Is Kylian Mbappe playing today? Projected lineups for Roma vs Real Madrid in Matchday 2 of 2026-27 UEFA Champions League

Roma host Real Madrid at the Stadio Olimpico in a Champions League group clash that pits Gian Piero Gasperini’s back three against Jose Mourinho’s old club in Spain’s capital giants.

Roma go into this one off a 1-1 draw with Fenerbahce on September 10, a result that leaves them still searching for their first win of the European campaign.

Real Madrid arrive on the back of a 2-1 win over Inter on September 8, a result that keeps them unbeaten and gives them momentum heading into Rome. For this game, Kylian Mbappe is expected to start despite the recent knee injury he suffered with France during the international break.

Gasperini sets Roma up in a 3-4-2-1 with Gollini behind a back three of Hermoso, Ndicka and Mancini. Wesley Franca and Molina provide width as wing backs either side of Kone and De Roon in central midfield, while Soule and Dybala operate just behind Malen as the central outlet. There are no absences listed for Roma, so Gasperini can pick from a full squad for this test against Madrid’s attack.

Roma projected starting XI (3-4-2-1): Pierluigi Gollini, Mario Hermoso, Evan Ndicka, Gianluca Mancini, Matias Soule, Paulo Dybala, Wesley Franca, Manu Kone, Marten De Roon, Nahuel Molina, Donyell Malen. Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini.

Mourinho lines Real Madrid up in a 4-2-3-1 with Courtois in goal behind a back four of Cucurella, Rudiger, Dumfries and Konate. Bellingham and Valverde anchor the midfield, with Bernardo Silva, Vinicius Junior and Arda Guler supporting Mbappe as the focal point up front. With no absences reported, Mourinho has his full first-choice group available to work with in Rome.

Real Madrid projected starting XI (4-2-3-1): Thibaut Courtois, Marc Cucurella, Antonio Rüdiger, Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konaté, Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, Bernardo Silva, Kylian Mbappe, Vinícius Júnior, Arda Güler. Coach: José Mourinho.