AS Roma end their four-year outcast from the UEFA Champions League when they return to action this Wednesday against Russian champions, CSKA Moscow. The Russian side have become a regular side in the Champions League in recent times, however success in the competition is limited in comparison to their success nearly a decade ago in the UEFA Cup.
Leonid Slutsky takes his team to the Italian capital for game week one in an attempt to get out of the group which also involves English champions Manchester City and 2013 Champions League winners Bayern Munich.
Domestically CSKA have been halted twice this season and trail leaders Zenit by six points after seven games. Failure once more in the Champions League, despite the difficulty of the group, would certainly be a disappointment in Moscow, if not entirely unexpected.
Rudi Garcia’s Roma were arguably the most fearful team available for Pot 4 of the draw that was made at the end of August. The Frenchman has turned Roma from a top eight side in Serie A into title contenders with some incredibly shrewd signings.
The Italian giant’s record against Russian opponents is more than impressive with the Romans losing just once in their six meetings with their other five meetings ending in victories. The last meeting between the two sides was when Roma defeated CSKA on away goals in the first round of the 1991/92 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup. The Giallorossi won 2-1 in Moscow on 18 September 1991 and survived a 1-0 home defeat in the second leg.
Roma have some selection issues in midfield ahead of the clash as Daniele De Rossi is missing the opener due to a suspension picked up the last time Roma were in UEFA competition. Kevin Strootman was omitted from Garcia’s Champions League squad as the Dutchman is still recovering from a cruciate ligament injury that will keep him out until November.
Both Alan Dzagoev and Pontus Wembloom commence a three-game suspension starting with game week one. Rasmus Elm (stomach) and Georgi Schennikov (ankle) are yet to feature this season and are unlikely to play any part in Rome.
Roma Starting XI: De Sanctis, Maicon, Cole, Manolas, Castan, Pjanic, Nainggolan, Keita, Ljajic, Gervinho, Destro.
CSKA Starting XI: Akinfeev, Fernandes, Nababkin, Ignashevitch, Berezutski, Milanov, Natkho, Tosic, Eremenko, Doumbia, Musa.
The game is likely to be a close and tactical affair with neither side keen to lose their opening match, however I can’t see anything by the end of the match but a AS Roma victory. The key battle is no doubt going to come in midfield with the strength and power of Roma against the fast and fluid CSKA attackers. An interesting duel is upon us at the Stadio Olimpico.
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Follow Shane Burns on Twitter: @FNN_Official
Author: Shane Burns
I am a final year history and economics student, as well as a Man City supporter. I may be the only Irish person to follow the Russian Premier League with such passion, but I like it that way. My love for Russian football stems back to the strike partnership of Love and Jo upfront for CSKA. These days, however, I can be seen following Torpedo or Dynamo.
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