Roma v Real Madrid - Preview and possible lineups

Roma: The Italians, who reached the semi-finals of the competition last year, will receive a huge boost in their bid to top their group if they win here.

Kostas Manolas is included in the squad after being a doubt for the game, but Daniele De Rossi and Javier Pastore are not included due to injury. Lorenzo Pelligrini and Aleksandar Kolarov have also overcome minor injuries recently.

Real Madrid: The defending champions have had a terrible start to their domestic campaign, but have done fairly well in the Champions League and were convinving winners last time out against Viktoria Plzen.

Nacho, Odriozola and Casemiro will all be missing it seems, but Dani carvajal should be fit for the encounter.

Roma manager Eusebio Di Francesco on the importance of a positive result in this match:

“We’re two struggling teams who face each other on equal terms,

“We’re in a good position in the Champions League and we can make it an excellent one with a great performance tomorrow."

Real Madrid boss Santiago Solari on the reaction he expects from his team to their poor form:

“We need to do what this squad has always done in this tournament, prove that we’re up to it,

“Every game is a baptism of fire here, but whenever Real Madrid fall we always get back up. That’s why this is the most successful club in the world.”

Did you know?

Real Madrid's best result away to Roma was in December 2004, when they recorded a 3-0 success.

Roma's Lorenzo Pellegrini is the first player to assist a goal in three consecutive Champions League appearances for an Italian club since Clarence Seedorf for Milan in 2007.

'Los Blacnos' have won 9 of the 11 meetings between the two teams.

Prediction: 1-2

Form:

Possible lineups:

Roma: Olsen; Santon, Fazio, Jesus, Kolarov; N'Zonzi, Cristante; Florenzi, Pellegrini, Under; Dzeko

Real Madrid: Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Isco, Kroos, Modric; Lucas, Benzema, Bale