Endrick regrets mount as Gasperini and D'Amico scout January alternatives to Malen

Endrick came off Real Madrid's bench at the Olimpico on Tuesday night and delivered a masterclass in exactly why Roma had pursued him as a potential signing. The Brazilian entered with Madrid trailing 3–1 and proved decisive in their comeback: his header forced Gollini into a save that led to Espí's goal to make it 3–2, then Endrick himself scored to level at 3–3. Beyond those moments, his aggression, dribbling and ability to create danger in the box transformed Madrid's attacking threat in the final stages—a painful reminder to Gasperini's squad of what they lacked. The contrast between the two benches laid bare one of Roma's remaining gaps. Mourinho could call on Arda Güler, Carlos Espí and Endrick to shift momentum; Gasperini, already without the injured Koné and Dybala, had no equivalent tools for tactical change through substitution. The issue points directly to the transfer market. Although Roma acted in the summer, not all of Gasperini's targets were met, and some roster vacancies remain unresolved. The primary gap is a left-sided attacking winger—preferably right-footed, capable of beating defenders, creating superiority and offering a genuine alternative to the regular starters. Gasperini has also requested greater depth at left wing-back. Endrick would have been one of the most attractive opportunities, but Mourinho has publicly protected him, stating he has no intention of letting him leave and declaring that anyone wishing to sign him in January would have to "fight" him. That firm stance complicates any move now. However, Endrick did not entirely rule out a winter departure after the Olimpico match, explaining that if he leaves in January, he will do so. Roma must now find an alternative. Jamie Gittens at Chelsea remains under observation: he has logged only 56 minutes across official competitions so far this season, little playing time that could prompt a January exit. Jamie Leweling presents a different picture. The German chose to stay at Stuttgart in the summer and has not become a fixture; in the Bundesliga he started only one of the first five matchdays, though he played over seventy minutes against Paderborn most recently. His use has been inconsistent, and his name could regain relevance if his situation does not improve. Tony D'Amico's task is now to identify which opportunities may emerge in the coming weeks—not necessarily names already chased in the summer, but perhaps deals that develop unexpectedly by exploiting a dissatisfied, underused or suddenly available player. Roma will seek in January what they need: another signing like Malen, a player who can slot immediately into rotation and alter the squad's attacking weight. The night against Real showed how vital alternatives become when matches enter their final twenty minutes.

Endrick put on a devastating performance against Roma on Wednesday evening at the Olimpico, dismantling the defence and extinguishing the enthusiasm of 60,000 supporters. The Brazilian winger spent half an hour terrorising the flanks with pace and dribbling that exhausted the energy of Hermoso and Molina before leaving Koulierakis in disarray. Roma had pursued Endrick intensely throughout the summer transfer window before Real Madrid blocked the move. The club remained in contact with the player, aware that a January opportunity might yet arise. That calculation may now have shifted. Endrick had played only four minutes all season before facing Roma and had made his frustration public. His standout display at the Olimpico was made all the more striking by the return to Rome of Mourinho.

Nicolò Tresoldi has attracted widespread interest after scoring a hat-trick against Inter in the most recent UEFA Champions League game, with multiple clubs preparing bids for the January transfer window. Roma attempted to sign the striker last summer with an offer of €35M, but Club Brugge rejected the bid as insufficient. The capital club has since withdrawn from the race after pivoting toward Santiago Castro to provide backup to Donyell Malen. Tresoldi, who represents Germany U-21 and has been tracked by Barcelona, Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund, and RB Leipzig, is now valued between €54M and €63M following his recent performances. Club Brugge's position has strengthened considerably after selling Christos Tzolis to Arsenal for €40M, which will allow them to hold out for a premium fee. The article suggests the window for Serie A clubs to acquire Tresoldi has closed: he is now beyond their financial reach, and moves abroad in January or at the end of the season are more likely. Tresoldi has bagged nine goals already this season. While he is reportedly a massive Milan fan, AC Milan have not shown serious interest, having made a splash for Gonçalo Ramos with Francesco Camarda as backup. Tresoldi stated that he remains undecided about which national team to represent, as Italy are attempting to convince him to switch from Germany U-21. He indicated he would face less competition in Jürgen Klopp's side.

Roma face Genoa without Malen, Dybala, Svilar, Koné and Cristante, forcing Gasperini to rely on an unfamiliar attack centred on two summer arrivals. Rodrigo Mora (Portugal) and Santiago Castro (Argentina) will make their first competitive pairing, with Soulé alongside them. De Roon and Pisilli will lead midfield against Daniele De Rossi's Genoa, while Lulli replaces Molina at right-back. Both young forwards carry significant investment and expectation: Mora arrived on a €25 million deal with a further €25 million option to secure him permanently, while Castro cost €30 million plus performance bonuses and reportedly took the train to Rome to complete the move. Their combined valuation approaches €100 million. The squad's depleted state means Gasperini has little margin for error. Roma nearly overcame Real Madrid in their last outing and must translate that character into the league. Mora made an impression against Madrid, coming off the bench to provide an assist for Malen, a display that would have earned him a rating of seven or better had the comeback succeeded. Castro has not played since the final stages of the Torino match, though he has since made his Argentina debut. Both players now carry the weight of the club's summer faith on their shoulders. Mora, 19, and Castro, 22, have yet to score their first goals at the Olimpico despite joining this summer with significant pedigree and investment. For Roma, victory against Genoa is almost obligatory as the season enters its autumn phase.

Endrick came off Real Madrid's bench at the Olimpico on Tuesday night and delivered a masterclass in exactly why Roma had pursued him as a potential signing. The Brazilian entered with Madrid trailing 3–1 and proved decisive in their comeback: his header forced Gollini into a save that led to Espí's goal to make it 3–2, then Endrick himself scored to level at 3–3. Beyond those moments, his aggression, dribbling and ability to create danger in the box transformed Madrid's attacking threat in the final stages—a painful reminder to Gasperini's squad of what they lacked. The contrast between the two benches laid bare one of Roma's remaining gaps. Mourinho could call on Arda Güler, Carlos Espí and Endrick to shift momentum; Gasperini, already without the injured Koné and Dybala, had no equivalent tools for tactical change through substitution. The issue points directly to the transfer market. Although Roma acted in the summer, not all of Gasperini's targets were met, and some roster vacancies remain unresolved. The primary gap is a left-sided attacking winger—preferably right-footed, capable of beating defenders, creating superiority and offering a genuine alternative to the regular starters. Gasperini has also requested greater depth at left wing-back. Endrick would have been one of the most attractive opportunities, but Mourinho has publicly protected him, stating he has no intention of letting him leave and declaring that anyone wishing to sign him in January would have to "fight" him. That firm stance complicates any move now. However, Endrick did not entirely rule out a winter departure after the Olimpico match, explaining that if he leaves in January, he will do so. Roma must now find an alternative. Jamie Gittens at Chelsea remains under observation: he has logged only 56 minutes across official competitions so far this season, little playing time that could prompt a January exit. Jamie Leweling presents a different picture. The German chose to stay at Stuttgart in the summer and has not become a fixture; in the Bundesliga he started only one of the first five matchdays, though he played over seventy minutes against Paderborn most recently. His use has been inconsistent, and his name could regain relevance if his situation does not improve. Tony D'Amico's task is now to identify which opportunities may emerge in the coming weeks—not necessarily names already chased in the summer, but perhaps deals that develop unexpectedly by exploiting a dissatisfied, underused or suddenly available player. Roma will seek in January what they need: another signing like Malen, a player who can slot immediately into rotation and alter the squad's attacking weight. The night against Real showed how vital alternatives become when matches enter their final twenty minutes.

Roma's painful defeat to Real Madrid on Wednesday—a loss made all the more difficult by a dominant first-eighty-two minutes undone by three corner-kick goals in the closing stage—has left the club facing an immediate test of character. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is determined to restore momentum with tomorrow's fixture against Genoa, and his willingness to address the squad and media again so soon signals his conviction that the setback must not be allowed to dampen the enthusiasm that has driven the team's progress so far this season. Gasperini's insistence on dialogue reflects his awareness of the danger posed by such reversals. The coach appears conscious of the parallel to Roma's collapse against Juventus last season, when the team surrendered a 3–1 lead to draw 3–3 in the final moments. A single match lost, no matter how bitterly, cannot erase the quality Roma displayed for the vast majority of Wednesday's contest or the genuine progress being made both in European competition and the domestic league. The squad and technical staff have built something of substance; a late reversal does not undo that work. Gasperini believes a clear restatement of purpose is essential to prevent the mood from fracturing. Among the consolations are individual performances worth preserving in memory. Donyell Malen continues to prove himself a centre-forward of substance; Wesley delivered an outstanding display; Matías Soulé, Rodrigo Mora—who provided an assist for Malen—and Marten de Roon all merited praise. Pierluigi Gollini, Leonardo Balerdi and Nahuel Molina were among those who made individual errors in the closing moments, but such analysis cannot overshadow eight-five minutes of superior football. For tomorrow's match against Genoa, managed by Claudio Ranieri, Gasperini will have only seventeen outfield players available. Absent through injury or other reasons will be Mile Svilar, Bryan Cristante, Manu Koné, Paulo Dybala and Malen—the spine of the squad. The fixture may yet vindicate the manager's stated wish for a left-sided attacker of right-foot preference and a left-sided winger; the club may now understand that such requests were not whim but necessity.

José Mourinho returned to the Olimpico for the first time in nearly three years as Real Madrid defeated Roma 4–3 in a comeback victory on Wednesday. Malen and his teammates dominated for 80 minutes but were undone by a dramatic rally in the closing stages. The loss stung, but Roma's supporters across the city, in bars, on social media and on radio programmes applauded the team's display—frustration exists, but fans believe the club can dream big this season after a disappointing year previously. The stadium paid tribute to Mourinho before and during the match, but the gesture divided the fanbase. Many on social media criticised the former coach for his final celebrations and jibes at his successor, with some supporters declaring him ungrateful and no longer a romanista. The current manager on Roma's bench draws less charisma than Mourinho but carries significant pedigree. The club's three-year project to win the Serie A title for the first time in 25 years remains on track, and supporters believe the direction is correct. While some supporters welcomed Mourinho's homecoming, others felt the Olimpico's pre-match and in-game tribute was inappropriate given his departure from the club. The overriding sentiment, however, reflects optimism about Roma's path forward under new leadership.

Roma face Genoa without Malen, Dybala, Svilar, Koné and Cristante, forcing Gasperini to rely on an unfamiliar attack centred on two summer arrivals. Rodrigo Mora (Portugal) and Santiago Castro (Argentina) will make their first competitive pairing, with Soulé alongside them. De Roon and Pisilli will lead midfield against Daniele De Rossi's Genoa, while Lulli replaces Molina at right-back. Both young forwards carry significant investment and expectation: Mora arrived on a €25 million deal with a further €25 million option to secure him permanently, while Castro cost €30 million plus performance bonuses and reportedly took the train to Rome to complete the move. Their combined valuation approaches €100 million. The squad's depleted state means Gasperini has little margin for error. Roma nearly overcame Real Madrid in their last outing and must translate that character into the league. Mora made an impression against Madrid, coming off the bench to provide an assist for Malen, a display that would have earned him a rating of seven or better had the comeback succeeded. Castro has not played since the final stages of the Torino match, though he has since made his Argentina debut. Both players now carry the weight of the club's summer faith on their shoulders. Mora, 19, and Castro, 22, have yet to score their first goals at the Olimpico despite joining this summer with significant pedigree and investment. For Roma, victory against Genoa is almost obligatory as the season enters its autumn phase.

Endrick came off Real Madrid's bench at the Olimpico on Tuesday night and delivered a masterclass in exactly why Roma had pursued him as a potential signing. The Brazilian entered with Madrid trailing 3–1 and proved decisive in their comeback: his header forced Gollini into a save that led to Espí's goal to make it 3–2, then Endrick himself scored to level at 3–3. Beyond those moments, his aggression, dribbling and ability to create danger in the box transformed Madrid's attacking threat in the final stages—a painful reminder to Gasperini's squad of what they lacked. The contrast between the two benches laid bare one of Roma's remaining gaps. Mourinho could call on Arda Güler, Carlos Espí and Endrick to shift momentum; Gasperini, already without the injured Koné and Dybala, had no equivalent tools for tactical change through substitution. The issue points directly to the transfer market. Although Roma acted in the summer, not all of Gasperini's targets were met, and some roster vacancies remain unresolved. The primary gap is a left-sided attacking winger—preferably right-footed, capable of beating defenders, creating superiority and offering a genuine alternative to the regular starters. Gasperini has also requested greater depth at left wing-back. Endrick would have been one of the most attractive opportunities, but Mourinho has publicly protected him, stating he has no intention of letting him leave and declaring that anyone wishing to sign him in January would have to "fight" him. That firm stance complicates any move now. However, Endrick did not entirely rule out a winter departure after the Olimpico match, explaining that if he leaves in January, he will do so. Roma must now find an alternative. Jamie Gittens at Chelsea remains under observation: he has logged only 56 minutes across official competitions so far this season, little playing time that could prompt a January exit. Jamie Leweling presents a different picture. The German chose to stay at Stuttgart in the summer and has not become a fixture; in the Bundesliga he started only one of the first five matchdays, though he played over seventy minutes against Paderborn most recently. His use has been inconsistent, and his name could regain relevance if his situation does not improve. Tony D'Amico's task is now to identify which opportunities may emerge in the coming weeks—not necessarily names already chased in the summer, but perhaps deals that develop unexpectedly by exploiting a dissatisfied, underused or suddenly available player. Roma will seek in January what they need: another signing like Malen, a player who can slot immediately into rotation and alter the squad's attacking weight. The night against Real showed how vital alternatives become when matches enter their final twenty minutes.