Champions League: Manchester City welcome Roma to the Etihad Stadium

Premier League champions Manchester City welcome Serie A giants Roma to the Etihad Stadium for their Champions League Group E clash.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side got off to a disappointing start to this season’s European adventure after former defender Jerome Boateng’s winner in a 1-0 defeat at Bayern Munich two weeks ago.

There were plenty of positives to take from a spirited performance at the Allianz Arena, but in such a tight group including Roma and CSKA Moscow, City need to get points on the board quickly.

Joe Hart says he wants to play every game ahead of his side's Champions League tie against Roma after he has been a substitute for the last two games.

Progression from the group is a minimum requirement for Pellegrini, with the City hierarchy keen to improve the club’s record of just one Round of 16 appearance in Europe’s elite competition in City’s entire history.

Roma will certainly be no pushovers, though. The Giallorossi have won all five of their Serie A encounters so far this season, and hammered CSKA Moscow 5-1 in their Champions League opener.

However, Roma’s record against English opposition in the Champions League leaves much to be desired.

In eight matches against Premier League opponents dating back to a goalless draw with Leeds United in March 2000, Roma have only scored two goals. One of them came in a 1-1 draw at Arsenal in 2003.

Former Chelsea defender Ashley Cole will be part of the Roma side taking on Manchester City in the Champions League.

The other was a consolation goal by Daniele de Rossi in a 7-1 hammering at Old Trafford in April 2007.

Team news

Stevan Jovetic is back in the Manchester City squad to face Roma after the Montenegro striker missed five matches with a hamstring injury.

Fernando took part in light training ahead of the match but his groin problem will see him absent from the squad, as is fellow midfielder Samir Nasri who is recovering from groin surgery.

Ed Chamberlin is joined by Gary Neville to look ahead to this week’s Champions League games with Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City all playing.

Pellegrini has indicated Joe Hart will return in goal in place of Willy Caballero.

For Roma, De Rossi and Davide Astori will both miss the trip to the Etihad.

The pair have thigh and knee injuries respectively, and join Kevin Strootman (knee) and Leandro Castan (neck) on the sidelines.

Former Premier League stars Ashley Cole and Gervinho look set to feature for the Giallorossi.

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