These teams tied 4-4 in their most recent game against each other. AS Roma has yet to win a game in this group stage (0W, 2D, 1L).
After an epic game in Germany, AS Roma and Bayer Leverkusen will now meet in Italy aiming to start the second round of the group stage with a win in the Italian capital. The race in Group E is really tight with AS Roma being only two points behind Bayer (4) which is in second place.
For Roma, playing at home does not guarantee they will get a win. Playing at their own Olympic Stadium has only worked in their favor in one of the last eight games there when it comes to UEFA related competitions. That included a 1-7 loss against Bayern Munich in the 2014-2015 Group Stage.
Roma really needs the win now
"The @ChampionsLeague is a mini season. There's everything to play for now, but we need three points tomorrow."
They do however, have a positive record against teams from Germany. In the last 12 games, Roma has won seven times, lost four and drawn once. It will be important for AS Roma to make good use of their own ground, as they will come back two games from now to close the group stage round against FC Bate.
Right now, those two teams have the worst defense of the group. They have both received eight goals in three games. AS Roma was able to score seven times in the same amount of games and that goal differential can be crucial at the end of the round to decide who makes it to the Round of 16.
The teams learned from each other in their most recent game.
Bayer Leverkusen scored nine goals and received seven in the first round of the group stage. In their only game away from home, they lost 2-1 against Barcelona in a game they had control off for the most part but then Luis Suarez saved the day for the Catalan side.
The team's only win in the first round came against BATE in their opening game. Then they were really close to losing against the Italian side but two late strikes from Kevin Kampl and Admir Mehmedi were what gave them the possibility to tie the game in its last ten minutes.
Bayer had started the game with a 2-0 lead from Javier Hernandez' brace. Then, the team seemed to fall apart as AS Roma not only tied the game but got two goals ahead. Finally, Bayer avoided the disaster with the two goals mentioned earlier.
Hakan: "People think our coach's playing style is a bit too attack-minded and reckless, but we achieve a lot.
These teams have only met in UEFA Champions League group stage games and they have done so three times. Bayer has one this clash once while the other two games recorded ended in a draw. A win from Roma this time could launch them from fourth place to second in the group, if there are no surprises in the Barcelona vs BATE game.
The German side knows what they want from Wednesday's game. Leno: "The match schedule is clear: we play tomorrow to win!"
There are no suspended players for this match, but there is a long list of them in the injury list. For the visiting side, Capradossi, Totti, Hilbert, Jedvah and Ryu are out. For the home team De Rossi, Keita and Bender will not be available.
