Roma v. Shakhtar: Three key battles that could decide the game

With the reverse fixture being played on Tuesday night at the Stadio Olimpico, the game could be one of the club's most significant match in recent years.

It’s time to look at the three key battles that could help to decide the fate of this important game...

Cengiz Under vs Ismaily

The rise of Cengiz Under in recent months has been impressive, especially since the turn into February - where he has bagged five goals and one assist in nine league appearances.

On top of that, on his Champions League debut, he notched a very important away goal against Shakhtar for Roma. Currently making the right-wing position his very own within the team, the Turkish international is having a good season at a personal level and will be looking to continue his form into this game.

Cengiz will be in for an exciting and very tight duel against Ismaily, who is Shakhtar’s regular starter at left-back and is considered as one of the consistent defenders they have within the squad. The 28-year-old has played in all of the Champions League fixtures so far this term for Paulo Fonseca’s side and has also been one of the most effective players for the team on both sides of the pitch.

Federico Fazio vs Facundo Ferreyra

After showing over the last couple of months that he can help the team out on and off the ball, Facundo Ferreyra will be aiming to prove himself once again on the big stage. So far this campaign, the Argentine has gone on to become the top goalscorer within the Ukrainian Premier League as well as notch three vital goals in the Champions League.

Whilst being utilised as a lone forward, he has impressively achieved over 25 goals in all competitions during the 2017-18 season.

Ferreyra has been offering the perfect combination of movement and pace in the final third of the pitch, making him the ideal attacking outlet that was bound to thrive in Fonseca’s thrilling system.

The former Velez Sarsfield and Banfield forward would potentially be going up against Federico Fazio, who has showed how influential and reliable he is at the heart of defence on a regular basis. Since the visitors will be aiming for a win and will be pressing the hosts high up the pitch, Fazio will need to make sure that he guides his team effectively and also remains in the right place at the right time.

Radja Nainggolan vs Taras Stepanenko

Radja Nainggolan is undoubtedly hugely popular among the Roma faithful and, after a somwhat up-and-down season so far, the 29-year-old has a huge chance of getting the supporters to chant his name consistently if he goes on to control and dominate the game in the middle of the pitch on Tuesday.

On the other hand, for Shakhtar, Taras Stepanenko will be playing as a defensive-midfielder and will be hoping that his ability to snuff out the danger in his own half will cancel out any of the opposition’s attack.

The Ukrainian international has proven this term that he is very good at reading the game, by showing his knack of carrying out interceptions and tackles to complete perfection.

The midfield battle is always key in any match, and this private tussle between two of the team's talismanic individuals could prove key in swaying the tie in one team's favour.