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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Marc Mayo

Bayer Leverkusen vs Roma: Predicted XIs, confirmed team news and injury latest for Europa League semi-final

Roma have declared Paulo Dybala fit to play their Europa League semi-final clash with Bayer Leverkusen.

The Argentine striker was absent for the weekend draw at Bologna due to an ankle injury.

After assessing Dybala in training ahead of flying out to Germany, Roma coach Jose Mourinho has said he will have him available, meaning Edoardo Bove, the matchwinner in Rome, will drop out of the line-up.

Chris Smalling has also been pronounced fit in his comeback from a hamstring injury, along with Stephan El Shaaraway.

However, Mourinho is unsure whether he will start the returning trio. He told reporters: “They are in a condition to play.

“We have to manage them, understand the match and decide whether it's better to start it or finish it. Let's see, but it's important to have these three more options.”

Zeki Celik will start in the right wing-back position after overcoming a knock with the defence already missing Diego Llorente, Rick Karsdorp and Marash Kumbulla.

Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen side has been hit by a pair of injury blows on the eve of the decider.

Robert Andrich (foot) and Odilon Kossounou (muscle) are out for the final weeks of the season, the club have confirmed.

A leg injury continues to keep ex-Roma striker Patrik Schick on the sidelines along with veteran winger Karim Bellarabi (muscle).

Predicted Bayer Leverkusen XI: Hradecky; Tah, Tapsoba, Hincapie; Frimpong, Palacios, Demirbay, Bakker; Diaby, Hlozek, Wirtz (3-4-3)

Predicted Roma XI: Rui Patricio; Mancini, Cristante, Ibanez; Celik, Pellegrini, Wijnaldum, Matic, Spinazzola; Dybala, Abraham (3-5-2)

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