Benítez: Roma deserved more against Real Madrid despite late collapse

José Mourinho returned to the Olimpico for the first time in nearly three years as Real Madrid defeated Roma 4–3 in a comeback victory on Wednesday. Malen and his teammates dominated for 80 minutes but were undone by a dramatic rally in the closing stages. The loss stung, but Roma's supporters across the city, in bars, on social media and on radio programmes applauded the team's display—frustration exists, but fans believe the club can dream big this season after a disappointing year previously. The stadium paid tribute to Mourinho before and during the match, but the gesture divided the fanbase. Many on social media criticised the former coach for his final celebrations and jibes at his successor, with some supporters declaring him ungrateful and no longer a romanista. The current manager on Roma's bench draws less charisma than Mourinho but carries significant pedigree. The club's three-year project to win the Serie A title for the first time in 25 years remains on track, and supporters believe the direction is correct. While some supporters welcomed Mourinho's homecoming, others felt the Olimpico's pre-match and in-game tribute was inappropriate given his departure from the club. The overriding sentiment, however, reflects optimism about Roma's path forward under new leadership.

Roma face Genoa without Malen, Dybala, Svilar, Koné and Cristante, forcing Gasperini to rely on an unfamiliar attack centred on two summer arrivals. Rodrigo Mora (Portugal) and Santiago Castro (Argentina) will make their first competitive pairing, with Soulé alongside them. De Roon and Pisilli will lead midfield against Daniele De Rossi's Genoa, while Lulli replaces Molina at right-back. Both young forwards carry significant investment and expectation: Mora arrived on a €25 million deal with a further €25 million option to secure him permanently, while Castro cost €30 million plus performance bonuses and reportedly took the train to Rome to complete the move. Their combined valuation approaches €100 million. The squad's depleted state means Gasperini has little margin for error. Roma nearly overcame Real Madrid in their last outing and must translate that character into the league. Mora made an impression against Madrid, coming off the bench to provide an assist for Malen, a display that would have earned him a rating of seven or better had the comeback succeeded. Castro has not played since the final stages of the Torino match, though he has since made his Argentina debut. Both players now carry the weight of the club's summer faith on their shoulders. Mora, 19, and Castro, 22, have yet to score their first goals at the Olimpico despite joining this summer with significant pedigree and investment. For Roma, victory against Genoa is almost obligatory as the season enters its autumn phase.

Rafa Benítez has analysed Roma's Champions League defeat to Real Madrid at the Olimpico, saying the Italian side was the better team but lost due to defensive errors from dead-ball situations. Benítez, a former Liverpool and Napoli manager who won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005, commented on the match as part of a wider assessment of four Italian defeats in a Champions League week. Benítez told La Gazzetta dello Sport: "Against a fortress like Real Madrid it can happen. But I must say that everything is exclusively linked to episodes in set-piece situations. Roma was superior, Real never managed to get down the flanks. The risk was in man-marking and it happened. But from an evening like that you can also keep the good things, knowing you must learn from the lapses." Roma came close to victory but were caught in a late comeback.