Preview: Roma – Real Madrid

Stadio Olimpico is set to host its first UEFA Champions League match in more than six years when Roma and Real Madrid face off on Wednesday.

Gian Piero Gasperini has led Roma back into Europe’s elite club competition for the first time since 2018/19, but their league campaign got off to a slow start. Fenerbahce extended their winless streak in European football to four matches (D3, L1) with a dramatic 1-1 draw with the Giallorossi on the first matchday.

The reaction of “Roma” was rather shambolic. Despite beating Torino 2-0 in the immediate aftermath, Gasperini’s men have since drawn Serie A with Como and Inter. Admirably, they defied a numerical disadvantage to endure a scoreless stalemate at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia on Saturday.

Unlike Roma, Real Madrid enjoyed the perfect warm-up for this encounter as summer signing Yann Diomande scored his first La Liga goal to inspire Los Blancos to a 1-0 win over Villarreal. It was a quick response to a 2-1 derby defeat at Atletico Madrid on the stroke of international break.

Rejoicing at this success, Jose Mourinho, who led Roma to the glory of the UEFA Conference League in the 2021/22 season, returns to the Italian capital as an enemy.

Match preview

Rome

You have to go back to February 2019 for the last time Olimpico hosted a Champions League match. As such, Roma can head into a highly motivated field to counter their recent home woes in continental competition, which has made them five defeats in their last five European outings in Rome (2W).

Another match without a win would leave Roma on a five-game winless streak in UEFA competition for the first time since September 2016. However, there is ample reason for optimism. Almost impossible at home, Gasperini’s men are unbeaten in their last eight competitive games at the Olimpico (D6, D2), dating back to late March.

It’s also worth noting that they’ve scored at least two goals in their last five home matches, including a 2-2 draw with Inter in which they conceded two goals. Roma will likely need to be at their best again if they are to secure just their fourth win (1W, 8W) in 14 meetings with Real Madrid and avenge a 2-0 defeat here in November 2018.

Real Madrid

Los Blancos have dominated their Italian opposition in the Champions League, winning 19 of their last 21 clashes against Serie A sides (L2). Speaking of their impressive record against their Italian rivals, they have also beaten Roma in five of their six European matches at the Olimpico in the 21st century, scoring at least two goals in each victory.

Currently, Real Madrid started their league campaign with a 2-1 win over Mourinho’s former club Inter, which paints a darker picture for Roma. Another positive result seems a virtual certainty given that in record time the European champions have lost just one match in the main draw of the Champions League under Mourinho (W15, D3).

However, their recent outing form has been unconvincing. Perhaps Los Merengues can offer a clean slate after losing four of their last eight Champions League away games (W4). However, their only two away defeats this season are unlikely to inspire confidence ahead of this trip.

Team News

Apart from starting goalkeeper Mile Svilar, Gasperini will prepare the rest of Roma’s squad for this match. With Svilar struggling with a foot injury, Pier Luigi Gollini is likely to make another start, with Donyell Male expected to lead the line despite his red card against Como at the weekend.

On the other hand, Real Madrid will make this trip without Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy, Rodrygo and Raul Asencio. Former Roma defender Dean Huijsen returns from domestic suspension but should start on the bench, while Ibrahima Konate will partner Antonio Rudiger at the heart of Mourinho’s defence.

“Roma” – “Real Madrid” potential starting teams

Roma (3-4-2-1): Gollini; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Molina, Kone, De Roon, Wesley; Dybala, Soule; Malen.

Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Dumfries, Connaught, Rudiger, Carreras; Valverde, Bernardo; Yellows, Bellingham, Vinicius Junior; Mbappe.

“Roma” – “Real Madrid” prediction

Roma, still unbeaten this season, could be a tough proposition at home. However, Real Madrid’s frightening record against Italian teams in the Champions League is hard to overlook. With Los Blancos boasting more firepower and Roma struggling to find their rhythm in Europe, expect Mourinho’s men to win a closely fought contest.

Prediction: Real Madrid will win