Leverkusen doing all the pressing now. Garcia must be wondering what his side have to do to get a win in this competion. How have they thrown it away?
FULL-TIME! A free-kick now for Leverkusen. Calhalognu loops it in from deep, but it drifts harmlessly out of play for a goal kick. And there will be no time to restart proceedings, as the referee blows the final whistle!
90' +1
SO CLOSE! Hernandez weaves his way past a host of Roma players, holding up on the edge of the area and curling a sumptous strike towards the left-hand post, but it drifts just inches wide. So unlucky!
90'
J. Iturbe enters the game and replaces A. Florenzi.
Wendell gets yellow.
89'
Well what an incredible match this has been! Both side's have looked completely out of it at times in this game, but both have mounted outstanding comebacks, and though the standard of defending has left a lot to be desired, this is exacty what the Champions League is all about! Three minutes of stoppage time left to play.
86'
A. Mehmedi has scored a goal for Bayer Leverkusen! Assist by Wendell.
GOOOOOOOAAAAALLLLLLL! IT'S 4-4! Mehmedi gets the equaliser for Leverkusen as he taps in at the back post from Wendell's cross. What a stunning game!
85'
E. Džeko enters the game and replaces Y. Gervinho.
84'
K. Kampl has scored a goal for Bayer Leverkusen!
WHAT A GOAL FROM KAMPL! WHERE DID THAT COME FROM!? The former Borussia Dortumnd man has been poor tonight, but he has made things extremely interesting now - cutting in from the right to loft a lovely finish over the hapless Szczesny. Game on!
82'
Nice play from Roma, who work it well towards Falque. The goal-scorer whips in a cross, but Tah manages to claw it clear ahead of Gervinho, who was prowling on the edge of the six-yard box.
79'
V. Yurchenko enters the game and replaces Ö. Toprak.
And that is the skipper’s last action of the night, as attacking midfielder Yurchenko is introduced in his place.
78'
Leverkusen looking well and truly beaten now, devoid of any attacking creativity. They lump a long ball up top, with Toprak challenging, but he is unable to bring it down under pressure from De Rossi.
Minute
Description
75'
What a performance this has been from Roma, who have not looked back since De Rossi's first goal! Calhanoglu does manage to earn a corner for the hosts, but his subsequent delivery is taken in by Szczesny.
73'
Iago Falqué has scored a goal for Roma! Assist by Y. Gervinho.
GOOAAAL! FALQUE GETS A FOURTH FOR ROMA. Surely it’s game over now, as Gervinho shows Florenzi how it’s done, jinking past Tah before threading it across to Calque, who duly fires into the roof of the net.
72'
A bit of an inquest going on here between Gervinho and Florenzi. The winger decided to go for goal from a tight angle, when he would’ve been much better advised to square it to the unmarked Ivory Coast forward.
71'
OFF THE BAR! The hosts look to be running low on ideas, at the moment. They concede possession in midfield and Florenzi counters for Roma. Leno parries his strike high in the air, but Falque can only head the rebound against the bar.
68'
Kampl again tries his luck from range, and again his attempt is well wide. Leverkusen regain it, but Brandt’s shot is gathered-in by Szczesny.
66'
J. Brandt enters the game and replaces C. Kramer.
Leverkusen can’t make anything of the set-piece, and play is paused momentarily as Kramer hobbles off to be replaced by the 19-year-old Julian Brandt.
64'
Corner for Leverkusen, but it could have been so much more, as Calhanoglu and Kampl combine before the latter shoots on goal - his effort deflecting just inches wide of the post. And matters look to be getting worse for the hosts, with Kramer struggling with an apparent back injury,
62'
Iago Falqué enters the game and replaces Mohamed Salah.
A change afoot for Roma now, as Iago Falque replaces Salah, who has been relatively quiet tonight. The Serie A side push forward with Nainggolan on the ball, but the Belgian’s strike is kept out by Leno.
60'
ALMOST! Leverkusen nearly had a leveller there, as Wendell powered down the left before drilling in a low pass right across the face of goal, but no Leverkusen player is able to apply the finish.
57'
A. Mehmedi enters the game and replaces K. Bellarabi.
With over half-an-hour remaining, Roma are already sitting back, regressing into two firm banks of four - content to play on the counter as Leverkusen bring on Mehmedi in place of Bellarabi.
56'
Amazing. Pjanic has been one of the stand-out performers tonight, and that goal is no less than he, and Roma, deserved. What have the hosts got left in the tank now? Can they comeback from this?
54'
M. Pjanić has scored a goal for Roma!
GOOOOALLLLL FOR ROMA! What a free-kick! And it’s that man Pjanic who scores it. His delivery all night has been first-class, but this time he goes for goal after Nainggolan is fouled on the edge of the area. The strike rises over the wall before dipping into the right-hand corner, giving Leno no chance. Superb!
53'
UNLUCKY! Fantastic play from Gervinho, who turns away from Toprak before bursting through the ranks of Leverkusen’s defence. The former Arsenal man looks all set to poke it home, but Leno is on hand to deny him.
51'
Kampl finally picks up possession in the No.10 position, but his tame effort is easily gathered by Szczesny. Poor from the Slovenian.
50'
CLOSE! Another delightful free-kick from Pjanic and it’s almost another Roma goal - Leno doing well to tip over after Donati had diverted the ball in the direction of his own net.
48'
Again, Roma decide to go long, but Gervinho is seen off by Tah. Leverkusen attempt to drive forward, but Kampl - largely anonymous tonight so far - is disposed easily by an inspired De Rossi.
46'
SECOND-HALF! The players are out and the referee's whistle blows. Let's hope that this half matches the quality of the first!
45'
HALF-TIME! What a half and what a comeback from Roma!
44'
Whereas they have been attempting to play out from the back for the majority of this half, Roma are now going long, cutting out their midfield all together - and it seems to be working, with Gervinho able to hassle the Leverkusen backline.
41'
Leverkusen have only got themselves to blame, here. They haven’t been able to cope with Pjanic’s delivery from set-pieces, while Hernandez really should have made it 3-1 just moments before De Rossi’s leveller.
38'
Roma win a free-kick which Pjanic delivers... AND IT'S 2-2! DE ROSSI! What a turnaround! There was no way De Rossi was squandering that chance. Pjanic’s cross is pin-point, and all De Rossi has to do is nudge it into the corner. Brilliant. What a game!
37'
D. De Rossi has scored a goal for Roma! Assist by M. Pjanić.
36'
C. Kramer gets yellow.
35'
PENALTY!? NO! The referee waives away Gervinho’s appeals after the Ivorian went down under pressure from Papadopoulos. Another brave call from the official.
34'
D. De Rossi gets yellow.
32'
CLOSE! What a few minutes here, with Hernandez somehow missing a golden opportunity for his hat-trick as he latches onto a cross, but his header bounces over the bar. So unlucky!
31'
That was sloppy defending from Leverkusen, who fell asleep from the corner. The referee awards the hosts a free-kick after Nainggolan slides in on Toprak, but the midfielder escapes a second booking.
30'
Florenzi shoud have scored! The winger should have gambled on Salah's fizzed in cross, but he fails to read the play and Leverkusen clear.
29'
D. De Rossi has scored a goal for Roma! Assist by K. Manolas.
GOOOOAAALLLL! Roma get one back through De Rossi! Following on from his goal at the weekend, the midfielder puts Roma right back in this game, drilling it home from close range. 2-1 now!
28'
Digne dinks in a cross which Tah clears. Toprak latches onto it, and looks as though he may run himself into trouble, but the Turk does well to win a throw-in. He hasn't looked out of place playing in midfield.
26'
Bellarabi almost gets in on goal, but Manolas just manages to knick the ball away from the winger. Roma play it out from the back, but Gervinho is unable to hold it up top. The visitors are missing the presence of Edin Dzeko.
24'
R. Nainggolan gets yellow.
The first booking of the game now, and it’s a deserved one for Roma’s Nainggolan. The Belgian clearly dived on the edge of the area, but there was no fooling the official.
21'
It really was sloppy stuff from Roma. They gave the ball away in a dangerous area, and then inexplicably attempted to play the offside trap. Garcia will be furious.
19'
J. Hernández has scored a goal for Bayer Leverkusen!
GOOOOOAAAALLLLLL! HERNANDEZ MAKES IT TWO! Fantastic play from Schmidt’s side! Kampl nips in front of De Rossi before feeding Hernandez. He plays a simple one-two with Calhanoglu, and though his first effort is saved, he tucks it away at the second attempt. Brilliant from Leverkusen. Dreadful defending from Roma!
17'
Manolas rises highest to meet the cross, but he can’t direct his header on target. Florenzi keeps Roma’s momentum going, but he is unable to beat his man and Leverkusen are able to regroup.
16'
GOOD SAVE! Quick reactions from Leno, who does well to parry away Pjanic’s venomous strike. Gervinho regains possession, but Tah ushers it out for a corner.
14'
Leno comes out well to cut out a long pass from his opposite number Szczesny, which Gervinho was barring down on. Leverkusen drive forward, with Wendell winning a free-kick after clattering into Salah.
12'
Sloppy play from both sides, with Kramer giving it away after initially intercepting Pjanic’s slack pass. Roma cannot capitalise, however, and Leverkusen manage to win a throw-in deep in the visitors' half.
10'
It looks more like a 4-3-3 than a 4-4-2 formation from Roma here, with Florenzi pushing high on the right flank and Pjanic drifting in from the left. The silky Bosnian picks up possession, but he is crowded out by Kramer and Toprak.
8'
Leverkusen continue to press high, and win a free-kick courtesy of Rudiger’s foul. Calhanoglu finds Toprak, but the skipper’s looped pass is cleared easily by Roma's defence.
6'
A close-call there for the penalty decision, but I think the referee got it right. Torosidis had turned his back as Calhanoglu fired in the cross, but his arm was not in a natural position.
4'
Penalty goal scored by J. Hernández for Bayer Leverkusen!
GOAL! HERNANDEZ! Brilliant penalty from the former Manchester United forward. He takes his time and keeps his cool to send Szczesny the wrong way from the spot. 1-0 Leverkusen!
3'
PENALTY TO LEVERKUSEN! Well what a start that is for the hosts, who are awarded a penalty after Torosidis blocks Calhanoglu's cross with his hand.
1'
KICK-OFF! Leverkusen get us underway in Germany.
CLOSE! A really fast start from Leverkusen! They work it down the right, Calhanoglu finding Hernandez with a driven cross. The Mexico striker tries to adjust his feet, but he cannot react quickly enough a prods his effort over the bar.
Hello and welcome to our LIVE text commentary of this Champions League Group E clash between Bayer Leverkusen and Roma. I'm Patric Ridge, and I'll be guiding you through all the events at the BayArena!
The teams have been announced, so without further ado, let’s see who will be playing tonight!
Leverkusen Subs: Andre Ramalho, Mehmedi, Jedvaj, Boenisch, Brandt, Kresic, Yurchenko.
Roma Subs: Leandro Castan, Iturbe, Dzeko, Maicon, Falque, Vainquer, De Sanctis.
The hosts are without a win in three matches across all competitions, having been beaten by defending champions Barcelona in their previous Champions League fixture. And there’s three changes to the side that drew 0-0 with Hamburg last time out, from Roger Schmidt tonight, who drafts in Digne, Calhanoglu and Kampl.
Roma, on the other hand, have won their last three Serie A matches, but have struggled in Europe so far. After drawing with Barca on match day one, they found themselves 3-0 down within half-an-hour against BATE, and a win tonight is vital for Rudi Garcia’s outfit, who are able to welcome back Edin Dzeko to the fold after his return from a knee injury.
Roma stalwart Danielle De Rossi marked his 500th appearance for the club with a goal during Saturday’s win over Empoli. But the holding midfielder looks set to face a tough task tonight, with Leverkusen playmaker Calhanoglu having been in superb form this term, having scored five goals so far - three of them in this competition.
Both sets of players are lining up in the tunnel now, with just moments until kick-off.
Schmidt is able to start Omer Toprak for the second game running following his impressive display against Hamburg. The Turkey defender had been out with a thigh injury, but he has returned to captain his side tonight - albeit playing out of position in central midfield.
Roma (4-4-2): Szczesny; Torosidis,Manolas, Rudiger, Digne; Nainggolan, De Rossi, Pjanic, Florenzi; Salah, Gervinho.
So, what a game we've had so far here at the BayArena. It really has had everything! Good officiating throughout, and some superb attacking play from both sides.
Leverkusen started fantastically, and took the lead courtesy of Hernandez' penalty. The Mexican doubled his tally in the 19th minute, beating the offside trap to slot home following sloppy play from Roma.
But the Serie A giants regrouped, with De Rossi making it two goals in as many games with a fierce strike from close range that squirmed under Leno. And they restored parity nine minutes later, De Rossi becoming the second player in the game to grab a brace as he tapped in from Pjanic's cross.
Roma are perhaps lucky to still have a full compliment of players available for the second half, with Nainggolan fortunate to escape a second yellow card after sliding in on Toprak. Can Garcia’s side make the most of their good luck and complete what would be an outstanding comeback in this second half?
Outstanding! Incredible stuff from the BayArena. Having come from two goals down thanks to De Rossi's first-half brace, Roma looked set to have claimed a famous 4-2 victory in the second half. But for all their control, Kampl and substitute Mehmedi were on hand to salvage a point for Leverkusen.
The hosts were well worth their early lead - going two goals up inside of 20 minutes courtesy of Hernandez' double. Pjanic's wonderful free-kick shortly after the restart was the pick of the goals, but that will come as no consolation for Roma, who remain rock-bottom of Group E with just two points. Leverkusen, on the other hand, sit in second - with Barcelona having seen off BATE in tonight's other game.
The Stadio Olimpico will play host to these two sides in two weeks time in the return leg, and we can only hope that it will be half as good as tonight's encounter!
That's all from me, Patric Ridge, and it's been an absolute pleasure to bring you all the action from this amazing Champions League clash from the BayArena, where it finished 4-4 between Bayer Leverkusen and Roma. Until next time, goodbye!
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