Garcia: Winning is the only option

Addressing the media at his pre-match news conference on Tuesday, the Frenchman stressed that although there is still everything to play for in Group E, only a win will do if Roma are to keep their hopes of reaching the knock-out stages alive.

“Bayer Leverkusen have some strengths in attack and some weaknesses in defense,” claimed Garcia when asked what he’d learnt from the 4-4 draw in Germany. “It was a result that we could have expected, given that we too were scoring lots of goals, just like them. That said, we could have done better in defense, collectively speaking. There’s no other option tomorrow, we need to win. That will be our mindset – to do everything to secure the three points.”

Roma are just off the top of Serie A but last in your Champions League group. How do you explain that?

“The Champions League is like a mini season, with each match more important than the last. As I said, we need to win tomorrow to pick up points and take a step towards qualification for the round of 16. That’s the situation. Right now no team has qualified and no team is out. We need a win and we intend to get one tomorrow.”

How are Daniele De Rossi and Seydou Keita coming along?

“It’s all very clear: Keita isn’t ready yet, but De Rossi will play. Right now I’m not focusing on any match other than tomorrow. I’m 100% concentrated on that and I’m not thinking about what comes after it.”

Rome Prefect Franco Gabrielli has said that the clubs are not collaborating on the issue of the Curvas at the Olimpico. What’s your view on that?

“Here at Roma we’ve already commented on that. I think that big football nights need a full stadium. The club and I have already spoken about this. Right now I’m focused on Bayer so it’s not the right time to speak about that.”