Players to watch: AS Roma vs. Paris Saint-Germain

AS ROMA PLAYERS TO WATCH

Federico Fazio, D: The 6-foot-5 Argentinian is a force to be reckoned with in the air and quite physical when it comes to man marking. He started 35 matches for AS Roma last season.

Kostas Manolas, D: The former Olympiacos FC fullback is deemed to be one of the elite defenders in Europe. He started in 32 matches last season.

Leandro Castan, D: The Brazilian fullback spent last season on loan to Torino after returning from brain surgery two years ago to correct a cavernoma -- a cluster of abnormal blood vessels. He played in 14 matches for the Granata last season.

Daniele De Rossi, M: The mercurial midfielder has won two Coppa Italias (2006, 2008) and an Italian Super Cup (2007) in 14 years with the Giallorossi. He was a key member of Italy’s 2006 World Cup winning squad.

Edin Dzeko, F: The Bosnian talisman made his name at Manchester City, where he scored an impressive 72 goals in 189 matches. His prolific ways followed to Rome, where he slotted home 29 goals in 37 matches last season.

Hector Moreno, D: AS Roma slapped down 5.7 million euros ($6.53 million) for the Mexican international central defender from PSV Eindhoven. The Culiacán native will be the first Mexican to play for the Giallorossi.

Kevin Strootman, M: The 27-year-old captain of the Dutch national team is a stalwart of the Giallorossi midfield, where his versatility enables him to play all positions. He played in 33 matches last season, starting in 31.

Stephan El Shaarawy, F: Nicknamed “The Pharaoh” due to his Egyptian ancestry on his father’s side, the Italian national team member can operate as a lone striker or in the wide left role. The former AC Milan product had eight goals in 32 matches last season for Roma.

Alisson Becker, GK: Brazilian shot-stopper ascends to the No. 1 role after Wojciech Szczesny returned to Arsenal. A bulk of his appearances (10) last season came during Roma’s Europa League campaign.

Juan Jesus, D: Another of Roma's Brazilian connection, the former Internacional standout played in 20 matches last season.

Bruno Peres, D: The Brazilian fullback started 24 matches for Giallorossi last season and is known for his uncompromising defensive style. He can defuse a situation with a well-placed long ball or by dribbling out of traffic.

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN PLAYERS TO WATCH

Adrien Rabiot, M: A defensive midfielder with extensive experience for a 22-year-old, the French international had four goals in 39 appearances in all competitions last season. He’s also a deft passer as a 90 percent efficiency rate suggests.

Angel Di Maria, M: The shifty-footed Argentinian has found a home in Paris after an unsettled spell at Manchester United. He had six goals and seven assists in 24 Ligue 1 appearances and added four Champion League goals last season.

Blaise Matuidi, M; A stout central midfielder, the Toulouse native strips the ball from opponents’ feet with no apologies as six yellow cards would indicate. The 30-year-old had seven goals and five assists in all competitions last season.

Dani Alves, D: Les Rouge-et-Bleu landed the Brazilian right back on a free transfer from Juventus where he had two goals in 15 appearances. He reportedly chose PSG over former boss Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City due to the Parisian club’s heavy Brazilian contingent.

Edinson Cavani, F: The Uruguayan is one of the game’s premier poachers, bagging 35 goals in 35 Ligue 1 games for PSG last season. The 30-year-old also had eight goals in eight Champion League matches and another six in domestic cup competitions.

Kevin Trapp, G: The German shot-stopper has solidified his No. 1 standing with consistent performances since signing with the Parisian club from Eintracht Frankfurt in July 2015. Last season, he posted a 0.54 goals-against average and 14 shutouts in 24 Ligue 1 matches.

Layvin Kurzawa, D: The French international supplied a goal in PSG’s 4-1 Trophee des Champions victory over Lyon last season. Yet, the left back will just as likely to be remembered for the own goal in the 6-1 Champions League thumping by Barcelona where the Parisians chucked away a 4-0 advantage in the return leg.

Lucas Moura, M: The right wing is being linked to Manchester United, where Jose Mourinho would like to take advantage of the Brazilian’s speed and productivity, which saw him score 12 goals and assist on five more in Ligue 1 action last season for PSG.

Marco Verratti, M: The creative playmaker has prospered in the French capital where he’s contributed five goals in 134 appearances since joining 2012 from hometown club in Italy’s Serie B Pescara.

Marquinhos, D: The Brazilian center back has proven his worth when he signed from AS Roma for a princely sum of 31.4 million euros ($41.07 million) in 2013. He had three goals in 27 Ligue 1 appearances to go along with an incisive 94 percent passing rate last season.

Thiago Motta, M: The 34-year-old veteran has represented both Brazil and Italy, but it’s his versatility in midfield, where a physical and combative (10 yellows, 1 red card) style can change the tempo of a match, that’s truly become his hallmark.

Thiago Silva, D: The Brazilian central defender is considered at the top of his craft. The former Fluminense star possesses the speed, passing ability, leadership qualities and, when necessary, a lethal right-footed shot of a preeminent backliner. He had six goals in 40 appearances for PSG last season.