Cassano backs Gasperini, says Mourinho's football is outdated ahead of Roma–Real Madrid clash

Radio pundit Lorenzo Pes has argued that Roma's spending under Gasperini this season exceeds what the club invested during José Mourinho's tenure. Speaking on Tele radio stereo (92.7), Pes said: "If we're talking about spending, this year Roma has spent more with Gasperini compared to Mourinho's years. Perhaps, as a coach, you could say other things about Mourinho. In general, it seems to me he is insisting a lot on the ownership, probably because he knows he can do so. Mourinho is trying to normalise everything, but it is clear that for him this is a particular moment. I expect a high-level match, also because the match itself will drive the teams to play that way. I don't think Roma will start with a fearful attitude: they know they have a technical difference and can face the match with serenity. But the qualification, you play it especially in the last four matches." The broader radio consensus in Rome suggests Roma can compete at the highest level. Nando Orsi (Radio Radio Mattino, 104.5) remarked: "Real Madrid seems very beatable to me right now. It doesn't seem like a top Madrid. Mourinho is now setting other tasks: he's thinking about managing the group more than coaching quality. The difference with Barcelona in terms of points is clear. They're not unbeatable, in short. Roma can compete." Legend Roberto Pruzzo, also on Radio Radio Mattino (104.5), called for caution: "At the Olimpico I expect a match that could follow this pattern. A draw could suit both teams, but it will be important that the referee is up to the task, because compared to the Como match I don't have the same certainty: Real is an opponent that can hurt you. For this reason I would proceed with caution, trying to understand what is the best way to face the match."

Antonio Cassano has intensified anticipation for Roma's Champions League fixture against Real Madrid by delivering a scathing assessment of José Mourinho's managerial capabilities. Speaking to Diario AS, the former striker—who played for both clubs during his career—praised Gian Piero Gasperini's work while reserving harsh criticism for Mourinho's approach. Cassano said: "Roma and Real Madrid are two very different teams. First of all, Roma has a fantastic coach, while Real Madrid does not, because Mourinho does not like to play football; he only likes to talk. It is incredible that Real Madrid, the strongest team in history, has hired Mourinho. I do not understand how Florentino Pérez could have chosen him. It drives me crazy." Cassano argued that Mourinho's tactical philosophy has become outdated and that his managerial legacy consists only of conflict. "Mourinho is no longer capable of managing," Cassano stated. "It is true that Gasperini has won only a Europa League, but titles do not interest me; what matters is what I see on the pitch. Mourinho was very fortunate because none of his teams played well. His football philosophy became obsolete ten years ago. His career has left no legacy, only arguments with everyone. He likes to talk about other things, but not football. One of his greatest merits is having Jorge Mendes as an agent, who always finds him good clubs." When asked about the upcoming match, Cassano predicted a difficult night for Roma despite backing Gasperini's methods. "Roma plays very well, but Real Madrid is stronger," he said. "I think it will be a difficult match, but Real Madrid has an 80 per cent chance of winning, even though Gasperini is very good and Mourinho is not. They should not stay closed in defence waiting for Mbappé, Bellingham or Vinicius to score and win matches. They should learn from Barcelona and Flick, who has created a great team with strong personality in which everyone attacks. Real Madrid does things in the opposite way." Cassano also reflected on his Roma career, noting Francesco Totti as one of his greatest idols and praising Ronaldo Nazário as the finest centre-forward he ever witnessed, describing him as "absolutely fabulous."

Alessandro Florenzi, a former Roma defender who faced Real Madrid four times during his time at the club, has analysed Roma's upcoming Champions League encounter with the Spanish side and reflected on José Mourinho's imminent return to the Olimpico as Real Madrid's manager. Florenzi played in an era when Roma regularly qualified for the competition's latter stages, confronting a "truly galactic" Real Madrid side featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Luka Modrić. On defending Ronaldo, he said: "Very difficult. A formidable player who has done incredible things in world football." Florenzi praised both Gian Piero Gasperini and Mourinho for their ability to unite squads: "Because they have created united groups that give everything for the team and shirt. They have restored a sense of belonging that had been somewhat lacking in previous years." Gasperini's tactical approach, Florenzi believes, suits European competition. "Gasperini's style, among Italian teams, is the most European: open, aggressive, one-on-one. At Como a tactically very beautiful match was seen, with interesting touches. I don't think he'll change anything compared to Sunday." He suggested the method could prove taxing over time but backed Gasperini's squad-building: "The plus of Gasperini is precisely this: getting the team as far as possible with a strong base. Then in January something useful could arrive from the market." Florenzi also reflected on Mourinho's 2018–19 tenure at Roma, when the manager won the Coppa Italia and reached the Europa League final. "There was a lot of respect from both sides. He left an important mark, bringing a trophy and reaching the Europa League final. He created an identity around the squad." On Mourinho's prospect of facing the Roma crowd, Florenzi noted there would be mutual respect. Florenzi revealed Roma had approached him about a return but decided to pursue other plans: "There had been an approach from both sides, but the club postponed it because it had other plans. For me playing at Roma was a dream, but the club had different visions and decided to let me leave." Florenzi discussed his famous long-range goal against Barcelona, the 2018 Champions League semi-final run, and his admiration for Francesco Totti's approach to the game. On the Barcelona strike, he recalled: "It was the perfect night. The first thing I look at is the ball in line with the post. Then I see Ter Stegen running… and I understood nothing more. So much so that the celebration is not the best." He is currently working towards his coaching qualification, describing it as "a thing in addition," and observes that in Italy the process takes three to four years.