Roma vs Real Madrid preview: Can Cristiano Ronaldo carry his scoring form into the Champions League?

A look ahead to the Champions League fixture at Stadio Olimpico

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo (Getty Images)

It’s a big game for…

Cristiano Ronaldo

Since Zinedine Zidane took over the helm of Los Blancos at the Bernabeu, Ronaldo has found a new spring in his step with many saying he is enjoying playing football once again. The Portuguese forward Ronaldo will have one thing on his mind when he heads to Italy, to go back to his once peak self. Madrid have a score to settle as Roma overcame Madrid 4-2 on aggregate in their previous meeting, Ronaldo will be key to make sure his side are firing on all cylinders.

Best stat…

4 for 4: Real Madrid and Roma have faced each other 8 times in the UEFA Champions League both winning four and losing four. It will prove vital whoever comes out on top of this head to head 8 years after they faced one another in the competition.

Remember when…

Roma managed to score two past Iker Casillas within 22 minutes before the Spanish giants proved why they are one of the greatest teams within the competition as they came back to defeat the Italians as Roma’s defence crumbled.

Player to watch…

Mohamed Salah

The Chelsea loanee has proved to be a vital scoring source in pushing for a European spot in Serie A as Roma have won their last four out of six games. He has scored 8 goals in 24 appearances and could potentially cause a lot of problems for Madrid’s strong back four.

Past three-meetings…

Real Madrid 1 (Raul) Roma 2 (Taddei, M.Vucinic)
Champions League, March 2008

Roma 2 (D.Pizarro, Mancini) Real Madrid 1 (Raul)
Champions League, February 2008

Roma 0 Real Madrid 3 (Ronaldo, Figo 2)
Champions League, December 2004

Form guide…

AS Roma: DLWWWW

Real Madrid: WWDWWW

Vital information…

KICK-OFF TIME: 19:45pm

TV: Live on BT Sport Europe, Highlights on BT Sport, ITV Website