Cicinho backs Roma to compete with Real Madrid; backs Endrick move to Gasperini's side

Nicolò Zaniolo has praised Gian Piero Gasperini as a visionary coach capable of elevating Roma's ambitions this season. Speaking to Calciomercato.com, the former Roma forward reflected on his time at the club and his experience working under Gasperini at Atalanta, where he recovered from a fifth metatarsal injury. "Gasperini is an incredible coach," Zaniolo said. "He manages to pull 120% out of every player, he makes you fly physically and mentally. Wherever he goes he leaves his mark, and Roma are flying this year. They can certainly have their say in the Scudetto race." Zaniolo departed Roma in 2023 and now plays for Udine. His time in giallorosso remains formative: he won the UEFA Europa Conference League, made his debut at the Bernabéu, and scored his first Serie A goal against Sassuolo. He acknowledged regrets about how his Roma spell ended, but said the experience shaped him as a person and athlete. "My spell in giallorosso was one of the most important and instructive of my life," he reflected. "I left many friends there, my wife is from Rome, my first son was born there. We are even thinking of moving back to live there when my career ends. I left the relationship with the environment a bit abruptly, but I still support them." On his evolution as a player, Zaniolo identified the trequartista role as his perfect fit. "I have played so many positions in my career: I started as a half-back, then moved to the right at Roma," he explained. "Injuries took away some of the explosiveness I had covering the whole wing and moved me more inside the pitch. I think the trequartista is my perfect suit: I need to see the goal in front of me, not behind me. I can shoot from outside, provide assists, those are all my characteristics." Zaniolo also praised José Mourinho, under whom he achieved his best goal and assist return in a single season. He recalled Mourinho's conviction before the Conference League final: "Mourinho then replied: 'No, tomorrow Nicolò must play because he scores.'" Zaniolo noted they remain in contact via WhatsApp. "The fact that a coach who has managed world-class champions finds the time spontaneously to ask me how I am shows the greatness of the man before the technician," he said.

Nicolò Zaniolo, now at Udinese, has reflected on his time at Roma with a mixture of regret and gratitude, acknowledging both the significance of his spell in giallorosso and the manner in which it ended. Speaking to Calciomercato.com and Goal, Zaniolo said he was disappointed by how the relationship with the club and supporters concluded, though he remains a Roma supporter. His 4.5 years at the Stadio Olimpico were highlighted by the Conference League victory, but marked also by injuries and eventual discord. When asked what he would change about his Roma experience, Zaniolo said: "My spell in giallorosso was one of the most important and instructive of my life. I carry great joys with me – the Conference League victory, my debut at the Bernabéu, my first Serie A goal against Sassuolo – but also disappointments. I left many friends at Roma, my wife is from Rome, my first son was born there… we're even thinking of moving back there when my career ends. Perhaps I wouldn't do many things again, but without those mistakes and without such serious injuries like the cruciate ligament problems, I wouldn't be the person and athlete I am today. They taught me to care for my body, nutrition and injury prevention. Today I don't go on the pitch without having done prevention work. It upset me to close the relationship in a somewhat abrupt way with the environment, which I still support and cheer for." Zaniolo praised Gian Piero Gasperini, the Roma head coach who also managed him at Atalanta. He said: "Gasperini is an incredible manager. He manages to get 120% out of every player, makes you fly physically and mentally. At Atalanta I was coming back from a fifth metatarsal problem and couldn't fully satisfy his demands, but I had the honour of being trained by a visionary like him. Wherever he goes he leaves his mark, and Roma this year are flying. They can certainly have their say for the Serie A title." Zaniolo also paid tribute to José Mourinho, under whom he scored and assisted at his highest rate. He recalled: "Before the Conference League final I was in contention with another player and his entire staff advised not to play me. Mou said: 'No, tomorrow Nicolò must play because he scores'. He's special in everything – management, tactics, match vision. We still message on WhatsApp. The fact that a manager who has guided world-class champions takes time to ask how I'm doing shows his greatness as a man before anything else."

Roma's 0–0 draw with Como on 11 October has prompted extensive praise from Rome's radio networks, with commentators highlighting the team's maturity and the impression they made despite finishing a player short after Donyell Malen's expulsion. The match raised fresh concern over Mile Svilar's fitness, with uncertainty continuing over a possible surgical procedure. Radio analysts across multiple stations interpreted Como's tactical approach as a direct response to Roma's threat under Gian Piero Gasperini. Piero Torri said: "Yesterday Como abandoned their natural style because they feared Roma, and that is the finest compliment you can pay to Gasperini's team. This year the others are afraid when they face Roma." Several commentators argued that Roma deserved to lead in the opening fifty minutes before Malen's dismissal transformed the contest. Roberto Pruzzo, a Roma legend, criticised the refereeing, saying the officials "are returning to what they have always done" and noting that a better referee would have called a foul before Malen's incident, allowing him to issue a yellow card rather than red. Opinion split on the expulsion itself. Alessandro Vocalelli said Malen's challenge "is a red without discussion. The foul is ugly and very dangerous," though he agreed the referee should have whistled the earlier offence. Franco Melli countered: "The referee should have stopped play first for the foul on Malen." Luigi Ferrajolo described the sending-off as "excessive and hasty", arguing Malen was "being pulled when he recovered the ball." Despite the controversy, the consensus was that Roma showed collective strength in adversity. Gasperini's preparation impressed Ugo Trani: "Gasperini prepares matches really well—so much so that he forced someone like Fabregas to change the way he plays." N'Dicka and Marten de Roon earned particular praise, with Trani naming the pair among the standout performers. Pierluigi Gollini's goalkeeping display, despite replacing the absent Svilar, drew approval across the airwaves. Simone Valdarchi noted: "After the Inter match, Roma confirmed they are a more mature team. Last season you would have lost this game." The injury to Svilar loomed large in the analysis. Trani expressed concern: "I'm worried about Malen—I'm afraid they might ban him for two matches." On the goalkeeper, he added: "For Svilar they are still deciding on a possible operation."

Gian Piero Gasperini will hold his pre-match press conference tomorrow at 13:30, alongside one of his players, as Roma prepare for their Champions League fixture against Real Madrid on Wednesday at 21:00 at the Stadio Olimpico. The squad will conduct a final training session shortly after the press conference. Gasperini has few formation doubts ahead of the encounter, with the main tactical question centring on the attacking midfield position. Lorenzo Pellegrini and Matías Soulé are competing for a starting place alongside Paulo Dybala in that area of the pitch.

Paulo Dybala has spoken ahead of Roma's Champions League clash against Real Madrid at the Olimpico, saying he hopes to end his career in Italy. Speaking to UEFA Champions League Magazine Show on Prime Video two days before the match, Dybala reflected on Roma's performance last season and the challenge ahead. "We gave everything last season," he said. "It brought joy to us and the fans, and pride too. It will be difficult—we are facing some of the most decorated teams in the world—but with the push from our people we will have something extra." On his years in Italy, Dybala expressed gratitude for how the country has shaped him. "I never imagined I could have a career like this here. This country welcomed me with open arms, the people made me grow as a man and as a player. There are so many emotions here—beautiful moments and difficult ones, as is life for anyone. I hope there can be an Italian ending," he said.

Roma will face Real Madrid in the Champions League group phase on Wednesday 14 October at 21:00 at the Stadio Olimpico, the second round of fixtures after opening with a 1–1 draw away to Fenerbahce. Real Madrid enter on three points following a 2–1 victory over Inter at the Bernabéu. Gian Piero Gasperini's side are without goalkeeper Mile Svilar, who has suffered a stress fracture to the fifth toe and will miss several weeks, leaving Pierluigi Gollini to start after featuring in the 0–0 draw at Como. Bryan Cristante remains uncertain with a right knee problem that forced him to miss the Como trip. Roma's last four Champions League meetings with Real Madrid have ended in defeat without scoring, making this fixture a chance to reverse a poor record. The clubs have met 12 times in the competition, with Real Madrid winning eight, Roma winning once and three draws recorded. Gasperini is expected to deploy a 3–4–2–1 formation, with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso in defence, Nahuel Molina and Wesley on the flanks, and Marten de Roon partnering Manu Koné in midfield. Paulo Dybala will operate behind the forward, with Matías Soulé in contention after starting on the bench at Como and Donyell Malen leading the line. Malen's red card against Como applies only to Serie A and will not prevent him playing in Europe. José Mourinho's Real Madrid will likely field a 4–2–3–1. Thibaut Courtois starts in goal with a back four potentially featuring Matthijs de Ligt, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Ferland Mendy, though alternatives include Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rüdiger and Álex Carreras. Yan Diomande, who scored the winner against Villarreal last weekend, is being monitored as a threat to Vinícius Júnior for a starting berth. Federico Valverde and Tchouaméni will anchor midfield, with Arda Güler, Jude Bellingham and Vinícius supporting Kylian Mbappé. Real Madrid are without Éder Militão, who has returned to training but will miss Roma and subsequent fixtures, and Mendy is not included on the club's UEFA squad list. The match will be broadcast exclusively in Italy on Amazon Prime Video, with build-up coverage starting at 19:30 and kick-off at 21:00 on Wednesday 14 October. Official team sheets will be released approximately one hour before the start.