Stat Attack: 10 facts to know before Real Madrid meeting

Ahead of Wednesday's Champions League opener against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu, we take a look back at the history between the two clubs.

The reigning European champions are the Giallorossi's most common opponent in European competition, meaning this season's group stage will add another chapter to a burgeoning relationship...

Familiar faces...

Roma and Real Madrid have faced off on ten occasions, which makes the Spanish side the Giallorossi’s most common opponent in European competitions.

As things stand, Madrid have won six games to Roma’s three, in addition to one draw...

Tough place to go?

Roma have played at the Santiago Bernabeu five times. The Giallorossi have won two, drawn one and lost two at the home of Real.

A magic night a decade ago

Roma’s last win over Real Madrid at the Bernabeu came back in 2008, in the Champions League Round of 16 second leg. The Giallorossi recorded a 2-1 win that day thanks to goals from Rodrigo Taddei and Mirko Vucinic, thus securing their spot in the quarter-finals.

Spanish inquisition

The last time Roma won an away game in Europe against Spanish opposition was in February 2017, when the Giallorossi won 4-0 win against Villarreal at the Estadio de la Ceramica. Emerson Palmieri and Edin Dzeko (3) scored the goals to help send Roma towards the last-16 of the Europa League that night.

Group stage differences

Real Madrid came second in their Champions League group last season (behind Tottenham Hotspur), while Roma won theirs. The Spanish side went on to win the competition, with the Giallorossi knocked out in the semi-finals by Liverpool.

The European bow of a legend

Francesco Totti played his final Champions League game away at Real Madrid. The match – the second leg of the Giallorossi’s last-16 tie – took place on 8 March 2016. The Roma No.10 came off the bench in the 73rd minute to applause from the Madrid faithful.

Sophomore campaign for the boss...

This will be Eusebio Di Francesco’s second season in the Champions League as a coach. The Giallorossi has taken charge of 12 games in the competition, winning six, drawing two and losing four. Roma have scored 21 goals in the Champions League under his stewardship, conceding 19.

Madrid hard to beat at home

Madrid have won 34 of their last 42 Champions League games at home and have lost only twice in that period. Schalke won 4-3 at the Bernabeu in the second leg of their last-16 tie back in the 2014-15 season, while Juventus beat Real 3-1 in the quarter-finals last term.

On both occasions, Madrid advanced to the next round on aggregate.

Scoring at the Bernabeu? Three Giallorossi players have done it

Three current Roma players have scored at the Bernabeu: Daniele De Rossi, Edin Dzeko and Aleksandar Kolarov.

De Rossi scored in the Giallorossi’s 4-2 defeat in the 2004-05 group stage, while Dzeko and Kolarov both scored for Manchester City as they lost 3-2 to Real on 18 September 2012.

Familiar stadium for plenty of others...

Five of the Giallorossi’s current squad have played in Spain: Ivan Marcano (Racing Santander 2006-09, Villarreal 2009-10, Getafe 2010-11), Steven Nzonzi (Sevilla 2015–18), Federico Fazio (Sevilla 2007–14 & 2016) and Diego Perotti (Sevilla 2008–14).