Guler and Vinicius Start in 4-2-3-1 for Real Madrid Against AS Roma

Following their narrow 1-0 win over Villarreal in La Liga, Real Madrid are in action tonight in the UEFA Champions League as they take on AS Roma in Matchday Two of the league phase. The Spanish capital giants kicked off their European campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabeu and will now be eager to make it two wins out of two tonight at the Stadio Olimpico.

Things will be anything but easy considering the solid start that the Giallorossi have made under Gian Piero Gasperini, stitching together a seven-game unbeaten run, although they have only one win in their last four matches. Roma’s first Champions League fixture against Fenerbahce also ended in a 1-1 draw last month, but buoyed by their home support, the Serie A bigwigs will fancy their chances against a Real Madrid side that has yet to find its absolute best version under management.

Real Madrid Predicted Lineup & Tactical Pitch Board

Manager Jose Mourinho prepares his team to face his former employers at the Stadio Olimpico with four absentees: Eder Militao, Raul Asencio, Rodrygo Goes, and Ferland Mendy, with the Frenchman unregistered for the European competition. Vinicius Jr. is available as his impending domestic suspension only applies in La Liga, while Dean Huijsen returns to the squad.

Defensive Adjustments and Personnel Changes

Thibaut Courtois remains an undisputed starter in goal and one of Real Madrid’s most important players on the pitch. Having secured his second clean sheet of the season over the weekend, the Belgian ace will hope to add another clean sheet tonight at Stadio Olimpico. In central defense, Dean Huijsen is back after serving his suspension and is expected to feature from the get-go, partnering summer signing Ibrahima Konate. This tactical adjustment means Antonio Rudiger will drop to the bench against his former club.

There is likely to be a change at left-back as well, with Marc Cucurella set to replace Alvaro Carreras, who started the league game against Villarreal. On the right side of the defense, Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to hold on to his place ahead of Denzel Dumfries.

Midfield Balance Under Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho has yet to figure out his best double pivot pairing in the middle of the park for Real Madrid. For now, the Portuguese tactician is expected to continue keeping faith in the pairing of Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni, despite the pair failing to provide the necessary control and creativity from central areas in recent fixtures. Meanwhile, Bernardo Silva could finally make an appearance off the bench after having seemingly disappeared from the manager’s plans in recent games.

As for the advanced attacking midfield slot in the 4-2-3-1 system, there is simply no looking past Jude Bellingham, who has been Real Madrid’s best player so far this season under Mourinho’s stewardship.

Vinicius Jr. and Arda Guler Lead the Attack

Vinicius Jr. was benched by Jose Mourinho against Villarreal, coming on in the second half for an eventful cameo capped off with a disallowed goal and a red card. Seeing as his resulting suspension will only apply in La Liga, Mourinho is expected to deploy him as a starter against Roma tonight. That tactical decision means Yan Diomande will drop out of the lineup immediately after scoring his first goal for Real Madrid over the weekend.

On the right side of the attack, Arda Guler has impressed heavily and will hold on to his place, with his vision and creative output set to be crucial against Gasperini’s stubborn defensive block. Leading the line, Kylian Mbappe will make his landmark 100th Champions League appearance, starting as Real Madrid’s central forward.