CL Preview: Roma – CFR Cluj

CelticKing · Sep 15, 2008

CL Preview: Roma – CFR Cluj

VS.

What: Champions League Group A
Who: Roma (17th Serie A, 1/6pts) v CFR Cluj (7th Liga 1, 11/21pts)
When: Tuesday, 16 September - 20:45 (CET)
Where: Stadio Olimpico, Rome

The Champions League is back, and in this particular contest, we take a look at the clash between AS Roma and Romanian debutants CFR Cluj. This competition always throws up some intriguing matches, and to kick off Group A in this particular edition, the reigning Romanian champions will travel to the Italian capital to face a side that will have an added incentive to perform well this time around.

The Italian side would like nothing more than to be involved in the competition's last match, with the final to be staged in their own Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday 27 May, 2009, and for that reason, a good start is absolutely crucial to their cause.

Tough Times

In stark contrast to last season, Roma have had a dreadful start to the new campaign, as they have managed just one point from their opening two matches. These have included a disappointing 1-1 draw against an inspired ten man Napoli outfit, and more recently a 3-1 trouncing at the hands of Palermo in Sicily.

Having said this however, the Giallorossi will be confident of at least progressing to the first knockout round of this competition, despite their poor form thus far, as they have been drawn in Group A with Chelsea, Bordeaux and this week’s opponents CFR Cluj.

Spalletti’s men have reached the quarter finals of the Champions League for the previous two seasons, and they will certainly be looking to better that performance this time around.

They will go into this game as hot favorites to take away all three points, however I for one would certainly not be betting my house on that. With a countless number of absentees due to injury, Spalletti will have a few selection problems, and may be forced to play some that are yet to have taken to the field so far this season.

Notwithstanding their recent wretched run of form, the Giallorossi certainly will be confident of winning this match, and thus starting their campaign off on the best possible note. In their two previous Champions League campaigns, the Romans have been quite successful on the first match day, managing a 2-0 triumph over Dynamo Kiev last season, and a 4-0 victory the season prior, against Shakhtar Donestk.

With the likes of De Rossi, Juan, Mexes and Perrotta all but certain to miss, and with doubt still surrounding the fitness of Francesco Totti, Roma will have to be on their game today if they are to come away with all three points against the Romanian champions…

Daunting Task

A trip to the Italian capital to face Roma is never an easy task, outlined by the fact that they have lost just once in their past eleven matches there in this competition. However, this is what faces the reigning Romanian champions and debutants to this competition this week, as new coach Maurizio Trombetta assembles his squad for a trip back to his homeland.

The Italian manager was signed in the first week of September this year, to replace the departing Ioan Andone, who despite guiding the club to their first league title last season, was shown the door after a poor start to the current campaign.

Not too much is known about the newcomers on a continental level, excluding the fact that this match will be an occasion for the club to remember as they mark their first appearance on Europe's grandest stage.

Trombetta and his coaching staff will certainly be hoping that their team can reproduce the form that took them to their first ever Liga 1 triumph in May, when they finished one point ahead of Steaua to become the first team from outside Bucharest to be crowned Romanian champions in 17 years.

They are a squad packed full of South American players with six Argentines and three Brazilians apart of their squad. As well as this, they also possess five Portuguese and two Ivorians, making them an extremely cosmopolitan outfit.

The players should take some confidence from the fact that fellow Romanian side Steaua have managed to perform admirably at the highest level in recent times. They have nothing to lose heading into this match, and so it should make this an intriguing spectacle to be enjoyed by all…

FORM GUIDE

Roma

September 13 v Palermo (A) LOST 1-3 (League)
August 31 v Napoli (H) DREW 1-1 (League)
August 24 v Inter (A) LOST 2-2 (6-5) (Supercup)
August 10 v Tottenham (A) LOST 0-5 (Friendly)
August 4 v Al Ahly (A) WON 3-0 (Friendly)

CFR Cluj

September 12 v Gloria Bistrita (A) WON 2-1 (League)
August 29 v Politehnica Iasi (H) DREW 0-0 (League)
August 24 v FC Vaslui (A) LOST 1-2 (League)
August 17 v Universitatea Craiova (H) LOST 0-2 (League)
August 9 v Rapid Bucharest (A) LOST 0-1 (League)

TEAM NEWS

Roma

As mentioned earlier, Spalletti will unfortunately once again have to do without the injured Perrotta, Juan, Mexes and De Rossi, with the latter straining a neck muscle in the trip to Palermo last weekend. Totti has been given a chance to play, however he is no certainty to take his place in the starting line-up, providing plenty of selection concerns for Spalletti and his team. Thankfully Doni has overcome the slight tendon problem that almost saw him miss the Palermo clash a few days ago, and in his first game back against the Sicilians, the Brazilian winger Taddei got through the contest unscathed.

Possible Starting XI: (4-2-3-1) – Doni; Cicinho, Loria, Panucci, Riise; Brighi, Pizarro; Taddei, Aquilani, Baptista; Vucinic

CFR Cluj

Off the field, things seem to be all well and good for the Romanian champions, as their season is back on track following a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Gloria Bistrita just a few days ago. Trombetta has no injuries, and obviously no suspensions to deal with for this clash, so unlike Roma and Spalletti, he will be able to utilize his strongest line-up in Rome this week.

Possible Starting XI: (4-5-1) – Stăncioiu; Tony, Cadu, De Sousa, Panin; Peralta, Dani, Deac, Culio, Dubarbier; Didi

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Roma – Mirko Vucinic: The Montenegrin was undoubtedly his side’s most improved player last campaign. With this in mind, he must continue his good form in this competition right from the onset, especially considering the fact that the Giallorossi have so many absentees at present. Roma are certainly lacking in goal scorers for this match, and so Vucinic, along with the likes of Baptista and Aquilani, must get their names on to the score sheet, to avoid embarrassment this week.

CFR Cluj – Cadu: The club captain has obviously never before experienced life at the highest level of football in Europe, however if his side wishes to achieve anything from this contest, he will certainly have to lead well from the front. Despite the fact that his opponents will not possess the most potent of attacks due to injury, Cadu and co at the back will still have a tough time on their hands, with the likes of Vucinic, Baptista, Taddei and Aquilani all looking to cause them problems for concern throughout.
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kobimel · Sep 16, 2008

Cluj won! What an upset!

Too bad I missed the game, watching the CL seems to be a tough task here in the States. I watched the 1st half of Chelsea-Bordeaux, though, before falling asleep.

CelticKing · Sep 16, 2008

I was at work from 2pm, which sucks, didn't get to watch anything.

M Two One · Sep 16, 2008

M Two One said: ↑

Cluj are not to be underestimated. The Transylvania outfit have one of the best youth programs in the World of football and didn't win their first Romanian league title in history last season to be shut out of glory so early. Be aware!
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CL Preview: Roma – CFR Cluj

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CL Preview: Roma – CFR Cluj

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M Two One Halló Veröld!

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