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Edin Dzeko makes goals pledge ahead of BATE decider

Reuters

Milan - Goal-shy Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko has pledged to find his scoring boots as Roma prepare to host BATE Borisov looking to secure passage to the last 16 of the Champions League on Wednesday.

Roma host the Belarusian champions attempting to book their ticket for the knockout phase for the first time since being outclassed 6-2 on aggregate by Shakhtar Donetsk in 2011.

But amid a tight Group E from which Bayer Leverkusen and BATE can also qualify, Rudi Garcia's men preferably need to find goals at the Stadio Olimpico.

With only three goals in 13 Serie A appearances and two in four Champions League outings, Dzeko admitted he has fallen short of expectations this season.

But the 29-year-old striker said Tuesday: "If I haven't scored a lot of goals it's no one else's fault but mine, I could have done better.

"But I feel positive for the future, the goals will come. Tomorrow we have an important match and we're determined to reach our objective of qualifying for the last 16."

Roma have failed to win their last two league games since a whopping 6-1 defeat to already qualified Barcelona in their last Champions League fixture, conceding 2-0 at home to Atalanta and drawing 1-1 at Torino on Saturday.

Having shipped 18 goals in 15 league games and a table-topping 16 in Group E, Roma's chances of joining Barcelona would perk up with an overall improvement in their defensive game.

But in the high-octane atmosphere of a Champions League decider, who scores first on Wednesday could be key.

Dzeko has been given a boost by the news that one of his two wingmen, Mohamed Salah, could start on Wednesday as the hosts look for an early goal.

Salah on Monday completed his first training session since suffering ankle ligament damage in a 2-0 derby win over Lazio - Roma's last win of any kind, in early November - and Garcia confirmed the Egyptian winger is "ready".

"He's doing good," said Garcia. "He doesn't have 90 minutes in his legs but he's ready."

Garcia has injuries throughout his side, notably with Ivory Coast forward Gervinho still sidelined, while doubts remain on whether Antonio Rudiger or Leandro Castan will take one of the centre-back positions.

But the Frenchman moved the focus away from who will play to what those who do line up give to the team.

"We have few players out injured, but we have options. Against BATE, I expect whoever plays and whoever starts on the bench to give their 100 %," said Garcia.

"Our sole focus is on winning and if we want to, we will do it. This game isn't for playing, it's for winning."

While Roma would also qualify if they draw and Leverkusen fail to beat Barcelona, a Leverkusen win coupled with a Roma draw or defeat would see the Bundesliga side advance.

If BATE beat Roma for the second time in this campaign and Leverkusen do not win in Germany, the Belarusians will advance to the knockout stage for the first time.

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