Real Madrid vs AS Roma: Pre-match report
13-time Champions League winners, Real Madrid, will meet Roma tonight in their first UCL encounter of this season. Real have had a strong start to their league campaign, winning three and drawing one match. Los Blancos will be confident as they take to the field. Roma, the club which defeated Barcelona last term, will look forward to upset matters yet again.
How strong are Real Madrid looking?
With both Bale and Benzema in form, Real Madrid have no worries regarding their attack, which is further boosted by the presence of Asensio and Isco. Moreover, Real have no injury concerns heading into their first Champions League match of the season. Real will also have the extra motivation since they already defeated Roma in a pre-season friendly with Bale and Asensio strikes.
Roma have not been in fine form lately
Roma have not won a single match this season except their opening Serie A fixture. They have no injury concerns, and though Edin Dzeko is a formidable striker, their mid-field is not strong enough to provide him the opportunities required. Eusebio Di Francesco needs a victory desperately to boost his team's morale, and it doesn't look like that he will find so in Madrid.
Players to watch out for tonight
It is a no-brainer that Sergio Ramos is the man for the big matches and steps up every time his team needs him. Asensio would also like to catch the world's attention tonight and establish himself as a Bernabeu-favorite. Edin Dzeko might steal the spotlight with a strike from the blue. Bale, Real's next big thing after Ronaldo, can mesmerize as well.
Interesting stats to gear you up for the match
Real Madrid and Roma have faced each other 10 times, with Real registering six wins and their Roman counterparts winning in three matches, and one ending in a draw. They last met during the round of 16 of the 2016 Champions League where Real crushed the Giallorossi 4-0 on aggregate. All ten meetings between the two clubs have happened in the 21st century.
Predicted line-ups and TV listing
Real Madrid- Courtois, Marcelo, Ramos, Varane, Carvajal, Modric, Casemiro, Kroos, Asensio, Benzema, Bale Roma- Olsen, Florenzi, Manolas, Juan Jesus, Kolarov, Pellegrini, N'Zonzi, Cristante, Under, Dzeko, El Shaarawy. The match starts at 12:30 AM and will be telecast on Ten One or Ten HD, and can also be live-streamed on Sony Liv's website or mobile application.
