Roma transformed their line-up against Bayern Munich, dropping Francesco Totti, Gervinho, Miralem Pjanic and Morgan De Sanctis.
Roma transformed their line-up against Bayern Munich, dropping Francesco Totti, Gervinho, Miralem Pjanic and Morgan De Sanctis.
It kicks off at the Allianz Arena at 19.45 GMT and is the Giallorossi’s chance to prove themselves after a 7-1 drubbing on home turf.
Pep Guardiola praised the “courage” of Roma to go all-out at the risk of a heavy defeat and Rudi Garcia warned he would not change his approach in Munich, albeit aware it probably won’t get them a result.
However, the Coach has rested Totti, Gervinho, Pjanic and goalkeeper De Sanctis, starting a trident of Alessandro Florenzi, Mattia Destro and Juan Iturbe.
Douglas Maicon, Leandro Castan, Davide Astori and Kevin Strootman are also sidelined, but Seydou Keita returns to midfield.
Bayern Munich are top of the group with a 100 per cent record and Roma are behind them battling Manchester City for qualification.
Franck Ribery, Robert Lewandowski and Mario Gotze start, but Thomas Muller is on the bench.
Arjen Robben is not even on the bench due to a stomach bug.
Bastian Schweinsteiger, Pepe Reina, Tom Starke, Javi Martinez, Thiago Alcantara and Holger Badstuber are all unavailable.
Bayern are unbeaten in 15 competitive games and a victory would mathematically secure their qualification to the knockout round.
Bayern Munich: Neuer; Rafinha, Benatia, Boateng, Alaba; Lahm, Xabi Alonso, Bernat, Ribery, Gotze, Lewandowski
Bayern bench: Zingerle, Dante, Shaqiri, Rode, Müller, Hojbjerg
Roma: Skorupski; Torosidis, Manolas, Yanga-Mbiwa, Holebas; De Rossi, Keita, Nainggolan; Florenzi, Destro, Iturbe
Roma bench: De Sanctis, Cole, Somma, Totti, Gervinho, Pjanic, Ljajic