Bayer Leverkusen vs AS Roma - Bayer Leverkusen look to capitalise on Roma's struggles in Champions League

Posted Tuesday, October 20, 2015 by PA

Bayer Leverkusen know they have an opportunity to edge closer to a place in the Champions League knockout stages by pushing Roma to the brink of elimination at the BayArena on Tuesday night.

Roma's surprise defeat at BATE Borisov means Leverkusen have the chance of putting five points between the two sides with a home victory before travelling to the Stadio Olimpico in a fortnight's time.

With BATE facing group leaders - and the overwhelming favourites to win the group - Barcelona home and away in the next two weeks, the top two in the group could leave the bottom two scrapping for third place with wins on Tuesday, and that is Leverkusen coach Roger Schmidt's aim.

"We know that Roma are under pressure after their defeat in Borisov," he said at a press conference on Monday.

"After these two matches, there will be a clear tendency as to who will be joining Barca in the knockout stages."

Roma's challenge in this double-header with Leverkusen will be to ensure they are still in the running when they head to Barcelona at the end of November, to set up a decider on the final matchday, when they host BATE and Leverkusen face the holders.

One man who played five years for both clubs is Brazilian defender Juan, now at Internacional of Porto Alegre and supporting the Giallorossi from a distance.

"Leverkusen are a young team who play quick football and caused problems to Barcelona, but if Roma play the way they can do, then they won't have any problems," he said in La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I'm supporting Roma. I think this is the year when they can win the Scudetto again.

"I love the way they play, both at home and away. It's always exciting to watch Roma play."

A sold-out BayArena will have that pleasure on Tuesday night, although they may not get to see Leverkusen captain Lars Bender, who faces a late fitness test on an ankle injury.

Stefan Kiessling is also a doubt after missing training on Monday, but Kevin Kampl is back for the hosts.

Former Stuttgart defender Antonio Rudiger and ex-Wolfsburg forward Edin Dzeko are both in the Roma travelling party and set to bring their Bundesliga experience to the table on Tuesday after recent injury absences.