Dybala pledges long-term future at Roma ahead of Real Madrid clash

Paulo Dybala has promised Roma can match one of world football's most decorated teams when Real Madrid visit the Olimpico in the Champions League on 14 October. Speaking to UEFA's official channels, the Argentine forward—set to start in Gian Piero Gasperini's attack—said: "We play against one of the most titled teams in the world, but with the push of our fans we will have something more." The match marks Roma's return to European football's elite competition at home after a long absence; the club's last Champions League fixture at the Olimpico came on 12 February 2019, when Nicolò Zaniolo scored twice against Porto. The tie also carries personal resonance for Dybala, who will face José Mourinho—the manager who led Roma to the Europa League final in Budapest. Dybala has previously reflected on that run with emotion: "A genius who always protected us. We deserved to win that Europa League final in Budapest." Off the pitch, Dybala has reinforced his commitment to Roma's long-term future, telling the club: "I would never have imagined having a career like this in this country. I hope there can be an Italian ending." Gasperini will be without Bryan Cristante and Mile Svilar through injury. Konstantinos Koulierakis is fit and available after encouraging signs in his recovery; all other squad members are at the manager's disposal. The club's board is expected to attend, underlining their support for the team on the night.

Gian Piero Gasperini will hold his pre-match press conference at 13:30 on 13 October ahead of Roma's Champions League fixture against Real Madrid on Wednesday. The only remaining tactical uncertainty concerns a contest between Lorenzo Pellegrini and Matías Soulé for the attacking midfield role behind Paulo Dybala. UEFA has appointed French referee Francois Letexier to oversee the match at the Olimpico; Letexier has officiated Roma four times in European League competition (two wins, two defeats) and has six previous Champions League appointments with Real Madrid, most recently their victory over Benfica through a Vinicius goal. Dybala spoke to UEFA Champions League Magazine Show on Prime Video about the challenge ahead and his connection to Italy. He said: "We are facing one of the most decorated sides in the world, but with our supporters behind us we will have something extra." The Argentine expressed his feelings about both the fixture and his long-term ambitions in Italian football. Nicolò Zaniolo, now at Udinese, reflected on his Roma career and praised Gasperini's ability to extract maximum performance from his players. Zaniolo identified the attacking midfielder role as his natural position and spoke warmly of his time with the club. He credited José Mourinho, with whom he maintains contact, for the relationship they built during his spell in the Giallorossi shirt. Zaniolo expressed regret about the manner in which his time at Roma ended.

Roma will face Real Madrid on Wednesday at 21:00 in the Champions League, a fixture that carries particular weight given the history between the clubs. Gian Piero Gasperini spoke after Roma's draw at Como, saying of the challenge ahead: "If I look at Real Madrid, I see a squad of incredible champions, both on the pitch and on the bench. We face one of the strongest formations in Europe overall, one that has also done extraordinary business in the market this year." Roma's last meeting with Real Madrid in continental competition came in the league phase of the Champions League, where the Spanish side won both encounters — 3–0 at the Bernabéu and a second victory at the Olimpico, with goals from Bale and Vázquez. Roma's last victory over Real Madrid dates to the 2007–08 season under Luciano Spalletti, when the club knocked the Spanish side out at the Champions League round of 16, winning 2–1 both at home and away. Gasperini hopes to follow in the footsteps of that Roma team, which made a strong impression across Europe.

Roma face Real Madrid in the Champions League second matchday tomorrow at 21:00 at the Stadio Olimpico, seeking their first victory after drawing with Fenerbahce. The Giallorossi will be at full capacity for the clash against the Blancos. Gasperini will deploy Soulé, Dybala and Malen in attack, while Gollini continues in goal in place of the injured Svilar. The match will be broadcast exclusively on Prime Video. To watch on television, viewers will need an Amazon Prime Video subscription and can access it via smart TV app, gaming consoles including Xbox or PlayStation, or compatible devices such as Amazon Fire TV Stick, Google Chromecast and TIM VISION Box. Live coverage will also be available through Forzaroma.info's live blog and social media updates on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Paulo Dybala has promised Roma can match one of world football's most decorated teams when Real Madrid visit the Olimpico in the Champions League on 14 October. Speaking to UEFA's official channels, the Argentine forward—set to start in Gian Piero Gasperini's attack—said: "We play against one of the most titled teams in the world, but with the push of our fans we will have something more." The match marks Roma's return to European football's elite competition at home after a long absence; the club's last Champions League fixture at the Olimpico came on 12 February 2019, when Nicolò Zaniolo scored twice against Porto. The tie also carries personal resonance for Dybala, who will face José Mourinho—the manager who led Roma to the Europa League final in Budapest. Dybala has previously reflected on that run with emotion: "A genius who always protected us. We deserved to win that Europa League final in Budapest." Off the pitch, Dybala has reinforced his commitment to Roma's long-term future, telling the club: "I would never have imagined having a career like this in this country. I hope there can be an Italian ending." Gasperini will be without Bryan Cristante and Mile Svilar through injury. Konstantinos Koulierakis is fit and available after encouraging signs in his recovery; all other squad members are at the manager's disposal. The club's board is expected to attend, underlining their support for the team on the night.

Massimo Mauro, former Juventus player, has questioned Roma's ability to sustain a title challenge, citing heavy reliance on three key performers. Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Mauro backed Inter as favourites under Chivu but said he would prefer Roma as challengers "for the ideas, the mentality and the career that Gasperini has made". However, he expressed concern about consistency over a full season. Mauro identified Paulo Dybala, Donyell Malen and Manu Koné as the three players Roma depends on most. "Roma depend very much on the performance of these three players, because the second line is not at their level," he said. He praised Koné as "a wonderful midfielder" but noted that consistency "is not his strength", though he acknowledged the midfielder's tireless work rate. Mauro warned that Dybala's availability will be decisive: "If the Argentine plays every match it will be one thing. If, instead, he is available, as he has always been in his career, for half the season, the performance of Gasperini's squad will be another." Mauro's assessment suggests Roma lack adequate backup options to maintain form through injuries or fatigue. The strength of Gasperini's starting three, he implied, masks a gap in squad depth that could prove costly in a title race.

Roma face Real Madrid in the Champions League second matchday tomorrow at 21:00 at the Stadio Olimpico, seeking their first victory after drawing with Fenerbahce. The Giallorossi will be at full capacity for the clash against the Blancos. Gasperini will deploy Soulé, Dybala and Malen in attack, while Gollini continues in goal in place of the injured Svilar. The match will be broadcast exclusively on Prime Video. To watch on television, viewers will need an Amazon Prime Video subscription and can access it via smart TV app, gaming consoles including Xbox or PlayStation, or compatible devices such as Amazon Fire TV Stick, Google Chromecast and TIM VISION Box. Live coverage will also be available through Forzaroma.info's live blog and social media updates on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

José Mourinho will return to the Olimpico tomorrow evening as Real Madrid's manager for the first time since his dismissal by the Friedkin Group ownership, facing a Roma squad transformed under Gian Piero Gasperini. The Olimpico will warmly receive the former coach who delivered the night in Tirana and took Roma to a Europa League final in Budapest, but the team on the pitch will bear little resemblance to the one he left behind. Gasperini outlined the philosophical shift after Roma's 0–0 draw at Como. "Mourinho has left an extraordinary memory and affection in the people," he said. "Now, though, our squad is very different from the one that played with him." The difference lies less in individual players than in tactical approach and match management. When Roma drew 0–0 against Leverkusen in May 2023 under Mourinho, they defended the away goal with ninety minutes of suffering and deep defensive blocks. Yesterday at the Sinigaglia, the same scoreline came through a more confident display: Roma played without fear, created chances and pushed for the goal even after Donyell Malen's red card in the second half, then reorganised with lucidity and order without losing composure. Gasperini's central innovation has been emotional control. Facing setbacks—such as Malen's dismissal—the manager encouraged his players to continue playing their football while making tactical adjustments to manage the match and secure a legitimate point. Under Mourinho in similar circumstances, emotional tension would often overwhelm the team, leading to protests or exaggerated defensive retreat. The current Roma side has learnt to preserve its identity even when complications arise. Yet a strong thread connects both eras: team spirit. The defensive resilience shown at Leverkusen appears today in the hunger with which Roma imposes itself on the pitch and suffers united under pressure. Gasperini stressed the human element after the final whistle: "It is a squad that is giving me great satisfaction, because it really took great heart to play like that at Como." Tomorrow against Real Madrid and its former boss, Roma will need both that heart and the new tactical maturity gained in recent months.

Massimo Mauro, former Juventus player, has questioned Roma's ability to sustain a title challenge, citing heavy reliance on three key performers. Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Mauro backed Inter as favourites under Chivu but said he would prefer Roma as challengers "for the ideas, the mentality and the career that Gasperini has made". However, he expressed concern about consistency over a full season. Mauro identified Paulo Dybala, Donyell Malen and Manu Koné as the three players Roma depends on most. "Roma depend very much on the performance of these three players, because the second line is not at their level," he said. He praised Koné as "a wonderful midfielder" but noted that consistency "is not his strength", though he acknowledged the midfielder's tireless work rate. Mauro warned that Dybala's availability will be decisive: "If the Argentine plays every match it will be one thing. If, instead, he is available, as he has always been in his career, for half the season, the performance of Gasperini's squad will be another." Mauro's assessment suggests Roma lack adequate backup options to maintain form through injuries or fatigue. The strength of Gasperini's starting three, he implied, masks a gap in squad depth that could prove costly in a title race.