Bayer Leverkusen are under pressure as they go into their vital third Champions League group stage fixture against AS Roma tonight. The three-time Italian champions are yet to win in Europe this year, but having won their last two games, scoring seven goals in the process, they will travel to the Rhineland brimming with confidence.
"We're in with a chance against Roma and the way we play will reflect that," World Cup winner Christoph Kramer reported ahead of the game, emphasising that Bayer's recent poor form has not dented their confidence. However, their goal drought is becoming a cause for concern this season. "It's getting desperate! We're not playing badly, but it's not coming to anything," said captain Lars Bender, who is a doubt for the game with an ankle injury. He will most likely be replaced in defensive midfield by Ömer Toprak.
Völler: We're not being clinical enough"
Sporting director Rudi Völler also expressed concern ahead of the clash against his ex-club: "We're really not being clinical enough. We need to be more efficient so that we have something to show for our work at the end of the game." Chairman Michael Schade spoke along the same lines: "Our last few games have been somewhat flat and we haven't played very well. We're squandering too many golden chances. We need to do better against Roma."
"We're not satisfied with eight goals from nine games, but I'm convinced we can turn that around," manager Roger Schmidt emphasised after his side's most recent goalless performance against Hamburg at the weekend. "We've played better in our last four games than the eight points we've picked up would suggest. In reality, our performances have merited twelve points."
Roma with Rüdiger
The seventh-placed Bundesliga side will have to really turn it on against Roma if they are to repeat the success of their opening-matchday 4-1 win over BATE Borisov. The Italian side, however, haven't won in any of their last seven Champions League games. "This game is a great chance for us to get on the right track to qualify for the last 16, but we'll need goals to do that," said goalkeeper Bernd Leno. "We know we're capable of it." Bayer can take some belief from the 2-1 defeat to defending champions Barcelona, when they came within touching distance of a sensational result.
Roma already have their backs against the wall after picking up just one point from their opening two Group E games, with a 1-1 draw against Barcelona and a 3-2 loss to BATE Borisov. "We know that we need to win if we want to finish in the top two places," said Germany international Antonio Rüdiger, who is back in the Roma squad after recovering from a long-term knee injury.