Real Madrid travel to the Italian capital for the first time since 2018 as they face Roma at the Stadio Olimpico, with the hosts celebrating their return to the Champions League. Former Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini guided Roma to a third-place finish in Serie A last season, and his…...
Real Madrid travel to the Italian capital for the first time since 2018 as they face Roma at the Stadio Olimpico, with the hosts celebrating their return to the Champions League.
Former Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini guided Roma to a third-place finish in Serie A last season, and his side look set to challenge Inter Milan for the Scudetto this term.
Gasperini’s men are unbeaten after six league matches and had to work hard to secure a point against fellow Champions League participants Como at the weekend following the dismissal of their top scorer, Donyell Malen.
In Europe, Roma began their league phase campaign with an impressive 1–1 draw away to Fenerbahçe last month, while Real Madrid defeated Inter Milan 2–1 at the Santiago Bernabéu.
José Mourinho, of course, shares a special connection with Inter, and Roma supporters are expected to give the Portuguese manager a warm reception on Wednesday evening. Upon returning to Italy in 2021 after more than a decade away, Mourinho led Roma to Conference League glory at the end of his first season in the Eternal City. He left the club in early 2024 after two-and-a-half years in charge.
Roma vs. Real Madrid Score Prediction
Mourinho Seeks To Overcome Another Former Rival
The occasion will undoubtedly mean a lot to Mourinho, considering what his Roma side achieved in Tirana in May 2022. Rome has embraced Gasperini as it once did Mourinho, and the current manager will be hoping to improve his relatively poor head-to-head record against the returning Real Madrid boss.
Mourinho’s Madrid have struggled to convince both before and after the extended international break, with Los Blancos recording a much-needed but unconvincing victory over Villarreal at the weekend to remain six points behind Barcelona in La Liga.
Yan Diomande’s first goal for the club was overshadowed by Vinícius Júnior’s red card and Mourinho’s decision not to speak to the press after the match. Already, the manager appears to be returning to a familiar approach, portraying his team as being against the world.
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Managerial head-to-head: Gasperini has defeated Mourinho just twice in their coaching careers, with the two managers meeting 10 times. Real Madrid’s manager has won five of those encounters, a record that could provide encouragement ahead of Wednesday’s clash.
Mbappé’s milestone: Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé will make his 100th Champions League appearance in Rome. The Frenchman also has the opportunity to surpass Raúl González and become the competition’s fifth-highest goalscorer. Mbappé will be eager to mark the milestone with another memorable performance.
Head-to-head record: Real Madrid have won eight of their 12 meetings with Roma and also boast a strong record at the Stadio Olimpico. The Italian side have managed just one home victory against the Spanish giants.
Prediction: Roma 1–2 Real Madrid
Roma Predicted Lineup vs. Real Madrid
Donyell Malen’s red card at the weekend will not rule him out of Wednesday’s encounter, as his suspension applies to Serie A fixtures. The Dutch forward is expected to lead Roma’s attack alongside Paulo Dybala, who has remained fit at the start of the new season.
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Goalkeeper Mile Svilar is expected to remain unavailable until November because of a broken finger, while Bryan Cristante is also ruled out. Manu Koné and Marten De Roon are expected to feature in Gasperini’s midfield.
Former Atlético Madrid defender Mario Hermoso will face a familiar opponent, having featured in 13 Madrid derbies during his time in the Spanish capital.
Roma predicted lineup vs. Real Madrid (3-4-2-1): Gollini; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Rensch, De Roon, Koné, Wesley; Dybala, Soulé; Malen.
Real Madrid Predicted Lineup vs. Roma
Real Madrid have a stronger selection outlook ahead of the encounter, with Bernardo Silva and Arda Güler both available after serving their suspensions.
However, the pair could begin the match on the bench in Rome. Aurélien Tchouaméni is expected to partner Federico Valverde in midfield, while Vinícius Júnior’s domestic suspension could encourage Mourinho to start the Brazilian in the Champions League.
Yan Diomande is also expected to retain his place after scoring his first goal for the club at the weekend.
On the injury front, Real Madrid will be without Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy, Rodrygo and Raúl Asencio.
Real Madrid predicted lineup vs. Roma (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Dumfries, Konaté, Huijsen, Cucurella; Valverde, Tchouaméni; Diomande, Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior; 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)