Scouting Roma: A tough game awaits Real Madrid in the Italian capital

Mehedi Hassan analyzes AS Roma ahead of their clash with Real Madrid, noting the Italian side's dominant underlying metrics under manager Gian Piero Gasperini. Roma have gone unbeaten through six Serie A matches with four wins and two draws, scoring 14 goals while conceding just three. Hassan highlights that Roma boast the league's second-highest non-penalty expected goals tally (12.8 npxG) and have spent the second-most time playing with a lead.

Individually, forward Donyell Malen leads Roma's attack with six goals and 4.9 npxG, while Paulo Dybala has generated the team's highest expected threat from passing. Operating primarily in a 3-4-2-1 system, Roma also maintain high defensive lines and intense pressing, which the analysis indicates will pose a significant challenge for Real Madrid in Rome.