Real Madrid will face off against AS Roma in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night at the Stadio Olimpico.
It will be a special occasion for Los Blancos manager Jose Mourinho as he returns to face his former employers.
Meanwhile, there is a lot of excitement within the Roma camp as well as they get set to take on the most successful team in the Champions League history.
Donyell Malen excited
Indeed, Roma forward Donyell Malen believes Wednesday’s meeting with Real Madrid will be “an extraordinary night” and the perfect opportunity for the Italian side to assess their level against one of Europe’s leading teams.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday, the Dutch international expressed his excitement ahead of the encounter.
“Tomorrow will be an extraordinary night, the perfect opportunity to test ourselves against one of the best teams in Europe,” Malen said.
Looking forward to facing Real Madrid. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
The forward recalled that qualifying for the Champions League had been one of his objectives since joining Roma in January.
Now that the club have reached the competition, he believes they can enjoy a special occasion against such prestigious opposition.
“The coach was decisive because of the confidence he gave me from the very beginning, but my team-mates, the coaching staff and the fans also played their part. All these factors contributed to my performances,” he explained.
Malen also highlighted the importance of Roma’s supporters, particularly during difficult moments in a match of this magnitude.
“Having their support will be very important, especially during the difficult moments of the game, because they can really drive you forward,” the Dutchman added.
Malen looks forward to seeing Bellingham again
Asked about Jude Bellingham, whom he previously played alongside at Borussia Dortmund, Malen admitted that he had not spoken to the Real Madrid midfielder recently.
Malen and Bellingham during their time at Borussia Dortmund. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
“It has been a long time since we played together. He is a special player, everyone knows that, and it will be a good opportunity to see him again,” the Roma forward commented.
The reunion adds another personal dimension to a match that Malen sees as a valuable test of Roma’s progress against elite European opposition.
Having been sent off in Roma’s last game against Como, the forward is now focused on making a positive contribution against Real Madrid.
“Tomorrow, I will do everything I can to help the team,” he concluded.
Source: Mundo Deportivo
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