Last season’s UEFA Champions League winners Real Madrid host Roma in their first Group G match of the campaign on Wednesday evening. Here is how the two teams will line up!
UEFA Champions League, Group G
Teams: Real Madrid vs Roma
Date: 19 September 2018
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu
Time: 21:00
Los Blancos have won their past three matches against Roma in Europe, and have scored twice or more against the Italian side in those previous three meetings.
Real will begin their first UCL campaign without Ronaldo since 2009 on Wednesday, but even without the Portuguese, the home side will go into the clash with confidence.
Real will be without defender Jesus Vallejo, while their opposition only have new midfield signing Javier Pastore unavailable through injury.
The last time Roma were victorious against the Spanish giants was in 2014, when they claimed a 1-0 win over Real away from home in the competition.
Julen Lopetegui will be hoping Welsh winger Gareth Bale continues his fine form on Tuesday – the superstar has contributed to six goals in five matches in so far this season.
Isco was also rested at the weekend, and is therefore expected to play a starring role when the Spanish giants host Roma at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Eusebio Di Francesco’s side has not yet clicked into gear this season, having won just five points from their first four Serie A games of the campaign.
Despite losing Ronaldo to Juventus, Real are still considered among the favourites to lift the trophy again, and will be hoping for a good start against Roma.
Here is how the teams will start the match:
Real: Navas, Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo, Casemiro, Kroos, Modrić, Isco, Bale, Benzema.
Roma: Olsen, Florenzi, Manolas, Fazio, Kolarov, N’Zonzi, De Rossi, Zaniolo, Ünder, Dzeko, El Shaarawy.
Source: BBC News
