Real Madrid Head to the Continent: AS Roma Opposition Preview

On Wednesday evening, attention will turn back to the UEFA Champions League when Real Madrid take on Italian side AS Roma for match day two of the league phase. 

This game will be the first time Jose Mourinho has returned to the Italian capital since being dismissed in January of 2024, after two years at the club. He remains very popular with their fans after delivering the UEFA Conference League back in 2022, the only piece of silverware they have won since 2008. 

So, what can we expect from the hosts?

It has been a strong start to the season for the Giallorossi, whom currently sit third in the Serie A table. They had won their opening four games of the season, before drawing 2-2 to Inter Milan and 0-0 to Como, two sides who are seen by some as the best in Italy. The Inter game would have been frustrating, having been 2-0 up at one point in the game.

Dutch forward Donyell Malen has been in incredible form since signing for Roma - initially on loan - in January of this year. In 27 games for Roma he has scored an incredible 28 goals, and is the clear dangerman for them. 

Funnily enough, he actually received a straight red card in their draw with Como on Sunday, but that suspension will be for domestic games, so he will be available to play Real Madrid on Wednesday. 

In terms of other key players, fans will be familiar with veteran figure Paulo Dybala, who is now into his fifth season with Roma, after leaving Juventus. Although he is yet to find the back of the net this season, he has registered four assists and created eight big chances in seven games, so Mourinho's men will have to try and make sure he isn't able to supply the likes of Malen in dangerous areas. 

Back in the midfield, Manu Kone has been consistently excellent since joining from German side Borussia Monchengladbach in the summer of 2024, and started twice for Zinedine Zidane's France during the international break, having made the squad before Aurelien Tchouameni. 

Although he is someone who has elite level athleticism, he is not just a road runner, and often shows a very good eye for a pass. He also scored both goals in the aforementioned draw with Inter, so the team will have to be wary of those late runs into the box. 

At the back, Gasperini likes to go with a back three, with Evan Ndicka perhaps the stand out with his physical capabilities. Fans may be familiar with former Atletico Madrid defender Mario Hermoso, who is likely to form a back three with Ndicka and the long serving Gianluca Mancini. 

Despite being right footed, Brazilian international Wesley has been a very consistent threat at left wing back in Gasperini's system, and if Denzel Dumfries starts for Real Madrid, that could be a very interesting physical battle. On the other side, Devyne Rensch could get the nod.

First choice goalkeeper Mile Svilar is currently out with a broken finger, which is a huge boost for Real Madrid. The 27-year old is seen as one of the very best goalkeepers in Italy, though stand in keeper Pierluigi Gollini did make four saves and keep a clean sheet against Como. 

This will be Roma's first game at home in the Champions League since February 2019. On match day one, they drew 1-1 away to Fenerbahce, so they will see this as the perfect occasion to get their first three points of the league phase.

Possible Roma XI vs Real Madrid (Sofascore): Gollini; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Rensch, de Roon, Kone, Wesley; Dybala, Soule; Malen.