UEFA Champions League Preview- AS Roma – CFR Cluj
Roma looking to gain momentum: Much was expected of the Gilarossi at the start of the 2010/11 campaign. Roma had strengthened their squad with numerous additions during the summer transfer window. The start of the season couldn’t have been
worse. Before Roma’s potentially tide changing victory against Inter on Saturday, the Gilarossi had gone 5 matches in all competitions without a win.
Roma’s last European outing ended with a 2-0 score line against the mighty Bayern Munich at Allianz Arena. The Gilarossi were woefully pathetic despite their reputation for playing attractive football. It was only the heroics of goalkeeper Julio Sergio that
saved the Capital club an even more humiliating score line. Roma’s negative tactics came under intense scrutiny, Francesco Totti in particular was critical of his coach after the match.
After Roma’s somewhat fortunate win against reigning Italian Champions Inter Milan, there is reason to be optimistic. Such victories usually prove out to be the turning points of a season and Roma will be hopeful their victory serves as the catalyst for further
improvement.
Team News
AS Roma have lost their first-choice goalkeeper Julio Sergio to an injury as Bogdan Lobont deputised for the Brazilian against Inter. The Romanian wasn’t particularly impressive in his last outing but dealt with whatever Inter threw at him reasonably well.
Riise and Vucinic are fit and will start for AS Roma. Vucinic and Totti will start upfront as Ranieri has already revealed that Marco Borriello will be rested for this match.
Probable Line up (4-3-1-2)
Lobont, Philipe Mexes, Nicolas Burdisso, John Arne Riise, Cicinho, David Pizzaro, Daniele De Rossi, Matteo Brighi, Jeremy Menez, Mirko Vucinic, Francesco Totti
Cluj looking to repeat the trick: CFR Cluj visited the Olimpico two seasons ago and stunned the Stadio Olimpico crowd with a deserving 2 – 1 victory. It was Cluj’s one of the biggest triumphs in the clubs less than glamorous history. The
hero for the night Emmanuel Culio, the player still features for the club. Cluj will look to their hero for further inspiration.
Unlike Roma, Cluj set off their European Campaign with a victory against Basel. The club won by a 2 – 1 score line and will look to add to their points tally. Where a victory at Olimpico will make Cluj favourites for knockout stage qualification ahead of
Roma, Cluj won’t mind getting a single point.
Culio has spoken to the press recently about the sentiments he felt after his brace that sunk Roma two years back and is hopeful he’ll repeat the trick, “What we achieved two years ago was certainly a dream. We are extremely happy for we achieved in 2008
as our feat is still remembered by our supporters”
“We have even more experience now and we can perform at least on par to our last performance if not better”
Team News
Cluj will be sweating over the fitness of Gabriel Muresan after the defender limped off injured on Friday. Sasa Bjelanovic is a long- term injury causality for the Romanian Club.
Probable Line up (4-4-2)
Eduard Stancioiu, Cristian Panin, Hugo Alcantara, Cadu, Ionut Rada, Juan Culio, Emmanuel Kone, Tomas Costa, Emil Dica, Lacina Traore, Rafael Bastos
Prediction: Two years ago, Cluj was an unknown club to European giants and Roma was given a shock of a life time. Gilarossi now knows what to expect from the Romanians. In a recent press conference, Ranieri has said that Cluj aren’t European
minnows anymore and the surprise factor that caught Roma off guard last time around will be missing. Gilarossi are a far superior side than the Romanians and should do easy work of the Culio challenge. Roma to win 2 - 0
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