Roma vs. Real Madrid: Preview, Predictions and Lineups

Serie A title contenders Roma welcome Real Madrid to the Olimpico. | Visionhaus/Getty ImagesReal Madrid travel to the Italian capital for the first time since 2018, as they face a Roma team celebrating their Champions League return at the Stadio Olimpico.

Real Madrid travel to the Italian capital for the first time since 2018, as they face a Roma team celebrating their Champions League return at the Stadio Olimpico.

Long-time Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini inspired Roma to a third-place finish in Serie A last season, and they look primed to compete with Inter Milan for the Scudetto this term.

Long-time Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini inspired Roma to a third-place finish in Serie A last season, and they look primed to compete with Inter Milan for the Scudetto this term.

Gasperini’s side is unbeaten through six league outings, and they were forced to impressively grind out a point at fellow Champions League participants Como at the weekend after top scorer Donyell Malen was sent off.

Gasperini’s side is unbeaten through six league outings, and they were forced to impressively grind out a point at fellow Champions League participants Como at the weekend after top scorer Donyell Malen was sent off.

In Europe, their league phase campaign started with an admirable 1–1 draw at Fenerbahçe last month, while Madrid edged past Inter 2–1 at the Santiago Bernabéu.

In Europe, their league phase campaign started with an admirable 1–1 draw at Fenerbahçe last month, while Madrid edged past Inter 2–1 at the Santiago Bernabéu.

José Mourinho, of course, had a special affinity with the Nerazzurri, and the Olimpico faithful are sure to give the ‘Special One’ a warm welcome on Wednesday evening. Mourinho, on his 2021 return to Italy after more than a decade away, guided Roma to Conference League glory at the end of his first season in the Eternal City. He departed at the start of 2024 after two-and-a-half years at the helm.

José Mourinho, of course, had a special affinity with the Nerazzurri, and the Olimpico faithful are sure to give the ‘Special One’ a warm welcome on Wednesday evening. Mourinho, on his 2021 return to Italy after more than a decade away, guided Roma to Conference League glory at the end of his first season in the Eternal City. He departed at the start of 2024 after two-and-a-half years at the helm.

Mourinho left Roma at the start of 2024. | Paolo Bruno/Getty ImagesThis occasion will undoubtedly mean plenty to Mourinho, given what his Roma team achieved in Tirana in May 2022. Rome has fallen for Gasperini as it did José, and the current boss will hope to improve a rather uninspiring head-to-head record against the returning Real Madrid manager.

This occasion will undoubtedly mean plenty to Mourinho, given what his Roma team achieved in Tirana in May 2022. Rome has fallen for Gasperini as it did José, and the current boss will hope to improve a rather uninspiring head-to-head record against the returning Real Madrid manager.

Mourinho’s Madrid haven’t exactly convinced on either side of the extended international break, with Los Blancos claiming a necessary but stodgy victory over Villarreal at the weekend to remain six points behind Barcelona in La Liga.

Mourinho’s Madrid haven’t exactly convinced on either side of the extended international break, with Los Blancos claiming a necessary but stodgy victory over Villarreal at the weekend to remain six points behind Barcelona in La Liga.

Yan Diomande’s first goal for the club was overshadowed by Vinícius Júnior’s red card and Mourinho’s refusal to speak to the press postgame. Already, it seems as if he’s reverting to a familiar playbook. It’s his team against the world.

Yan Diomande’s first goal for the club was overshadowed by Vinícius Júnior’s red card and Mourinho’s refusal to speak to the press postgame. Already, it seems as if he’s reverting to a familiar playbook. It’s his team against the world.

Donyell Malen’s red card at the weekend doesn’t mean he’s suspended for Wednesday’s match. The Dutchman will serve his ban in Serie A. Malen will lead Roma’s attack in tandem with Paulo Dybala, who’s been able to stay injury-free at the start of the new season.

Donyell Malen’s red card at the weekend doesn’t mean he’s suspended for Wednesday’s match. The Dutchman will serve his ban in Serie A. Malen will lead Roma’s attack in tandem with Paulo Dybala, who’s been able to stay injury-free at the start of the new season.

Star goalkeeper Mile Svilar is expected to be out until November with a broken finger, and Bryan Cristante also isn’t available. Manu Koné and Marten De Roon are set to line up in Gasperini’s midfield.

Star goalkeeper Mile Svilar is expected to be out until November with a broken finger, and Bryan Cristante also isn’t available. Manu Koné and Marten De Roon are set to line up in Gasperini’s midfield.

Former Atlético Madrid defender Mario Hermoso faces a familiar foe, having been involved in 13 Madrid derbies during his time in the Spanish capital.

Former Atlético Madrid defender Mario Hermoso faces a familiar foe, having been involved in 13 Madrid derbies during his time in the Spanish capital.

Roma predicted lineup vs. Real Madrid (3-4-2-1): Gollini; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Rensch, De Roon, Koné, Wesley; Dybala, Soulé; Malen.

Roma predicted lineup vs. Real Madrid (3-4-2-1): Gollini; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Rensch, De Roon, Koné, Wesley; Dybala, Soulé; Malen.

Madrid are in a better spot in terms of availability for this encounter, with Bernardo Silva and Arda Güler both eligible for the match after serving suspensions.

Madrid are in a better spot in terms of availability for this encounter, with Bernardo Silva and Arda Güler both eligible for the match after serving suspensions.

However, the two players may find themselves on the bench in Rome. Aurélien Tchouaméni looks set to partner Federico Valverde in midfield, and Vinícius Júnior’s domestic suspension will only encourage Mourinho to start the Brazilian in Europe.

However, the two players may find themselves on the bench in Rome. Aurélien Tchouaméni looks set to partner Federico Valverde in midfield, and Vinícius Júnior’s domestic suspension will only encourage Mourinho to start the Brazilian in Europe.

Yan Diomande should also keep his place after scoring his first goal for the club at the weekend.

Yan Diomande should also keep his place after scoring his first goal for the club at the weekend.

On the injury front, the visitors are currently without Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy, Rodrygo and Raúl Asencio.

On the injury front, the visitors are currently without Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy, Rodrygo and Raúl Asencio.

Real Madrid predicted lineup vs. Roma (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Dumfries, Konaté, Huijsen, Cucurella; Valverde, Tchouaméni; Diomande, Bellingham, Viní Jr; Mbappé.

Real Madrid predicted lineup vs. Roma (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Dumfries, Konaté, Huijsen, Cucurella; Valverde, Tchouaméni; Diomande, Bellingham, Viní Jr; Mbappé.

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Published 3 minutes ago | Modified 3 minutes agoJAMES CORMACKJames Cormack is a writer for SI FC. Opting against a football coaching undergraduate degree at the last minute, he instead decided to take on a six-month internship with 90min in 2019 and hasn't looked back. Cormack's current SEO focus means he tends to venture to the land of match previews and predicted lineups, but he also has a wealth of experience in news and feature writing. A passion for soccer's history and the European game often takes his work beyond the familiarity of the Premier League, but it's with Tottenham Hotspur where his strongest allegiance lies.