Real Madrid faces AS Roma on October 14, 2026 at the StadioOlympico, as part of the second day of the Champions League group stage. After a 2-1 victory against Inter Milan, the Merengues are looking to consolidate their position in the group stage while the Giallorossi, already invincible in the league, want to extend their excellent start to the campaign and obtain their first European success of the edition.
Under the leadership of GianPiero Gasperini, AS Roma have displayed remarkable form in SerieA, winning four of the first five matches and remaining unbeaten in official matches. The Italian club notably shone with a 4-0 victory over Lecce, a 2-1 at home against Atalanta and a 2-0 over Torino, before finishing 2-2 against Inter Milan. In the Champions League, the Romans drew 1-1 against Fenerbahçe in their first meeting, before preparing to face Real Madrid. The lack of BryanCristante, who has a knee injury, will force Gasperini to turn to an attack dominated by DonyellMalen, PauloDybala and MatíasSoulé, three players who have already scored decisive goals in SerieA.
For Real Madrid, José Mourinho begins the European season with the aim of regaining European glory after a disappointing campaign last year. The Spanish club have already won their first three points in the group stage with a 2-1 victory against Inter Milan. However, in La Liga, Real have suffered away setbacks against RealBetis and Atlético Madrid, raising questions about the team's stability in decisive matches. The current lineup is affected by the absence of RaúlAsencio, Rodrygo and FerlandMendy, as well as physical problems from KylianMbappé, IbrahimaKonaté and FedericoValverde. Mourinho will therefore have to rely on a reduced squad to try to maintain his lead in the group stage.
History of confrontations, Real Madrid dominates European matches against AS Roma, winning the last four official confrontations without conceding a goal. The two teams have already faced each other several times, notably in 2015-2016 and 2018-2019, where the Merengues always prevailed. For Mourinho, who managed AS Roma from 2021 to 2024, this meeting is of particular importance, because he will find his former club in a context of strong rivalry. The Romans, meanwhile, are looking to break the negative streak and build on the confidence gained in SerieA.
Probable lineups indicate that AS Roma will start with Gollini, while Real Madrid will put Courtois in goal. Both teams are counting on their key attackers: DonyellMalen for the Romans and KylianMbappé for the Madrilenians. The stakes of this match are therefore twofold: Real Madrid wants to confirm its historic superiority and secure its points in the group stage, while AS Roma wants to extend its undefeated streak and prove its ability to compete with the big European clubs. The outcome of this encounter could influence the dynamics of the group stage and determine each team's chances of progressing to the knockout stages.