Roma v BATE: 3 opposition players to watch

BATE sit just one point behind Roma and will be looking to surprise the Stadio Olimpico home crowd. Wayne Girard picks out three opposition players to watch…

Filip Mladenovic

A key player in BATE’s defence, Mladenovic will look to calm Roma’s right side and keep the home side’s offensive build-up to a minimum. A strong and confident wingback, Mladenovic is known for his quick thinking, strong clearances and intelligent wing play to service the attack. The Serbian leads BATE’s goal tally in the Champions League with two and has played in every minute of BATE’s campaign, averaging almost four tackles and three interceptions per match.

Evgeni Yablonski

At just 20 years of age, Yablonski is BATE’s most dominating player. A pure defensive midfielder, the Belarusian has played nearly 300 minutes in BATE’s Champions League campaign so far. He has the highest average of tackles made per game - five - and over four interceptions per match. Roma will have to be crafty in order to break through Yablonski’s defensive half.

Denis Polyakov

Also 20 years old, the Belarusian has played every minute of every match for BATE thus far in the Champions League. Averaging four tackles and three interceptions per match, Polyakov is already an experienced center-back, having been at the club since the beginning of 2012. Expect him to be very involved in breaking up Roma’s attack, as he averages three clearances per match - BATE’s highest. He often starts the attack with a long ball, meaning Roma will should expect a game plan based on aerial battles.