José Mourinho returns to the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday 14 October (kick-off 8 pm BST) as Real Madrid manager, four years after he won the Europa Conference League with Roma, and his side arrive off a 2-1 win over Inter while Roma drew 1-1 at Fenerbahçe. Opta makes Madrid favourites at 47.7%.
Roma vs Real Madrid Form
Real Madrid opened the league phase with goals from Mbappé and Valverde against Inter. In La Liga, they trail Barcelona by six points after a 2-1 defeat to Atlético Madrid, followed by a 1-0 win over Villarreal on 10 October, in which Vinícius Júnior was sent off.
Roma are unbeaten in all competitions, having drawn 2-2 with Inter and 0-0 with Como, and they are third in Serie A. That run is long, but it includes many draws. Roma have also lost their last four Champions League meetings with Madrid without scoring, and the sides haven’t met since 2018.
The emotional story is Mourinho, who managed Roma from 2021 to 2024 and whose name the Olimpico still sings. He will get a reception. Whether he delivers results is another matter.
Team news & injuries
Real Madrid are missing Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy, Rodrygo and Raúl Asencio, according to Sports Mole, and Mourinho has confirmed that Militão will not be available. Dean Huijsen returns from his domestic suspension. Vinícius is banned in La Liga but eligible here, and reports say Camavinga, Güler and Bernardo Silva are back from UEFA bans. Africasoccer lists Ibrahima Konaté as out while Sports Mole projects him to start, so the centre-back pairing is one to settle on team-sheet day.
Roma have Mile Svilar out with a fractured finger or toe, depending on the source, so Pierluigi Gollini should start in goal. Bryan Cristante is a doubt with knee inflammation, and Donyell Malen faces a domestic ban but is expected to play in midweek.
Predicted line-ups
Roma (3-4-2-1): Gollini – Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso – Molina, Koné, De Roon, Wesley – Dybala, Pellegrini – Malen.
Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Courtois – Cucurella, Huijsen, Konate/Rüdiger, Dumfries – Valverde, Tchouameni – Güler, Bellingham, Vinícius – Mbappé.
The key battle
Dybala and Pellegrini against Madrid’s makeshift defence. With Militão and Asencio still out and Konaté in doubt, Mourinho cannot guarantee a settled back line, and Roma’s two creators will drift between the lines while Malen runs in behind.
At the other end, Mbappé is likely to make his 100th Champions League appearance, with 71 goals according to Opta, and a back-up goalkeeper faces a tough evening.
Roma vs Real Madrid Predictions & tips
Roma will be organised, and the Olimpico will be loud, but Madrid have won all of their last four against them without conceding, and they have the individual quality to settle it. Expect Roma to score at least once.
Tip: Both teams to score. Predicted score: Roma 1-2 Real Madrid.
18+. Please gamble responsibly. BeGambleAware.org | GamCare 0808 8020 133.
