Preview - Real Madrid vs Roma 19 September 18

[Harry85]

Champions' League Group G
Real Madrid vs. Roma
Thursday, September 19th 2018
04:00 am (GMT+8 Timing)
Stadium: Santiago Bernabéu Stadium

Real Madrid: 
Last five matches form: L W W W D
17/18 Average goals per match: 2.47
17/18 Average goals against per match: 1.16
17/18 Top Scorer: Gareth Bale (16)

Roma:
Last five matches form: W D L L D
17/18 Average goals per match: 1.61
17/18 Average goals against per match: 0.74
17/18 Top Scorer: Edin Džeko (16)

Another good one in the opening round of Champions League fixtures as Roma travel to the Bernabéu to take on Julen Lopetegui's Real Madrid.

This will be the 14th meeting between the sides with Real just edging the previous 13 with seven wins to Roma's five. The most recent clash came in August of this year, with Real winning that International Champions Cup matchup 2-1.

Real have adjusted relatively well to life without CR7 and under their new coach; winning three and drawing one so far in La Liga. It was often on the European stage that Cristiano Ronaldo shone brightest of all though, will he be missed here?

Roma really excelled themselves in this competition last season when counting the mighty Barcelona amongst their victims. They haven't exactly lit up Serie A just yet though, winning just one of their four games to date.

Real Madrid look a solid outfit now playing under the Lopetegui system and we fancy will prove very tough for Roma to break down. It's much harder to be confident about the Italian side keeping things tight at the other end though, with the Wolves having shipped seven goals in their past three games.


Overall we expect the defending champions to make a solid start with a routine home win.


Prediction: Real Madrid 3 - 1 Roma

[Harry85]

Half time: 1 - 0
Full time: 3 - 0
Shots:  30 - 10
Shots on target: 15 - 5
Corner Kicks: 16 - 11
Possession: 57% - 48%

Sergio Ramos was the sole Real Madrid player booked in this one. Referee Bjorn Kuipers also taking the names of Danielle De Rossi and Edin Dzeko of Roma.

An excellent display from Real Madrid here who now really seem to be warming to the task under Julen Lopetegui. In this sort of form the defending champions will be tough for any side to overcome. Racking up a phenomenal 30 efforts on goal, they simply blew Roma away in the end.

Gareth Bale went close early. Brilliantly bringing down a long ball on the edge of the area only to then volley narrowly wide.

Real would have to wait until the stroke of half time before taking the lead. Isco lining up a free kick on the edge of the area, curling the ball over the wall and into the top left with the motionless keeper stranded.

Bale went close again at the start of the second half. Played in inside the area this time his volleyed effort was repelled by the crossbar.

The Welshman wasn't to be denied tonight though and in the 58th minute he got his goal. Sent racing through on the left by Isco, he thumped an effort across the keeper and right into the bottom right corner.

Toni Kroos and Marco Asensio had already gone close before the third goal arrived in the 90th minute. Mariano Diaz receiving the ball on the left corner of the box, before cutting inside and curling a beauty into the top right. 3-0 final score.