience: Atalanta vs. Marseille

In the Atalanta vs. Marseille clash, defensive resilience will be paramount. Atalanta’s backline must contain the threats posed by Marseille’s attackers, while Marseille’s defense needs to remain organized and focused to prevent Atalanta from exploiting any gaps. The individual battles between Atalanta’s attackers and Marseille’s defenders will be key to determining the match’s outcome.

Set-Piece Scenarios

Set-pieces could play a decisive role in both matches. Roma’s proficiency in set-pieces, particularly through Pellegrini’s deliveries, could provide crucial opportunities. For Atalanta, Scamacca’s aerial ability will be a significant threat during corners and free-kicks, while Marseille must defend these situations effectively to avoid conceding.

Physical and Mental Endurance

The physical and mental endurance of the players will be tested, especially in the latter stages of the matches. Coaches will need to manage player fatigue and make strategic substitutions to maintain performance levels. The ability to stay focused and composed under pressure will be crucial for both sets of teams.

Predictions and Final Thoughts

The first legs of the Europa League semifinals promise intense battles and high-stakes football. Leverkusen must overcome their post-title complacency to challenge Roma, who will rely on their defensive solidity under De Rossi. Atalanta, buoyed by their impressive victory over Liverpool, will look to capitalize on Marseille’s defensive vulnerabilities.

Leverkusen vs. Roma is set to be a tactical chess match, with both teams needing to balance attack and defense effectively. Roma’s home advantage and recent form might give them a slight edge, but Leverkusen’s quality can’t be underestimated. A closely fought contest with a narrow margin of victory for either side seems likely.

Atalanta vs. Marseille will likely feature contrasting styles, with Atalanta’s high-energy pressing against Marseille’s more measured approach. Atalanta’s youth and form make them favorites to secure a positive result, but Marseille’s experience in European competitions could provide a valuable counterbalance.

As these teams vie for a place in the Europa League final, fans can expect thrilling football, tactical battles, and standout performances. The stage is set for an exciting semifinals, where every moment could be decisive in determining who advances to the final.