12 things you need to know about Roma v Real Madrid

Real Madrid are the side that Roma have faced the most times in the Champions League, with eight meetings. Six have come in the group stages, plus the two legs of the last-16 tie in the 2007-08 season. As things stand the Giallorossi have a record of three wins (two of which came in that last-16 tie), one draw and four defeats.

Real Madrid were the opponents for Roma’s first-ever appearance in the Champions League. It was 11 September 2001 and the Spaniards recorded a 2-1 win at the Stadio Olimpico.

Roma have scored two goals in three of their last four meetings with Real.

The Giallorossi have played Spanish opposition 28 times in Europe for a record of 11 wins, four draws and 13 defeats.

Roma ran out victorious the only time they have faced Spanish opposition in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Real Madrid were the opponents in the 2007-08 edition of the competition, with the Giallorossi winning both legs 2-1.

The Giallorossi have scored in eight of their last nine Champions League matches against Spanish opposition.

It’s two wins each for Rudi Garcia and Rafa Benitez from their four head-to-head meetings in Serie A. Roma won both matches at the Olimpico, while Napoli got the points on both occasions at the Stadio San Paolo.

The first of Francesco Totti’s 17 Champions League goals came from the penalty spot against Real Madrid at the Olimpico on 11 September 2001.

Totti has scored three Champions League goals against Real Madrid, making them his preferred opponents in this competition.

Both Edin Dzeko and Miralem Pjanic have already scored Champions League goals against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. Dzeko’s goal came during his spell at Manchester City in September 2012, while Pjanic netted for Lyon in March 2010.

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored three goals in four Champions League appearances against Roma. All three came during Ronaldo’s time at Manchester United, with the Portuguese scoring one away in Rome in April 2008.

Roma and Real Madrid have met at least seven times in minor competitions or friendly matches. The first of these matches took place in the Venezuelan capital Caracas on 5 July 1956 as part of a mini club world cup competition, with Madrid winning 2-1 thanks to goals from Hector Rial and Alfredo di Stefano. Luigi Giuliano got Roma’s goal. Most recently, the two sides met in an International Champions Cup game on 18 July 2015. The match itself ended 0-0, with Roma winning the subsequent penalty shoot-out 7-6.