Manolas: A standing ovation at the Bernabeu would be great, but we want to win

Jokes from some quarters have suggested that Real Madrid supporters could give Manolas a warm welcome when the Giallorossi face Real Madrid, after the Greek defender scored the crucial goal that knocked the Spanish club's arch-rivals Barcelona out of last season's Champions League.

And, while Manolas acknowledges that he received some messages of thanks from Real fans in the wake of that memorable night, he is not getting carried away by suggestions of a further show of appreciation.

"People have said they will give me an ovation; that would be good, it would be nice," Manolas told Spanish newspaper Marca.

"But when the game gets underway I will be thinking only about winning at the Bernabeu with my team."

He added: "I don't know if there will be one. You are suggesting this, and I've heard it elsewhere. For me it would be a pleasure if the Real Madrid fans gave me a nice reception. The Barca game was an incredible night, my happiest in football. To beat a team like that... it was amazing."

Wednesday's game kicks off Group G in the competition, with CSKA Moscow and Viktoria Plzen playing elsewhere.

"Roma’s problem now isn’t its defense or its attack, but its approach," Manolas added. "We all have to defend and attack. A squad doesn’t depend on four defenders or three attackers.

"We are a team that is being built, we signed some important players, but we mustn’t think about this, we only have to do well on the pitch.

"Our Champions League objective is to get to the knockout stage and take it step by step. Neither I, nor Roma fear anyone. We can be respectful, Real have a great team, but no fears."