Gasperini demands two wingers as Roma target Greenwood in July push

Alessio Cacciamani's name dominated Roma's transfer activity over the summer, but the Torino winger ultimately remained with the club and renewed his contract. Torino's sporting director addressed the matter before his side's match against Udinese, telling Sky Sport that Roma were not alone in their interest. He stated: "Cacciamani and Roma? The giallorossi were not the only ones interested in the player. The president had said he did not want to sell the player: only an important proposal would have prompted evaluation, but this did not arrive and so we will enjoy having him." The director's comments clarify that despite sustained speculation linking Cacciamani to Roma, no offer of sufficient scale materialised to shift Torino's stance on their player. With Cacciamani's contract now renewed, he will continue as part of the Granata's plans moving forward.

Torino sporting director Gianluca Petrachi confirmed that Roma made a genuine attempt to sign Alessio Cacciamani during the summer transfer window. Cacciamani, who started for Torino in their Serie A match against Udinese on 12 October, was among several clubs tracking the winger, but no deal materialised. Petrachi disclosed that Torino's president had stipulated the player would only leave for a sufficiently substantial proposal. Speaking before kick-off, he said: "There was not only Roma interested in Cacciamani. The president had said he didn't want to sell the player: only an important offer would have made us consider it. It didn't arrive, and we're enjoying him." The winger remains at the club as Torino continue their Serie A campaign.

Cicinho, who joined Roma from Real Madrid in August 2007 and won a Coppa Italia and Supercoppa during his time in giallorosso, has backed the club to challenge for honours and urged young Brazilian forward Endrick to make the switch from Madrid if the opportunity arises. Speaking exclusively to Forzaroma.info ahead of Wednesday's match at the Olimpico, the former right-back reflected on Endrick's situation and Roma's current trajectory under Gian Piero Gasperini. Asked whether he would advise Endrick to join Roma or remain at Real Madrid awaiting his chance, Cicinho said: "If I were Endrick, I would go to Roma without thinking twice. I think Real Madrid should also consider this possibility, because it would be very positive for him. A player with his talent needs to be on the pitch, not getting rusty on the bench. He still has a lot to learn and I think he would adapt very well to Gasperini's energetic style and the intensity of his game." Cicinho also addressed Paulo Dybala's worthiness of Roma's number 10 shirt, a subject on which Francesco Totti recently expressed reservations. "The Captain gave Roma's number 10 a meaning that goes well beyond football and borders on magic," Cicinho reflected. "Twenty-four years of devotion to the giallorosso shirt, during which he brought professionalism and dedication to the highest levels and, above all, reminded everyone in the dressing room that they had a duty to represent that fanbase. Dybala is also, as they say in Italy, a fantasist, a player capable of making fans dream, and has already shown great attachment to the club, even refusing economically more advantageous offers. I think the number 10 would be in good hands with Dybala, but we must make peace with the idea that we will never find another Totti." On Roma's title prospects, Cicinho expressed cautious optimism about Gasperini's project but suggested it remains in a growth phase. "Yes, I believe in it, but it seems to me that the Roma-Gasperini project is still in a phase of growth and could reach its peak perhaps in the next season, provided we manage to retain the most important players, like Manu Koné, and continue to strengthen well in the market," he said. "Roma's starting eleven is exceptional, but I believe it is necessary to increase the depth of the squad. The second half against Inter was an example. Matches like that decide the title, not only for the points in the table, but also for the message they send to opponents." Cicinho also spoke of finding contentment away from football, having previously described a period in which he "saw no joy in anything." He credited his family and simpler life with providing genuine happiness. "Being able to be with my wife and my children, seeing them grow. True happiness lies in simple things, in the possibility of enjoying them without rush and with a clear mind, to fully live these beautiful moments. That is the real luxury of life, not cars, parties or spotlights."

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.

Paulo Dybala has declared his commitment to Roma on the eve of tomorrow evening's Champions League fixture against Real Madrid at the Olimpico, expressing his desire to end his career in Italian football. The Argentine forward, who has performed at a consistently high level this season, opened the door to a contract renewal and spoke of the deep bond he has formed with the club and its supporters. "I hope for an ending to my career in Italy," Dybala told reporters. "I never imagined I would build a career like this here. This country has welcomed me with open arms, the people have helped me grow as a man and as a footballer. There are many emotions, beautiful moments and sad moments, just like life is for anyone. I hope there can be an Italian ending." He added: "The fans are the first to hope for it, the bond with Roma is now unbreakable." Coach Gian Piero Gasperini has made Dybala central to his tactical project since arriving at the club, regularly stating that when Dybala is performing well he makes a decisive difference. At Como, the forward carried the side on his shoulders, playing as a centre-forward and covering defensively after Donyell Malen's red card. On the Champions League challenge ahead, Dybala reflected on last season's push to earn qualification: "We gave everything last season to play in it. It will be difficult—we face some of the most decorated teams in the world—but with our people's support we will have something extra." Over seventy thousand fans are expected at the Olimpico for what promises to be another memorable European night.

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's 0-0 draw at Como revealed a significant shift in Gian Piero Gasperini's tactical identity, demonstrating both defensive resilience and a willingness to accept a hard-fought point when circumstances demand it. The result, secured while playing more than a third of the match with ten men, drew praise from the coach for his team's refusal to surrender. Gasperini said: "I celebrated for the spirit we showed on the pitch until the ninety-fourth minute. Playing more than a third of a match in numerical inferiority against this Como without ever stepping back is a big deal." The performance marked a departure from Gasperini's traditional approach, which has always prioritised sustained attacking, pursuing a second or third goal regardless of defensive risk. This season, Roma have absorbed the principle that if a match cannot be won, it must be prevented from being lost—a pragmatic shift essential to competing for the season's highest targets. The club's overall balance across all departments now reflects this maturity: Roma have conceded just three goals so far, sharing the league's best defensive record with Cagliari, while maintaining the second-most prolific attack with 14 goals, trailing only Inter. Como's dominance of possession in the final stages—reaching 83.8%—was neutralised by Roma's midfield and defensive foundation. Gianluca Mancini handled 51 passes, Marten de Roon 55, Wesley 65 and Nahuel Molina 63. The defensive line, led by Evan N'Dicka and rotating through Mario Hermoso, Leonardo Balerdi and Daniele Ghilardi, proved impenetrable. Paulo Dybala, despite minor errors born of fatigue, managed 47 passes away from Roma's box, functioning as a leader among opponents' attackers and maintaining continuity through all 90 minutes with ten men. This combination of technical quality and competitive intensity forms the foundation Roma will need for the season's major fixtures.

Gian Piero Gasperini will deploy Roma's full attacking quality against Real Madrid, eschewing caution in favour of an open tactical approach that reflects his philosophy of competing through football rather than speculation. The manager drew confidence from Roma's draw at Como despite playing with ten men, and intends to harness the energy of the Olimpico crowd against the defending European champions. Gasperini's last meeting with Real Madrid came on 10 December 2024, when leading Atalanta to a 2–3 defeat in an entertaining, wide-open contest. Matías Soulé, who came off the bench at Como with positive impact, is set for a starting place. Paulo Dybala completed the league match with a hand injury but instrumental checks ruled out serious damage; he will feature from the first minute. Donyell Malen, suspended for Roma's next Serie A fixture against Genoa following his red card at Como, sees the Real Madrid match as a major opportunity for redemption. The formation will be a 3–4–2–1 capable of switching to an aggressive 3–4–1–2, with Marten de Roon and Manu Koné forming the midfield shield and Emanuele Lulli and Wesley operating on the flanks. Rodrigo Mora and Lorenzo Pellegrini are lower in the pecking order for this fixture but available as replacements. Santiago Castro is also primed to feature either in the Champions League or the subsequent Serie A matches against Genoa and Napoli. Gasperini's approach mirrors the guidance offered by his fellow manager: "Advance and do not change according to your opponent." In European competition, teams that play defensively and seek a result against elite opponents typically fare poorly; attacking with courage and imposing play remains the surest path to avoiding being overwhelmed.

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.

Gian Piero Gasperini will hold his pre-match press conference tomorrow at 13:30, alongside one of his players, as Roma prepare for their Champions League fixture against Real Madrid on Wednesday at 21:00 at the Stadio Olimpico. The squad will conduct a final training session shortly after the press conference. Gasperini has few formation doubts ahead of the encounter, with the main tactical question centring on the attacking midfield position. Lorenzo Pellegrini and Matías Soulé are competing for a starting place alongside Paulo Dybala in that area of the pitch.