Roma leads Leverkusen in the Europa League semi-finals by a single goal.

AS Roma defeated Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 at home in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday, courtesy to a second-half goal by 20-year-old Edoardo Bove.

Product for Roma youngsters Bove scored on the rebound in the 63rd minute for his first European goal.

Following last season’s Europa Conference League success, Roma will go to Leverkusen for the return game next week, hoping to capture back-to-back European crowns under coach Jose Mourinho.

In the final, the victors will face either Juventus or Sevilla, who drew 1-1 in the first leg.

“I’m especially pleased with the outcome,” Bove stated. “It was critical to win this first half and return on Thursday with the same intensity.”

“Today, we played with great intensity, and we are pleased.” They made it difficult for us at first, and it took us a time to acclimatise, but we eventually had complete control of the game.”

Everything had gone according to plan for Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen, who had not reached a European final since their debut in the Champions League final in 2002.

They came near twice in a spirited start, with Robert Andrich’s shot saved after 40 seconds and Florian Wirtz missing a good opportunity by firing wide.

The hosts, who were missing key players due to injury and had Paulo Dybala and Georginio Wijnaldum on the bench, answered with Roger Ibanez’s powerful header, which Hradecky palmed over with a brilliant save.