BATE hope element of surprise can upset Roma
Monday, September 28, 2015
Article summary
"When the game starts, you will see how we are going to take on Roma," promised BATE coach Aleksandr Yermakovich, refusing to show his hand in Group E.
Article top media content
Article body
- Aleksandr Yermakovich likes his opposite number's style
- He says Rudi Garcia sides play "nice, attacking football"
- BATE coach takes no comfort from Roma injury problems
- "They have many good replacements," he notes
- Roma boss Garcia set for 100th game in charge – even if he does not know it
Possible lineups
BATE: Chernik; Polyakov, Dubra, Milunović, Mladenović; Nikolić, A Volodko; Stasevich, Hleb, Gordeichuk; Jevtić.
Out: Rodionov (knee), Zhavnerchik (ankle)
Roma:De Sanctis; Florenzi, Manolas, De Rossi, Digne; Pjanić, Nainggolan, Vainqueur; Salah, Gervinho, Iturbe.
Out: Totti (thigh), Keita (thigh), Džeko (knee)
Doubtful: Iago Falqué (knee)
Aleksandr Yermakovich, BATE coach
Three years ago we took on a Lille side coached by Rudi Garcia in the UEFA Champions League. His teams play nice attacking football. They prefer short and medium-length passes, with lots of players getting involved in attacks.
We know Roma have a lot of injuries, but I don't think that will influence their play. They have many good replacements. They have leaders in every department: Daniele De Rossi in defence, Miralem Pjanić in midfield, and in general, they can all put in great performances.
We are not going to show our hand just yet. When the game starts, you will see how we are going to take on Roma. We want to give our fans something to celebrate and we will try our best. If you want to take points from teams like Roma, you need a combination things: skill, luck, the fans' support. We need to be very focused and determined.
Rudi Garcia, Roma coach
BATE are used to playing in the Champions League. They have already all but wrapped up the Belarusian league and can therefore focus on their European matches. We are here to win, even though a few players are injured. Our ambitions are big and we have to be fully committed in every game.
We worked for the whole of last season to be here. We started well with a draw against Barcelona and we hope to continue in a similar vein. Despite our injuries, it is important that the players who are here stick together and get a positive result. As I said after Barcelona: the game in Borisov and the Leverkusen matches are our most important.
It's my 100th game as Roma coach? I didn't know that. I will ask Radja Nainggolan [sat to his right] to give me a present.
Weekend results
Minsk 1-2 BATE Borisov (Makas 71; Stasevich 72, Signevich 75)
BATE took a major step towards a tenth straight Belarusian title, and now lead Dinamo Minsk by 12 points with five fixtures left.
Roma 5-1 Carpi (Manolas 24, Pjanić 28, Gervinho 31, Salah 51, Digne 68; Borriello 34)
Injuries to Seydou Keita, Edin Džeko and Francesco Totti took some gloss off a comfortable win, with Totti lasting just six minutes after coming on.
Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)
BATE: WWLDWL
Roma: WLDDWW
Reporter's view: Denis Orlov
Both teams are without key individuals, with Vitali Rodionov and Maksim Zhavnerchik sidelined for BATE and Roma deprived of the services of Totti, Džeko and Keita. Saturday's 5-1 victory over Carpi bodes well for Roma, however, who look to be favourites on paper.
Did you know?
Visiting coach Garcia will need no introduction to BATE having faced them with LOSC Lille in 2012/13; find out more in our extensive match background.