CFR Cluj-Napoca vs Roma preview - Italians chasing point

Posted Wednesday, December 08, 2010 by PA

Roma take on Cluj in Romania needing a point to guarantee their spot in the knockout stages of the Champions League.

The Italians currently stand second in Group E heading into the final group game.

Roma lie three points clear of FC Basle, who visit Bayern Munich in the other pool match.

If Cluj were to upset Roma at the Radulescu stadium, Claudio Ranieri's men would only be guaranteed a knockout berth if Basle do not triumph in Munich.

Roma captain Francesco Totti knows his team are in for a testing time in Romania but is nevertheless confident his side can prevail.

He said: "It's going to be a battle in Romania, where our qualification will be decided.

"To progress to the next round would allow us to achieve one of our aims set out at the beginning of the campaign.

"Moreover, it would then allow us to focus until February in the domestic competition."

Since stunning Bayern 3-2 at the Stadio Olimpico last month, Roma have suffered a drop in form in Serie A.

They were held to a 2-2 draw by Chievo in Verona on Saturday, having previously lost 3-1 at Palermo.

Their poor run of form has seen them drop to eighth in the standings, 10 points behind league leaders AC Milan after 15 games played.

"In our last two league games we had a chance to climb to the top positions of the standings but for different reasons we only managed one point," said Totti.

"Against Palermo we didn't play to our usual standard while against Chievo, it was the poor state of the pitch that hindered us.

"But I'm sure at Cluj we will see a strong Roma."

Cluj have nothing to play for except pride.

Last month's 1-0 defeat at Basle consigned the Romanian champions to fourth place.

The loss proved costly for coach Sorin Cartu, who was dismissed by the club soon after.

Alin Minteuan was named as his temporary replacement.

Cluj, who have lost four of their five games in the competition this season, lie eighth in the 16-team Romanian First Division after Friday's 2-1 triumph against Univ Craiova.

Roma are without the services of injured defender John Arne Riise and striker David Pizarro, who is out with the flu.