Alessandro Florenzi starts at right-back for Roma against CSKA Moscow, whilst Adem Ljajic is picked ahead of Miralem Pjanic.
Alessandro Florenzi starts at right-back for Roma against CSKA Moscow, whilst Adem Ljajic is picked ahead of Miralem Pjanic.
The Giallorossi head into matchday five of the Champions League group stage aware that victory in Russia coupled with Manchester City failing to defeat Bayern Munich will see them book their place in the Last 16.
For the test in freezing conditions at the Arena Khimki, Rudi Garcia has gone with midfielder Florenzi at right-back, in the absence of Douglas Maicon and Vasilis Torosidis through injury.
Speculation before kick-off was that Garcia would run a 4-4-2 system, but it appears the Frenchman has stuck with the more familiar 4-3-3.
However, there is no space for Pjanic nor Juan Iturbe, with Ljajic’s improved form seeing him take a spot in the front-three alongside Francesco Totti and Gervinho.
Starting line-ups
CSKA Moscow: Akinfeev; Fernandes, V. Berezutski, Ignashevich, Natcho; Shchennikov; Cauna, Dzagoev, Musa, Eremenko; Doumbia
Roma: De Sanctis; Florenzi, Manolas, Astori, Cholevas; Keita, De Rossi, Nainggolan; Ljajic, Totti, Gervinho