Roma under orders to outscore Leverkusen
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Article summary
"We will play to win as always – and we have to win," said Roma boss Rudi Garcia, hoping Leverkusen's defensive frailties will be exposed in their Group E rematch.
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Article body
- "We have to win," says coach Rudi Garcia with Roma bottom of Group E
- Two late goals earned Leverkusen a 4-4 draw in the sides' first meeting
- If Barcelona (v BATE) win and Roma do not, Barcelona are through
- The Giallorossi failed to score fo the first time in 25 fixtures at the weekend
- Leverkusen have already lost in Rome this season, 1-0 to Lazio in the play-offs
Possible lineup
Roma: Szczęsny; Florenzi, Manolas, Rüdiger, Digne; Nainggolan, De Rossi, Pjanić; Gervinho, Džeko, Salah.
Out: Totti (thigh), Keita (thigh)
Doubtful: Florenzi (fatigue)
Leverkusen: Leno; Donati, Tah, Papadopoulos, Wendell; Kampl, Kramer; Mehmedi, Bellarabi; Hernández, Kiessling.
Out: Jedvaj (thigh), Hilbert (knee), Seung-Woo (ankle)
Doubtful: Bender (ankle)
Rudi Garcia, Roma coach
The first match showed us that Leverkusen have great ability in attack and some weaknesses in defence. We have no choice – we will play to win as always, and we have to win. Right now, no one has qualified and no one is out. We know that we need a win and we want to get it tomorrow.
Roger Schmidt, Leverkusen coach
We've lost away to Lazio and Barcelona this season, and we certainly need to pay more attention, but that doesn't mean we have come to Rome to defend. Javier Hernández is playing better and better. He has scored a lot of goals lately. Lazio and Roma are incomparable: Roma have a much more spectacular and dynamic style.
Weekend results
Internazionale 1-0 Roma (Medel 31)
Gary Medel's long-range strike helped Inter leapfrog Roma into second place in Serie A. Any hopes of a Giallorossi comeback ended when Miralem Pjanić was sent off with 17 minutes left. It was the first time Roma had failed to score in 25 outings.
Wolfsburg 2-1 Leverkusen (Bendtner 34, Draxler 77; Hernández 40)
Wolfsburg came out on top in their encounter with fellow UEFA Champions League contenders Leverkusen – who stay seventh – as Julian Draxler scored the winner four minutes after coming off the bench. Javier Hernández continued his recent scoring exploits with the equaliser.
Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)
Roma: LWWDWW
Leverkusen: LWWDDD
Reporter's view: Ben Gladwell (@UEFAcomBenG)
Still without a Group E win, Roma must find some of their Serie A form and above all shore up a defence which has conceded eight goals in three group stage games. A Leverkusen success would leave them with one foot in the round of 16, so do not expect Schmidt to abandon his customary attack-minded approach.
Did you know?
Roma have won only one of their last eight home matches in UEFA competition. That sequence includes their 7-1 defeat by Bayern München in last season's group stage. Find out more in our extensive match background.