Antonio Arena reflects on maiden season at Roma

Roma host Real Madrid at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday 14 October at 21:00 in the second matchday of the UEFA Champions League League Phase. The fixture marks the return to Rome of José Mourinho, now managing Real Madrid. Roma drew 1–1 away at Fenerbahçe in their opening European match and arrive on the back of a goalless draw against Como in Serie A, played for much of it with 10 men after Donyell Malen's red card. Real Madrid beat Inter 2–1 at home in their Champions League debut and won 1–0 at Villarreal in La Liga. Gian Piero Gasperini's squad is without Mile Svilar, sidelined by a foot problem that will keep him out for several weeks. Pierluigi Gollini will continue in goal after a solid performance against Como, with Devis Vásquez added to the Champions League squad list. Bryan Cristante is also unavailable; Gasperini explained in his press conference that "the midfielder will need more time because of the knee problem". Konstantinos Koulierakis has returned to full training with the squad after his injury and trained with the players who did not start against Como, though it remains uncertain whether he will be used. In defence, competition is open among Balerdi, Mancini and Hermoso, with Evan N'Dicka the most secure of his place. Balerdi is pushing for a starting role following recent strong displays. Gasperini may select the trio Mancini–N'Dicka–Hermoso or field Balerdi from the start. Wesley is certain on one flank, while on the opposite side Nahuel Molina has a slight edge over Devyne Rensch and Emanuele Lulli. Marten de Roon is expected to partner Manu Koné in midfield in Cristante's absence. Paulo Dybala and Malen are both expected to start, with Malen eligible to play in the competition despite his Serie A suspension. Matías Soulé is slightly favoured over Rodrigo Mora to complete the front line. Roma are expected to deploy a 3–4–2–1 with Dybala and Soulé behind Malen. Real Madrid travel with a rich squad but several absences: Rodrygo, Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy and Raúl Asencio have not been called up due to injury. Those who departed for Rome include Rüdiger, Huijsen, Konaté, Alexander-Arnold, Dumfries, Valverde, Camavinga, Tchouaméni, Güler, Bellingham, Vinicius and Mbappé. Andriy Lunin will start in goal. Alexander-Arnold and Dumfries are competing for the right-back role, with Konaté and Huijsen slight favourites at centre-back alongside Rüdiger as an alternative. Cucurella is expected to start at left-back. Valverde and Tchouaméni form the midfield base with Jude Bellingham higher up; Arda Güler is favoured on the right wing, Vinicius starts on the left and Kylian Mbappé leads the line after scoring in the Inter match. Referee François Letexier of France will oversee the match, with Dennis Higler of the Netherlands as VAR. The match will be broadcast exclusively in Italy on Amazon Prime Video, with coverage beginning at 21:00 on Wednesday 14 October. The commentary is provided by Sandro Piccinini with analysis by Massimo Ambrosini. Betting odds favour Real Madrid, with Roma victory quoted at 3.60–3.80, a draw between 3.75–4.10, and a Real Madrid win at 1.83–1.85. Over 1.5 goals is priced around 1.40–1.50, reflecting both teams' attacking potential. An away win of 1–2 for Real Madrid is quoted at 8.50–9.00 and is regarded as the most likely scoreline by several pre-match analyses.

Roma have begun planning reinforcements for the January transfer window and have set their sights on Daniel Banjaqui, a 2008-born right-back at Benfica considered one of Europe's most promising young talents in his position. The interest comes as the club looks ahead to both immediate needs and longer-term recruitment options. Banjaqui has already attracted attention from several clubs, including Juventus, according to German transfer outlet Transfersfeed. The move would form part of Roma's broader strategy to strengthen the squad in the coming window, with ambitious signings under consideration beyond their existing targets.

Roma have identified Daniel Banjaqui, a 18-year-old right-back at Benfica, as a potential transfer target, according to German outlet Transfersfeed. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini stated ahead of Roma's match against Real Madrid: "Now the January market does not interest me", with reference to forward Endrick, who is expected to remain at the Spanish club. Roma's move for Banjaqui comes as the club considers alternative objectives across different positions. Juventus are also monitoring the teenager among several European sides tracking him. Banjaqui remains contracted to Benfica until 2031 with a release clause set at €45 million, though a transfer could potentially be negotiated for around €35 million. Roma have undertaken only preliminary information-gathering through intermediaries at this stage, with no concrete negotiations underway. The club are also watching developments in Portugal across two fronts: alongside Banjaqui at Benfica, Roma are tracking Porto right-winger William Gomes, a 20-year-old left-footed player. Gomes carries a substantial release clause of €80 million in his current Porto contract, which expires in 2031. The clause is expected to rise to €100 million following an imminent contract renewal with the Portuguese club. Neither pursuit represents an active negotiation at present.

The Friedkin Group is considering selling its majority stake in Everton and welcoming new investors into the club, marking a shift in strategy from earlier plans to seek only minority partnerships. The Athletic reports that the family has expanded its options to include a possible exit from control of the English club, which they acquired at the end of 2024. The potential sale comes as The Friedkin Group pursues a separate expansion into the NHL with a franchise in Texas, an investment estimated at approximately $3.5 billion that would cover both the entry fee and construction of a new arena. The exploration of Everton's future does not signal any retreat from AS Roma. The club remains a central asset in the Friedkin sporting portfolio and continues to receive investment in technical, infrastructure and stadium projects. Roma's position is described as stable, with no indication of disengagement emerging at this stage. The NHL expansion process with the North American league is not yet concluded and requires further approval procedures. The article notes that it would be premature to assume the possible Everton sale is directly tied to financing the new hockey franchise, as some American reports lack sufficient evidence to establish a direct connection between the two plans. The Friedkin Group's broader strategy is becoming more complex, with the family now evaluating every available option for Everton, from simply opening the club to new partners through to a full sale of control, less than two years after entering Liverpool.

Antonio Arena, Roma's young striker, has been named among the 60 most promising players born in 2009 globally in a list compiled by The Guardian. The Primavera talent has already scored for the first team in the Coppa Italia and regularly features in Gasperini's matchday squads for Serie A fixtures, demonstrating qualities that set him apart from his peers. Arena's inclusion reflects his early impact at Roma, where he has attracted the attention of head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who frequently calls him up for league matches. The recognition underscores the talent emerging from the club's academy and the confidence placed in him by the first-team staff. The Guardian's list also includes Riccardo Cassano of Como and Destiny Elimoghale of Juventus among the 60 young players identified as prospects.

The Guardian has included three Italian young players in its "Next Generation" selection of 60 of the world's best prospects born in 2009, among them Antonio Arena of Roma. In the 2026–27 season, Arena has made 4 appearances for Roma's Primavera, scoring 1 goal and providing 3 assists. He previously made his first-team debut in the 2025–26 season, scoring in the Coppa Italia against Torino in a 2–3 defeat at Stadio Olimpico. Also named in the list is Roma goalkeeper Slim Bouaskar, who was born and raised in Rome but represents Tunisia at international level and continues to feature in Roma's youth ranks and international tournaments including the U17 World Cup. Bouaskar has not yet made his senior debut for Roma. The list also includes Riccardo Cassano of Como and Destiny Elimoghale of Juventus. The Guardian identified Arena as a centre-forward with classical traits and aerial strength, effective in the box. The publication noted his striking debut record: a goal on his first appearance with Pescara in Serie C, followed by a goal on his first touch with Roma in the Coppa Italia match against Torino. His mentality has impressed head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who believes the young player has "strength to sell". Of Bouaskar, The Guardian described him as a talent from the Tunisian diaspora and one of the few positive notes in a complicated year for Tunisian football. Standing 1.88 metres tall, he commands the defence, reads his exits well, and possesses notable reflexes. Former Roma manager José Mourinho noticed him during his time at the club, while Claudio Ranieri gave him his first real opportunity. Bouaskar has shone in youth competitions including the U17 World Cup, the 2025 U17 African Cup of Nations, and the U20 UNAF tournament, though he has yet to debut for Roma or Tunisia's senior side.