Rudi Garcia insists Roma have "no fear" of Bayern Munich despite being "outsiders" for the Champions League clash on Tuesday.
While Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge labelled Roma the "strongest side in Serie A" on his side's departure for Rome on Monday morning, Giallorossi coach Garcia was keen not to let the compliments affect his side's preparation.
Although Roma have made a flying start to their return to Europe with a record-equalling 5-1 win over CSKA Moscow and a convincing 1-1 draw at Manchester City, the French coach has warned that things are now going to get tough for his side.
"We were and we still are outsiders," he said at a news conference on Monday. "Nothing has changed. We've still got everything to gain and nothing to lose. We will take to the field with our usual enthusiasm, without any fear."
Bayern -- who won the competition in 2013 and finished runners-up the year before -- were among the favourites from the moment the draw was made in Nyon at the end of August.
Roma and Premier League champions City were seen as the two sides battling it out for second place and Garcia still feels that is the case, even if he has not ruled out causing an upset at the Stadio Olimpico.
"We are up against the best club in the world with one of the best coaches in the world," he added. "It's going to be an incredibly hard game and let's just see what happens on the field because a team who is used to winning every game does not necessarily always win.
"Each game has its own story and we will do all we can to get a positive result. We're hungry and we want to play a great game. We've seen lots of Bayern's games, including the Real Madrid ones from last season, because every small detail could make the difference.
"We only have one objective and that is to go through and defy all of the predictions."