Roma v Real Madrid: Mourinho returns to Olimpico for Champions League showdown

Real Madrid will look to extend their dominance over AS Roma when the 15-time European champions visit the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday, with Jose Mourinho facing another of his former clubs.

Mourinho managed Roma from 2021 to 2024, winning the first edition of the Europa Conference League and reaching the Europa League final. After facing Inter Milan last month, the Real Madrid boss now returns to Rome for another nostalgic reunion.

Real began their Champions League campaign with a home win over Inter Milan, although they were often pressed without the ball and benefited from two opposition errors. Kylian Mbappe and Federico Valverde scored in a 2-0 victory.

The Spanish side had opened their La Liga campaign with three successive wins but then drew with Real Betis and lost the derby against Atletico de Madrid before the international break. They responded with a 1-0 victory over Villarreal at Santiago-Bernabeu, Yan Diomande scoring his first goal for the club before Vinicius Junior was controversially sent off.

That result still leaves Real Madrid six points behind FC Barcelona before the first Clasico of the season, increasing the importance of a strong European performance.

The head-to-head record strongly favours the visitors. Real Madrid have won eight of the 12 meetings between the clubs, compared with three victories for Roma. Madrid have also won their past four matches against the Italians without conceding, while they have triumphed in five of their six most recent visits to the Italian capital.

Roma returned to the Champions League after seven seasons away by earning a 1-1 draw at Fenerbahce, another former club of Mourinho. Their qualification followed a third-place finish in Serie A last season during Gian Piero Gasperini’s first campaign in charge.

Gasperini, who won the Europa League with Atalanta, has lost only four of his past 24 Champions League group or league-phase matches. Roma remain unbeaten in the league this season, having won four in a row before drawing with Como and Inter Milan.

They were forced to play with 10 men for more than 40 minutes against Como on Sunday after Donyell Malen was sent off, but held on for a 0-0 draw at Stadio Sinigaglia. The Olimpico has become less secure in Europe, with Roma losing three of their past five continental home games – more defeats than in their previous 38 combined.

Real Madrid’s Champions League form is one win, while their overall record is defeat, three wins, defeat and victory. Roma’s European record is one draw and their overall sequence is victory, victory, draw, victory, draw, draw.

Real will be without Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy, Rodrygo and Raul Asencio. Dean Huijsen, who previously spent time on loan at Roma, is available after completing a domestic suspension. Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Guler and Bernardo Silva return from European bans.

Vinicius Junior is eligible despite being suspended for Real’s next La Liga match. His 26 Champions League assists leave him one short of Cristiano Ronaldo’s club record. Mbappe, aged 27 years and 298 days, is also set to become the youngest player to reach 100 appearances in the competition, surpassing Lionel Messi’s record of 28 years and 84 days.

Malen is suspended domestically but can play here. Roma midfielder Bryan Cristante is doubtful with a knee problem, while first-choice goalkeeper Mile Svilar is ruled out with a broken toe. Pierluigi Gollini will start after returning against Como.

Probable teams

Roma: Gollini; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Molina, Kone, De Roon, Wesley; Dybala, Soule; Malen.

Real Madrid: Courtois; Dumfries, Konate, Rudiger, Carreras; Valverde, Bernardo; Guler, Bellingham, Vinicius; Mbappe.

Including their win against Inter last month, Real Madrid have won 20 of their past 22 matches against Italian clubs. Roma’s home support should make the game difficult, but Real’s individual quality is expected to prevail in a 2-1 victory.