Bayer Leverkusen vs BATE Borisov preview - Bayer Leverkusen could turn to Javier Hernandez for Champions League mission

Posted Tuesday, September 15, 2015 by PA

Javier Hernandez could make his first start for Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday when the Bundesliga side host BATE Borisov in their opening Champions League Group E match.

The Mexican forward was signed from Manchester United just prior to the transfer deadline, and after Leverkusen had booked their place in the lucrative group stage.

His experience in the tournament - having helped Manchester United to the 2011 final and Real Madrid to the semi-finals last year - was one of the reasons behind him being signed, and after coming on as a substitute in Leverkusen's 1-0 defeat to Darmstadt at the weekend, he may now make his first start.

"Of course I'm hoping that Chicharito can get the goals we need," said Leverkusen coach Roger Schmidt at the pre-match press conference, stopping short of guaranteeing the 27-year-old a starting berth.

"I didn't say that he's going to start. He's improving with every training session and I think he settled in nicely from day one."

Scoring goals has been Leverkusen's main problem this season, which is another pointer to suggest that Hernandez will start at the BayArena.

They have found the back of the net just three times in four Bundesliga fixtures, despite creating a host more opportunities.

"It does feel like we've not scored many, yet we've been creating chances. We've just not been taking enough of them," added Schmidt, who has Admir Mehmedi and Stefan Kiessling also available for an attack-minded team.

It will not be a gung-ho approach, however, with Leverkusen aware of the threat Borisov pose.

Only three years ago, they dealt Bayern Munich a 3-1 defeat, and seven of the team which caused that upset are still part of the Belarusian side's squad today.

"Borisov have been a regular in the Champions League of late and they have beaten Bayern, so of course they are dangerous," said Leverkusen's director of sport Rudi Voller on yahoo.de.

One member of the Borisov squad is no stranger to the Bundesliga either.

Alexander Hleb had two spells with Stuttgart and also turned out for Wolfsburg, with spells at Arsenal and Birmingham in between, and he expects a tough opening game for his side.

"I think Leverkusen can go a long way," said the 34-year-old to the Bild am Sonntag newspaper. "I think they can go beyond the last 16.

"They're going to be a tough side for anybody to beat."