Spinazzola and Celik Add to Roma’s Woes With Injuries Against Leverkusen

• Leonardo Spinazzola limped off with an injury in the first half of Roma's game against Bayer Leverkusen
• The Italian full-back has been plagued by injuries since suffering an ACL tear at Euro 2020
• Right wing-back, Zeki Celik, also limped off in the second half as Roma progressed to the final

Jose Mourinho will have more to worry about going into the season's final games after his team’s injury list grew in the first half of the game against Bayer Leverkusen.

AS Roma faced a crucial UEFA Europa League semi-final second-leg tie against their German opposition, aware that a draw would be enough to reach the final and did just that.

Youngster Eduardo Bove, a versatile presence in the team, gave Roma the advantage with his first European goal in the first leg at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

Roma were able to hold on to their advantage from the first leg as they secured a spot in the final against Sevilla, who held off Juventus. It will be their second final in two years under Jose Mourinho.

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Spinazzola, Celik deepen Roma’s injury woes

According to Football Italia, Leonardo Spinazzola was struggling with what appeared like a muscular injury in his right thigh and was replaced by Nicola Zalewski in the 34th minute.

The Italian full-back has struggled with injuries in his career having missed two games in February due to a muscular problem and sat out the weekend’s draw against Bologna.

Right-back Zeki Celik was also replaced by Chris Smalling after suffering an injury in the second half.

Mourinho stops game

As reported by ESPN FC, Mourinho requested that the official halt the game in the first half due to smoke from the pyrotechnics of Leverkusen fans.

The game was halted for a few minutes for the air to be clear before proceeding, allowing Portuguese goalkeeper Rui Patricio some breathing space.

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Even though he did not say, another motivation for his team to win the Europa League is to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

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Roma are currently sixth on the Italian top-flight log, six points behind fourth-placed Lazio with three games left in the season; their top-four chances are out of their hands.

As Sports Brief reported, Mourinho admitted Roma’s struggles after the draw against Bologna, claiming his team lacked the potential to compete due to a lack of depth and multiple injuries.