Both Real Madrid and Roma look set to qualify from Group G in the Champions League ahead of their clash on Tuesday.

While the two sides seem to be heading into the last-16 of the competition, both sides are struggling domestically.

Madrid find themselves sixth in La Liga, six points behind table-toppers Sevilla.

Meanwhile, Roma are seventh and are already 18 points behind runaway leaders Juventus.

But what will happen when they face each other in Rome this week?

Well, one man that knows both sides well is Fabio Capello.

The Italian boss has won trophies at both Roma and Real but believes Eusebio Di Francesco’s side could triumph at the Stadio Olimpico.

“Italians suffer when the Spaniards keep the ball, but I have seen Roma look good physically, and that’s important. I believe that they can produce an excellent performance and also win,” Capello said.

And Capello even put his finger on exactly why Los Blancos are having a tough time this season - they thought they’d be better off without five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo.

“Maybe Real Madrid gets worse, they're paying for thinking that it would be easier to win without Cristiano Ronaldo, that the results would be the same," Capello said.

“When he was in Madrid, the rivals were scared, and his teammates were more liberated.”

Capello is spot on.

It’s not only Ronaldo’s goals and performances that Madrid are missing.

They’re missing him demand the very highest standards from his teammates. Meanwhile, opponents would focus on trying to stop Ronaldo, allowing teammates the space to flourish.