Gasperini to hold pre-match press conference ahead of Roma–Real Madrid Champions League fixture

Donyell Malen spoke alongside head coach Gian Piero Gasperini at a pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow's Champions League fixture against Real Madrid. The forward is looking to bounce back after receiving a red card on Sunday in the match against Como. Malen expressed frustration about the dismissal but insisted he had no intention to cause harm. "Dobbiamo concentrarci su noi stessi, non sulla distanza con loro. Contro il Como c'è delusione e frustrazione ma non volevo far male a nessuno. Per domani sono motivato, sarà una grandissima serata e un'occasione per misurarci contro una delle squadre migliori d'Europa." He acknowledged that Roma have successfully qualified for the Champions League, something that was an objective from his arrival at the club. "Fin da quando sono arrivato la Champions era l'obiettivo, ora ci siamo riusciti e abbiamo l'opportunità di goderci una serata speciale come quella di domani contro il Real Madrid." Malen credited his manager and teammates for helping him settle. He noted that facing Real Madrid would be special, emphasizing the importance of the home crowd during difficult moments in the match. Asked about Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham, Malen said they have not recently been in contact but that "E' un giocatore speciale, tutti lo conoscono. Sarà una bella occasione per rivederlo, ho sempre avuto un buon rapporto con lui." On the red card incident, he added: "Dopo la partita mi sono scusato anche nello spogliatoio. Non mi capitava da molto essere espulso ed è stato molto stressante. Domani sarà una partita diversa e farò tutto il possibile per aiutare la squadra."

Gian Piero Gasperini held a press conference at Trigoria on 13 October at 13:30 ahead of Roma's Champions League second matchday encounter with Real Madrid at Stadio Olimpico on 14 October. A training session was scheduled for 15:00. Mile Svilar and Bryan Cristante are ruled out; Konstantinos Koulierakis is hoping to recover after returning to group training the previous day. Gasperini acknowledged Real Madrid as one of Europe's best teams despite their recent transition under a new coach. "It's one of the moments least unfavourable to face them," he said, noting that Real have changed manager and playing style. "They remain a squad that beat Inter in the Champions League and will be a match of great prestige that counts for the standings." He stressed that Roma cannot take Real Madrid as a benchmark for European development, but must use the fixture to measure their own competitiveness. Roma qualified for the Champions League by finishing third in Serie A last season, and Gasperini highlighted that this achievement represented important resources for the club to continue improving. Gasperini addressed the emotional dimension of facing José Mourinho, who managed Roma and remains significant to the club's supporters. "It is right that it be so. There was important affection from the fans towards Mourinho. He deserves recognition from the people. Then the match will begin and feelings will be set aside," Gasperini said. "The fans will then support exclusively their own team." On how Roma compares to Mourinho's era, he observed: "These are different squads. That was a Roma with new ownership, great enthusiasm and spending. This one is a squad that is growing and is very tough and convinced. There is a fantastic environment in the group and it was a squad capable of reaching the Champions League, and this is sometimes forgotten because it gave important new resources to the club to continue improving." Regarding Real's attacking quality, Gasperini warned: "When you think you can put Real Madrid in difficulty, that's the moment they score a goal and they need little to score. There will need to be greater attention but Roma must not betray its characteristics." He also reflected on his previous Champions League experience with Atalanta, saying: "It's the objective and hope. It took many components. We started last year even though Atalanta started from a lower position than Roma. It won the Europa League and not the Champions League and it was still very difficult. In Italy nothing had been won in Europe for many years and this is why we cannot make proclamations. Our football cannot afford it now."

Roma's radio stations examined the club's upcoming Champions League tie against Real Madrid on Wednesday, with tactical debate and nostalgia dominating discussion among broadcasters ahead of José Mourinho's return to the Stadio Olimpico. Gianluca Piacentini of Rete Sport flagged Paulo Dybala's missed goal as serious, saying: "The thing that gave me relief is that in 11 against 10 Gollini didn't make a serious save despite missing three fundamental players. De Roon's performance gave me great encouragement—he proved you can play even without Cristante." David Rossi warned of the danger: "If you play soft against Real Madrid you risk waking up to find yourself losing, because they have too many strong players. If Real Madrid gave Roma even one of those champions, Roma would win the Serie A title." Francesca Ferrazza of Tele Radio Stereo placed the match in context: "The emotional meanings are greater than the sporting ones, emotional not only for Mourinho but also for the squad, to understand its consistency and make it grow by comparing itself with Europe's best. There are few sporting meanings, because Roma will play well but Real is much stronger and so I don't expect anything special." Daniele Lo Monaco of Radio Romanista offered tactical insight, saying: "Of the three matches—Inter, Como and Real—the one with Madrid would be tactically the easiest. Not in absolute values, because Real has stunning players who can win matches alone, but tactically. Real Madrid won't have tactical surprises like Como and Inter might have. Rome will go and press them, widening an attacker on one side and a full-back on the other. I expect Rensch with Wesley, or Molina because he knows the opponents." Lorenzo Pes believed the team carried momentum: "I perceive confidence, and knowing Gasp he'll play the match as usual. What happened at Como is a beautiful proof of knowing how to change skin." Alessio Nardo of Tele Radio Stereo offered perspective on Mourinho: "Real Madrid this year are struggling especially away from home. Mourinho? I've already said it, but in my opinion he's never been this emotional in 30 years of a career." Roberto Pruzzo of Radio Radio predicted a warm reception: "The stadium will welcome Mourinho very well; he represented a great deal to Roma's fans. He seems very grateful and remembers this experience with great affection, even more than Milan." Mario Corsi of Tele Radio Stereo cautioned: "Real Madrid is a team that doesn't like being attacked, though clearly you must be careful and 100 per cent concentrated because if they start moving, they have players who are the number ones in the world." Giulia Mizzoni of Rete Sport marked the moment's significance: "Roma-Real Madrid is the standout match of this Wednesday's Champions League. It's five years since I've waited to experience an evening like this at the Olimpico. It's a match with many stories inside it: Mou's return, Gasp's first at home." The match was set for Wednesday 13 October, with stadium officials preparing a reception for Mourinho, the manager who guided Roma to the 2022 UEFA Europa Conference League title.

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.

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's mental fortitude was the standout quality in their Matchday 6 performance against Como, where they resisted the hosts' attacks even while playing with ten men following Donyell Malen's expulsion. The match produced spectacular goals, disputed refereeing decisions, and memorable individual displays across the weekend's Serie A action. Roma's defensive discipline and composure in possession neutralized Como's numerical advantage and made their attacks predictable—a performance that drew the highest rating of the round. Pierluigi Gollini's assured goalkeeping, which included shutting out Nico Paz with a low save, reinforced confidence across the backline. Marten de Roon patrolled midfield with tactical precision both before and after Malen's dismissal, winning every duel with intensity. Paulo Dybala's second-half contribution brought technical quality to a midfield battle, though a missed chance near goal remains unanswered. Malen's red card—for which he apologized—was preceded by an earlier sequence that should have been stopped with a free kick to Roma, a technical distinction that separates the dismissal from justification. Referee Marco Fabbri's overall management of the match drew sharp criticism for inconsistency: he appeared unsettled early, then adopted a pattern of compensation that inflamed tensions further. Midfield infractions went undetected, and calls he did make were often misinterpreted. Fabbri sustained a knee injury during Malen's tackle and later received criticism alongside VAR official Luca Marelli for the application of foul standards, with suggestions that decision-making criteria shifted between seasons. Elsewhere, Riccardo Orsolini's near-bicycling kick finish for Lecce exemplified the round's aesthetic moments, while a Naples penalty—technically correct by regulation—raised questions about consistency in enforcement across the weekend.

Roma's radio commentary landscape brought together multiple voices on 13 October 2026 to assess the club's squad and upcoming challenge. Roberto Pruzzo told Radio Radio Mattino (104.5 FM) that he expects Malen to play alongside Dybala and Soulé, and that Castro's chance will come against Genoa. "The Roma need Mora," Pruzzo said. "De Roon is in condition to play two or three matches in a row. Real Madrid have individuals who are in another category but lack stability. I don't expect many goals." The commentary centred on Roma's readiness for their European fixture and squad rotation under Gasperini. Piero Torri (Radio Manà Manà, 90.9 FM) struck a measured tone, saying: "I believe Gasperini will tell us that Roma won't want to play the sacrificial victim. They have players who are devastating on the counter. I expect a composed approach, with the confidence of a squad that has given important responses even at Como." Simone Valdarchi added perspective on the Friedkin regime's history, noting that the organised ultras are preparing a tribute for Mourinho's return to Roma, though he was uncertain whether it would amount to a full choreography. Valdarchi explained Mourinho's decision to stay: "Mourinho was ready to leave if they had won in Budapest, but the defeat to Sevilla convinced him to remain, extending a relationship that seemed already finished."

Roma's radio stations examined the club's upcoming Champions League tie against Real Madrid on Wednesday, with tactical debate and nostalgia dominating discussion among broadcasters ahead of José Mourinho's return to the Stadio Olimpico. Gianluca Piacentini of Rete Sport flagged Paulo Dybala's missed goal as serious, saying: "The thing that gave me relief is that in 11 against 10 Gollini didn't make a serious save despite missing three fundamental players. De Roon's performance gave me great encouragement—he proved you can play even without Cristante." David Rossi warned of the danger: "If you play soft against Real Madrid you risk waking up to find yourself losing, because they have too many strong players. If Real Madrid gave Roma even one of those champions, Roma would win the Serie A title." Francesca Ferrazza of Tele Radio Stereo placed the match in context: "The emotional meanings are greater than the sporting ones, emotional not only for Mourinho but also for the squad, to understand its consistency and make it grow by comparing itself with Europe's best. There are few sporting meanings, because Roma will play well but Real is much stronger and so I don't expect anything special." Daniele Lo Monaco of Radio Romanista offered tactical insight, saying: "Of the three matches—Inter, Como and Real—the one with Madrid would be tactically the easiest. Not in absolute values, because Real has stunning players who can win matches alone, but tactically. Real Madrid won't have tactical surprises like Como and Inter might have. Rome will go and press them, widening an attacker on one side and a full-back on the other. I expect Rensch with Wesley, or Molina because he knows the opponents." Lorenzo Pes believed the team carried momentum: "I perceive confidence, and knowing Gasp he'll play the match as usual. What happened at Como is a beautiful proof of knowing how to change skin." Alessio Nardo of Tele Radio Stereo offered perspective on Mourinho: "Real Madrid this year are struggling especially away from home. Mourinho? I've already said it, but in my opinion he's never been this emotional in 30 years of a career." Roberto Pruzzo of Radio Radio predicted a warm reception: "The stadium will welcome Mourinho very well; he represented a great deal to Roma's fans. He seems very grateful and remembers this experience with great affection, even more than Milan." Mario Corsi of Tele Radio Stereo cautioned: "Real Madrid is a team that doesn't like being attacked, though clearly you must be careful and 100 per cent concentrated because if they start moving, they have players who are the number ones in the world." Giulia Mizzoni of Rete Sport marked the moment's significance: "Roma-Real Madrid is the standout match of this Wednesday's Champions League. It's five years since I've waited to experience an evening like this at the Olimpico. It's a match with many stories inside it: Mou's return, Gasp's first at home." The match was set for Wednesday 13 October, with stadium officials preparing a reception for Mourinho, the manager who guided Roma to the 2022 UEFA Europa Conference League title.