Behind the scenes at Como–Roma: Gasperini and Fabregas's pre-match moment, Wesley contact row and Malen's red card

Roma face Real Madrid in the second matchday of the Champions League League Phase, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini expected to make few changes from the goalless draw against Como on Sunday. Defenders Gianluca Mancini and Evan N'Dicka are available for selection, and Matías Soulé is among the attacking options under consideration. Gasperini appears set to maintain the shape and personnel that produced the stalemate in Como as Roma step up their European campaign. The fixture will test the club's credentials at the highest level of continental competition this season.

Roma's match against Real Madrid at the Olimpico tomorrow will hold particular significance for José Mourinho, who received a warm reception from Giallorossi supporters outside the Blancos' hotel in the capital. The fixture carries emotional weight for the former Roma manager, who is being welcomed with affection by the club's fanbase despite now leading the visiting side. Gasperini commented on the occasion: "With Real we will understand our level, we must not change who we are. Mou deserves the affection of the people." The coach framed the Champions League encounter as a benchmark for Roma's standing among Europe's elite. Donyell Malen was suspended for one match—siting out the fixture against Genoa—following a disciplinary decision by the Giudice Sportivo.

José Mourinho will face AS Roma for the first time since his sacking in January 2024 when Real Madrid visit the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday 14 October at 21:00 for the second matchday of the Champions League league phase. Mourinho, who led Roma to the UEFA Europa Conference League title in 2022 and a Europa League final defeat in Budapest the following year, acknowledged the emotional weight of his return. "For ninety minutes we are opponents, but if they want to give me a special greeting I would also like to embrace the Roma fans," he said at his pre-match press conference. "Before the match it won't be normal, even arriving at the airport or at the stadium, in this press conference, walking down the corridor hasn't been normal. Never in the ninety minutes will it be." Mourinho framed Roma as one of Serie A's strongest teams alongside Inter Milan, whom Real Madrid beat in their opening Champions League fixture. "They are motivated to play Champions League at the Olimpico, in front of a crowd that does not just come to watch the match but to play," he explained. He stressed his ability to separate emotion from competition: "I will give everything. Before and after perhaps it will touch my heart, but during the match there is no room for doubt. The Roma fans will want to win and Real Madrid will want to win. In those moments you have to forget about emotions." Mourinho also responded to questions about his affection for Roma's supporters, saying he had won their trust by remaining himself and prioritizing the interests of the team and players above his own. "Roma fans are special; I have worked at many clubs but Roma fans are without doubt very special," he added. Real Madrid's sporting philosophy drew comparison when asked about Gian Piero Gasperini. Mourinho said: "If I manage to forget which stadium I am in, who I am playing against, and I am trying to prepare this match that way and I will do it during the game, I think it can be a contest like any other." He addressed squad rotation at right-back, noting he had felt the need to change position for Fede Valverde against Villarreal "without wasting a substitution," because a player of Valverde's quality could operate at multiple positions. On Vinícius Júnior's early-season form, Mourinho said: "It hurt my heart to see Vini in this situation. Every day he is happy, works hard, but so far he has not yet found the joy of being decisive this year. Let's see if in the Champions League, since he is suspended in the league, he can return to being the true Vini." Aurélien Tchouaméni told the press Real Madrid had started the Champions League well by beating Inter and were determined to continue collecting points. "I like how Roma play very much and I know that tomorrow's match will be difficult, also because we will play away from home," he said. "I think we have enough quality to win the match and that is what we will try to do." Tchouaméni declined to discuss contentious decisions in Real Madrid's weekend match against Villarreal, stating: "We are very frustrated because of these decisions, but the most important thing was winning that match. We think about moving forward."

Roma face Real Madrid in the second round of the Champions League League Phase, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini using the pre-match press conference to frame the fixture as a barometer of his team's level. Gasperini said: "With Real we will understand our level, we must not lose our identity. We have the desire to measure ourselves against one of Europe's best teams." On José Mourinho, who managed Roma in 2024–25, Gasperini added: "He deserves the affection of the people. What would I steal from him? The ability to get his players taken from him." Donyell Malen addressed the media alongside Gasperini, saying: "From the moment I arrived the Champions League was the objective, now we've managed it and we have the opportunity to enjoy a special evening." The Real Madrid contingent received a warm reception at the stadium, with Mourinho—a club legend from his time in Rome—telling the assembled press: "Roma, opponents but only for 90 minutes. I love the giallorosso people, they are special. It won't be normal." He joked with a Spanish journalist: "Watch out for the taxi drivers, some are Lazio fans." Tchouameni, speaking for Real Madrid, praised Roma's style: "I like very much how Roma play." Malen will miss the fixture through suspension.

On the eve of Roma's Champions League match against Real Madrid, Gian Piero Gasperini framed the fixture as a measuring stick for the club's competitiveness. "Difficult to have Real Madrid as a benchmark. What we must take as a benchmark is what happens on the pitch, to measure ourselves against them. We have played Inter and Como, among the best in Italy; now we find one of the best in Europe, and we can understand how competitive we can be," Gasperini said at his pre-match press conference from Trigoria. On José Mourinho's return to the Olimpico, Gasperini acknowledged the emotional weight of the occasion: "It is right that it is so; there was great affection for Mou. He deserves all the recognition the fans will give him. Then the match begins, and Roma's supporters will cheer for Roma." Mourinho himself addressed the media after arriving at the stadium, reflecting on his homecoming. "Coming back here… I am ready, I am well, I am balanced, solid, without doubt that during the match I will give everything. Then perhaps before or after my heart will beat faster, but during the match there is no room for doubt. The Roma fans want to win and so do we; in that moment there is no room for love," he said. He emphasised Roma's place in his career: "The interests of the club, the players and the fans are always ahead of mine. Many people recognise that. We won a European competition with Roma, reached another final and more besides. Roma fans are special people; I have been treated well at many clubs, but these people are special." Donyell Malen has been handed a one-match suspension following his red card in the away fixture at Como, meaning he will miss the next game against Genoa but will be available for the Napoli fixture. Referee Michael Fabbri sent Malen off for a challenge on Kaiki; the incident sparked debate over the referee's conduct and a possible prior foul on Malen himself. Malen posted an apology on social media to his teammates and the Roma fans, acknowledging his own recklessness. With Mile Svilar sidelined by injury, Pierluigi Gollini has taken over in goal. Devis Vásquez, the Colombian goalkeeper, has now been added to both the Serie A and Champions League squad lists to serve as back-up to Gollini during Svilar's absence. Gasperini had revealed after the Como match that Vásquez would be reintegrated into the league squad; his inclusion in the European list is a fresh addition.

Roma's match against Real Madrid at the Olimpico tomorrow will hold particular significance for José Mourinho, who received a warm reception from Giallorossi supporters outside the Blancos' hotel in the capital. The fixture carries emotional weight for the former Roma manager, who is being welcomed with affection by the club's fanbase despite now leading the visiting side. Gasperini commented on the occasion: "With Real we will understand our level, we must not change who we are. Mou deserves the affection of the people." The coach framed the Champions League encounter as a benchmark for Roma's standing among Europe's elite. Donyell Malen was suspended for one match—siting out the fixture against Genoa—following a disciplinary decision by the Giudice Sportivo.

Roma face Real Madrid in the second matchday of the Champions League League Phase, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini expected to make few changes from the goalless draw against Como on Sunday. Defenders Gianluca Mancini and Evan N'Dicka are available for selection, and Matías Soulé is among the attacking options under consideration. Gasperini appears set to maintain the shape and personnel that produced the stalemate in Como as Roma step up their European campaign. The fixture will test the club's credentials at the highest level of continental competition this season.

Pierluigi Gollini marked his return to Serie A action after two years with a clean sheet at Como, keeping out Nico Paz with two vital saves. His next test arrives tomorrow against Real Madrid in the Champions League, where stars including Mbappé and Vinicius will pose a far stiffer challenge. The Stadio Olimpico stage is familiar territory for the goalkeeper, who earned ten Champions League appearances while at Atalanta under Gasperini—the most of any Roma player in the competition this season, ahead of Mile Svilar (4 appearances), Matías Soulé (4), and Gianluca Mancini, Wesley and Manu Koné, who all made their competition debuts in September against Fenerbahçe. Real Madrid hold particular significance in Gollini's European history. His last Champions League outing came against the Spanish club in 2021, when Atalanta lost 0–1; de Roon also featured that evening and will line up again tomorrow in place of the injured Bryan Cristante. Roma will be aiming to replicate Sunday's result at Como, when they secured victory at the final whistle.

Roma's 0-0 draw at Como revealed a significant shift in Gian Piero Gasperini's tactical identity, demonstrating both defensive resilience and a willingness to accept a hard-fought point when circumstances demand it. The result, secured while playing more than a third of the match with ten men, drew praise from the coach for his team's refusal to surrender. Gasperini said: "I celebrated for the spirit we showed on the pitch until the ninety-fourth minute. Playing more than a third of a match in numerical inferiority against this Como without ever stepping back is a big deal." The performance marked a departure from Gasperini's traditional approach, which has always prioritised sustained attacking, pursuing a second or third goal regardless of defensive risk. This season, Roma have absorbed the principle that if a match cannot be won, it must be prevented from being lost—a pragmatic shift essential to competing for the season's highest targets. The club's overall balance across all departments now reflects this maturity: Roma have conceded just three goals so far, sharing the league's best defensive record with Cagliari, while maintaining the second-most prolific attack with 14 goals, trailing only Inter. Como's dominance of possession in the final stages—reaching 83.8%—was neutralised by Roma's midfield and defensive foundation. Gianluca Mancini handled 51 passes, Marten de Roon 55, Wesley 65 and Nahuel Molina 63. The defensive line, led by Evan N'Dicka and rotating through Mario Hermoso, Leonardo Balerdi and Daniele Ghilardi, proved impenetrable. Paulo Dybala, despite minor errors born of fatigue, managed 47 passes away from Roma's box, functioning as a leader among opponents' attackers and maintaining continuity through all 90 minutes with ten men. This combination of technical quality and competitive intensity forms the foundation Roma will need for the season's major fixtures.

Angelo Di Livio has criticized Roma for wasting another significant opportunity in their match at Como. Speaking to Retesport, the former player said: "The Roma threw away another big chance at Como, I saw a really good team. If the giallorossi had gone ahead they would have won the match. In the second half not even a pin could pass through. In the first half the giallorossi team deserved to go ahead but once again they were not clinical in front of goal. Winning at Como would have been a great result, so this is not good." Di Livio highlighted Roma's finishing as the key problem, particularly after a missed opportunity by Paulo Dybala. He stated: "If Dybala doesn't score, Malen becomes a problem. I don't want to criticize the Argentine for the missed goal at Como, but the team lost another big chance because in the first half they could have been ahead." He suggested tactical changes for the second half, saying he would have played long balls to Santiago Castro instead of keeping Dybala on the pitch. Di Livio also questioned the management of Rodrigo Mora and Castro, noting that Castro will play against Genoa but expressing concern about his fitness given limited playing time. On Lorenzo Pellegrini's performance, he offered praise: "He played an important match, he got into the thick of the action and almost scored. He gave a good signal, like all the others who hadn't played much such as De Roon and Gollini."

Zibi Boniek has predicted Roma will defeat Real Madrid 2-1 in their Champions League match on 14 October. Speaking to ReteSport, he described the fixture as a special occasion given José Mourinho's role as opponent, and said Roma possess the weapons to trouble the Spanish club despite facing a well-organised side. "The atmosphere at the Olimpico will help Roma," Boniek said. "The players instead of stopping will go 30 metres further. Malen and Dybala, who are in excellent form, are important weapons. The giallorossi team is very well organised and proved that at Como with a player fewer. It won't be easy against Real but you can try." Boniek assessed Roma's title prospects as dependent on Inter slipping. "Roma must be ready if Inter should drop off, but I don't believe that will happen because they have a strong and complete squad," he said. "Inter can only lose the title; they are superior to all the others." He offered praise for Lazio's current league position given their pre-season expectations but ruled out their chances of winning the Scudetto, predicting they will have a good campaign without becoming champions. On Dybala's form, Boniek noted: "I see him grown on the mental and physical level; I hope it lasts because Roma needs it. The Argentine is fundamental in the development of the team's attacking play. He has the capacity to create many goal-scoring chances." Boniek's final prediction: "Gasperini's team wins 2-1."

Zibi Boniek, the former Roma player and ex-UEFA executive vice-president, predicts Roma will defeat Real Madrid 2–1 in tomorrow's Champions League match at the Olimpico. Speaking to Retesport, Boniek acknowledged the emotional dimension of facing José Mourinho as an opponent while emphasizing Roma's attacking threats: "The atmosphere of the Olimpico will help Roma. Instead of stopping, the players will go 30 metres further. Malen, Dybala, in excellent form, are important weapons. The giallorossi side is very well organized and proved it even at Como with one player fewer. Against Real it won't be easy but we can try." Boniek assessed Real Madrid as tactically conservative, employing low pressing and counter-attacks rather than expansive football, and questioned why Spanish observers lack confidence in their own side. He credited head coach Gian Piero Gasperini for constructing a disciplined unit, highlighting Paulo Dybala's contribution to Roma's attacking play: "I see him grown on a mental and physical level, I hope he stays like this because Roma needs it. The Argentine is fundamental in the development of the team's attacking play: he has the ability to create many goal-scoring chances." On the Serie A title race, Boniek declared: "Inter can only lose it themselves. They are superior to all the others." He praised Lazio's unexpected form—"It is a team that deserves applause for its current league position considering the initial premises"—but ruled out a Scudetto challenge: "They will have a good campaign, but I do not think they can win the title." His final forecast on Roma–Real Madrid: "The Gasperini side wins 2–1."