Real Madrid Return to the Champions League: Predicted XI vs Roma

On Wednesday evening (the 14th of October), Real Madrid return to UEFA Champions League action, as they take on AS Roma on match day two of the league phase. 

With the likes of Bayern Munich and Inter Milan surprisingly dropping points in their games, there is a big opportunity for the team to build a small gap already in this one. For all you need to know on Jose Mourinho's former side, you can click here. 

As for Real Madrid, it will be interesting to see the line up the boss chooses for this game, and how many changes he will make from the side that narrowly beat Villarreal in an eventful game last time out. 

Well, according to Spanish media outlet Marca, one of the changes will be Vinicius Jr's reintroduction to the starting XI. The Brazilian had been left out of the side against Villarreal, before coming on and being sent off for a hair pull, having initially thought he'd put the team 2-0 up. Marca say it will be Yan Diomande sacrificed from the XI on Saturday, so Vinicius will make up the attack with Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe and Arda Guler. 

Meanwhile, they also report that Dean Huijsen will come into the centre of defence, having missed the Villarreal clash with a one game suspension due to his red card in the Madrid derby in the final game before the extended international break, with Antonio Rudiger being the one to come out of the side as a result. 

On the left hand side, they predict Marc Cucurella to come in at left back, after Alvaro Carreras started last time out. The latter is actually having a decent season so far, but it looks as if it could be Cucurella to get the nod this time round.

Finally, they state that Denzel Dumfries is most likely to start at right-back, coming in for Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was replaced after just 52 minutes against Villarreal. Some interpreted that as being saved for this game, but instead it seems as if Mourinho is not best pleased with the former Liverpool man. 

So, if this report from Marca proves to be correct, it will be three changes to the side, with Vinicius coming in for Diomande on the left hand side, Huisen replacing Rudiger at centre back, and Dumfries replacing Alexander-Arnold on the right hand side of the back line. 

In which case, probable starting XI to take on Roma this Wednesday; Courtois; Dumfries, Konate, Huijsen, Cucurella; Valverde, Tchouameni; Guler, Bellingham, Vinicius; Mbappe.