Video: Paredes assesses impressive Bayer Leverkusen ahead of Roma UEL semi-final

Roma midfielder Leandro Paredes has given his assessment ahead of Thursday night’s Europa League semi-final first leg against Xabi Alonso’s impressive Bayer Leverkusen side.

The Argentine World Cup-winner gave an interview to Roma’s social media channels from the club’s training base in Trigoria on Tuesday.

The Giallorossi will play at home at the Stadio Olimpico in the first leg on Thursday, kicking off at 20.00 BST, before heading to the Rhine area for the reverse fixture next week.

Leverkusen are the only team in Europe’s major divisions that are yet to record a loss in any competition in 2023-24. Daniele De Rossi has recently insisted that though they are unbeaten, they are ‘not unbeatable’.

In response to the coach’s assessment, Paredes said: “Everything the coach says motivates us to do better and to keep improving. As I said earlier, we still have room for improvement, and I think we’re doing well in that respect.

“They (Leverkusen) have so many strengths,” Paredes continued. “They haven’t lost in a year, so as I said, it is going to be a really tough game.”