AS Roma return to Champions League action on Tuesday night as they host Slovan Bratislava at the Stadio Olimpico, with kick-off at 21:00 local time.

The 2-0 victory over Genoa last Sunday, with goals from Castro and Emanuele Lulli, halted a run of mixed results. Prior to that, the Giallorossi suffered a 4-3 home defeat to Real Madrid in a goal-filled encounter, after drawing 0-0 away to Como. Their form over the last five matches reads two wins, two draws and one loss, a sequence that also includes the 2-2 draw with Inter and a 2-0 win over Torino.

The season's numbers

In Serie A, the defence has been a strong point, conceding only three goals in seven games, while the attack has found the net 16 times for a goal difference of +13. The team's top scorer this season is Donyell Malen with six goals in six appearances, who scored a brace in the 4-3 defeat to Real Madrid. They trail league leaders Inter by just two points, a position that breeds confidence ahead of their next league fixture, an away trip to Napoli on Saturday 24 October, a side currently sitting ninth in the table.

Slovan Bratislava arrive at the Olimpico on the back of a heavy 3-0 home defeat to Stuttgart, a result that highlights their challenges. Roma's last starting lineup, fielded against Genoa, featured Gollini in goal, with a defence of Balerdi, Ndicka and Koulierakis. In midfield, de Roon and Pisilli supported the wing-backs Rensch and Lulli, while the attack was led by Soulé, Rodrigo Mora and Castro.

A fast start on Tuesday will be key to controlling the game and making home advantage count. A win would allow Roma to head into the tough southern derby against Napoli with momentum, maintaining focus on both the European and domestic fronts.

Manager Gian Piero Gasperini has confirmed Paulo Dybala will miss the Champions League match against Slovan Bratislava. "It will take longer than expected," explained Gasperini. "At least a couple of weeks." The right calf issue has been diagnosed as a muscle injury. Donyell Malen, however, returns from his league suspension. In attack, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Matias Soulé and Malen will start, with Santiago Castro on the bench.

Francesco Totti appeared in the tunnel at the Olimpico before the Champions League clash against Slovan Bratislava, exchanging hugs and smiles with the players. The team, third in Serie A with 17 points, then won the match 4-0 with goals from Hermoso, Molina, Pisilli, and Malen.