Daniele De Rossi believes Roma’s Champions League clash with Porto could be the ‘right day’ to heal the rift between the club’s fans and team-mate Aleksandar Kolarov.

Serbia international Kolarov, a former player of fierce city rivals Lazio, angered the Giallorossi faithful in November by saying supporters ‘know nothing about football’ in response to criticism of a defeat.

The 33-year-old ex-Manchester City defender was then the subject of offensive graffiti following last month’s 7-1 thrashing at Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia.

Aleksandar Kolarov previously said that Roma supporters ‘know nothing about football’

Roma club captain Daniele De Rossi says it is time to heal the rift between Kolarov and fans

De Rossi was put through his paces in training ahead of Roma’s game against Porto

Club captain De Rossi feels trapped in the middle of the dispute and, ahead of Tuesday’s European last-16 first leg, is keen for a resolution.

‘I would be the happiest person in the world if the friction between Kolarov and the fans came to an end,’ former Italy midfielder De Rossi told the club’s website.

‘I feel caught in the middle of it a bit – I love the Giallorossi fans, who have always protected me, and Alex is like a brother to me.

‘All I can ask the fans to do is to continue to trust me – Kolarov is a great professional.

‘I’m not saying he’s been a Roma fan all his life but I am saying that he always gives what he needs to give, he never misses a training session and he plays even when he’s not fully fit.

Midfielder Nicolo Zanilo was also involved during the intense training session

Stephan El Shaarawy was in good spirits ahead of the Champions League clash

‘The fans need to be respected and we need to be patient when they show their displeasure over results. Tomorrow could be the right day to heal the rift.’

Roma, Champions League semi-finalists last season, welcome Portuguese leaders Porto to Stadio Olimpico sitting sixth in the Serie A table.

They have endured a disappointing domestic campaign under Eusebio Di Francesco and are currently 25 points behind runaway leaders Juventus.

Head coach Di Francesco thinks it is crucial his team do not allow Porto to score an away goal ahead of the return match at Estadio do Dragao on March 6.

‘Tomorrow we have a great opportunity to produce a good performance and bring back some enthusiasm,’ said the 49-year-old.

‘It’s vital that we don’t concede, although we can’t allow that desire to compromise our identity and the way we want to play.’

Edin Dzeko speaks to team-mate Alessandro Florenzi during the training session

Giallorossi defender Kostas Manolas should be available following a knock, while goalkeeper Robin Olsen faces a late fitness test on a calf injury.

Czech forward Patrik Schick is unlikely to be involved because of a muscle problem and Diego Perotti and Cengiz Under remain sidelined.

Porto’s preparations have been hit by injuries to first-choice strikers Vincent Aboubakar and Moussa Marega, while midfielder Jesus Manuel Corona is suspended.

Manager Sergio Conceicao, who returns to Stadio Olimpico having represented Lazio during his playing days, says he must overcome the selection setbacks.

‘I am paid to find solutions and not to be involved in the problems,’ he said, according to Porto’s Twitter account.

The 44-year-old added: ‘Obviously entering this stadium comes to memory the happy years and the many titles I have conquered in Lazio. It’s always an emotion to come to Rome, but my focus is tomorrow’s game.

‘There is no special feeling for confronting Roma. There is a special feeling for having at the heart the symbol of FC Porto.

‘Every day I feel a great pride in representing a club as big as ours.’

Wolves have the chance to take a firm grip on seventh place in the Premier League when they host Newcastle at Molineux on Monday night.

Victory will give Nuno Espirito Santo’s side a four-point cushion over Watford in mid-table safety.

Rafa Benitez, meanwhile, has seen his side slip to 17th over the weekend and is only out of the relegation zone on goal difference. They could move as high as 14th with three points.

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Oleksandr Zinchenko opted to celebrate Manchester City’s recent 6-0 thrashing of rivals Chelsea by cooling off in the most extreme manner possible.

The youngster has made the most of the brief time off City have before their next match, by travelling home to Ukraine to spend time with family.

Taking to social media, Zinchenko posted a video of himself by a frozen river in the capital city of Kiev, leaving fans shivering after then plunging into its icy depths.

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Oleksandr Zinchenko opted to celebrate Manchester City’s recent victory in extreme fashion

The youngster was back in his native Ukraine within a day of the 6-0 mauling of rivals Chelsea

Zinchenko braved extreme conditions to take a deep in a thawed out part of a frozen lake

Wearing minimal layers, the attacking full-back strolled over to the water’s edge before bracing himself and making the jump. 

Zinchenko’s chilly antics come just one day after City’s show-stopping performance against Maurizio Sarri’s men.

The 22-year-old was trusted by Pep Guardiola to take up one of his advancing wing-back positions, along with Kyle Walker.

The scenary around Zinchenko’s location was completely frozen, with overcast grey skies

The defender took the chance to spend time with family while City have a few days off

Zinchenko put in a solid afternoon’s work as City barely had to bother themselves with defending, but instead focused their efforts into humiliating the opposition.

Sergio Aguero struck a sublime hat-trick in the tie, while Raheem Sterling added a brace and Ilkay Gundogan completed the rout.

It was Zinchenko who provided the assist for Sterling’s second goal, which finished off the tie at 6-0.

The Ukraine international blistered down the byline, before squaring the ball across for Sterling to slot home.

City now sit back top of the Premier League table on goal difference, though have played one game more than rivals Liverpool.

Guardiola’s men return to action on Saturday when they face Newport County in the FA Cup fifth round, before resuming Champions League affairs four days later against German giants Schalke.