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Champions League Power Rankings: PSG shine in matchweek 1

By James Dudko

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 12: Kylian Mbappe of PSG during the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic Glasgow and Paris Saint Germain (PSG) at Celtic Park on September 12, 2017 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 12: Kylian Mbappe of PSG during the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic Glasgow and Paris Saint Germain (PSG) at Celtic Park on September 12, 2017 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images) /
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(L-R) Radja Nainggolan of AS Roma, Diego Godin of Club Atletico de Madrid during the UEFA Champions League group C match match between AS Roma and Atletico Madrid on September 12, 2017 at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy.(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images)
(L-R) Radja Nainggolan of AS Roma, Diego Godin of Club Atletico de Madrid during the UEFA Champions League group C match match between AS Roma and Atletico Madrid on September 12, 2017 at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy.(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images) /

14. Roma

Roma aren’t the first side who have failed to break Atletico Madrid down in the Champions League. They won’t be the last either.

Even so, the Italians will look back on matchday 1 with a tinge of disappointment after being held to a 0-0 draw at home. It was hardly the marker Roma needed to lay down in Group C, a tough group also featuring Chelsea.

Roma were typically strong in midfield, thanks to Radja Nainggolan, Kevin Strootman and skipper Daniele De Rossi. However, there was a shortage of ideas and inspiration in the final third from manager Eusebio Di Francesco’s side.

In particular, striker Edin Dzeko was wasteful with too many touches. He didn’t link well with forward Gregoire Defrel.

Without their key combination clicking, Roma looked nothing more than workmanlike. They will need to be much more to get out of this group.

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