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#360Fans: Roma vs Manchester City – UAE Supporters Club preview

Sport360 staff

21:40 09/12/2014

Manchester City will be aiming to book their place in the knock-out stages of the Champions League when they travel to Italy to face Roma on Wednesday.

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To gather an insight into the minds of the two sets of fans we asked members of the respective supporters clubs to share with us their predictions, likely line-ups and players to watch.

Do you agree or have they missed the mark? Use #360Fans to share with us your thoughts.

Yazan Al Ghazzawi – Roma Supporters Club UAE

Roma are looking to continue a strong run of form going into the final group game of the Champions League against a depleted Manchester City side.

Rudi Garcia (along with Roma Club Dubai!) should be optimistic going into this game and will be looking to follow up on a stellar performance in the 1-1 draw at the Etihad earlier in the season, which they were unlucky not to win after missing a plethora of chances.

The recent injury crisis has subsided for the time being, with no notable omissions asides from long-term absentees Leandro Castan and Federico Balzaretti. 

The "Mister" should be lining up the usual 4-3-3, fielding an attacking trident of Gervinho, Francesco Totti, and Adem Ljajic – who scored a brace in Roma's 2-2 draw against Sassuolo at the weekend.

The midfield should comprise of creative lynchpin Miralem Pjanic, Daniele De Rossi, and Roma's player of the season so far, Radja Nainggolan. Maicon and Jose Holebas will line up on the flanks with Kostas Manolas and Davide Astori in the centre of defence in front of the recently shaky Morgan De Sanctis. 

Expect an open match in which both sides will go at it from the start. City may control the possession, but Roma have proven time and again that they are devastating on the counter.

That being said, the Lupi should outmuscle the Citizens in midfield given how many absences there are.

Score prediction: Roma 2-1 Manchester City

Likely line-up: Sanctis, Manolas, Yanga-Mbiwa, Florenzi, Holebas, Strootman, Pjanic, De Rossi, Ljajic, Iturbe, Destro

Roma Player to watch: GERVINHO – With five goals and four assits between the Serie A and Champions League this season, the pacey winger will need to be at his best to break through City’s granite-like defence.

Where to watch: Roma Club Dubai's home is Spin in Wafi Mall, where we like to go for a few rounds of ping pong at half-time! We have our own little terrace with a big screen surrounded by red and yellow flags – you won't miss us!

Darren Ball – Manchester City Supporters Club UAE

After the home defeat against CSKA Moscow, the last 16 of the Champions League seemed an impossible task for Manchester City with the remaining games in the group stages seeing Bayern Munich at home and Roma away.

City pulled off a remarkable win against Bayern Munich with Sergio Aguero once again laying his claim as one of the top three footballers in the world as he bagged two late goals to complete his hat-trick to earn City a win.

The Premier League champions go into the final game of the group stages with an away trip to Roma. A draw or a win will see City progress to the knockout stages should CSKA Moscow fail to beat Bayern Munich in Germany.

Perhaps, the biggest news of the week though is Sergio Aguero’s knee ligament injury which will see him out of action for a month. This is a major blow for City especially with Yaya Toure banned and Kompany, Silva and Jovetic all recovering from injury.


I still have faith in the depth of the City squad to prevail in Rome and I expect Kompany to return with Fernandinho returning to the starting line up.

Score prediction: Manchester City 1-0 Roma

Player to watch: JAMES MILNER – One of the unsung heroes over the last few seasons. His work rate and general ability seem to go unrecognized amongst the surrounding superstars.

Likely line-up: Hart, Zabaletta, Kompany, DeMichelis, Clichy, Milner, Fernandinho, Nasri, Navas, Dzeko, Jovetic

Where to watch: The Abu Dhabi Blues OSC is the only Official Supporters Club of Manchester City in the UAE. We will be gathering at McGettigans Abu Dhabi in Khalifa City to watch the game. Everyone is welcome and you do not need to be a member to join the gathering.

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