Porto v Roma in 11 numbers

1

Roma are involved in the Champions League play-off round for the first time. The Giallorossi have previously graced this stage of the Europa League on two occasions in the past, coasting past Kosice in 2009/10 and going out against Slovan Bratislava in 2011/12.

2

Roma’s only previous meetings against FC Porto date back to the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1981/82. The Portuguese side went through on that occasion, courtesy of a 2-0 home win and a goalless draw in Italy.

3

Bjorn Kuipers takes charge of the Giallorossi for the fourth time in the Champions League tonight. Roma’s record under the Dutch official reads as follows: one win (Basel 2-3 Roma in November 2010) and two draws (Manchester City 1-1 Roma in September 2014 and Roma 1-1 Barcelona in September 2015).

4

Luciano Spalletti has met FC Porto four times in the past, as head coach of Zenit St Petersburg. The Tuscan is undefeated against the Dragons with two wins and two draws.

6

Roma have met Portuguese opposition in knockout ties on six occasions. The Giallorossi have prevailed in four of these.

7

Porto goalkeeper Iker Casillas has seven Champions League appearances to his name against Roma from his time at Real Madrid. He has conceded eight times against the Giallorossi, keeping just two clean sheets.

7 out of 14

Roma have won half of their games against Portuguese opposition in Europe. The other seven produced four draws and three defeats, giving the side from the capital the upper hand overall.

11

Roma’s Argentine forward Juan Manuel Iturbe made 11 appearances for FC Porto during a spell from 2011 to 2013.

13

Porto could become the 14th different side Francesco Totti has scored against in the Champions League, should the captain find the net in the play-off. The skipper has made his mark against 13 teams in Europe’s premier club competition.

26

Porto have faced Italian opposition 26 times times in the past. The Dragons’ record reads: seven wins, eight draws and 11 losses.

2007

Roma’s last meeting with a Portuguese side in Europe dates back to 2007 when the Giallorossi - coached by Spalletti - met Sporting in the Champions League group stage. They won 2-1 at the Olimpico thanks to goals from Juan and Mirko Vucinic, before drawing 2-2 in the Portuguese capital via a Marco Cassetti strike and an Anderson Polga own goal.