De Roon completes move to Roma from Atalanta

José Mourinho has made clear he has no intention of letting Endrick leave Real Madrid, directly warning rival clubs including Roma that they will have to contend with him to sign the Brazilian forward. Endrick was a long-standing Roma target last summer under Gasperini, and came close to joining the club in August before Mourinho intervened and persuaded him to stay at Madrid, where he has since received minimal playing time. At a press conference on 13 October ahead of Roma's match against Real Madrid, Mourinho was asked directly about Endrick's future and responded bluntly: "I club interessati dovranno lottare con me per ingaggiarlo. Lo adoro, ha un potenziale di altissimo livello ed è molto importante per noi. Non ha bisogno di essere ceduto in prestito, farà grandi cose e avrà un grande successo qui. Giocherà presto." Roma continue to monitor the 21-year-old, who impressed during a six-month spell at Lyon in France, where he scored 8 goals in limited appearances. Milan and Aston Villa are also credited with interest. Roma's sporting director Tony D'Amico is meanwhile evaluating other concrete options to strengthen the club's attack in January.

Roma have begun planning reinforcements for the January transfer window and have set their sights on Daniel Banjaqui, a 2008-born right-back at Benfica considered one of Europe's most promising young talents in his position. The interest comes as the club looks ahead to both immediate needs and longer-term recruitment options. Banjaqui has already attracted attention from several clubs, including Juventus, according to German transfer outlet Transfersfeed. The move would form part of Roma's broader strategy to strengthen the squad in the coming window, with ambitious signings under consideration beyond their existing targets.

Roma have identified Daniel Banjaqui, a 18-year-old right-back at Benfica, as a potential transfer target, according to German outlet Transfersfeed. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini stated ahead of Roma's match against Real Madrid: "Now the January market does not interest me", with reference to forward Endrick, who is expected to remain at the Spanish club. Roma's move for Banjaqui comes as the club considers alternative objectives across different positions. Juventus are also monitoring the teenager among several European sides tracking him. Banjaqui remains contracted to Benfica until 2031 with a release clause set at €45 million, though a transfer could potentially be negotiated for around €35 million. Roma have undertaken only preliminary information-gathering through intermediaries at this stage, with no concrete negotiations underway. The club are also watching developments in Portugal across two fronts: alongside Banjaqui at Benfica, Roma are tracking Porto right-winger William Gomes, a 20-year-old left-footed player. Gomes carries a substantial release clause of €80 million in his current Porto contract, which expires in 2031. The clause is expected to rise to €100 million following an imminent contract renewal with the Portuguese club. Neither pursuit represents an active negotiation at present.

Roma's defence collapsed catastrophically in the closing stages as Real Madrid stormed back from 3–1 down to win 4–3 at the Olimpico, despite Gian Piero Gasperini's side controlling the match for over 80 minutes. Donyell Malen scored twice to put Roma in command, but three goals conceded from set pieces in quick succession — all in the final eight minutes — undid a commanding performance. Gasperini deployed man-marking throughout, with Matías Soulé assigned to Cucurella, Manu Koné on Valverde, Marten de Roon on Tchouaméni, Wesley on Vinícius, Nahuel Molina on Dumfries, Evan N'Dicka on Mbappé, Gianluca Mancini on Bellingham and Mario Hermoso on Diomande. Roma took the lead in the 20th minute when De Roon finished after Paulo Dybala won possession, with Malen and Niccolò Pisilli building the move; the shot was deflected by Konaté past Courtois. Mbappé equalized but Roma pushed on. In the second half, Malen struck twice more — both goals confirmed by VAR — to extend Roma's lead to 3–1 and send the Olimpico into raptures. Yet fatigue and the quality of Real's substitutes proved decisive. José Mourinho introduced Endrick, Arda Guler and fresh reinforcements from the bench. Espí made it 3–2 at the 82nd minute, Endrick equalized two minutes later, and Rüdiger completed the turnaround at the 90th minute. The performance remained immense and proved Roma can compete at the highest level, but three goals from set plays in rapid succession delivered a cruel ending to a night of dominance.

Roma dominated Real Madrid for an hour and led 3–1 through goals from Marten de Roon and a brilliant double from Donyell Malen, only to collapse catastrophically in the final seven minutes at the Olimpico. Three goals conceded from corner kicks between the 83rd and 90th minutes, the last a decisive finish by Antonio Rüdiger, handed José Mourinho's side a 4–3 victory and left Roma's supporters in shock. The collapse—described as a brutal blow—was severe punishment for what the hosts created on the pitch, though it underlined the character and fighting spirit of Gasperini's team. Gasperini had set Roma up with meticulous preparation, positioning Matías Soulé high on the right against Cucurella to allow Wesley close coverage of Vinícius, a tactical move that restricted Real Madrid's attacking play for long periods. Gianluca Mancini marked Bellingham; Evan N'Dicka covered Mbappé; Mario Hermoso picked up Diomande. De Roon, Manu Koné and Nahuel Molina formed the midfield until Koné was forced off injured. Mourinho started cautiously, keeping Güler, Camavinga, Bernardo Silva, Endrick and Brahim Diaz on the bench—all players who would reshape the match in the second half. Roma struck first when De Roon scored in the 20th minute after a Matías Soulé recovery and a Konaté deflection, though Mbappé equalised immediately with help from a Mancini deflection. In the second half, despite Paulo Dybala's departure, Roma found their rhythm: Malen scored twice in the 6th and 12th minutes to make it 3–1 and trigger an explosion at the Olimpico. Mourinho then introduced his attacking replacements, and Roma's legs gave way. Espí, Endrick and Rüdiger—in the 90th minute—completed the turnaround from corner situations where Roma's defence faltered at critical moments.

Roma surrendered a 3–1 advantage to lose 4–3 to Real Madrid in a Champions League match at the Olimpico on 15 October, squandering what appeared to be a historic night. Leading 3–1 at the 82nd minute, Roma conceded three goals in seven minutes—all from set pieces—as Real Madrid mounted an extraordinary comeback. Eder Espí made it 3–2 at 83 minutes, Endrick equalised at 85, and Rüdiger completed the turnaround at 90 to leave Gian Piero Gasperini's side devastated. Roma had performed boldly before the collapse. Marten de Roon opened the scoring at the 20th minute with a slightly deflected effort that deceived Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Kylian Mbappé immediately levelled through a second-half error by Vinicius Junior and a rebound off Pierluigi Gollini. Roma then took control after the interval. Donyell Malen struck twice—first at 51 minutes after exploiting space left by Vinicius's error, then at 57 minutes following a cutting pass from Matías Soulé—to build the commanding 3–1 scoreline. The Olimpico was on its feet; Real Madrid appeared beaten. But the match unravelled when Roma failed to consolidate. The article notes that "a two-goal lead can vanish in minutes, especially against Real Madrid," and this proved prophetic. In the second phase, Real Madrid abandoned intricate play and attacked directly into the box with more bodies and aerial pressure, exposing structural weaknesses in Roma's defending on set pieces. Roma also suffered compounding losses: Manu Koné withdrew with a muscular injury in the opening 15 minutes, forcing Niccolò Pisilli into the midfield with Bryan Cristante already unavailable; Paulo Dybala did not return after the interval with a muscle problem. Gasperini found himself progressively without the players most accustomed to reading and governing critical moments—men like Cristante, Koné and Dybala who bring experience and composure. "The Roma this time was not stealing anything," the analysis states. "It had lost Koné and Dybala, had to change men and reference points, yet managed to build a two-goal advantage against one of Europe's strongest teams." The turnaround revealed that Roma possesses enough quality to trouble Real Madrid but lacks the structure and cunning required when matches shift into physical combat inside the penalty area. Roma host Daniele De Rossi's Genoa on Saturday at the Olimpico. Gasperini's squad must absorb the blow immediately and demonstrate the character that separates great performances from great victories.