BATE Borisov midfielder Aleksandar Hleb calls Roma “very strong” but “we believe we can win.”
The Belarusian side can advance to the Champions League Last 16 if they beat Roma tomorrow and Bayer Leverkusen don’t beat Barcelona.
Borisov are taking the game so seriously that they have been training in Rome for the last week, and the former Arsenal midfielder says they are confident.
“We decided to come here because the conditions in Minsk aren’t suitable for training,” Hleb explained to Rete Sport.
BATE Borisov midfielder Aleksandar Hleb calls Roma “very strong” but “we believe we can win.”
The Belarusian side can advance to the Champions League Last 16 if they beat Roma tomorrow and Bayer Leverkusen don’t beat Barcelona.
Borisov are taking the game so seriously that they have been training in Rome for the last week, and the former Arsenal midfielder says they are confident.
“We decided to come here because the conditions in Minsk aren’t suitable for training,” Hleb explained to Rete Sport.
“Besides training every day we’ve got to enjoy this beautiful city, with great weather. We’ve also had plenty of free time, we even had a tour, from the Vatican to the city centre.
“We wanted to prepare well because are a very strong team, but we all know there are surprises in this sport: we believe we can win.
“Rome are one of the strongest teams, but we’ll fight.”
The Giallorossi lost their last Champions League match 6-1 to Barcelona, but Hleb doesn’t feel that will have a bearing tomorrow.
“Barcelona are one of the best teams in the world, and Roma’s defeat at Camp Nou doesn’t prove anything.
“It doesn’t prove that Roma are especially weak. Any team can lose to them, it happened to Real Madrid too.
“You can’t compare the strength of Barcelona and Roma, but the Giallorossi are very strong, they have a lot of champions.”
Francesco Totti will not play tomorrow, as he’s still injured, is that a boost?
“I’m very happy,” Hleb joked.
“I’m sorry he won’t be there, and for the fact that he’s injured, but I’m happy about our chances and the game we can play.
“Despite his age, Totti is a legend. He’d be enough to change the game.”