AS Roma vs Atletico Madrid – UEFA Champions League – Preview

Posted on September 12, 2017 by Sreya

AS Roma vs Atletico Madrid – AS Roma hosts Atletico Madrid at the Stadio Olimpico on Matchday 1 of the UEFA Champions League in a Group C fixture.

AS Roma will be heading into this game comparatively fresher than their opponents, for their weekend Serie A game against Sampdoria was postponed. Atletico Madrid, on the other hand, had to contend with a difficult draw away at Sevilla.

The Group C of the UEFA Champions League is poised intriguingly with Chelsea and Qarabag playing in the other game. While the Azerbaijan-based club isn’t likely to compete for knockout qualification, the other three clubs have equally strong chances of progressing to the knock-outs.

Team News

Patrick Schick and Nura Abdullahi are injured while Rick Karsdorp has been listed as a doubt for AS Roma. Atletico Madrid do not have any injury or suspension concerns.

AS Roma Possible Starting Lineup: Alisson, Juan Jesus, Kostas Manolas, Federico Fazio, Aleksandar Kolarov, Radja Nainggolan, Daniele de Rossi, Kevin Strootman, Stephen El Shaarawy, Edin Dzeko, Diego Perotti.

Atletico Madrid Possible Starting Lineup: Jan Oblak, Juanfran, Stefan Savic, Diego Godin, Felipe Luis, Koke, Thomas Partey, Saul Niguez, Yannick Carrasco, Kevin Gameiro, Antoine Griezmann.

“First and foremost I’d like to see a determined side that shows the desire to get the result. It’s going to be a footballing battle and I hope we do well. We need to get off to a good start. Given that it’s our first game, it could be a decisive match in terms of our qualification hopes.”

– Eusebio di Francesco, AS Roma.

Contributor’s Pick

According to AS Roma vs Atletico Madrid H2H Stats, the two previous games between these two clubs both resulted in wins for Atletico Madrid.

AS Roma have failed to win any of their last six matches in the UEFA Champions League. It should be a closely contested affair with a 2-1 win for Atletico Madrid being the most likely result.