In one of the most riveting encounters of this season’s Champions League, AS Roma and Bayer Leverkusen played out a thrilling 4-4 goalfest in the Bay arena two weeks ago. The hosts stole a 2-0 lead inside the first 20 minutes of the game, but the Rome outfit equalized with two Daniele de Rossi goals before half time.

Another pair of strikes post the break put La Maggica on track for their first win in Europe this campaign, but the home side fought back to end the tie all square.

It was a really fascinating affair as both sides went Hammer and Tongs in search of a win, and a similar spectre can be expected when the sides meet again, at Stadio Olimpico, as the race for Round of 16 qualification has started gathering momentum.

With Barcelona leading the pack in group E and heavy favourites to finish as group winners, the onus is upon the remaining three teams to battle it out for the second position.

As it stands, Roma sit rooted at the bottom of their group with only two points from the opening three games, whereas their adversaries on Wednesday are two points and positions ahead. A victory here should spell some relief for the Giallorossis, who are away to Barcelona in their next European outing and don’t appear to pick any points from there.

So anything but three points is what Rudi Garcia will be instructing his troupes to play for here.

Team news:

AS Roma

Daniele de Rossi is set to regain his position in the line-up after sitting out of the 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan on Sunday. Seydou Keita and Fransesco Totti continue their recovery in the treatment room.

Bayer Leverkusen

The visitors are plagued with a raft of injuries, with Tin Jedvaj, Ryu Seung-woo, Roberto Hilbert and Lars Bender all sidelined for the trip to the Italian capital.

Possible line-ups: 

AS Roma (4-2-3-1): Szczezsny; Maicon, Manolas, Rudiger, Digne; De Rossi, Nainggolan; Gervinho, Pjanic, Salah; Dzeko.

Bayer Leverkusen (4-2-3-1): Leno; Donati, Wendell, Tah, Papadopoulos; Kramer, Toprak; Kampl, Calhanoglu, Bellarabi; Hernandez.

Form guide (Last five games):

AS Roma : W D W W L

Bayer Leverkusen : D D W W W

Previous meetings (in Europe):

Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 AS Roma (Oct ’04)

AS Roma 1-1 Bayer Leverkusen (Nov ’04)

Key facts and figures:

Bayer Leverkusen have drawn two and lost two in their four trips to Italy in the competition.

AS Roma have conceded the most goals in the Champions League this season – 8

La Maggica have won only one of their last seven games against a German opposition (D2, L4)

Prediction:

Without a win after three games, Roma have without a doubt, been disappointing to their fans in Europe this season. But with a qualification to the pre-quarters on the line, the capital club might just step up to the plate and turn the screw.

AS Roma 2-1 Bayer Leverkusen

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