Champions League: Manchester City must take points against Roma to keep hopes alive
Manuel Pellegrini’s men go into the game in third spot and have to either win or get a score draw to stand any chance of making it to the last 16 for the second consecutive season.
They can guarantee a prolonged run in Europe’s premier competition by winning in Italy and hoping CSKA Moscow do not beat already-qualified Bayern Munich.
A score draw would be enough if Bayern beat CSKA, but a 0-0 draw or a loss knocks them straight out of the competition.
Team News
Edin Dzeko needs to recapture his form quickly following Sergio Aguero's injury
The current Premier League champions have a growing injury list for the make-or-break Group E game. Edin Dzeko is expected to replace Sergio Aguero in attack.
City's top scorer suffered a knee injury against Everton on Saturday and is facing a minimum of four weeks out.
Aguero is not the only guaranteed starter who could be missing for City, with captain Vincent Kompany also an injury doubt as well as David Silva.
Manuel Pellegrini says his side do not depend on one player as they prepare to face Roma without Sergio Aguero
Fernandinho, Stevan Jovetic and Matija Nastasic are also doubts, while Yaya Toure serves the second of his three-game suspension.
Opta Facts
Manchester City have never won a European game away from home against an Italian side (D2 L2).
In the only group with all its members able to qualify for the last 16, City’s fate depends on the CSKA result.
Roma defender Jose Holebas believes Manchester City have enough options
Gervinho has the joint-highest shooting accuracy among players with more than five attempts on target (87.5%, alongside Karim Benzema).
Roma have won five of their last seven European home games against English opposition (D1 L1).
Graeme Souness’ view
As Manchester City travel to Roma in search of a vital win, watch a review of their Champions League campaign so far
"Their main man this season has got an injury at the wrong time. City could still win the league but Sergio Aguero would have to play in the vast majority of their games so that’s not going to happen.
"So for them to go to Rome and have to win in Rome without their No 1 striker, with David Silva maybe out and Vincent Kompany possibly not there is a hell of an ask. They’ve got injuries at the wrong times to their big men.
"Pellegrini has got a team of fabulous players at his disposal but it just happens that three out of their four main men are out at the same time. You can’t legislate for that.
"I wouldn’t rule City going over there and getting a result out, but it has now become very difficult because they’ve lost their main threat. I would imagine City will go there and think they can win as that has to be the attitude."
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