Roma v Dynamo Kiev preview

Roma head into their opening UEFA Champions League Group F fixture against Dynamo Kiev buoyed by their early season form in Serie A.

Keeper concern for Italians

Roma head into their opening UEFA Champions League Group F fixture against Dynamo Kiev at the Stadio Olimpico buoyed by their early season form in Serie A. The Giallorossi top the Serie A standings following three wins out of three after also beating reigning champions Internazionale in the Italian Super Cup last month. Coach Luciano Spalletti, who guided Roma to their best run in the Champions League for 23 years last season as they reached the quarter-finals, has boosted his squad significantly over the summer. Former Barcelona schemer Ludovic Giuly, and Brazilian defenders Cicinho and Juan, have all joined the club whilst Romanian international centre-back Cristian Chivu left to join Inter. Goalkeeper Doni is a doubt for the clash due to injury and will be replaced by Gianluca Curci if he fails to be passed fit. Dynamo Kiev are currently third in the Ukrainian Premier League, trailing leaders Shakhtar Donetsk by seven points. Anatoliy Demyanenko's side do not have the best record in Italy with two draws and four defeats to their name but they will be looking to end that dismal form in Rome on Wednesday. Last season they failed to make it beyond the competition's group stage for the sixth time since they reached the last 16 in 1999/2000 as they finished bottom of their group with two points. Demyanenko will make a late decision on striker Artem Milevskiy, who has returned to fitness.