"It'll be another difficult game. We had some great chances in the league clash that we didn't capitalise on. That contributed to the course of the game. Of course, you can't blank out the atmosphere. As a player, you're in the tunnel and don't notice everything, but that, you do notice, of course. But starting the game better, coupled with our own quality and our own build-up play and getting the opener, we can dampen the atmosphere. That can make a big difference."
"We're now familiar with the atmosphere, which can be an advantage,"
Bayer Leverkusen travel to Olympiacos for the Champions League play-off first leg aiming to neutralise the intense Stadio Georgios Karaiskaki atmosphere to improve their result. Leverkusen lost 2-0 in the previous league meeting after conceding after 92 seconds despite producing 2.57 expected goals from 17 shots. The club have historically struggled away to Greek sides and hold the worst win percentage among teams with 10+ Champions League knockout matches. Leverkusen are unbeaten in six games since that defeat (W5 D1). Familiarity with the stadium and an improved start are seen as key to dampening the crowd and securing the opener.
Read at Soccer News
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