Cluj must defeat Roma

As Maurizio Trombetta's Cluj enters their Champions League match against Roma, they sit at the bottom of Group 1, two points behind Roma and Bordeaux who are tied. If Cluj are to advance they need a victory and must go against some of their typical defending tactics.

While Cluj upset Roma 2-1 at Stadio Olimpico earlier, both clubs have been going through quite a few things. Domestically Cluj is showing signs of exhaustion with sixteen matches in the last two months including this weekends 2-1 loss to Pandurii Târgu Jiu. Roma seems to be well on the road to recovery as they stampeded Lecce 3-0 this weekend.

Maurizio Trombetta said of Roma's recovery:

"I would say that things have settled down," adding "Roma were struggling to integrate new players back then and had injury problems. Now they are playing well, second in the group."

Cluj is hampered with the possible loss of Gabriel Mureşan and Juan Culio with each being decided just before the match-time. Tony and Didi are both out for extended periods and will not be back this year.

Cluj will continue to play its tight defensive plan in a 4-5-1 formation and try to lock out Francesco Totti and coming with scoring coming from a Yssouf Koné counter attack. If Cluj comes with a victory, it will need to come through strong play from Ciprian Deac in the mid-field who has been playing extremely well of late.