Football
Ben Gladwell, Italy correspondent 9y

Ashley Cole relishing Frank Lampard reunion in Manchester City vs. Roma

Roma full-back Ashley Cole is looking forward to lining up against former Chelsea teammate Frank Lampard when Manchester City host the Italian club in the Champions League on Tuesday -- something he never imagined would happen.

Cole, 33, played alongside Lampard at Stamford Bridge for eight years before both left the club last summer, with the left-back moving to Serie A and his midfield colleague making a loan move to the Etihad Stadium via MLS franchise New York City.

The two last played together for the Blues against Norwich on May 4.

Cole's former England teammate Joe Hart will also be on the field after being dropped for City's last two games, and Cole told a news conference that he is looking forward to sharing the pitch with them.

"It'll be nice to see people like Joe Hart and Lamps [Frank Lampard] -- I never expected to play against him," he said.

"Everyone knows what Lampard brings to any team -- he's a great experienced player who scores goals. He even scored against Chelsea -- they probably didn't like that and probably a little bit disappointing for him to score as well.

"But he's a professional and he has to do a job and that is scoring goals.

"I don't think Chelsea were wrong [to let us go] -- a decision was made, I'm fine with it. I had eight great years there and I am really enjoying a new challenge. I'm loving Italy."

A 5-1 win over CSKA Moscow in their first European fixture in three years has put the Giallorossi into a promising position in the group, particularly in view of City's defeat at Bayern Munich.

Victory for Roma would mean consecutive defeats in Europe for Manuel Pellegrini's side and leave a mountain to climb for City.

Cole said: "If we win it will make it more difficult for them to catch up and will probably make us top of the group and in good stead for us qualifying - but it's going to be a tough game and we don't want to look too far ahead."

Roma coach Rudi Garcia says the pressure is on City and not on his side when the two sides meet in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

"We don't have all that much to gain from winning this game, but they have a lot more to lose," said the former Lille coach Garcia at a news conference.

"We've got three points and we've started well and that enables us to play without any pressure. After the [group stage] draw was made, this was seen as a game we would lose anyway."

That is not to say Roma will not be able to rise to the occasion and pick up a win which would seriously compromise City's hopes and boost the Serie A's chances of qualifying -- unexpectedly -- for the last 16.

"We were fourth seeds so we are the outsiders, particularly considering we are up against the champions of England and Germany, but when you are an outsider, it makes you show even more pride to prove that maybe Roma deserve more consideration," added the French coach.

"We've got to be proactive tomorrow night and not just stand and watch. It's going to be difficult, but we'll do all we can to make sure it's difficult for City too."

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