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Roma vs Real Madrid: Match Preview, Predictions, and Expected Lineups
Amir Azimi
Daily News

Roma vs Real Madrid: Match Preview, Predictions, and Expected Lineups

Roma Hosts Real Madrid in Champions League Group Stage

Real Madrid heads to Rome for the first time since 2018 to face Roma at the Stadio Olimpico. Roma, back in the Champions League spotlight, are eager to build on a strong Serie A campaign last season where they finished third under long-time Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini.

Gasperini’s squad remains unbeaten after six league matches and recently secured a hard-fought draw against fellow Champions League competitors Como despite losing top scorer Donyell Malen to a red card. In Europe, Roma opened their group with a 1–1 draw away at Fenerbahçe, while Real Madrid won 2–1 against Inter Milan at home.

José Mourinho returns to Italy after his 2021 comeback, during which he led Roma to win the Conference League in his first season. He left the club early this year, but the Stadio Olimpico fans will likely greet him warmly on Wednesday.

Match Prediction: Roma 1–2 Real Madrid

The match carries meaning for Mourinho given his past success with Roma in Tirana in 2022. Meanwhile, Gasperini has gained favor with the city, and his team is eager to improve its record against Mourinho, whose Real Madrid have struggled to impress following a narrow victory over Villarreal. The game also sees a notable milestone as Mbappé makes his 100th Champions League appearance, aiming to climb the all-time scoring list past Raúl González.

  • Managerial head-to-head: Gasperini has beaten Mourinho twice in 10 meetings; Mourinho leads with five wins.
  • Mbappé’s milestone: Real Madrid’s No. 9 plays his 100th Champions League match, with a chance to become the fifth-highest scorer in the competition.
  • Historical head-to-head: Real Madrid has won eight of 12 encounters with Roma; Roma has only one home win against Madrid.

Expected Roma Lineup (3-4-2-1)

Donyell Malen, despite a recent red card in Serie A, is eligible to play in this Champions League match. He will partner Paulo Dybala, who remains fit early in the season. Key goalkeeper Mile Svilar is sidelined until November due to a broken finger, with Bryan Cristante also unavailable. The midfield duo should feature Manu Koné and Marten De Roon, while former Atlético defender Mario Hermoso faces his old rivals.

  • Goalkeeper: Gollini
  • Defenders: Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso
  • Midfielders: Rensch, De Roon, Koné, Wesley
  • Attackers: Dybala, Soulé, Malen

Expected Real Madrid Lineup (4-2-3-1)

Real Madrid is relatively healthier, with Bernardo Silva and Arda Güler available again after suspension, though they might start on the bench. Aurélien Tchouaméni is likely to pair with Federico Valverde in midfield, while Vinícius Júnior returns from a domestic suspension to start. Yan Diomande could keep his place after scoring last weekend. Absent players include Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy, Rodrygo, and Raúl Asencio.

  • Goalkeeper: Courtois
  • Defenders: Dumfries, Konaté, Huijsen, Cucurella
  • Midfielders: Valverde, Tchouaméni
  • Forwards: Diomande, Bellingham, Vinícius Jr, Mbappé

Match Details

  • Location: Rome, Italy
  • Stadium: Stadio Olimpico
  • Date: Wednesday, October 14
  • Kick-off Time: 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. BST
  • Referee: François Letexier (France)
  • VAR: Dennis Johan Higler (Netherlands)

Broadcast Information

  • United States: Paramount+, TUDN USA, UniMás, TUDN.com, Univision NOW, TUDN App, ViX
  • United Kingdom: TNT Sports 4, TNT Sports 10, HBO Max
  • Canada: DAZN Canada, fuboTV Canada
  • Mexico: FOX One, FOX+

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