The mid-September anticipation of the upcoming Champions League campaign for the ultimate teams in European football included the intensity of the forthcoming Group E matches, which would surely impress. Legendary German giants, Bayern Munich, were intimidatingly placed amongst CSKA Moscow, Manchester City and Roma, the Serie A side destined only to be cushioned by second place ranks.
Even the most untrained of spectators could probably spot how hefty this foursome appeared on paper, and it certainly kicked off quite spectacularly. Bayern snatched a 1-0 victory against Manchester City, the more favourable of the Mancunian clubs in England. Roma, however, fought CSKA Moscow gallantly, eventually embarrassing the Russian team to the tune of 5-1.
The following set of fixtures for the group was less dramatic, but Roma weren’t able to quash the threat of Manchester City, despite them being far less menacing than in the Premier League. The 1-1 result is likely to make fans of both contingents a tad on edge ahead of their next, imminent meeting.
Knowing that the challenge will unfold at Stadio Olimpico must come as some comfort for Roma supporters, but Manchester City shape up a little differently after their theatrical performances of late; Sergio Agüero, the man of the hour for City, is out, leaving his teammates vulnerable to the pressing, persistent threat of Rudi Garcia’s boys. For the first time in four seasons, Roma look striking, and they certainly feel eager as the oh-so-tangible promise of a place in the next round of league action is within grasp.
Further still, with Yaya Touré suspended and Stevan Jovetić suspected doubtful for play, City could be less of a tantalising option to progress. Even a draw between sides would ensure Roma’s place in the next stage, but much could potentially hinge on how the Bayern-CSKA game evolves.
With regards to Roma, the Italian side actively joined in matrimony with Mr. Francesco Totti, they have won five of their prior seven games opposing English clubs in a European fixture. In the Premier League, some sides are strong, hot off the mark; against heavyweights on the continent, they can often crumble. This notion is looking particularly probable here. City’s incredible financial backing make them particularly formidable in many ways, but perhaps this bears no meaning when up against holy forces from other major leagues. This is clearly where the relevance of football as a business blends into white background noise, when the sport at hand takes precedence; Roma want to play, stand up and be counted as a team prepared athletically to grab their rightful place in the Champions League, without frightening anybody. Well, some occasional aggressive facial expressions aside.
Funnily enough, both sides sit at second place on their home tables, yet when up against one another, the battle grows into something far wilder; City will be without their talisman when facing Roma, whilst the Giallorossi possess power in so many players even without Totti. Juan Iturbe, Mattia Destro, Gervinho, Seydou Keita and Kevin Strootman are just some of the newer, fresher pepperings of class and ingenuity on the pitch.
To those familiar with the Premier League, it might be expected that City won’t have a problem. However, anticipating too much from English clubs without much knowledge of how European clubs operate is often the wrongdoing of many; financial weight and a fairly glowing track record in one country can be completely useless when squaring up to teams who have their own sporting currency in a different, equally exciting division. Manuel Pellegrini’s men could be in for an enlightening shock going toe-to-toe again with Roma.
As for those who ever underestimated Roma, or who have simply been pleasantly surprised by their tenacity and ferocity recently, they really could dazzle, eradicating another complacent English team from the European main stage. This all depends, though, on whether Agüero is the key to City’s success, or just a great ingredient in an otherwise awesome mixture.
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