Bayer Leverkusen’s Italian defender Giulio Donati believes their upcoming Champions League tie with Roma will ‘shift the balance of the group.’
The German side, who knocked out the Giallorossi’s rivals Lazio in the playoff round, host Rudi Garcia’s team on Tuesday evening.
A shock defeat for the capital club against BATE Borisov last time out means defeat would leave them five points adrift of the Bundesliga outfit after three rounds.
Bayer Leverkusen’s Italian defender Giulio Donati believes their upcoming Champions League tie with Roma will ‘shift the balance of the group.’
The German side, who knocked out the Giallorossi’s rivals Lazio in the playoff round, host Rudi Garcia’s team on Tuesday evening.
A shock defeat for the capital club against BATE Borisov last time out means defeat would leave them five points adrift of the Bundesliga outfit after three rounds.
Inter youth product Donati is aware of the importance of the occasion and revealed he considered leaving Germany in the summer.
“I’m convinced that these two legs will shift the balance of the group,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport.
“It’ll be a very even game, with a 50 per cent chance each.
“We must stay focused, compact, and always double up because Roma know how to be strong, fast and technical.”
“The Coach Schmidt was frank over the summer. He told me that if the right offer came I could leave, but if I stayed I would be needed.
“I want to be starting games continuously, but I don’t want to leave the Champions League and its great matches.
“I believed in myself and stayed. Roma have many great players, like Salah, Gervinho and also Iago Falque.”