AS Roma will welcome 15-time UEFA Champions League winners Real Madrid to the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday, aiming to make a statement.

Roma will be the second former club Madrid boss Jose Mourinho will be facing as Los Blancos try to extend their dominance over the Giallorossi.

Although far from convincing on Matchday One, Real Madrid started their Champions League campaign in familiar style, claiming maximum points on home turf against Serie A champions Inter Milan.

Roma could have a chance to punish Galácticos, who suffered without the ball, conceded several chances, but benefited from two glaring errors to punish Inter. 

They will have to look for a win in the Italian capital without star man Kylian Mbappe.

Roma held Como in a goalless stalemate after starting the league championship in a great fashion.

Madrid, on the other hand, suffered defeats to Real Betis and city rivals Atletico Madrid before the international break, ramping up the pressure on Saturday’s game against Villarreal, which they sniffed out a 1-0 victory at the Bernabeu.

Real Madrid are already six points off the pace being set by La Liga leaders Barcelona, with the first Clasico coming up, as they swiftly switch focus to Europe.

Mourinho led Roma from 2021 to 2024, winning the UEFA Conference League and reaching the Europa League final.

Madrid have the the upper hand head-to-head, with eight wins from 12, while Roma have won just 3.

Their last meeting was eight years ago, with Madrid winning all of the last four without conceding and five of six prior encounters in Rome.

Roma, returning to the competition after a seven-yearar absence, started with a gritty 1-1 draw away to Fenerbahe, as thelookng for their first win.

Roma under Gian Piero Gasperini have made an unbeaten start to the Serie A season, recording four straight wins before drawing twice to potential title rivals Como and Inter.

Roma’s record in the competition in the last nine games could motivate them. They already won eight of their last nine home games. Stadio Olimpico was also a fortress as they reached successive European finals in 2022 and 2023.

However, they have recently suffered three defeats in their last five European home matches, denting their 38-game record, including a 4-3 knockout loss to Bologna in last season’s Europa League.

They now have a chance to start fresh, and such top opposition will be a real test.