Opposition Watch: Get to know Istanbul Basaksehir

Istanbul Basaksehir head to the Stadio Olimpico (kick-off: 21:00 local time) as last season's runners-up in the Turkish league, having been narrowly beaten to the title by Galatasaray.

A relatively recent force in domestic football, the club have come to be regular challengers to their more vaunted city and national rivals.

The club was founded in 1990 as İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyespor, before they changed their name to İstanbul Başakşehir Futbol Kulübü in June 2014. They are one of five current Süper Lig teams based in Istanbul, along with Fenerbahçe, Galatasaray, Beşiktaş and Kasımpaşa, although perhaps the least-heralded (until recently, at least).

Okan Buruk was appointed the manager of the club this summer, having previously taken charge of Çaykur Rizespor, who finished 11th in the Turkish Süper Lig last season. Buruk enjoyed a decent career as a player, and should know Serie A well - he played for Inter Milan from 2001 to 2004.

Three of the Turkish club's players also have Serie A experience – Robinho with AC Milan, where he was a Scudetto winner in the first of his four seasons from 2010/11 to 2013/14; Eljero Elia with Juventus in 2011/12; and Gökhan İnler with Udinese (2007–11) and Napoli (2011–15), where he won the Coppa Italia twice.

The Turkish giants finished runners-up in the Süper Lig last season, two points behind city rivals Galatasaray on 67 points. Roma fans, however, will perhaps best know the club as the place that Cengiz Under was bought from - although the Turkish winger will miss this meeting with his old side due to injury.

When the draw was made, Basaksehir actually had a Roman presence in the squad - midfielder Stefano Napoleoni was born in the city, has a Colosseum tattoo on his torso and admitted it would be something of a dream come tru to face the Giallorossi.

However, Napoleoni - who has never made an appearance in senior Italian football - was sold to fellow Turkish side Gotzepe before that dream could be realised.

DANGER MEN

Edin Visca

The 29-year-old Visca is in the prime of his career and, as he approaches almost 10 years' service in Istanbul, is already a beloved club icon. Formerly of the same Bosnian side, Željezničar, that helped launch the career of Edin Dzeko, Visca is a tricky, creative winger who usually provides Basaksehir's main threat.

With over 80 goals in just over 300 appearances for the club (and 10 goals in 48 appearances at international level), Visca is also capable of scoring too. Roma will have to watch him closely.

Arda Turan

A product of the Galatasaray youth set-up, the on-loan Barcelona midfielder holds over 100 senior national caps and 17 goals for the Turkey national team. The 32-year-old, who is known for his ball control, dribbling skills and vision, won La Liga under Diego Simeone having made 127 appearances for Atlético Madrid, before getting his hands on the trophy twice during his time at the Camp Nou.

Turan has netted twice since his arrival back in his homeland, scoring against Bursaspor and Kayserispor in the 2017-18 season.

Robinho

Robinho is a familiar face in world football, but will return to the Stadio Olimpico having previously spent four years at the San Siro with AC Milan, where he was a Scudetto winner. The Brazilian, now 35, has won one Copa América title and two FIFA Confederations Cups with the Brazilian national team, having played at two FIFA World Cups.

The Santos youth graduate, also spent time in Spain with Real Madrid and in England with Manchester City. He has netted four goals in Turkey most noticeably against Fenerbahce and Beşiktaş last season.

Demba Ba

The 34-year-old will most likely be remembered for his time at Newcastle United where he scored 29 goals in 54 appearances, before later moving to join Chelsea. He joined Başakşehir in the summer following a short sit-in in the Chinese Super League with Shanghai Shenhua. A constant threat in the air, he has netted in games against Akhisarspor and Bursaspor, as well as most recently in his team’s 2-1 victory over Genclerbirligi on matchday two.