Vinícius Júnior expected to start on bench as Roma seek first Champions League win

Roma’s best opening against Real Madrid may come from a change in the visitors’ attack: Vinícius Júnior is expected to begin Wednesday’s match on the bench. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side need a first Champions League win after opening their campaign with a 1-1 draw away to Fenerbahçe, while Madrid arrive after beating Inter 2-1.

The expected change follows Vinícius’s domestic red card and reported frustration. Diomandé is tipped to come into the side after scoring his first goal last weekend. Vinícius’s absence from the starting XI would offer Roma a different challenge to prepare for, but Madrid’s win over Inter is a reminder that the visitors already have three points in the competition.

Roma are also weighing changes of their own. Balerdi could start in defence, while Matías Soulé is expected to take Lorenzo Pellegrini’s place behind striker Donyell Malen. Malen was sent off directly for the first time in Serie A and, according to the match preview, will be eager to make an impact in Europe.

There is a contrast in the teams’ domestic and European starts. Roma sit third in the league with 14 points from six matches, but their latest game ended in a draw against Como. That result followed their European stalemate in Turkey, leaving Wednesday’s home match an opportunity to turn a solid league position into a first Champions League victory.

The Stadio Olimpico crowd is a potential advantage for Roma, but the task is clear: they must convert that home support into a result against a side that has already beaten Inter. A win would put Roma’s European campaign on a different footing; another draw would leave them still waiting for their first victory.

Roma host Real Madrid at 21:00 on Wednesday, 14 October. Prime Video will show the match exclusively in Italy, with Claudio Marchisio, Cristiana Girelli and Luca Toni billed for its match-night coverage. Roma’s next league fixture is at home to Genoa on Saturday, 17 October.