Gasperini to hold pre-match press conference ahead of Real Madrid

Luca Fatiga, a former assistant to José Mourinho at Fenerbahce, said Roma's ownership will have "one unique regret: not managing a great coach like the boss well in his final year" after Mourinho's departure. Speaking to ReteSport, Fatiga defended Gasperini's tenure and backed the club to compete in the Champions League. Fatiga praised Gasperini's composure and identity, noting that "after Roma–Juventus last season, many would have panicked, but he transmitted calm and continues to do so." He characterised Mourinho's exit as a missed opportunity: "There was a unique cohesion. For José you go to war without hesitation and with joy. The strength was intellectual honesty." He added that Roma's ownership "has undertaken a virtuous path" but squandered the chance to build on what Mourinho had created. On Wednesday's Champions League fixture against Real Madrid, Fatiga said: "I wouldn't rule out a draw because I've seen Roma play well. The Champions League must be a great celebration for Gasperini's squad; I hope they experience it as an opportunity to grow and concentrate heavily on the league, which could become interesting." He acknowledged the emotional weight of the match: "Mercoledì will be a fixture I'll feel deeply—on one side is a person I'm close to, on the other is Roma." Fatiga also addressed Roma's recent fixture, criticising the referee's conduct in the Como match: "The game was distorted by the referee's management, not by Malen but by Fabbri's behaviour towards Como's captain, who should have been cautioned twice but was allowed to do as he pleased. Roma fans can be satisfied."

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."

Roma turn their attention to the Champions League after drawing with Como, preparing to host Real Madrid at the Olimpico on Wednesday evening. Gian Piero Gasperini will hold a press conference on Friday at 13:30, accompanied by a player, to preview the match against Carlo Ancelotti's side. The squad will then conduct a final training session ahead of the encounter with the Spanish champions. The fixture carries particular significance given José Mourinho's history with Roma. The buildup intensifies with Gasperini's media appearance, which will mark the formal start of preparations for a Champions League fixture that sits at the heart of Roma's campaign this season.

Roma secured a valuable point despite fielding a depleted squad and playing more than half an hour with ten men. The absence of goalkeeper Svilar and midfielder Malen, combined with the red card shown to their leading striker, left the team severely weakened, yet they managed to contain Como and avoid defeat. The opposition created their only genuine chances during stretches when both teams had eleven players on the pitch; once Roma's attacking threat was neutered by Malen's absence, the team adjusted tactically to prioritise containment. Gasperini's management of the crisis demonstrated the hallmark of a top-level coach. Rather than rigidly adhering to a fixed approach, he recognised the context demanded adaptation—a point earned under such circumstances represented a solid outcome. The display showed Roma's capacity to suffer intelligently when circumstances demanded it, maintaining their shape and discipline even as key personnel were unavailable. Gollini stepped into the void left by Svilar's absence, while Pellegrini continued to marshal the midfield. The performance also reflected the broader philosophy underpinning Gasperini's tenure: he makes decisions based on conviction rather than convenience or political calculation. The article notes his independence from what it characterises as a self-serving faction within the fanbase, positioning his approach as the correct direction for the club's future.

Roma held firm at Como for 50 minutes with a display matching a top-six side, only to be undone by a controversial refereeing decision. Referee Fabbri of Ravenna allowed a clear foul on Malen to pass without sanction, then issued a red card to the winger moments later for a challenge of at least debatable intent. That dismissal handed Como territorial control and possession for the remaining 40 minutes of the second half, but Roma emerged unscathed and without defensive risk—a result that, judged against last season's standard, represents genuine progress. Gasperini's side carried home encouraging signs from a bruising 90-minute contest against Fàbregas's combative setup. Gasperini deployed the recently recovered Pellegrini in a hybrid trequartista role on the left, flanking Malen with Dybala operating wide on the opposite flank. Como set up to play through the centre, with both teams vacating midfield spaces before refilling them through timed runs with the ball exposed during build-up play from defence. Fàbregas arranged a three-man midfield behind striker Douvikas, with Nico Paz and Diao operating at his sides. Roma entered the final third through rotations along the wing corridors, with Mancini notably active; Como found their openings through vertical tracers in the central lanes, springing Diao and Nico Paz into space. Both sides suffered from ball quality early on, with Dybala missing a monumental chance inside five minutes and Nico Paz testing Gollini moments later. Koné flanked Perrone while De Roon stood alongside Caqueret; Roma's first defensive difficulty was reaching Da Cunha, who dropped deep then cut transversely into midfield through gaps opened by his teammates. Roma rotated marking between Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso against Como's three attacking players, while Wesley faced a precarious duel with Diao. De Roon gradually took Da Cunha's measure, leaving forward momentum to Koné, whose passes after regaining possession were frequently imprecise, wasting multiple transition opportunities—particularly when Pellegrini and the defensive line sat high, a pattern Roma's midfielders and wing-backs could have exploited both for ball-free runs and to spring Malen. Roma also failed to read Como's aggressive press on the ball-carrier from behind, the intensity Como brought to defensive possession, making a switch of play from flank to flank tactically sensible. At half-time Gasperini withdrew Pellegrini in favour of Soulé to mark Yan Couto, but after five minutes Roma's defensive exhibition began in earnest once Fabbri's red card left them outnumbered, regrouping into a 3-4-2 with Balerdi replacing Hermoso. Fàbregas sensed an opportunity to go for the win, removed Caqueret for Jesus Rodriguez and shifted to 4-2-4, raising his line and attacking with angled runs without needing to defend the depth that Dybala, lacking the required pace, could not threaten. Dybala finished too isolated, though he managed the ball well on several occasions before ceding his place alongside Koné to Lulli, deployed as left-sided midfielder, and Pisilli. Rensch came on for the exhausted Molina. Fàbregas played his final card with Addai, to intensify pressure in the 1v1 wide contests, and Kempf for aerial duels at corners and set plays. At the 90th minute, however, Como managed only tentative attempts, unable to give substance to their pressure—they remained most dangerous when finding open or disorganised opponents in central spaces, a consequence of their coaching and player quality.

Roma claimed a point at Stadio Sinigaglia against Como on 12 October in a match that saw Gian Piero Gasperini's side tested by over thirty minutes of play with a numerical disadvantage. The giallorossi reorganised effectively and demonstrated tactical maturity and group compactness, holding firm despite the hostile circumstances. Gasperini emerged satisfied with a performance defined by great suffering and mental resilience from a side showing the hallmarks of maturity. Multiple Italian newspapers assessed the players' individual contributions across the fixture. Pierluigi Gollini earned consistent praise from the ratings panel, with marks ranging from 7 to 7.5. Evan N'Dicka and Marten de Roon also featured prominently in the evaluations, the latter earning a mark of 7 for his role anchoring the midfield when Roma faced their spell in the minority. Paulo Dybala drew ratings between 6 and 7, reflecting a mixed outing for the Argentine forward. Donyell Malen drew the most critical assessment, with ratings clustering between 4.5 and 5 across the newspapers surveyed—a relatively subdued performance from the Dutch winger. Lorenzo Pellegrini, who made way for Matías Soulé early in the contest, received marks of 6 to 6.5. Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso (replaced by Leonardo Balerdi at the hour mark) both registered 6.5, while Bryan Cristante earned 6.5 across the evaluations. Gasperini himself drew ratings between 6.5 and 7 for his tactical management of the affair.

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."

Paulo Dybala has spoken ahead of Roma's Champions League clash against Real Madrid at the Olimpico, saying he hopes to end his career in Italy. Speaking to UEFA Champions League Magazine Show on Prime Video two days before the match, Dybala reflected on Roma's performance last season and the challenge ahead. "We gave everything last season," he said. "It brought joy to us and the fans, and pride too. It will be difficult—we are facing some of the most decorated teams in the world—but with the push from our people we will have something extra." On his years in Italy, Dybala expressed gratitude for how the country has shaped him. "I never imagined I could have a career like this here. This country welcomed me with open arms, the people made me grow as a man and as a player. There are so many emotions here—beautiful moments and difficult ones, as is life for anyone. I hope there can be an Italian ending," he said.

Roma will face Real Madrid in the Champions League group phase on Wednesday 14 October at 21:00 at the Stadio Olimpico, the second round of fixtures after opening with a 1–1 draw away to Fenerbahce. Real Madrid enter on three points following a 2–1 victory over Inter at the Bernabéu. Gian Piero Gasperini's side are without goalkeeper Mile Svilar, who has suffered a stress fracture to the fifth toe and will miss several weeks, leaving Pierluigi Gollini to start after featuring in the 0–0 draw at Como. Bryan Cristante remains uncertain with a right knee problem that forced him to miss the Como trip. Roma's last four Champions League meetings with Real Madrid have ended in defeat without scoring, making this fixture a chance to reverse a poor record. The clubs have met 12 times in the competition, with Real Madrid winning eight, Roma winning once and three draws recorded. Gasperini is expected to deploy a 3–4–2–1 formation, with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso in defence, Nahuel Molina and Wesley on the flanks, and Marten de Roon partnering Manu Koné in midfield. Paulo Dybala will operate behind the forward, with Matías Soulé in contention after starting on the bench at Como and Donyell Malen leading the line. Malen's red card against Como applies only to Serie A and will not prevent him playing in Europe. José Mourinho's Real Madrid will likely field a 4–2–3–1. Thibaut Courtois starts in goal with a back four potentially featuring Matthijs de Ligt, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Ferland Mendy, though alternatives include Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rüdiger and Álex Carreras. Yan Diomande, who scored the winner against Villarreal last weekend, is being monitored as a threat to Vinícius Júnior for a starting berth. Federico Valverde and Tchouaméni will anchor midfield, with Arda Güler, Jude Bellingham and Vinícius supporting Kylian Mbappé. Real Madrid are without Éder Militão, who has returned to training but will miss Roma and subsequent fixtures, and Mendy is not included on the club's UEFA squad list. The match will be broadcast exclusively in Italy on Amazon Prime Video, with build-up coverage starting at 19:30 and kick-off at 21:00 on Wednesday 14 October. Official team sheets will be released approximately one hour before the start.