Gasperini: Roma dominated but fell apart in closing seven minutes against Real Madrid

Radio commentators analysed Roma's 2–3 defeat to Real Madrid, with debate centring on whether to focus on the loss or the quality of the performance that preceded it. Carina on Radio Radio said: "It is difficult to explain Roma's collapse. Roma played a spectacular match, dominated, but matches last until the 90th minute and beyond. There were certainly individual errors: on Endrick's goal there is a marking error by Balerdi, on Rüdiger's by Molina. But it would be unfair to blame them entirely: it was a general collapse. Then Madrid put on the pitch players who, at Roma, would play with the captain's armband." He added: "I fear Koné will be out for three or four weeks, and Dybala is a question mark: it is a bad injury. Gasperini must certainly look at the final eight minutes, but he must make the 82 previous minutes count, because they played an extraordinary match." Pruzzo on Radio Radio observed that the squad has "a starting rhythm that is too high to maintain for the whole match" and noted the defensive control shown before the late collapse. Orsi argued the loss came "from a lack of ability to hold on" rather than poor play by Roma: "Real scored on a corner kick. It was Roma's demerit." Mattiolo called it "a remediable defeat that teaches you something." Pedrelli on Radio Bruno 101.5 took a longer view: "I do not look at the result, but the performance. A great match by Roma despite the many absences, against one of the strongest teams in the world. It is not far to a real great leap. Gasperini is the manager I wanted." Ferri on the same station argued that supporters must "have the clarity needed to realise how much good was done in the face of Real Madrid, a squad that should have won far more easily." Verdenelli added: "I know it is not simple, I know it hurts and the stomach burns, but you must believe in the path. Roma is there, Roma is strong and proved it." Carina noted absences for Roma's next fixture, against Genoa: Svilar, Cristante, Koné, Dybala and Malen will all be absent.

Roma held their own against Real Madrid for 80 minutes in a Champions League encounter at the Olimpico, twice taking the lead through Donyell Malen's brace, but conceded three goals in a devastating late collapse that handed the Spanish side victory. Malen emerged as the standout performer, earning praise across all six major Italian newspapers for his attacking display and two-goal contribution. Matías Soulé also drew consistent ratings in the 7–7.5 range for his involvement in Roma's attacking play, notably providing the assist for the second goal. Gasperini's side dominated large stretches of the match and came close to a third goal, but a series of set-piece lapses—attributed in the match analysis to tactical adjustments—proved fatal. The defensive vulnerabilities were magnified by poor individual performances: Leonardo Balerdi received ratings of 4.5 to 5.5 across the papers, while Nahuel Molina struggled throughout, rated between 5 and 5.5 by all outlets. Gazzetta dello Sport awarded Malen 7.5 and Soulé 6.5, while Corriere dello Sport rated Malen 7.5 and Soulé 7. Il Messaggero gave identical marks—Malen 7.5, Soulé 7—as did Il Tempo, which rated Soulé 7.5. Corriere della Sera and Leggo both scored Malen 7.5, the latter's most generous assessment across the match report cards. Balerdi's substitution at the 63-minute mark failed to arrest Roma's defensive decline. Gasperini himself received a consistent 6.5 from every outlet, reflecting the tactical merit of Roma's performance offset by the costly failure to manage the closing stages. Wesley earned widespread praise in the 6.5–7 range for his defensive work, while Evan N'Dicka and Marten de Roon also registered solid marks of 6–7.

Antonio Rüdiger struck in the 90th minute to inflict a painful defeat on Roma, denying the club what had shaped as a dream evening. The German defender's goal handed victory to his side and allowed their coach to settle easily into the fixture, but Rüdiger showed no celebration—instead apologising immediately to the Curva Sud. Hours after the match, he posted a message of affection: "Roma will always have a special place in my heart and in my journey." Rüdiger had been fundamentally transformed during his time at the club and has not forgotten the side that shaped him into one of the world's finest defenders. The brutal mathematics of football dealt Roma a heavy blow on a night that had promised much.

Roma's defence collapsed catastrophically in the closing stages as Real Madrid stormed back from 3–1 down to win 4–3 at the Olimpico, despite Gian Piero Gasperini's side controlling the match for over 80 minutes. Donyell Malen scored twice to put Roma in command, but three goals conceded from set pieces in quick succession — all in the final eight minutes — undid a commanding performance. Gasperini deployed man-marking throughout, with Matías Soulé assigned to Cucurella, Manu Koné on Valverde, Marten de Roon on Tchouaméni, Wesley on Vinícius, Nahuel Molina on Dumfries, Evan N'Dicka on Mbappé, Gianluca Mancini on Bellingham and Mario Hermoso on Diomande. Roma took the lead in the 20th minute when De Roon finished after Paulo Dybala won possession, with Malen and Niccolò Pisilli building the move; the shot was deflected by Konaté past Courtois. Mbappé equalized but Roma pushed on. In the second half, Malen struck twice more — both goals confirmed by VAR — to extend Roma's lead to 3–1 and send the Olimpico into raptures. Yet fatigue and the quality of Real's substitutes proved decisive. José Mourinho introduced Endrick, Arda Guler and fresh reinforcements from the bench. Espí made it 3–2 at the 82nd minute, Endrick equalized two minutes later, and Rüdiger completed the turnaround at the 90th minute. The performance remained immense and proved Roma can compete at the highest level, but three goals from set plays in rapid succession delivered a cruel ending to a night of dominance.

Roma dominated Real Madrid for an hour and led 3–1 through goals from Marten de Roon and a brilliant double from Donyell Malen, only to collapse catastrophically in the final seven minutes at the Olimpico. Three goals conceded from corner kicks between the 83rd and 90th minutes, the last a decisive finish by Antonio Rüdiger, handed José Mourinho's side a 4–3 victory and left Roma's supporters in shock. The collapse—described as a brutal blow—was severe punishment for what the hosts created on the pitch, though it underlined the character and fighting spirit of Gasperini's team. Gasperini had set Roma up with meticulous preparation, positioning Matías Soulé high on the right against Cucurella to allow Wesley close coverage of Vinícius, a tactical move that restricted Real Madrid's attacking play for long periods. Gianluca Mancini marked Bellingham; Evan N'Dicka covered Mbappé; Mario Hermoso picked up Diomande. De Roon, Manu Koné and Nahuel Molina formed the midfield until Koné was forced off injured. Mourinho started cautiously, keeping Güler, Camavinga, Bernardo Silva, Endrick and Brahim Diaz on the bench—all players who would reshape the match in the second half. Roma struck first when De Roon scored in the 20th minute after a Matías Soulé recovery and a Konaté deflection, though Mbappé equalised immediately with help from a Mancini deflection. In the second half, despite Paulo Dybala's departure, Roma found their rhythm: Malen scored twice in the 6th and 12th minutes to make it 3–1 and trigger an explosion at the Olimpico. Mourinho then introduced his attacking replacements, and Roma's legs gave way. Espí, Endrick and Rüdiger—in the 90th minute—completed the turnaround from corner situations where Roma's defence faltered at critical moments.

Roma looked destined for a historic victory against Real Madrid at the Olimpico, leading 2–0 deep into the second half before conceding three goals in seven minutes to lose 3–2. De Roon's shot, slightly deflected by Konaté, put Roma ahead early despite Koné's injury (tests scheduled for today) and the prestige of Real's lineup. Real equalised through Mbappé after Mario Hermoso's poor pass, with Mancini's deflection assisting the leveller. In the second half, Paulo Dybala was withdrawn with a muscle strain and replaced by Rodrigo Mora, who set up Donyell Malen for Roma's second goal after five minutes. Matías Soulé then crossed for Malen to make it 2–0 at the 57th minute, and Roma came close to a fourth when Lorenzo Pellegrini threatened the scoreline further. The Olimpico, where Francesco Totti watched from the stands, erupted with each Roma goal. Then the collapse began. Real Madrid manager José Mourinho, celebrated by the stadium before and during the match with banners and a dedicated choreography, engineered the turnaround through substitutions, bringing on Endrick and Éspinoza. Both attackers, along with Rudiger, combined to reverse the result between the 83rd and 90th minutes on set pieces, handing Mourinho a dramatic victory.

Roma's defence collapsed catastrophically in the closing stages as Real Madrid stormed back from 3–1 down to win 4–3 at the Olimpico, despite Gian Piero Gasperini's side controlling the match for over 80 minutes. Donyell Malen scored twice to put Roma in command, but three goals conceded from set pieces in quick succession — all in the final eight minutes — undid a commanding performance. Gasperini deployed man-marking throughout, with Matías Soulé assigned to Cucurella, Manu Koné on Valverde, Marten de Roon on Tchouaméni, Wesley on Vinícius, Nahuel Molina on Dumfries, Evan N'Dicka on Mbappé, Gianluca Mancini on Bellingham and Mario Hermoso on Diomande. Roma took the lead in the 20th minute when De Roon finished after Paulo Dybala won possession, with Malen and Niccolò Pisilli building the move; the shot was deflected by Konaté past Courtois. Mbappé equalized but Roma pushed on. In the second half, Malen struck twice more — both goals confirmed by VAR — to extend Roma's lead to 3–1 and send the Olimpico into raptures. Yet fatigue and the quality of Real's substitutes proved decisive. José Mourinho introduced Endrick, Arda Guler and fresh reinforcements from the bench. Espí made it 3–2 at the 82nd minute, Endrick equalized two minutes later, and Rüdiger completed the turnaround at the 90th minute. The performance remained immense and proved Roma can compete at the highest level, but three goals from set plays in rapid succession delivered a cruel ending to a night of dominance.

Roma dominated Real Madrid for an hour and led 3–1 through goals from Marten de Roon and a brilliant double from Donyell Malen, only to collapse catastrophically in the final seven minutes at the Olimpico. Three goals conceded from corner kicks between the 83rd and 90th minutes, the last a decisive finish by Antonio Rüdiger, handed José Mourinho's side a 4–3 victory and left Roma's supporters in shock. The collapse—described as a brutal blow—was severe punishment for what the hosts created on the pitch, though it underlined the character and fighting spirit of Gasperini's team. Gasperini had set Roma up with meticulous preparation, positioning Matías Soulé high on the right against Cucurella to allow Wesley close coverage of Vinícius, a tactical move that restricted Real Madrid's attacking play for long periods. Gianluca Mancini marked Bellingham; Evan N'Dicka covered Mbappé; Mario Hermoso picked up Diomande. De Roon, Manu Koné and Nahuel Molina formed the midfield until Koné was forced off injured. Mourinho started cautiously, keeping Güler, Camavinga, Bernardo Silva, Endrick and Brahim Diaz on the bench—all players who would reshape the match in the second half. Roma struck first when De Roon scored in the 20th minute after a Matías Soulé recovery and a Konaté deflection, though Mbappé equalised immediately with help from a Mancini deflection. In the second half, despite Paulo Dybala's departure, Roma found their rhythm: Malen scored twice in the 6th and 12th minutes to make it 3–1 and trigger an explosion at the Olimpico. Mourinho then introduced his attacking replacements, and Roma's legs gave way. Espí, Endrick and Rüdiger—in the 90th minute—completed the turnaround from corner situations where Roma's defence faltered at critical moments.

Roma looked destined for a historic victory against Real Madrid at the Olimpico, leading 2–0 deep into the second half before conceding three goals in seven minutes to lose 3–2. De Roon's shot, slightly deflected by Konaté, put Roma ahead early despite Koné's injury (tests scheduled for today) and the prestige of Real's lineup. Real equalised through Mbappé after Mario Hermoso's poor pass, with Mancini's deflection assisting the leveller. In the second half, Paulo Dybala was withdrawn with a muscle strain and replaced by Rodrigo Mora, who set up Donyell Malen for Roma's second goal after five minutes. Matías Soulé then crossed for Malen to make it 2–0 at the 57th minute, and Roma came close to a fourth when Lorenzo Pellegrini threatened the scoreline further. The Olimpico, where Francesco Totti watched from the stands, erupted with each Roma goal. Then the collapse began. Real Madrid manager José Mourinho, celebrated by the stadium before and during the match with banners and a dedicated choreography, engineered the turnaround through substitutions, bringing on Endrick and Éspinoza. Both attackers, along with Rudiger, combined to reverse the result between the 83rd and 90th minutes on set pieces, handing Mourinho a dramatic victory.

Radio commentators analysed Roma's 2–3 defeat to Real Madrid, with debate centring on whether to focus on the loss or the quality of the performance that preceded it. Carina on Radio Radio said: "It is difficult to explain Roma's collapse. Roma played a spectacular match, dominated, but matches last until the 90th minute and beyond. There were certainly individual errors: on Endrick's goal there is a marking error by Balerdi, on Rüdiger's by Molina. But it would be unfair to blame them entirely: it was a general collapse. Then Madrid put on the pitch players who, at Roma, would play with the captain's armband." He added: "I fear Koné will be out for three or four weeks, and Dybala is a question mark: it is a bad injury. Gasperini must certainly look at the final eight minutes, but he must make the 82 previous minutes count, because they played an extraordinary match." Pruzzo on Radio Radio observed that the squad has "a starting rhythm that is too high to maintain for the whole match" and noted the defensive control shown before the late collapse. Orsi argued the loss came "from a lack of ability to hold on" rather than poor play by Roma: "Real scored on a corner kick. It was Roma's demerit." Mattiolo called it "a remediable defeat that teaches you something." Pedrelli on Radio Bruno 101.5 took a longer view: "I do not look at the result, but the performance. A great match by Roma despite the many absences, against one of the strongest teams in the world. It is not far to a real great leap. Gasperini is the manager I wanted." Ferri on the same station argued that supporters must "have the clarity needed to realise how much good was done in the face of Real Madrid, a squad that should have won far more easily." Verdenelli added: "I know it is not simple, I know it hurts and the stomach burns, but you must believe in the path. Roma is there, Roma is strong and proved it." Carina noted absences for Roma's next fixture, against Genoa: Svilar, Cristante, Koné, Dybala and Malen will all be absent.

Roma held their own against Real Madrid for 80 minutes in a Champions League encounter at the Olimpico, twice taking the lead through Donyell Malen's brace, but conceded three goals in a devastating late collapse that handed the Spanish side victory. Malen emerged as the standout performer, earning praise across all six major Italian newspapers for his attacking display and two-goal contribution. Matías Soulé also drew consistent ratings in the 7–7.5 range for his involvement in Roma's attacking play, notably providing the assist for the second goal. Gasperini's side dominated large stretches of the match and came close to a third goal, but a series of set-piece lapses—attributed in the match analysis to tactical adjustments—proved fatal. The defensive vulnerabilities were magnified by poor individual performances: Leonardo Balerdi received ratings of 4.5 to 5.5 across the papers, while Nahuel Molina struggled throughout, rated between 5 and 5.5 by all outlets. Gazzetta dello Sport awarded Malen 7.5 and Soulé 6.5, while Corriere dello Sport rated Malen 7.5 and Soulé 7. Il Messaggero gave identical marks—Malen 7.5, Soulé 7—as did Il Tempo, which rated Soulé 7.5. Corriere della Sera and Leggo both scored Malen 7.5, the latter's most generous assessment across the match report cards. Balerdi's substitution at the 63-minute mark failed to arrest Roma's defensive decline. Gasperini himself received a consistent 6.5 from every outlet, reflecting the tactical merit of Roma's performance offset by the costly failure to manage the closing stages. Wesley earned widespread praise in the 6.5–7 range for his defensive work, while Evan N'Dicka and Marten de Roon also registered solid marks of 6–7.

Roma squandered a dominant display to lose 4–3 to Real Madrid in the second round of the UEFA Champions League League Phase at Stadio Olimpico on 14 October. The Giallorossi led 3–1 and controlled large stretches of the match but capitulated in the final stages, conceding three goals from corner kicks. Donyell Malen scored twice and created constant danger, earning an 8 rating, but his performance could not prevent Real's turnaround. Gian Piero Gasperini's side began brightly and took the lead through Marten de Roon before Malen and Matías Soulé extended the advantage. Real mounted a second-half comeback that proved fatal to Roma's hopes. The defensive substitutions—Leonardo Balerdi replacing Gianluca Mancini at 63 minutes and Konstantinos Koulierakis entering for Mario Hermoso at 80 minutes—failed to shore up the backline; both changes coincided with the collapse that allowed Real to turn the match around. Koné's early injury at 15 minutes proved costly to Roma's midfield stability, forcing Niccolò Pisilli into action. Wesley earned a 7 rating for tireless full-back play, while De Roon was judged indispensable given the midfield injuries and warranted 7 for both his goal and leadership. Rodrigo Mora came on for Paulo Dybala in the 46th minute after Dybala suffered a muscular problem, contributing 6.5 with an assist for Malen's second goal. Soulé, deployed wide on the right by Gasperini, scored 7 for his performance and the assist that made it 3–1. Lorenzo Pellegrini replaced Soulé at 63 minutes but could not affect the outcome, firing high from a good position. On the defending side, N'Dicka earned 6.5 despite conceding Rudiger's goal, while Hermoso was marked 5.5 for responsibility in Mbappé's opener. Pierluigi Gollini was rated 6, largely unburdened until the final collapse. Gasperini himself received 6, with the assessment noting that Roma's lack of experience and composure under pressure—particularly from set pieces—cost them dearly in the final twenty minutes.