In-form Menez unfazed by Bayern showdown

AS Roma forward Jérémy Menez's first Serie A goal since October 2009 prompted Claudio Ranieri to claim that the France forward has "not yet realised how big his potential is".

Menez, a man on a high after stylishly scoring his first Serie A goal this year in the Giallorossi's 2-0 win against Udinese Calcio on Saturday, has another chance to enhance his worth when Roma host FC Bayern München at the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday. Signed in summer 2008 from AS Monaco FC, Menez had a promising debut campaign, followed by a testing second. His third, though, is once again providing justification for Roma legend Bruno Conti's claim that "he is better than me".

Menez himself is just glad to be back on track. "We had a few problems last season," he said. "But we managed to solve them by talking a lot, and since then I have worked hard. I feel at home here. I'm very calm because I feel I'm finally on the right path even if I know that I have done nothing yet. I'm still very far from 100%. I'm not a child but I'm only 23, I know I must grow in football and in life but I'm working hard to improve. When I arrived I could only speak French. Now everything is much easier."

Menez scored his first UEFA Champions League goal when opening the scoring in the crucial 3-2 win at FC Basel 1893 on Matchday 4. That success ensured that Roma sit second in UEFA Champions League Group E – three points clear of the Swiss side but six adrift of qualified Bayern – as they prepare to tackle the German titleholders. "They are a great team, but we have no fear," added Menez. "Especially if we play as we have done recently."

While his technique and dribbling ability are widely lauded, Menez takes on board a widespread criticism that he does not get off as many shots as he should, despite those recent strikes against Basel and Udinese. "It's true," he said. "If I want to play with the French national team for a long time, I will have to start scoring more goals." After giving Menez his international debut against Norway on 5 August, France coach Laurent Blanc is sure to be one of many tracking his continued development with great interest.