Manchester City must stop Roma duo Daniele De Rossi

Manuel Pellegrini's side have to better CSKA Moscow's result against Bayern Munich if they are to make it through to the last-16.

Here Jamie Redknapp analyses how Manchester City can claim all three points against their Italian opponents.

Daniele De Rossi is an old-fashioned fighter of a midfielder. He plays with great aggression and I love the way he has stuck with Roma. There must be something about the club that makes players want to stay.

Like his captain Francesco Totti, 31-year-old De Rossi is a one-club man and the fans love him for it. Before him I liked watching Giuseppe Giannini, who spent 15 years at Roma, and I almost went there myself when Giannini left.

De Rossi loves snapping into tackles and he’s good in possession. He is one of the finest defensive midfielders in Europe but City must be careful not to show him too much respect.

If they do then he is capable of the kind of dominant display that will whip the crowd into a frenzy.

ATTACKING OPTIONS COULD BE RISKY 

Sergio Aguero has carried City at times this season but with him injured, Manuel Pellegrini faces a selection headache. Does he stick to his principles and play two up front or does he put an extra man in midfield? 

Pellegrini tends to be quite stubborn in the way he plays and though Edin Dzeko can lead the line alone, he doesn’t offer enough defensively. City must win so Pellegrini might be tempted to go with Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic, but being too open is a big risk.

(dailymail.co.uk)