Roma’s Champions League home campaign opens with the sort of occasion that carries more than one story into the Stadio Olimpico. Real Madrid arrive in the capital on 14 October 2026, with kick-off set for 21:00, while José Mourinho returns to his former ground as the Spanish club’s coach.
The Portuguese coach’s presence gives the evening a particular emotional weight for Roma supporters. Mourinho was announced as Roma manager on 4 May 2021 and, 987 days later, is due to face the Giallorossi at the Olimpico for the first time as an opponent.
Quick facts
- Roma host Real Madrid at the Stadio Olimpico at 21:00.
- Gian Piero Gasperini leads Roma, with Mourinho in charge of Real Madrid.
- Francesco Totti has been invited by the club for the occasion.
- Real Madrid previously beat Inter 2-1 at the Bernabeu in this Champions League campaign.
- Endrick is expected to be closely watched, with Roma interested in the Brazilian forward.
Roma have prepared for a full house and a night of recognition as well as competition. The club’s supporters are expected to greet Mourinho with affection and gratitude, and the presence of former captain Totti adds another link to a recent European chapter in the club’s history.
For Gasperini, however, the task is immediate: turn the atmosphere into a home advantage against a Real Madrid side already tested by Italian opposition. The Blancos began their Champions League run with a 2-1 victory over Inter in Madrid and now meet another Serie A club away from home.
There is also a transfer subplot around Endrick. The Brazilian has had limited involvement at Real Madrid and is of significant interest to Roma, making his role on the night relevant beyond the result.
Roma are expected to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Pierluigi Gollini behind Gianluca Mancini, Evan Ndicka and Mario Hermoso. Nahuel Molina, Marten de Roon, Manu Koné and Wesley are set to form midfield, with Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé supporting Donyell Malen.
Real Madrid’s likely 4-2-3-1 includes Thibaut Courtois in goal; Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konaté, Dean Huijsen and Marc Cucurella in defence; Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni in midfield; and Arda Güler, Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior behind Kylian Mbappé.
It is a demanding first Champions League evening at home for Roma, but also a chance to measure Gasperini’s new side against elite opposition. At the Olimpico, Mourinho’s return ensures that the contest will be felt in the stands long before the first ball is played.
