Roma have been drawn in a ‘Group of Death’ in the Champions League, facing Chelsea, Atletico Madrid and Qarabag.
The Blues are Premier League champions, while Atleti have reached the final twice in recent years and Qarabag represents a daunting away trip.
Here’s the lowdown on the Giallorossi’s opponents in Group C.
Chelsea
Country: England
Best Champions League/European Cup result: Winners [2012]
Roma have been drawn in a ‘Group of Death’ in the Champions League, facing Chelsea, Atletico Madrid and Qarabag.
The Blues are Premier League champions, while Atleti have reached the final twice in recent years and Qarabag represents a daunting away trip.
Here’s the lowdown on the Giallorossi’s opponents in Group C.
Chelsea
Country: England
Best Champions League/European Cup result: Winners [2012]
What you need to know: Antonio Conte’s side won the Premier League comfortably last season, the former Italy CT’s first in England.
The Blues miss outed on the Champions League last term after a disastrous season under Jose Mourinho, but are previous winners having lifted the trophy in 2012.
During his time as Juventus Coach, Conte lost just twice to the Giallorossi, winning five and drawing the other one.
Previous meeting: Roma 3-1 Chelsea [2008-09 Champions League]
Atletico Madrid
Country: Spain
Best Champions League/European Cup result: Runners-up [2014, 2016]
What you need to know: Diego Simeone has worked wonders with Atleti, winning La Liga in 2014 and reaching two Champions League finals.
However, they’ve suffered heartache in the Champions League, twice losing the final to city rivals Real Madrid.
With his contract expiring in 2018, this could be El Cholo’s final season on the bench, and he’ll want to go out with a bang.
Previous meeting: Roma 1-2 Atletico Madrid [1998-99 UEFA Cup]
FK Qarabag
Country: Azerbaijan
Best Champions League/European Cup result: Group stage [2017]
What you need to know: Based over 3,000km away from Rome in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku, Qarabag are competing in the group stages for the first time.
Their hometown of Ağdam is now a ghost town after the Nagorno-Karabakh war, and the club has been based in Baku since 1993.
Nicknamed ‘The Horsemen’ they’ve won the Azerbaijani league for the past four seasons in a row.
Qarabag met Fiorentina in the Europa League last season, losing 2-1 at home and 5-1 at the Artemio Franchi.
Previous meeting: N/A