Balerdi praises Gasperini and vows to lift Roma as high as possible

Roma sporting director Tony D'Amico spoke to journalists before the club's Champions League League Phase third matchday game against Slovan Bratislava at the Stadio Olimpico, saying the squad is good enough to compete. On Endrick, he said January is a long way off and that the club is focused on itself for now. D'Amico was asked how the team had experienced the seven minutes against Real Madrid that Roma endured in their previous Champions League match. He said: "7 minuti particolari, senza respirare" – seven particular minutes, without breathing – but added that football is like this and the Champions League is a difficult competition. He pointed to the 80 spectacular minutes the team had played, adding that in all matches the club analyses every aspect and that in that game the negative aspect was the points. "Abbiamo vissuto una grande serata" – we had a great evening. Roma have already restarted their league campaign, with a win over Genoa featuring many young players. D'Amico described it as a nice evening and said the club was curious too. He praised head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, saying he is a master on this matter regardless of the players' age, and that if he has valid players at his disposal he always gets the maximum. The Genoa game came three days after the Real Madrid match, and D'Amico said the young players had been good and the club was truly happy. "Sappiamo che possiamo contare su una discreta rosa" – we know we can count on a decent squad. Asked whether Roma would try again for Endrick, D'Amico said: "Gennaio è molto lontano" – January is very far away. "Ora ci concentriamo su noi stessi, poi a gennaio metteremo il nostro massimo per mettere a disposizione del mister delle risorse" – now we are concentrating on ourselves, then in January we will do our utmost to make resources available to the coach.

Slovan Bratislava coach Yaya Touré has spoken ahead of Roma's Champions League third-matchday fixture against Slovan Bratislava at the Stadio Olimpico, saying he has fond memories of the stadium. Touré, who played in the Olimpico as a player, said returning there is always special, recalling a "special final against United that we managed to win" when he was on the pitch for Barcelona against Manchester United. Touré said: "Yes, I was on the pitch. It is always nice to return here, I have wonderful memories, a special final against United that we managed to win. Today is a different match, as a coach, and I am curious too to see how it goes." Asked whether both sides were looking for their first win, Touré said: "We have respect for Roma, we know it will be difficult. In the last match against Real they were unlucky, and I think they should have won that game. Now they will have to repeat that against us, and we will see whether we can bring the result home." The match is part of the third matchday of the Champions League league phase. Roma's Champions League campaign for 2026-27 is taking place alongside their Serie A commitments, and this fixture gives the Giallorossi a chance to build momentum in Europe's premier club competition.

Roma sporting director Tony D'Amico spoke to Sky Sport ahead of the Roma–Slovan Bratislava Champions League match, reflecting on a dramatic game in which Roma conceded late and lost two points. He said: "7 minutes particular, without breathing. But football is this, the Champions League is a difficult competition. But the 80 spectacular minutes the team played remain in the eyes. In all the matches we analyse all aspects, and I believe that in that game the negative aspect is the points. We experienced a great evening." D'Amico also praised the recent win over Genoa, which featured many young players, as a sign of continuity. He said: "Yes, it was a nice evening. The coach is a master on this, regardless of the age of the players. The Genoa match came three days after the Real game. We know we can count on a decent squad." Looking ahead to the winter, D'Amico said: "January is very far away. Now we are concentrating on ourselves, then in January we will put in our maximum effort to make resources available to the coach."

Roma head to Bratislava for their third Champions League match looking for a first win of the campaign, after a draw with Fenerbahce and a defeat to Real Madrid. Gian Piero Gasperini has left Evan N'Dicka and Gianluca Mancini out of the starting line-up, with Daniele Ghilardi and Leonardo Balerdi starting in defence. Donyell Malen leads the attack, with Rodrigo Mora and Lorenzo Pellegrini behind him. Roma line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation: Pierluigi Gollini in goal; Ghilardi, Balerdi and Mario Hermoso in the back three; Nahuel Molina, Marten de Roon, Niccolò Pisilli and Wesley in midfield; Mora and Pellegrini in the attacking pair; and Malen up front. On the bench are Giorgio De Marzi, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Mancini, N'Dicka, Devyne Rensch, Emanuele Lulli, Di Nunzio, Bryan Cristante, Matías Soulé and Santiago Castro. Slovan Bratislava, coached by Yaya Touré, set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Takac starts in goal, protected by Blackman, Bajric, Markovic and Sandro Cruz. Pokorny and Gajdos form the double pivot, with Barseghyan, Ibrahim and Suleman Camara behind Marcelli.

Roma host Slovan Bratislava at the Stadio Olimpico in matchday three of the Champions League league phase, with the defence reshaped as Daniele Ghilardi and Leonardo Balerdi start from the first minute. The Swiss referee Schärer is in charge. Roma have never beaten the Slovak side, and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is looking to change that. Less than a week ago, Roma saw a dominant position against Real Madrid collapse in just seven minutes, a result fans are eager to answer. Three points would confirm the team's strong form and keep their European hopes alive. Gasperini said: "We need to win to keep our chances of going through alive." The match is being played in front of the home crowd in Rome, and Roma are chasing the Champions League.

Roma led Slovan Bratislava 4-0 at the Stadio Olimpico in their third League Phase match of the Champions League, with Hermoso (21'), Molina (38'), Pisilli (52') and Malen (57') on the scoresheet. Roma had dominated the first half, and the game had long since been settled by the time of the latest update. Roma came into the match with one point from their first two games, a draw at Fenerbahçe and a 4-3 defeat to Real Madrid in a chaotic game. Slovan, coached by Yaya Touré, had made a difficult start to their European campaign, losing 6-1 to Paris Saint-Germain and 3-0 to Stuttgart. More than 60,000 Roma fans were expected at the stadium. Gian Piero Gasperini's side lined up in a 3-4-2-1, with Gollini in goal, Ghilardi, Balerdi and Hermoso in defence, and Molina, Pisilli, De Roon and Wesley in midfield. Mora and Pellegrini were behind Malen, who was back from a league suspension. Hermoso opened the scoring with a header at 21', from a free kick by Pellegrini that Ghilardi nodded across for him to finish at the far post. Molina doubled the lead at 38', following up to on the rebound after Malen's right-footed strike was blocked by Takác. Pellegrini had earlier shot wide from the edge of the box at 28', and Takác made a diving save. Pellegrini had a problem at 50' and was replaced by Soulé at 51'. Pisilli made it 3-0 at 52' with a left-footed finish under the keeper, playing in on a pass from Malen after a mistake by the Slovan defence. Wesley was brought down in the area at 56', and Malen converted the resulting penalty at 57' with a right-footed shot into the corner. Wesley had a chance at 32', going past his man and delivering a fine ball to the second post, where Molina's volley went over the bar. Roma made two changes at 58', with Wesley and Malen replaced by Castro and Rensch. Slovan made three changes at 68', bringing off Ibrahim, Gajdos and Suleiman Camara for Mustafic, Martinez and Maros. Barseghyan was booked for simulation at 20', and Suleiman Camara was cautioned at 65' for holding Rensch. The match was refereed by Sandro Schärer of Switzerland, with Fedayi San as VAR. At 70', Rensch tried his luck with a low right-footed shot from the edge of the box, and the effort went just wide.