Luca Fatiga, a former assistant to José Mourinho at Fenerbahçe, has backed Roma to compete in Wednesday's Champions League match against Real Madrid, saying he would not rule out a draw. Speaking exclusively to Retesport, Fatiga offered a detailed assessment of Roma's form and needs ahead of the fixture.
On Roma's 2026–27 campaign under Gian Piero Gasperini, Fatiga said: "The Roma have a clear identity and an allenatore who is serene, and this shows immediately. He has never let himself be seized by nervousness after defeats and setbacks. You must have faith in Gasperini." He identified three areas where Roma could strengthen to close the gap to Inter: an attacking midfielder or winger—which Gasperini has requested since arriving—a midfielder, and another left-back. "In defence Roma is very well covered; the players all have interesting characteristics," Fatiga added.
On Mourinho, whom he worked with at Fenerbahçe, Fatiga said: "For me he is a friend, a mentor and the reference allenatore. It was a dream to get close to him; he was an important figure for my life journey more than my career, since I am at the beginning. José is a fantastic person who makes you grow very much from a human standpoint." Fatiga added that the Friedkin Group had achieved a virtuous path but that their one regret was failing to manage Mourinho well in his final year. "There was a unique cohesion. For José you go to war without any problem and you do it with joy," he said.
On the Roma-Real Madrid fixture, Fatiga said: "I would not rule out a draw because Roma looked good to me. The Champions League for Gasperini's squad must be a great celebration; I hope they experience it as an opportunity for growth and concentrate very much on the league, which could become interesting."
Story Coverage3 sources on this story
Roma are preparing to face Real Madrid in a Champions League fixture at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday at 21:00. Gian Piero Gasperini will hold his pre-match press conference on Friday at 13:30, accompanied by a player, with the squad conducting a final training session afterwards. The main tactical question centres on the attacking midfield position, where Lorenzo Pellegrini and Matías Soulé are competing for a starting place alongside Paulo Dybala.
Luca Fatiga, a former assistant to José Mourinho at Fenerbahçe, has backed Roma to compete against Real Madrid, saying he would not rule out a draw. Fatiga told Retesport that Roma have "a clear identity and an allenatore who is serene" under Gasperini, and praised the manager for maintaining composure after defeats. He identified three areas where Roma could strengthen: an attacking midfielder or winger—which Gasperini has requested—a midfielder, and another left-back, while noting that Roma's defence is well covered. Speaking of Mourinho's time at Roma, Fatiga described him as "a friend, a mentor and the reference allenatore," suggesting the Friedkin Group's one regret was failing to manage him well in his final year, and emphasising the unique cohesion the squad enjoyed under him.
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Testo Originale / Source Text
“Luca Fatiga, Match Analyst ed ex collaboratore di José Mourinho al Fenerbahçe, è intervenuto in esclusiva ai microfoni di Retesport in vista di Roma-Real Madrid.
Como-Roma? Partita falsata dalla conduzione arbitrale, non ne faccio una questione relativa a Malen quanto al comportamento di Fabbri…”
Read the full article in Italian at Retesport.
