Gasperini on Mourinho's homecoming, Real Madrid test, and Roma's path to European elite

Gian Piero Gasperini and José Mourinho have begun their pre-match exchanges ahead of tomorrow's fixture, with the Roma head coach delivering a pointed jab at his counterpart during a press conference. When asked which quality he would steal from Mourinho, Gasperini responded with irony: "I would steal his empathy and his ability to get himself buy extraordinary players by making his clubs spend significant sums. In that he is fantastic." The comment came as Gasperini acknowledged Mourinho's impending return to face his former club, saying he merits recognition from the crowd: "He deserves the acknowledgement of the people. Then though the match will start and feelings will be set aside." The two coaches represent profoundly different tactical philosophies, a contrast evident in how Roma has evolved over recent seasons. Despite their divergent approaches, Gasperini closed the distance between them with praise, stating: "José is judged by his results." The verbal sparring underscores the intensity building ahead of the encounter, where sentiment will give way entirely to competition on the pitch.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has ruled out discussing Endrick with José Mourinho ahead of tomorrow's match, stating that the transfer market holds no interest for him at present. Gasperini said: "We have just begun a run of matches and we will experience tomorrow's fixture as an event that has been missing for many years. We will live it that way." The fixture marks a significant occasion for Roma, with Gasperini emphasising the weight of the occasion. He added: "Tomorrow we will understand our level but we must not lose sight of who we are. Mou deserves the affection of the people." The comments come as Roma prepare for a match Gasperini considers a defining moment in the club's current campaign, though he has signalled that squad reinforcements are not a priority in his immediate thinking.

Donyell Malen addressed his red card at Como in a press conference ahead of Roma's Champions League match against Real Madrid, insisting he had no intention to harm anyone. "It was frustration, not my intention to do something bad or things like that," Malen said. "So we move on. We are very motivated for the match tomorrow. I think it will be a fantastic evening for Roma, because we will play at home in the Champions League against a big club like Real Madrid." Malen acknowledged the psychological weight of the dismissal but separated it from the task ahead. "After the match it was one of the most stressful moments I have lived in a long time, watching my teammates play," he explained. "When you get a red card and your team loses, you feel like the fault is yours. But I think the next match is a different match, which has little to do with what happened. So we move on." He apologised to the squad and staff after Como, taking responsibility for playing with one fewer player, but stressed that facing Real Madrid offered a chance to reset. Malen highlighted the importance of Roma's home support in the Champions League fixture. "Yes, I think the support of the fans is very important, especially in difficult moments, like those just mentioned. When you play away there are even more factors to consider. Now, instead, we play at home, in front of our fans. I believe they can give us enormous support," he said. He also reflected on his first year at Roma, noting that returning to the Champions League was a primary objective when he arrived. "It is something special. When I came here last year, one of the main objectives was precisely to return to playing in the Champions League. Now being able to play the first match at home against Real Madrid is really special and we can't wait." Malen praised the club environment, crediting head coach Gasperini's confidence, his teammates' acceptance, and the city itself. Regarding a reunion with Jude Bellingham, his former Borussia Dortmund teammate now at Real Madrid, Malen confirmed they had not spoken beforehand. "I know him very well, we played together for a long time. He is a really special player, with so much quality. I also have an excellent relationship with him and I haven't seen him for a while, so it will be nice to meet up again," he said.

Roma held a training session at Trigoria on 13 October at 15:00 ahead of their next fixture against Real Madrid. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini used the session to assess squad condition and finalise his starting lineup. Konstantinos Koulierakis has recovered from injury and is available for selection, but Bryan Cristante remains sidelined as he continues his rehabilitation from a knee injury. The session included goalkeeper work, with Devis Vásquez included in the UEFA squad list following Mile Svilar's injury. The press access portion of training concluded with the squad working on possession drills.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini held his pre-match press conference on 13 October ahead of Roma's Champions League fixture against Real Madrid. Gasperini framed the encounter as an opportunity to test Roma's competitive level against one of Europe's elite sides. "We verify it tomorrow," he said. "For us it's a good moment. We want to measure ourselves against a squad that is among the best in Europe, even if perhaps they need a period of adjustment because they have changed manager and playing style. It remains a squad that beat Inter—it's a prestigious match that also counts for the standings." Gasperini emphasised that Roma should not abandon their identity against such opposition. When asked about Roma's defensive approach against top teams, he stated: "Our attitude brought us to win the Champions League, it is clear that we know the value of Real Madrid but it is not the first squad of value we meet. Real are a squad that when you think you are putting them in difficulty, that is the moment they score a goal. It is part of the great squads that have great players. I do not believe Roma should distort its characteristics." He added that Roma's return to the Champions League itself represented a significant achievement for the club, comparing the current squad to his previous work with Atalanta and framing the ongoing project as one requiring patience. On José Mourinho, who managed Roma until last season, Gasperini predicted the Roma supporters would offer him recognition before kick-off. "There has been important affection from the fans towards Mourinho," Gasperini said. "He deserves the recognition of the people. Then the match begins and everyone lets go of all sentiments and the people of Rome will only support their own squad." Regarding what he might learn from Mourinho, Gasperini offered: "If I could take something it would be the empathy to have yourself taken extraordinary players and spend notable sums—that is fantastic." On squad availability, Gasperini confirmed that Konstantinos Koulierakis returned to group training on 12 October, while Bryan Cristante requires further recovery time following the Como fixture. Gasperini noted that Real Madrid, despite their individual quality, still require match fitness and cohesion. "They have great resources, they remain a squad capable of winning any type of match," he said. "On the purely playing side they have margins and they will be able to improve." The fixture will be Roma's next serious test after recent domestic engagements, with Gasperini stressing that the Champions League competition itself offers the club vital resources for development regardless of trophies won.

Gian Piero Gasperini held a press conference on 13 October ahead of Roma's Champions League fixture against Real Madrid on 14 October at the Olimpico. The Roma coach said he and his squad are eager to test themselves against one of Europe's elite, even though Real Madrid are still finding their rhythm under José Mourinho, who spent nearly three years as Roma manager before this season. Gasperini stressed that Roma should not change their fundamental approach. "We have already faced Inter and Como, two of the best Italian teams, with Inter also among Europe's finest. Our goal is to understand how competitive we can be," he said. "The Real are one of those teams that, just when you think you can put them in difficulty, manage to score. It's a characteristic of great sides that have players of enormous quality. I don't believe Roma must distort their own characteristics." He acknowledged Real Madrid's recent struggles—"perhaps they still need some running-in time"—but warned they remain capable of winning any match thanks to their resources. On Mourinho's return to the Olimpico, Gasperini spoke warmly of the former Roma manager's bond with the supporters. "Between Mourinho and Roma's fans there was an important love story. I believe he deserves recognition from the people. Then, when the match begins, all those feelings will be set aside and Roma's fans will think only of supporting their own team." When asked if he would request Endrick from Mourinho after the game, Gasperini said: "I don't think so. Right now the January transfer market doesn't interest us. We've started an important sequence of matches and we're focused on that." He confirmed Konstantinos Koulierakis returned to group training on 12 October, while Bryan Cristante will need more time to recover. Gasperini said there are no particular physical problems but the squad's recovery must be monitored after the demanding Como match.

Roma held a training session at Trigoria on 13 October at 15:00 ahead of their next fixture against Real Madrid. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini used the session to assess squad condition and finalise his starting lineup. Konstantinos Koulierakis has recovered from injury and is available for selection, but Bryan Cristante remains sidelined as he continues his rehabilitation from a knee injury. The session included goalkeeper work, with Devis Vásquez included in the UEFA squad list following Mile Svilar's injury. The press access portion of training concluded with the squad working on possession drills.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini held his pre-match press conference on 13 October ahead of Roma's Champions League fixture against Real Madrid. Gasperini framed the encounter as an opportunity to test Roma's competitive level against one of Europe's elite sides. "We verify it tomorrow," he said. "For us it's a good moment. We want to measure ourselves against a squad that is among the best in Europe, even if perhaps they need a period of adjustment because they have changed manager and playing style. It remains a squad that beat Inter—it's a prestigious match that also counts for the standings." Gasperini emphasised that Roma should not abandon their identity against such opposition. When asked about Roma's defensive approach against top teams, he stated: "Our attitude brought us to win the Champions League, it is clear that we know the value of Real Madrid but it is not the first squad of value we meet. Real are a squad that when you think you are putting them in difficulty, that is the moment they score a goal. It is part of the great squads that have great players. I do not believe Roma should distort its characteristics." He added that Roma's return to the Champions League itself represented a significant achievement for the club, comparing the current squad to his previous work with Atalanta and framing the ongoing project as one requiring patience. On José Mourinho, who managed Roma until last season, Gasperini predicted the Roma supporters would offer him recognition before kick-off. "There has been important affection from the fans towards Mourinho," Gasperini said. "He deserves the recognition of the people. Then the match begins and everyone lets go of all sentiments and the people of Rome will only support their own squad." Regarding what he might learn from Mourinho, Gasperini offered: "If I could take something it would be the empathy to have yourself taken extraordinary players and spend notable sums—that is fantastic." On squad availability, Gasperini confirmed that Konstantinos Koulierakis returned to group training on 12 October, while Bryan Cristante requires further recovery time following the Como fixture. Gasperini noted that Real Madrid, despite their individual quality, still require match fitness and cohesion. "They have great resources, they remain a squad capable of winning any type of match," he said. "On the purely playing side they have margins and they will be able to improve." The fixture will be Roma's next serious test after recent domestic engagements, with Gasperini stressing that the Champions League competition itself offers the club vital resources for development regardless of trophies won.

Gian Piero Gasperini held a press conference on 13 October ahead of Roma's Champions League fixture against Real Madrid on 14 October at the Olimpico. The Roma coach said he and his squad are eager to test themselves against one of Europe's elite, even though Real Madrid are still finding their rhythm under José Mourinho, who spent nearly three years as Roma manager before this season. Gasperini stressed that Roma should not change their fundamental approach. "We have already faced Inter and Como, two of the best Italian teams, with Inter also among Europe's finest. Our goal is to understand how competitive we can be," he said. "The Real are one of those teams that, just when you think you can put them in difficulty, manage to score. It's a characteristic of great sides that have players of enormous quality. I don't believe Roma must distort their own characteristics." He acknowledged Real Madrid's recent struggles—"perhaps they still need some running-in time"—but warned they remain capable of winning any match thanks to their resources. On Mourinho's return to the Olimpico, Gasperini spoke warmly of the former Roma manager's bond with the supporters. "Between Mourinho and Roma's fans there was an important love story. I believe he deserves recognition from the people. Then, when the match begins, all those feelings will be set aside and Roma's fans will think only of supporting their own team." When asked if he would request Endrick from Mourinho after the game, Gasperini said: "I don't think so. Right now the January transfer market doesn't interest us. We've started an important sequence of matches and we're focused on that." He confirmed Konstantinos Koulierakis returned to group training on 12 October, while Bryan Cristante will need more time to recover. Gasperini said there are no particular physical problems but the squad's recovery must be monitored after the demanding Como match.

Donyell Malen has been suspended for one match by the Sport Judge following disciplinary action from the latest Serie A matchday, ruling him out of Roma's fixture against Genoa. Matías Soulé received his first yellow card of the season, while midfielders Manu Koné and Marten de Roon were each shown a second caution. Roma has also been fined €4,000 for unjustifiably causing a delay of approximately three minutes to the start of the first half.

Donyell Malen will miss Roma's next Serie A fixture after receiving a suspension following his red card in the match against Como. The forward will sit out Roma-Genoa, scheduled for Saturday at 20.45 at Stadio Olimpico. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will need to reconfigure his attacking setup without one of his key players during this early stretch of the season. Malen will be available again for Roma's subsequent away fixture at Napoli, set for 24 October.

Donyell Malen addressed his red card at Como in a press conference ahead of Roma's Champions League match against Real Madrid, insisting he had no intention to harm anyone. "It was frustration, not my intention to do something bad or things like that," Malen said. "So we move on. We are very motivated for the match tomorrow. I think it will be a fantastic evening for Roma, because we will play at home in the Champions League against a big club like Real Madrid." Malen acknowledged the psychological weight of the dismissal but separated it from the task ahead. "After the match it was one of the most stressful moments I have lived in a long time, watching my teammates play," he explained. "When you get a red card and your team loses, you feel like the fault is yours. But I think the next match is a different match, which has little to do with what happened. So we move on." He apologised to the squad and staff after Como, taking responsibility for playing with one fewer player, but stressed that facing Real Madrid offered a chance to reset. Malen highlighted the importance of Roma's home support in the Champions League fixture. "Yes, I think the support of the fans is very important, especially in difficult moments, like those just mentioned. When you play away there are even more factors to consider. Now, instead, we play at home, in front of our fans. I believe they can give us enormous support," he said. He also reflected on his first year at Roma, noting that returning to the Champions League was a primary objective when he arrived. "It is something special. When I came here last year, one of the main objectives was precisely to return to playing in the Champions League. Now being able to play the first match at home against Real Madrid is really special and we can't wait." Malen praised the club environment, crediting head coach Gasperini's confidence, his teammates' acceptance, and the city itself. Regarding a reunion with Jude Bellingham, his former Borussia Dortmund teammate now at Real Madrid, Malen confirmed they had not spoken beforehand. "I know him very well, we played together for a long time. He is a really special player, with so much quality. I also have an excellent relationship with him and I haven't seen him for a while, so it will be nice to meet up again," he said.