Coach Luciano Spalletti, who steered Roma to victory against Real at the same stage of the competition in 2008 in his previous spell in charge, said Tuesday the Serie A side would go out looking for a win against the 2014 Champions League winners.
Spalletti has deployed a loose 4-3-1-2 formation with Argentinian Diego Perotti sitting just behind the Egyptian-inspired strike pair of Mohamed Salah and Stephan El Shaarawy. Salah is an Egyptian international while EL Shaarawy is half Egyptian on his father's side.
It means Dzeko starts on the bench alongside Keita, who despite his previous experience playing against Madrid has seen Frenchman William Vanqueur step into the midfield holding position.
Defensive midfielder Daniele De Rossi, who will miss Roma's next match if he is booked, also starts on the bench alongside fellow veteran Francesco Totti.
Real visit the Stadio Olimpico without Gareth Bale, who is still nursing a calf strain.
James Rodriguez comes in for the Welshman on the right side of a three-man attack alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.
Real coach Zinedine Zidane, who is making his coaching debut in the competition, has also welcomed back Brazilian left-back Marcelo following his recovery from a shoulder injury.
Starting line-ups:
Roma (4-3-1-2): Wojciech Szczesny; Alessandro Florenzi, Kostas Manolas, Antonio Rudiger, Lucas Digne; Miralem Pjanic, William Vainqueur, Radja Nainggolan; Diego Perotti; Mohamed Salah, Stephan El Shaarawy
Coach: Luciano Spalletti (ITA)
Real Madrid (4-3-3): Keylor Navas; Dani Carvajal, Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane, Marcelo; Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Isco; James Rodriguez, Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo
Coach: Zinedine Zidane (FRA)
Refree: Pavel Kralovec (CZE)