The 2024 edition of the Europa League is coming to its business end, and after an entertaining set of quarter-final ties, just four teams remain in the competition looking to lift this years trophy.

With the clubs from three different countries, France, Italy and Germany, let's take a look at the team news, key information and star players ahead of these crucial ties.

Xabi Alonso and his Leverkusen side are still stunning the football world. No loss in 40 matches, and three games in a row with last minute equalisers including a 96th minute leveller at home to Stuttgart last weekend, it seems there is nothing that can stop Bayer Leverkusen from achieving the unbeaten treble, an achievement that we might never see again in world football. However, they still face a tough trip to the Stadio Olimpico in Rome to continue this phenomenal streak.

In the previous stage of the competition, a dominant 2-0 home win over West Ham United gave Leverkusen the upper hand as they travelled to London, where they limited David Moyes' side to just one shot. This pattern followed Leverkusen to the next leg as, despite an early Michail Antonio goal, Jeremie Frimpong netted to secure a historic win for "Die Werkself," and set up this exciting clash against Serie A side Roma.

Alonso will be confident that his side can replicate their consistent performance in Italy, considering that his side had enough quality to finally dethrone Bayern Munich as Bundesliga champions. Young Czech 'keeper Matej Kovar will likely start, and in his brief appearances when replacing Lukas Hradecky, has kept seven clean sheets in 14 matches. Jonathan Tah and Piero Hincapie have also impressed defensively, contributing to Leverkusen conceding just 22 goals in the league so far.

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The majority of Bayer 04's threat will come from the attacking areas. The already mentioned Frimpong and Spanish wingback Alejandro Grimaldo have both been phenomenal this season, totalling 37 goal contributions between the two. Wonderkid Florian Wirtz has eleven goals and eleven assists since his return from a critical ACL injury, gauging interest from top European clubs, whilst both Patrick Schick and summer signing Victor Boniface have demonstrated their threat in front of goal this season.

With no known injuries before the fixture, Leverkusen can afford to go full strength to attempt to continue their beyond impressive season. On the other hand of the tie, Roma have only one player unavailable for this tie as Zeki Celik was sent off in the previous stage against AC Milan, where Roma overcame their Italian rivals to continue what is a relatively mediocre season for "La Capitale."

Daniele De Rossi has been impressive as Roma manager since his appointment from SPAL in 2024, but the team are set to miss out on Champions League football as they sit in 5th, four points behind Bologna and the continental spots. However, a Europa League win would remove any disappointment about the lack of achievement in the league, and Roma would argue themselves that they have a capable squad to overturn Leverkusen on Thursday.

In the defence, Gianluca Mancini was the hero against AC Milan in the quarters, scoring a big chance to effectively put Roma through early in the match. Chris Smalling, Evan N'Dicka and Leonardo Spinazzola have been solid defenders this season, with the former returning from injury late in the season to sure up the defence. In place of Celik, Rasmus Kristensen has been integral for De Rossi's system and is likley to return from injury on the night.

However, the star of the show is likely to be Paulo Dybala, as since his free transfer to the Italian capital in 2022, he has hit his best run of form ahead of these crucial fixtures. With 13 goals and nine assists in 25 Serie A matches, the Argentine has racked up five goal involvements in six games, including two across both quarter-final legs. Alongside countryman Leandro Paredes, this midfield pairing have ounces of creativity that will threaten Leverkusen across both legs.

With elite level strikers such as Tammy Abraham and Romelu Lukaku, with the former returning from a season-long injury this month, Roma do seem to be hitting form at the right time, with five wins in eight games, to mount a European trophy charge. Therefore, this match between an in-form sleeping giant and a team attempting to make history promises to be a worthwhile watch.

  • Marseille vs Atalanta: Les Minots Europa League curse one step closer to finally ending

The battle of the record-breaking finalists reached its climax in the quarter-finals. Both Benfica and Marseille hold the record for most final appearances without lifting the trophy, yet it was the latter who was victorious, and is closer than ever to finally being able to break that record. However, their form has been a cause for concern, with Gennaro Gattuso's men sat 7th in Ligue 1, 26 points off leaders PSG.

It took penalties for Marseille to overcome their Portuguese opponents in the quarter-finals, as a Faris Moumbagna header took it to the dramatic climax. All four penalties were converted, with Benfica missing two, to send the Stade Velodrome into raptures and set up a mouthwatering clash with Serie A side Atalanta in this semi-final. Despite their poor league form, Gattuso and his squad may feel like they have a chance of reaching their first European final since 2018, and finally end their curse.

In terms of key players, Jonathan Clauss has been one of the best defenders in Ligue 1 in recent years, and he has continued this trend recently, picking up three goals and two assists in 23 starts. With young Argentine Leonardo Balerdi by his side, and Jordan Veretout offering class and artistry ahead of him, Marseille have every reason to feel comfortable defensively.

Furthermore, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has revived his career in France this season. Since his free transfer from Chelsea, the Gabonese striker has scored 27 goals in 46 matches, becoming the top scorer in the Europa League this year, and the top scorer in the history of the competition. With Senegalese winger Ismaila Sarr, former Schalke star Amine Harit and matchwinner Moumbagna forming the attacking four, Atalanta may have reason to fear Marseille if "Les Minots" are on their A-game.

However, do not give up on the Serie A side that easily. Whilst they are having an average season of their own, sat in sixth place and looking likely to qualify for European football, Atalanta have still produced moments of magic during the season. The highlight came in the quarter-final, where Gian Piero Gasperini's side dismantled Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield, and ruined Jurgen Klopp's farewell dream of a European trophy, only conceding one goal in the second leg to book the Italians a semi-final place.

SHOCK: Gianluca Scamacca helps Atalanta dismantle Liverpool 3-0 in the quarter-final first leg.

Atalanta have shown this was not luck either in previous ties. Victories over Sporting Lisbon, Sturm Graz and Rakow Czestochowa, Gasperini's side topped their group by three points before defeating fellow group members Sporting 3-2 over two legs. Having scored many, as well as conceding the least per match in the competition, Atalanta have shown their star quality under pressure, and should be considered one of the stronger teams left in this competition.

The squad speaks for itself. Defenders Davide Zappacosta and Sead Kolasinac have revived their careers in Bergamo, putting up fantastic performances this season, whilst young talent Giorgio Scalvini being in the top 10% of metrics for tackles, duels and interceptions won, offering a strong balance of ambitious prospects and professional talents in the defence. Ahead of them, Marten de Roon and Ederson offer balance in the defensive midfield.

Atalanta's attacking lines are just as dangerous as Marseille's. Ademola Lookman has two goals and three assists in as many games, hitting form at the perfect times, whilst Dutch attacking midfield partner Teun Koopmeiners continues to attract interest from Europe's elite, with 11 goals and four assists in 30 appearances. Up front, and after a disappointing season with West Ham, Gianluca Scamacca has found his stride towards the end of the season with eight goals in 12, including a double in the tie at Anfield.

With strong defences, and elite attack forces, this clash at the Stade Velodrome promises intense, counter-attacking football as both teams attempt to reach the final, where disappointing seasons could be revolutionized, or records could be broken.

  • Where and when do the semi-finals take place?

Both games take place on Thursday 2nd May 2024, at 8pm BST. AS Roma vs Bayer Leverkusen is held at Stadio Olimpico in Rome, whilst Olympique Marseille vs Atalanta takes place at the Stade Velodrome, Marseille.