The Rome-based club brought in Gasperini last summer. He achieved what his predecessors, including Mourinho, had failed to do: he guided the team to third place. This season, Roma also dropped points for the first time against Inter — and in dramatic fashion: they led 2-0 but had to settle for a draw. In October, they shared the points with Como after being reduced to ten men following Malen’s dismissal, with neither side finding the net in a 0-0 finish.
The Spanish capital’s powerhouse won nothing in 2025/2026 and once again finished behind Barcelona in La Liga. Florentino Pérez responded with a major transfer campaign and Mourinho’s return to the Santiago Bernabéu. He began with victories in La Liga, but setbacks followed against Betis and Atlético. After the international break, Real Madrid beat Villarreal 1-0 despite playing with ten men.
The Italians began their campaign in Istanbul. They won the first half, but Fenerbahçe hit back after the break, and the match ended 1-1. The Spaniards opened against another Serie A representative, Inter. The Italian side looked better but made mistakes, and Real Madrid eventually secured a 2-1 victory.
Previous meetings: Roma vs Real Madrid
The clubs met in the Champions League in 2008, 2016 and 2018. The Romans began with two victories, but then suffered four consecutive defeats.
The visitors are also viewed as the favorites this time, but they will certainly face a serious challenge. Our pick is “over 3.0 goals” (odds – 1.63).
Roma vs Real Madrid: key statistics and trends
Roma have drawn two matches in a row
Roma score an average of 2.33 goals and concede 0.5 goals per match
Both teams have scored in 33% of Roma’s matches, while the average total is 2.83 goals per game
Real Madrid have won seven of their nine matches this season
Real Madrid score an average of 2.38 goals and concede one goal per match
Both teams have scored in 63% of Real Madrid’s matches, while the average total is 3.38 goals per game
Roma vs Real Madrid: possible starting lineups
Roma play in a 1-3-4-2-1 formation (possible lineup): Svilar – Hermoso, Ndicka, Mancini – Franca, Cristante, Koné, Rensch – Soulé, Dybala – Malen
Real Madrid play in a 1-4-2-3-1 formation (possible lineup): Courtois – Carreras, Huijsen, Konaté, Dumfries – Bernardo Silva, Valverde – Vinícius Júnior, Bellingham, Güler – Mbappé
