Real Madrid’s return to Champions League action in Rome will also mark Arda Güler’s first appearance in this season’s competition, after he missed the meeting with Inter. For the Turkish midfielder, it is a return to a stage on which he became one of Madrid’s most productive creators last term — and where his most recent European night ended in both brilliance and a suspension.
From Munich drama to a Rome return
- Six months ago in Munich, Güler delivered the defining display of his Champions League campaign. He put Madrid ahead at 0-1 after taking advantage of a Manuel Neuer error.
- He restored Madrid’s lead with a superb free-kick for 1-2, scoring the first two Champions League goals of his career in a crucial match.
- The occasion ended badly for him, however, as he was sent off amid the late protests. The red card meant he began the new European campaign on the sidelines.
- Having served that punishment, Güler is now set for his first Champions League outing of the current edition in Rome.
Madrid’s European schedule brings Güler back into focus at a time when he has strengthened his standing under José Mourinho. Once a regular in the competition under Xabi and Arbeloa last season, the 20-year-old has become an increasingly central figure in Madrid’s midfield and attacking construction.
A key creator in last season’s Champions League
Güler started every Champions League match he played for Madrid last season apart from the Manchester City game. In the third match of the league phase, against Juventus, he was named player of the match.
His value went beyond the goals in Munich. The midfielder from Altindag produced 25 passes that led directly to attempts, one more than Vinicius. Only Julián Alvarez, Michael Olise, Florian Wirtz and Désiré Doué recorded more such chance-creating passes in the previous Champions League.
Four of Güler’s deliveries became assists. Kylian Mbappé converted three of them — in Almaty, Athens and Madrid’s first trip to Lisbon — while Vinicius scored from another against Monaco.
Form and influence under Mourinho
Güler reaches Rome in encouraging domestic form. He has played eight league matches this season and started six, including the derby against Atlético. Last Saturday, Mourinho kept him in the side while Vinicius was rested to make room for Diomande.
| Güler’s league record this season | Total |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 8 |
| Starts | 6 |
| Minutes played | 426 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Assists | 2 |
| Goal involvement rate | Every 142 minutes |
| Key passes | 12 |
| Completed passes into the area | 20 |
He scored Madrid’s final goal in the 4-0 win over Málaga, assisted Jude Bellingham for Madrid’s opening goal of the season in the 2-1 victory at Espanyol, and supplied Mbappé in the 4-1 home win against Rayo. Mbappé has again emerged as his most effective attacking connection.
Güler’s current return of a goal contribution every 142 minutes is an improvement on last season’s rate of one every 176 minutes. Across 2025-26, he finished with six goals and 14 assists.
With Madrid returning to the competition that defines their European weeks, Rome offers Güler the chance to resume a Champions League story interrupted after that turbulent night in Munich.
