Defending champions Real Madrid embark on a new Champions League (CL) era without Cristiano Ronaldo, as they take on last year’s semi-finalists AS Roma.
Madrid are one of the favourites for the CL title again, and have lost just twice in their last ten European games (W7, D1, L2), scoring two or more goals in eight of those.
Unsurprisingly then, the hosts are very strong at home, losing just once in their last 22 CL games at the Bernabéu (W17, D4, L1). In 11 of those games they scored three or more goals, and kept a clean sheet in nine of those 22 matches.
Roma are now winless in three domestic games (D2, L1), but have lost just once in their last ten Serie A fixtures (W6, D3, L1). In the CL, the Rome-based outfit have five wins from their last ten (W5, D1, L4) with those fixtures averaging 3.70 goals per game.
However Roma’s recent away form in the CL has been poor. The Italians have lost four of their last five trips (D1, L4) conceding 16 goals in those losses.
These two clubs have met ten times in the CL before, with Real holding the bragging rights with six wins (W6, D1, L3).
Players to watch: Madrid’s Karim Benzema has scored four goals in three games, while Edin Džekohas one goal and two assists in four games.
LIVE STREAMING REAL MADRID VS AS ROMA.
Stat attack: Madrid have failed to score before half-time in four of their five CL home matches against Roma.
Five of Real’s last ten CL games ended with three or more Madrid goals.
The last time Madrid failed to score a goal in a CL home game was against Barcelona in April 2011
Eight of Roma’s last ten CL away games saw them concede two or more goals.
Will not play
Pastore J.
(Muscle Injury)
Match Information
Referee: Kuipers B. (Ned)
Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu (Madrid)
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