Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Robert Andrich remembered last year’s defeat to Roma, revealing a warning from his wife ahead of their Europa League semi-final.
The German side have already secured a historic Bundesliga title under Xabi Alonso and are looking to continue the party in Europe, remaining undefeated across their 46 total matches this season, giving them a huge boost in confidence ahead of their trip to the Italian capital.
Andrich was on the pitch for the first leg of Bayer Leverkusen’s Europa League semi-final clash with Roma last season, where his side suffered a 1-0 defeat in Italy. He was forced to miss the return leg, which ended 0-0, due to a metatarsal fracture.
Andrich on ‘bad omen’
Speaking to Kicker via Calciomercato.com, Andrich first discussed his approach to the clash with Roma and a warning from his wife.
“On the pitch there’ll be no thoughts of last year’s loss, not even during the match. My wife said: ‘I don’t want him to play in Rome, I have a bad omen’. This won’t be a problem.”
Andrich then remembered last year’s painful defeat to the Giallorossi, then led by Jose Mourinho.
“That defeat against Roma was brutal, tough, but we swore to ourselves that we would take the next step the following season. This was our motivation after that very painful elimination.
“According to the motto, this year we will do better to move forward. And now we have the chance, it’s a great motivation but it would be wrong to get excited. But it doesn’t worry me, we are ready.”
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