Cristante on Gasperini: Playing under him is demanding but entertaining

José Mourinho discussed his time at Roma ahead of Real Madrid's upcoming match against the club, revealing that his dismissal stemmed from a breakdown in his relationship with owner the Friedkin Group. Speaking to Corriere dello Sport, Mourinho described the Europa League final in Budapest as both the pinnacle of his connection with Roma and the catalyst for his downfall. He said: "The Budapest final is the pinnacle of this connection" and explained the circumstances of his departure: "The day of the final in Budapest, I was fired: when I returned from vacation, I was already dead." Mourinho also addressed the controversial nature of the final itself, taking responsibility for his own conduct while distancing himself from fan reactions. When asked about referee Anthony Taylor's treatment by Roma supporters, he responded: "My responsibility is only for what happened in the tunnel with the referee, not for what happened at the airport." The Portuguese manager elaborated on the reasons for his sacking, stating: "I paid the price with my relationship with the owners, who had a different profile than mine, and a different approach to that final." Roma fans maintain a strong emotional connection with Mourinho, who became emblematic of the club's pursuit of silverware during his tenure and cultivated an us-against-the-world mentality that resonated with supporters. His return to Rome with Real Madrid next week is expected to receive a special reception from the Giallorossi faithful.

José Mourinho has opened up about his relationship with Roma and the painful end to his time at the club, describing a connection with the fanbase that transcended football. Speaking to Corriere dello Sport, Mourinho recalled his arrival in the capital with characteristic candour. "The fans were special with me," he said. "I always tell the story that on the day I arrived in Rome and got off the plane, there were a thousand people. But I had done nothing. I hadn't won anything for these people and I asked myself why. This had a big impact. I didn't deserve it, but this is Rome—you understand it afterwards." Mourinho emphasised the depth of his commitment to the club and its supporters. "A crazy connection was created," he explained. "They understood that I never worried about my image, my relationships with the ownership, Italian football politics, or the press. For me, only Roma and the Romanisti existed. I fought for them, I gave everything of myself and in return I received their love." He highlighted Roma's Europa Conference League victory as a watershed moment, noting that for a club without frequent major honours, such a triumph carried immense significance. "The fans showed a love that touches you for the club. I made mistakes, I lost matches, I got things wrong sometimes, but they always understood that I was fighting for them." The narrative darkened when Mourinho addressed the Europa League final in Budapest and its aftermath. "The end of the Europa League was the highest point of this connection with the fans. Obviously it ended badly for me," he said. "I paid for the relationship with the ownership, which had a profile and approach different from mine over what happened in the final. I was already dead, and after a few months I left." The interview underscores how deeply the wound of his departure runs, and his place in supporters' affection remains secure, though Mourinho himself resists comparisons with Roma's legendary figures.

José Mourinho has explained the breakdown of his Roma tenure in an interview with Corriere dello Sport, linking the fracture with Friedkin ownership to the aftermath of the Budapest final and the Anthony Taylor controversy. Now Real Madrid manager, Mourinho said the consequences of the Taylor incident extended beyond his direct responsibility. "What happened to Taylor at the airport is not my responsibility," he stated. "The responsibility is the insults in the garage, and I only had to pay for that. I paid for it in my relationship with Roma's ownership, since they had a different approach. At that moment I was already out." Mourinho expressed deep affection for Roma's legendary figures Francesco Totti and Bruno Conti. "Francesco is untouchable. I will always stand behind him," he said. "Roma has a beautiful history with historic players, and I also think of Bruno Conti, whom I love." On the broader question of how top clubs treat their greatest figures, Mourinho acknowledged the complexities: "It's impossible for a club to open its doors to all past glories. I also understand the difficulties when you've had so many." Mourinho discussed his return to the Olimpico as an opponent, emphasising the emotional weight of the fixture. "I don't expect anything special," he said. "I only expect respect. I haven't started preparing for that match yet—neither as a coach nor as a former manager returning home. I haven't thought about it yet. I must defend myself and prepare to do my job well, and to do that I need to try to forget where I am and who I'm playing against. I did this with Inter, for example, or with Chelsea. It's never happened to me at Roma, and I must say it will be different. I'll take the road to the Olimpico as an opponent. It will be the first time I go there without the passion of Roma fans. And I'll have to prepare my players for that. Mine are of the highest level and are used to it, but in Rome there's a different atmosphere, a beautiful one." Mourinho added a pointed remark about Taylor's current role: "Taylor is now match delegate in Turkey. But the chief referee in Turkey was recently convicted and went to prison."

Rodrigo Mora is in line to start on the trequarti for Roma's trip to Como on Sunday, having impressed with Portugal Under 21 with a goal and an assist across three matches. Matías Soulé will train with the main group for the first time on 9 October, while Lorenzo Pellegrini returns after six months out through injury. Mora started today against Sorianese, putting him ahead of both teammates in the pecking order according to Sky Sport. Pellegrini featured in the second half of that friendly. The forward pairing of Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala is unchanged. At the back, Evan N'Dicka is favored over Leonardo Balerdi, while Marten de Roon steps in midfield in place of the injured Bryan Cristante.

Roma travel to Como on Sunday at 12:30 with the aim of maintaining their position at the top of the table. Gian Piero Gasperini has confirmed that Donyell Malen and Wesley are fully fit after both featured in a friendly played today, recovering from earlier absences. Gasperini has minor doubts in defence but expects to field Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso as his back three, with Leonardo Balerdi pushing for a place after returning from a trip overseas. Marten de Roon will replace Bryan Cristante in midfield alongside Manu Koné, while Nahuel Molina and Wesley occupy the flanks. Rodrigo Mora is set to start as an attacking midfielder, ahead of Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini, with Donyell Malen leading the line. Roma's probable formation: Svilar; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Koné, De Roon, Wesley; Dybala, Rodrigo Mora; Malen.

Roma held a friendly match against Sorianese, a team from the Eccellenza division, at Trigoria on the morning of 8 October as Gian Piero Gasperini's squad continued preparations for Sunday's trip to Como. The most significant development came with Donyell Malen and Wesley returning to full group training after working only partially with their teammates in recent sessions, confirming their progress towards the Sinigaglia fixture. Manu Koné and Rodrigo Mora also trained with the squad after returning from international duty. Gasperini is close to having almost his entire squad available just days before the league resumes, with Matías Soulé, Santiago Castro and Leonardo Balerdi undergoing a recovery session following their long journey back from Argentina. From tomorrow the coach should have virtually the full group at his disposal, with the exception of the injured Bryan Cristante.