Champions League returns to Roma after several years and manager Rudi Garcia says that the players should be dictating the game from the start in order to get the three points. Their return to the competition has been met with a very tough group, as they’ll be coming up against teams like Manchester City and Bayern Munich along with CSKA Moscow. However, the opening game against the Russians presents a great opportunity for Roma to start the campaign in a positive fashion. This is extremely vital given that they are unlikely to be favourite for three points in the matches against Bayern and City.
Garcia has made wonders at Roma in his short tenure at the club. After taking charge only last summer, he managed to get the club back into the Champions League and almost won the title by beating Juventus. This summer, Roma may not have made substantial signings in the transfer market, but they have replaced the previous that they have lost and have also brought in new signings like Ashley Cole. The former Chelsea defender brings wealth of experience to the team and is expected to start against CSKA.
Roma have won both of nearly matches and are one of the three teams to have done so. In fact, there yet to concede a goal in these matches. “There are no weak sides in the Champions League. CSKA have much more European experience than we do. We need to be on our game tomorrow and make sure we do the right things at the key moments of the match. CSKA have their qualities and weaknesses. We’ll do everything we can to impose our game on them. CSKA are dangerous on the counter [attack] and have strong defenders who are good in the air,” said Garcia ahead of the match.