After a three-week break, Champions League tournament battles return to delight football fans. This week, the attention of most fans will be focused on the stadiums of Rome and Liverpool, where world-famous clubs will clash.
"Roma" - Munich's "Bayern"
"Serie A" powerhouse striker Mattia Destro hopes that his team will prove its strength against the German super club.
There is definitely reason to think about a good result: a 5-1 victory at home over Moscow's CSKA and a 1-1 draw against the English champions from Manchester.
"We are awaiting a great match. We will fight in front of our own fans, so we eagerly await it. We compete every weekend and try to impose our style on opponents and fight for victory," said the Italian.
Indeed, "Bayern's" sporting form leaves no doubt. The German champions will try to extend their streak of five consecutive wins in all competitions.
"Bayern" goalkeeper Manuel Neuer demonstrates secure play - Munich's defense has not allowed opponents to score since August.
Last weekend, Bayern's coach Josep Guardiola took the opportunity to give his club leaders a break - Franck Ribery played 29 minutes against "Werder", while Robert Lewandowski watched the crushing 6-0 victory from the bench.
The away team will be without Bastian Schweinsteiger, who is still recovering from a knee injury. Thiago Alcantara is also struggling with similar knee problems.
Before the match, "Bayern's" coach praised the spirit of the opponents' team Francesco Totti, with whom he briefly played in the Italian capital in 2002.
“It's good to be back. I represented the ‘Roma’ team for only six months, but it was a short but nice period. Totti was a legend on the pitch when I had to warm up the reserve players on the bench.
That's how he remains to this day. It's phenomenal when someone plays with such passion at the age of 38. Usually, players have enough money and retire. But not Francesco, who really loves this game."
Interesting facts. The representatives of the Bundesliga and "Roma" shared victories in 2010 - the Germans triumphed at home 2-0, but lost 2-3 away.
"Roma" has a mixed record against German teams - in the last 16 matches, they have won 7 and drawn just one.
Meanwhile, the "Bayern" team has won the last three Champions League matches against Italian clubs.
Predicted starting line-ups:
Roma: Skorupski; Maicon, Manolas, Yanga-Mbiwa, Cole; Pjanic, Nainggolan; Gervinho, Totti, Florenzi; Destro.
Bayern Munich: Neuer; Alaba, Boateng, Dante, Bernat; Lahm, Alonso; Ribery, Robben, Muller; Lewandowski.
Prediction. "Roma" will challenge "Bayern's" defense, but the Bundesliga champions will win 2-1.
TV. The match will be broadcast live on TV6 at 21:35.
