Real Madrid travel to the Stadio Olimpico for their second Champions League league-phase match, with José Mourinho set to alter his side after a tense domestic meeting with Villarreal. Roma, still seeking their first win in this season’s competition, take the field after opening with a 1-1 draw against Fenerbahçe.
Quick facts
- Roma host Real Madrid at the Olimpico on matchday two.
- Dean Huijsen is expected to return to Madrid’s defence after serving a domestic suspension.
- Vinicius is in line to replace Yan Diomande on the left of the attack.
- Roma will be without injured pair Mile Svilar and Bryan Cristante.
- Paulo Dybala, Matías Soulé and Donyell Malen are expected to lead the home attack.
Mourinho is preparing two changes to the Madrid team. Huijsen should come back into the centre of defence after missing the league fixture through suspension, bringing fresh options to a back line facing its first away European examination of the campaign.
The other expected switch is further forward. Vinicius, left out of the starting side against Villarreal, is poised to reclaim the left-wing role after his sending-off last Saturday.
Yan Diomande is likely to make way despite having recently produced the decisive contribution in Madrid’s league win. Vinicius would join Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham in a three-man forward line as Madrid look to impose themselves early in the league phase.
Roma have injury problems in two important areas, with goalkeeper Svilar and midfielder Cristante unavailable. Gasperini is expected to turn to Soulé and Dybala behind or alongside Malen in attack.
The Italian side began their European campaign with a point against Fenerbahçe and now have the chance to make home advantage count against Madrid. For the visitors, the Olimpico offers another demanding continental night; for Roma, it is an opportunity to turn an opening draw into momentum in the race through the league phase.
