Real Madrid head to AS Roma with four players absent, a 23-man squad and a pre-match press conference scheduled for 18:00 at the Stadio Olimpico. The trip also carries a familiar face for Jose Mourinho, but the first question is simpler than that. Can Madrid absorb the missing bodies and still keep their Champions League start moving?

Madrid's squad problem

The absent names are Éder Militão, Rodrygo, Raúl Asencio and Ferland Mendy. That leaves Real Madrid travelling with a short-handed group, even if their form has not dipped as badly as the injury list suggests.

Madrid have won four of their last five matches, and they are coming off a 1-0 league win over Villarreal. The more awkward part is that the replacements are being asked to handle a proper European away night rather than a softer domestic assignment. With Vinícius Júnior, Kylian Mbappé, Federico Valverde and Trent Alexander-Arnold all in the orbit of a 23-man travelling squad, there is still enough quality in the group, but the balance is thinner than usual.

The injury debate around Mendy is a little messy. One source frames him as unavailable through injury, while another says he has not been registered in the Champions League this season. Either way, he is not part of the squad for Rome, which is the only point that really changes the match night.

Mourinho's return and Madrid's European edge

Mourinho called the Stadio Olimpico home between 2021 and 2024, reached his 1,000th match as a coach on the Roma bench and lifted the inaugural Conference League title with Roma in 2021/22. His return gives the fixture a personal edge, but it does not disguise what the numbers say about the tie itself.

Madrid opened the Champions League with a 2-1 win over Inter Milan and sit 14th in the early table on 3 points after one match. Roma are 17th on 1 point after their first game, and Madrid have won three of the last four verified Champions League meetings between the sides. Roma are unbeaten in their last five matches, so this is not a soft landing, but the balance still tilts Madrid's way if their squad depth holds up.

The cleaner read is that Rome is a test of control, not just a reunion. Madrid have the better European start and the stronger recent head-to-head, but four absences mean the margins matter more than usual. They will find out more about that at 18:00 on Tuesday when the press conference opens at the Stadio Olimpico.

FAQ

Will Real Madrid cope with four absentees against AS Roma?

Real Madrid travel to Rome with four players absent, including Éder Militão, Rodrygo, Raúl Asencio and Ferland Mendy. They still go with a 23-man squad and have won four of their last five matches, so the issue is depth rather than form.

Why is Jose Mourinho's return to the Stadio Olimpico relevant?

Mourinho called the Stadio Olimpico home between 2021 and 2024 and reached his 1,000th match as a coach on the Roma bench. The return adds a personal layer to the match, but the preview is still driven by Madrid's injury list and squad size.

How strong is Real Madrid's European position before facing AS Roma?

Real Madrid opened the Champions League with a 2-1 win over Inter Milan and sit 14th in the early table on 3 points after 1 match. Roma are 17th on 1 point, and Madrid have won three of the last four verified Champions League meetings between the sides.

Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 4 outlets. How we work →