Balerdi: 'I dreamed of Roma's shirt as a boy. Happy to work with Gasperini'

José Mourinho has made clear he has no intention of letting Endrick leave Real Madrid, directly warning rival clubs including Roma that they will have to contend with him to sign the Brazilian forward. Endrick was a long-standing Roma target last summer under Gasperini, and came close to joining the club in August before Mourinho intervened and persuaded him to stay at Madrid, where he has since received minimal playing time. At a press conference on 13 October ahead of Roma's match against Real Madrid, Mourinho was asked directly about Endrick's future and responded bluntly: "I club interessati dovranno lottare con me per ingaggiarlo. Lo adoro, ha un potenziale di altissimo livello ed è molto importante per noi. Non ha bisogno di essere ceduto in prestito, farà grandi cose e avrà un grande successo qui. Giocherà presto." Roma continue to monitor the 21-year-old, who impressed during a six-month spell at Lyon in France, where he scored 8 goals in limited appearances. Milan and Aston Villa are also credited with interest. Roma's sporting director Tony D'Amico is meanwhile evaluating other concrete options to strengthen the club's attack in January.

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.

Roma squandered a dominant display to lose 4–3 to Real Madrid in the second round of the UEFA Champions League League Phase at Stadio Olimpico on 14 October. The Giallorossi led 3–1 and controlled large stretches of the match but capitulated in the final stages, conceding three goals from corner kicks. Donyell Malen scored twice and created constant danger, earning an 8 rating, but his performance could not prevent Real's turnaround. Gian Piero Gasperini's side began brightly and took the lead through Marten de Roon before Malen and Matías Soulé extended the advantage. Real mounted a second-half comeback that proved fatal to Roma's hopes. The defensive substitutions—Leonardo Balerdi replacing Gianluca Mancini at 63 minutes and Konstantinos Koulierakis entering for Mario Hermoso at 80 minutes—failed to shore up the backline; both changes coincided with the collapse that allowed Real to turn the match around. Koné's early injury at 15 minutes proved costly to Roma's midfield stability, forcing Niccolò Pisilli into action. Wesley earned a 7 rating for tireless full-back play, while De Roon was judged indispensable given the midfield injuries and warranted 7 for both his goal and leadership. Rodrigo Mora came on for Paulo Dybala in the 46th minute after Dybala suffered a muscular problem, contributing 6.5 with an assist for Malen's second goal. Soulé, deployed wide on the right by Gasperini, scored 7 for his performance and the assist that made it 3–1. Lorenzo Pellegrini replaced Soulé at 63 minutes but could not affect the outcome, firing high from a good position. On the defending side, N'Dicka earned 6.5 despite conceding Rudiger's goal, while Hermoso was marked 5.5 for responsibility in Mbappé's opener. Pierluigi Gollini was rated 6, largely unburdened until the final collapse. Gasperini himself received 6, with the assessment noting that Roma's lack of experience and composure under pressure—particularly from set pieces—cost them dearly in the final twenty minutes.

Roma squandered a commanding performance to lose 3–2 to Real Madrid in the Champions League League Phase second matchday at the Stadio Olimpico on 14 October. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini said the club dominated the Spanish side for long stretches but capitulated in a seven-minute spell, conceding three goals from set-pieces. "We completely outclassed them, then we collapsed at the finish line," Gasperini told reporters after the match. "We had conducted the match in a remarkable way. It is regrettable we did not score more goals. They have scored theirs deservedly, from corner kicks, kicking them well and striking them well. For the rest they were certainly not at our level." Gasperini rejected suggestions that Real Madrid had worn Roma down, saying instead that it was the visitors who ran out of steam. "It seems to me that it was they who could not keep going. We could have scored even other goals. We outclassed them in everything," he said. The coach acknowledged that Roma became passive and lacked personality at the decisive moment, allowing Real Madrid to deploy fresh, quick attackers. The seven-minute collapse proved costly despite Roma's superiority across most of the 90 minutes. Gasperini insisted that the final scoreline masked the true nature of the contest and that Roma must learn to see out matches even when ahead, a trait typically shown by elite European sides under pressure. On his tactical decisions, Gasperini said: "Absolutely yes, I would make the same choices. Some substitutions were necessary, like Mancini and Hermoso. But Balerdi and Koulierakis came in. When you have absences in defence you cannot make other types of changes." Regarding injuries, he reported that Manu Koné suffered a muscle elongation and Paulo Dybala had a physical complaint, with other players carrying minor knocks. Gasperini also analysed Roma's weakness on set-pieces, noting that certain teams employ physical strength in such situations. "There is a risk of looking only at those seven minutes, but it is also true that matches must be taken all the way to the end," he said, emphasising that defensive errors at set-piece delivery were systemic rather than purely individual lapses. Gasperini concluded that Roma must digest the disappointment quickly and refocus on the wider picture of their Champions League campaign and domestic commitments ahead.

Roma lost 3–4 to Real Madrid at the Olimpico in a Champions League encounter that saw individual performances prove decisive in a tight contest. Pierluigi Gollini kept Roma competitive for 80 minutes before conceding four goals in a chaotic final stretch, while Donyell Malen emerged as the standout performer for the home side, delivering the kind of display that silences doubters about his form. Marten de Roon scored to level briefly at 3–3, and Rodrigo Mora provided an assist for Malen after replacing Paulo Dybala, who sustained an injury and did not return after half-time. Gianluca Mancini anchored Roma's defence with composure, playing close to Mourinho's influence and demonstrating the calibre expected of a Champions League defender, though he was unfortunate on Mbappé's opening goal. Evan N'Dicka faced a formidable test against Mbappé but stood firm with anticipation and personality, reading play high up the pitch as well as defending. Mario Hermoso made an early save-forcing contribution but read a rebound poorly to allow Mbappé's equaliser—a costly mistake at this level. The backline deteriorated in the closing stages; Konstantinos Koulierakis replaced Hermoso after 81 minutes but Roma conceded three goals after his arrival, with Endrick making a decisive impact once the Spanish defender departed. Manu Koné began as a driving force in midfield, probing Tchouameni's area and threatening Real's defence, but suffered a concerning fall after 15 minutes before being withdrawn. Niccolò Pisilli came on and proved unexpectedly assured, performing with the composure of a veteran despite the elevated intensity. Nahuel Molina showed aggression and attacking intent but committed too many errors, particularly in the final stages, and struggled to maintain defensive discipline. Dybala showcased his full range—combining finesse with grit and initiating Roma's opening-goal sequence with a crucial tackle—before a setback forced his withdrawal at half-time.