Roma v Bayern Munich – Champions League Preview: Giallorossi aim to topple holders

Date: 21st October 2014 at 8:30am
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Tuesday night sees Roma welcome the German champions Bayern Munich to Stadio Olimpico for round three of the Champions League group stages.

The Giallorossi come into this match off the back of a Saturday 3-0 success over Chievo, whilst the Bavarians managed to notch up another victory in the Bundesliga by defeating Werder Bremen 6-0.

Both sides are currently unbeaten in the Group with Roma picking up a draw at the Etihad on September 30, to take their total up to four points after the opening day thrashing of CSKA Moscow. Bayern on the other hand have two wins from two and both the victories were secured with a 1-0 scoreline.

These two sides last met in the same competition back in 2010 at the same venue and a five goal thriller ended with Roma taking all three points with an impressive 3-2 win.

The German side had led 2-0 at halftime thanks to a brace from now Serie A forward Mario Gomez. A second half fightback of brilliance from the Italians included goals from Marco Borriello, Daniele De Rossi and the talismanic Francesco Totti completed the turnaround.

Rudi Garcia is expected to bring defender Kostas Manolas back into the set-up after missing out on the Saturday game in Serie A due to suspension. Midfielder Seydou Keita remains out with a calf strain.

Gervinho looks likely to also be installed back into the attacking line-up with Adem Ljajic the unlucky one to drop back down to the bench despite scoring past The Flying Donkeys.

As for Pep Guardiola’s men, Franck Ribery could start having successfully navigated through the last 30 minutes of their crushing display over Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga.

The current crop of absentees include Pepe Reina, Thiago Alcantara and Bastian Schweinsteiger to name just a brief few who and they will continue to be unavailable for the trip to Rome.

Expected Starting XIs

Roma: De Sanctis, Maicon, Manolas, Yanga-Mbiwa, Cole, Pjanic, Nainggolan, Gervinho, Totti, Florenzi, Destro

Bayern Munich: Neuer, Alaba, Boateng, Dante, Bernat, Lahm, Alonso, Ribery, Robben, Muller, Lewandowski

 

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