Cafu backs Gasperini's work at Roma, says Champions League race remains open

José Mourinho has spoken fondly of AS Roma once again, reaffirming his emotional connection to the club despite his return to Real Madrid after thirteen years away. The former Roma manager, who spent two and a half years in the capital, reflected on his time apart from the Bernabéu and his affection for clubs where he has worked. When asked directly about his feelings for Roma, Mourinho did not shy away. "If you ask me if I feel something for Roma, Inter, Chelsea… yes, I feel something," he said. "I always want them to do well." He distinguished his attachment to Roma and other previous clubs from his bond with Benfica, describing the Portuguese club as having "something more" than the others. Mourinho also addressed his thirteen-year absence from Madrid, clarifying that he does not dwell on the past or feel nostalgia. He departed Portugal twenty years ago and has only returned for a few months in the year prior. He insisted that Real Madrid's subsequent titles belonged to Carlo Ancelotti, Zinedine Zidane, the players, and the organisation rather than himself, despite receiving calls from the club's president after each trophy.

Sergio Oliveira, the former Roma midfielder who spent six months at the club and won the Europa Conference League in Tirana, has endorsed Rodrigo Mora, the 19-year-old Portuguese talent who has arrived at Roma this summer. Speaking to Il Romanista, Oliveira praised Mora's undeniable talent and potential for growth, saying: "His talent is indeniable. He is still very young and has ample room for improvement, but he has already demonstrated those qualities and that character that suggest he has all the credentials to succeed at Roma." Oliveira drew on his own experience to advise the young midfielder on adapting to life at the club. He emphasised the unique nature of Roma as an institution, describing it as more than just a football team. "You need to feel the club, the shirt and everything they represent," he explained. Oliveira highlighted the importance of building a connection with the supporters and learning from experienced teammates, noting that the Stadio Olimpico's atmosphere is unforgettable and can accelerate a young player's development. Oliveira, who made 174 appearances for Porto before joining Roma, also reflected on his own time in the Giallorossi colours. He expressed deep affection for the club and its fanbase, and backed Roma's return to the Champions League, describing it as the level where a club of Roma's stature belongs. He praised head coach Gasperini as "a coach with very clear and demanding ideas" under whom young talented players can grow significantly.

Former footballer Jeda has publicly endorsed Rodrigo Mora's move to Roma, urging the Brazilian to trust head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's methods. Jeda worked under Gasperini at Crotone, where he scored 15 goals in 42 matches, and shared his experience on Instagram and later in a radio interview with Radio Romanista. Jeda emphasised Gasperini's ability to elevate player performance through demanding training and tactical discipline. "If you want to grow, you have to trust him. That's what happened to me," Jeda explained, detailing how Gasperini's methodology transformed his physical condition within a month and helped him play 42 matches without injury in Serie B. He compared Mora's potential trajectory to Alejandro Papu Gomez's evolution at Atalanta, where the Argentine reinvented himself from a winger into a decisive attacking force. "He is young, has very important characteristics and has accumulated appearances with Porto. He is in an important period of growth and with him he can make the leap," Jeda said of Mora. Jeda expressed confidence in Gasperini's longer-term vision for Roma, saying the coach has reached "a level of intelligence that allows him to understand the road to follow." He believes Gasperini's work last season was "only the beginning of a journey that can be very important" and that Roma will compete strongly this season despite needing additional squad depth, particularly due to Champions League demands.