Ahead of the no doubt almighty clash between Roma and Manchester City in this season’s Champions League spell, formidable Italian giant, Daniele De Rossi, has managed to obtain a rather severe injury. The cast-iron defensive midfielder has enjoyed a rich history at the Roman side, and usually has tremendous input during games. De Rossi’s recent muscular trauma has not only ruled out any appearances for the 31-year-old in the immediate future, but has landed Roma in quite serious danger.
De Rossi’s Injury: Manchester City at Ease
Rudi García’s Serie A club are now quite vulnerable with a weaker structure near their line of defence, which puts them in a great deal of hot water, especially as Manchester City will craft a fast entrance to Roma’s goal. Manuel Pellegrini’s squad will be seeking a more comfortable exchange of football after a quickly-nipped goal from Bayern placing Pep Guardiola’s Bavarians ahead in the group stages; albeit second to Roma.
With the Giallorossi at the top of the Group E table, they won’t want to surrender with any ease; this is arguably the most prominent reason behind the fear associated with De Rossi’s newly acquired injury. Since Roma have only just come skidding back into the Champions League, Manchester City’s intimidation really must be quashed.
Penetrating through Roma’s midfield line might be less of an issue for Manchester City now that De Rossi will be positioned on either the bench or nervously in the crowd. After the humiliating blow served to CSKA Moscow (to the tune of a whopping 5-1), Roma are in a prime spot for taking their Champions League bid to the next level, but without the tight extra centre back roaming freely, Roma could be looking slightly less tough.
Seydou Keita might be drafted into De Rossi’s place, in attempt to fill his boots and assert the same energy and ferocity. Roma’s latest Serie A victory, an easy 2-0 over Cagliari, was the root of De Rossi’s issue, but Keita will be the necessary candidate, ready and willing to seize the reins.
Against tricky opponents, De Rossi has always brought such ambition, along with his typical feisty attitude. As another Roma veteran, having climbed the ranks from the youth team, De Rossi has also been another similar to Francesco Totti, in that his experience alone would bring much comfort to both fellow players and fans.
De Rossi’s unfortunate injury has been undergoing treatment since the incident occurred, but his presence won’t be witnessed on the pitch for quite some time. With the knock giving rise to an indefinite period of recuperation, the rugged, bearded Italian will not only skip the next few Serie A matches, but potentially their agonising meeting against prior table-topping hoggers and therefore rivals, Juventus.
Roma’s aggressive, but oh so effective, defense-midfield middle man has been forever strong for both club and national teams; his fifteen international goals alone should convey just how vital a chess piece he has been. The very fact that he has continued to dish out stellar footballing skill means that his threatening glares and fancy feet will be sorely missed on the field, especially versus Manchester City.
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