Roma to face Real Madrid in Champions League group stage

The Giallorossi, semi-finalists last season, will go up against the holders (and three-times consecutive winners) of the competition in Group G of the competition.

The two sides last met in the competition in the last-16, back in 2016.

The group is completed by Russian side CSKA Moscow and Czech champions Plzen - who the Giallorossi will know well, having faced them in the group stages of the 2016-17 Europa League.

“Everything is easy on paper," director Francesco Totti said.

"Last year we were supposed to finish third in the group, instead we beat everyone. It’s a tough group and we’ll do everything to progress.”

"The group is what it is; it could have been better or worse - we can talk about it but what matters is what happens out on the pitch," Roma managing director Mauro Baldissoni said.

"Every side that reaches the group stage deserves that stage, so nothing can be considered easy. Last season will give us some confidence but we will have to go again with the right focus."

Real Madrid are the most successful side in the competition's history, having now won it on 13 occasions.

Roma have faced the Spanish side 10 times in the competition, winning on three occasions.

CSKA are back in the Champions League for the sixth time in the row - although they have failed to get out of the group stage in their last five attempts.

Last season they finished second in the Russian Premier Division.

Plzen will be taking part in their third group stage campaign in the Champions League - having lost eight of their 12 matches in the competition to this point.

When Roma faced them in the Europa League two seasons ago, the sides drew 1-1 in the Czech Republic - with Roma winning 4-1 at the Olimpico.