Gasperini says Roma need left-sided attacker and left-back; warns against overloading Lulli

Donyell Malen spoke to Prime Video after Roma's 3–4 defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League. The forward expressed his disappointment at the result, saying: "Great disappointment, because we hoped to go through, but they managed to score. There is a great connection, we are a great squad, however there are things that did not go well, we need to talk about them." Malen was asked about his personal feelings on Roma's performance in the competition. He acknowledged the team's quality while emphasising the need for internal discussion about what went wrong. The match saw Roma concede four goals, a setback in their European campaign this season.

Donyell Malen spoke to Prime Video after Roma's 3–4 defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League. Asked about his feelings on the match, Malen said: "Great disappointment, because we hoped to move forward, but they managed to score. There is great connection, we are a great squad, but there are things that did not go well, we must talk about them." The loss leaves Roma with work to do in their European campaign as they look to recover from the setback. Malen received a personal moment during the interview when shown postcards from his grandmother and mother, who told him they had spent good time together and were very proud to see him play in this competition.

Gian Piero Gasperini struggled to make sense of Roma's collapse in the final stages of their 3-4 loss to Real Madrid, telling Prime Video that his side had dominated for long periods but failed when it mattered most. "Difficult to analyse the match psychologically," Gasperini said. "In the first half they scored from a corner, then in the final stages it was as if we were paralysed by the situation." Responding to criticism that Roma had run out of energy, Gasperini rejected the suggestion. "If anyone couldn't go on it was them," he said. "We outclassed them on everything. They scored from a corner, they are worth the same, they put physicality in. In the rest they were not up to it." The Roma head coach acknowledged that managing the closing stages is crucial, even with a two-goal lead. "Matches must be taken to the end; the final minutes are decisive," he explained. "They put on quick, fresh players. Of course we must look at the match and the negative aspects too. I would redo the substitutions, but if you have injuries and absences you cannot make forward substitutions." Gasperini provided an injury update on key absentees: "Koné had a muscular strain. Dybala had a muscle strain, while the others are minor complaints."

Roma return to Champions League football at the Olimpico for the first time in seven years, facing Real Madrid, the competition's most successful winner. Gasperini opts for a three-at-the-back formation with Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso in defence. Wesley and Molina patrol the flanks, with Koné and De Roon in midfield. Soulé plays behind Dybala and Malen in attack. Roma (3-4-1-2): Gollini; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Wesley, Koné, De Roon, Molina; Soulé; Dybala, Malen. Substitutes: De Marzi, Vásquez, Balerdi, Ghilardi, Koulierakis, Rensch, Lulli, Pisilli, Mora, Castro, Pellegrini. Manager: Gasperini. Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Konaté, Rüdiger, Cucurella; Valverde, Tchouaméni; Güler, Bellingham, Vinicius; Mbappé. Substitutes: Lunin, Mestre, Dumfries, Huijsen, Carreras, Camavinga, Bernardo Silva, Brahim Díaz, Diomandé, Endrick, Espí, Pitarch. Manager: Mourinho.

Gian Piero Gasperini has named his squad for Roma's Champions League league-phase match against Real Madrid, kick-off 21:00 this evening. Konstantinos Koulierakis returns to the travelling party, while Devis Vásquez is included among the goalkeepers. The squad list features 24 players across all four positions. In defence, Gasperini has selected Devyne Rensch, Koulierakis, Evan N'Dicka, Nahuel Molina, Mario Hermoso, Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Balerdi, Wesley, Emanuele Lulli and Daniele Ghilardi. Midfield options comprise Lorenzo Pellegrini, Marten de Roon, Manu Koné, Niccolò Pisilli and Rodrigo Mora. The forward line includes Santiago Castro, Donyell Malen, Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala.

Gian Piero Gasperini has named his squad for Roma's Champions League League Phase match against Real Madrid this evening at the Olimpico, with 23 players available. Mile Svilar is unavailable due to a fractured finger, leaving Pierluigi Gollini, Giorgio De Marzi and Devis Vásquez as the goalkeepers in contention. Konstantinos Koulierakis has returned to full training in recent days and is regularly available for selection. Bryan Cristante, however, remains unavailable. The squad spans all four outfield positions, with defenders including Devyne Rensch, Evan N'Dicka, Nahuel Molina, Mario Hermoso, Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Balerdi, Wesley, Emanuele Lulli and Daniele Ghilardi; midfielders Lorenzo Pellegrini, Marten de Roon, Manu Koné, Niccolò Pisilli and Rodrigo Mora; and forwards Santiago Castro, Donyell Malen, Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala.