By Anna Italia
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     Manchester City – AS Roma  

Here are  the declarations of AS Roma Coach Rudi Garcia  and defender Ashley Cole ahead of the  UEFA Champions League Group Stage match, Manchester City vs AS Roma to be played on Tuesday 30 September 2014 at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, United Kingdom at 20:45.   Roma are in Group E along Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and CSKA Moscow.

Coach Rudi Garcia’s declarations during the press conference on Monday 29 September 2014. 

GOOD START
“We started well and the three points against CSKA give us a chance to play without too much pressure. We have everything to gain tomorrow. That’s also because after the draw everyone had already written this one off as a defeat for us. They have everything to lose.”

AMBITIONS
“Let’s not forget that we were in the fourth pot for the draw, which means we’re outsiders. Especially against the English and German champions. This role motivates us to show that they maybe got their assessment of us wrong. It will bring out our pride. Tomorrow will be just another match to play. We have to be assertive and not just spectators. It will be tough, but we’ll do everything we can to make things difficult for Manchester City too.”

OPPONENTS
“City are a team that bases things on ball possession. They can speed the game up when they find space thanks to the quality players they have. Tomorrow we’ll see what kind of attitude they have, but we’ll have to be ready to respond to their every move. We’ll have to be organized in defense to win the ball back, and in attack to know how to take advantage of it. We need to seize the moment tomorrow, because I’m sure we’ll have our chance during the game.”

GROUP
“It’s only the second match of the group tomorrow. We have three points, and if we get three more it will be an important step toward advancing, although it won’t be decisive. I don’t even want to consider a negative result.”

PLAYERS
“The Champions League matches are very easy to prepare for because it’s not necessary to motivate the players. Tomorrow we can give our all on the field, also because after Juventus we’ll have a week to rest. De Sanctis? We have to see if he’ll be at 100% tomorrow.”

• Statements from Defender Ashley Cole on the Champions League clash against Manchester City.

MEMORIES
“It will be nice to see Hart and Lampard. It’s something I never would have expected, and it would be great if we were all starters. Frank? We all know what he adds to a team. Obviously he couldn’t have enjoyed scoring that much against Chelsea, but that’s his job and he’ll do anything he can for his side.”

DIFFERENCES
“The difference between English and Italian football? I like them both. I love Italy, but obviously the way you take the field is different than how you do it in the Premier League. At any rate, we play fast with Roma and our coach pushes us to always attack. The City players are very good in every department. We need to focus on our strong points and clearly we’re going to have to fight even harder in this match.”

OPPONENTS
“It’s no secret to anyone what a great team Manchester City are. They have players known all over the world.”

THE PAST
“Did Chelsea make a mistake by letting me go? No, for me they were eight great years. So far things have gone well here with Roma, but I could play even better and in more games. They’re going to be under a lot of pressure, more so than us.”

Photo asroma.it

UEFA Champions League – Group Stage Group E

Manchester City – AS Roma
Tuesday 30 September  2014
Etihad Stadium
Manchester City, England, United Kingdom

20:45CET (19:45 local time)

Referee: Björn Kuipers (NED)
Assistant referees: Sander van Roekel (NED) , Erwin Zeinstra (NED)
Additional assistant referees:  Richard Liesveld (NED) , Peter Janssen (NED)
Fourth official: Charles Schaap (NED)
UEFA Delegate: Jacques Antenen (SUI)
UEFA Referee observer: Manuel Lopez Fernandez (ESP)