Champions League: Bayer Leverkusen set sights on downing Roma

Bayer 04 Leverkusen team group Champions League

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Striker Javier Hernandez insists Bayer Leverkusen are totally tuned in to the task of beating Roma in Wednesday’s Champions League clash.

The Bundesliga outfit currently sit second behind Barcelona in their group, with four points for three games played. BATE Borisov are next on three, while the Italians prop up Group E with just a couple of points to show for their efforts.

With Barca expected to beat BATE and top the group, this week’s encounter in the Eternal City could well be a straight shoot-out for second place and qualification to the knockout stage of Europe’s elite club competition.

There is much at stake for both sides but, despite the pressure on the players, ‘Chicharito’ is adamant his team-mates will not be overawed by the occasion.

“We’re focusing completely on the game against Roma at the moment. It’s a crucial fixture,” he told bundesliga.com. “We want to get a good result in Italy to be able to qualify from the group as quickly as possible.”

The sides drew 4-4 last time out and the Germans are priced at 3.40 to take all three points from the Italian capital, with Roma on offer at 2.10.

Leverkusen were beaten 2-1 by Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga at the weekend – their first league reverse since going down 3-0 to Borussia Dortmund on September.

But, according to the Mexico international, that loss has already been forgotten about, with their total focus now on beating Roma.

“We’re training hard at the moment and that’s all we’re thinking about,” added the former Manchester United hitman.

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