AS Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi believes that his side will have to be compact and organised to counter the Lionel Messi threat against Barcelona in their Champions League opening fixture tomorrow.
The Serie A runners up have been placed alongside the Spanish champions, German outfit Bayer Leverkusen and Belarusian side BATE Borisov in Group E of the Champions League and are scheduled to host Jose Enrique's team in their first match tomorrow.
The experienced midfielder is well aware of the kind of opposition that awaits them and has asked his team-mates to be ready to counter the Blaugrana threat.
According to he 32-year-old, the Catalans are special not only because they are the best in the world, but they also boast of having the best players in the world.
The task is therefore going to get difficult as they look to stop players like Messi, who have the ability to skip past defenders at ease.
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"Barcelona are a special side in that, as well as being the best team, they also boast the best player around", De Rossi said at a pre-match press conference.
"It's difficult coming up against a team like the Blaugrana, as they have both a great playing style and exceptional individuals.
"Our aim is not simply to stop them but to work hard during the match and help one another out.
"Messi almost always beats a man [when he attempts a dribble], that's why we have to stay compact and organised."
