Gasperini wants to measure Roma against Real Madrid; Mou warns it won't be normal; Malen ruled out for one match

On the eve of Roma's Champions League match against Real Madrid, Gian Piero Gasperini framed the fixture as a measuring stick for the club's competitiveness. "Difficult to have Real Madrid as a benchmark. What we must take as a benchmark is what happens on the pitch, to measure ourselves against them. We have played Inter and Como, among the best in Italy; now we find one of the best in Europe, and we can understand how competitive we can be," Gasperini said at his pre-match press conference from Trigoria. On José Mourinho's return to the Olimpico, Gasperini acknowledged the emotional weight of the occasion: "It is right that it is so; there was great affection for Mou. He deserves all the recognition the fans will give him. Then the match begins, and Roma's supporters will cheer for Roma." Mourinho himself addressed the media after arriving at the stadium, reflecting on his homecoming. "Coming back here… I am ready, I am well, I am balanced, solid, without doubt that during the match I will give everything. Then perhaps before or after my heart will beat faster, but during the match there is no room for doubt. The Roma fans want to win and so do we; in that moment there is no room for love," he said. He emphasised Roma's place in his career: "The interests of the club, the players and the fans are always ahead of mine. Many people recognise that. We won a European competition with Roma, reached another final and more besides. Roma fans are special people; I have been treated well at many clubs, but these people are special." Donyell Malen has been handed a one-match suspension following his red card in the away fixture at Como, meaning he will miss the next game against Genoa but will be available for the Napoli fixture. Referee Michael Fabbri sent Malen off for a challenge on Kaiki; the incident sparked debate over the referee's conduct and a possible prior foul on Malen himself. Malen posted an apology on social media to his teammates and the Roma fans, acknowledging his own recklessness. With Mile Svilar sidelined by injury, Pierluigi Gollini has taken over in goal. Devis Vásquez, the Colombian goalkeeper, has now been added to both the Serie A and Champions League squad lists to serve as back-up to Gollini during Svilar's absence. Gasperini had revealed after the Como match that Vásquez would be reintegrated into the league squad; his inclusion in the European list is a fresh addition.

José Mourinho has issued a clear warning to clubs pursuing Endrick ahead of Real Madrid's Champions League fixture against Roma on Tuesday. The Real Madrid manager said: "Whoever wants to take him in January will have to go over me and fight me." Mourinho doubled down on his determination to keep the Brazilian forward, stating: "Endrick is not going anywhere, I adore him. He is very strong and will help us. Loans are not needed, Endrick will explode here at Madrid." The comments represent a significant setback for Roma, who have continued to monitor the 2006-born forward ahead of the January transfer window. The Giallorossi had come close to signing Endrick on loan during the summer before Mourinho intervened to retain him at the Bernabéu. Interest has resurfaced because of the limited playing time Endrick has received at the start of this season, prompting Roma and other European clubs to renew their pursuit. Mourinho's latest stance suggests he plans to block any departure attempt again, convinced he can revive Endrick's form directly at Madrid. When asked in a press conference today whether he might use his encounter with Mourinho to discuss Endrick, Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini smiled but deflected the question. Gasperini said: "Right now the January market is something that doesn't interest me." For Roma to realistically pursue Endrick in January, they will first need to persuade Real Madrid and overcome Mourinho's clear resistance to letting the player leave.

Aurélien Tchouaméni said Real Madrid respect Roma's quality ahead of their Champions League meeting at the Olimpico on 14 October at 21:00, the second fixture of the league phase. The French midfielder acknowledged the difficulty of playing away but expressed confidence in Madrid's ability to win. Roma qualified for the Champions League this season by finishing third in Serie A last year and will face Madrid in a high-profile early test of their continental campaign. Tchouaméni, speaking in his pre-match press conference, outlined both teams' form and approach to the fixture. Asked his assessment of Roma, Tchouaméni said: "I like very much how Roma play and I know that tomorrow the match will be difficult, also because we will play away from home. I think we have enough quality to win the match and that is what we will try to do." On Madrid's own campaign, he noted: "It's a really important match for us. We started well by beating Inter, now we want to continue to pick up points in this competition." When pressed on Madrid's midfield creativity, Tchouaméni declined to elaborate publicly: "I have my opinion on this, the rest is up to you. I won't say what I think, I think it's more important to talk about tomorrow's match. I'm only one of the players and I have my opinion which I won't share. I know what players we have in the squad and we give 100% with our characteristics. We all have different characteristics, the most important thing is to continue to work as a team." He also defended the squad against criticism, saying: "When you play for Real Madrid there are always criticisms, the most important thing is to stay focused and always try to improve as a squad. We can certainly do some things better, but we all know that the most important thing is what you win at the end of the season. And that is what we will try to do."

DAZN's BordoCam coverage revealed multiple flashpoints from Sunday's match at San Siro between Como and Roma, from a mysterious exchange between the two coaches before kickoff to the controversial dismissal of Donyell Malen in the second half. Gasperini and Como manager Fabregas embraced before the match and spoke briefly, with Fabregas making a request of the Roma boss. "In a future," Fabregas said. "That's fine," Gasperini replied. The first half saw a heated duel between Jacobo Ramón and Gianluca Mancini after Paulo Dybala set up the Roma defender's overlap; Ramón responded with a forceful shoulder-to-shoulder challenge and excessive celebration. Later, a clash involving Manu Koné, Como's Perrone and Nico Paz saw Koné foul his opponent, prompting the midfielder to tell Paz in Spanish: "How is that a foul on me? Be quiet, calm down." After Marten de Roon's violent contact with Como's Butez—which the referee had already whistled for offside—Gasperini gave an ironic half-smile before turning to the bench and shouting "What is this?" The opening half's most explosive moment came from the Wesley–Diao contact. Fabregas erupted in protest; Diao was cautioned for dissent, and Como director Ludi and captain Da Cunha joined the complaints. Referee Fabbri explained in the tunnel: "It's an involuntary crossing of legs." He then told Ludi and Ramón: "He even tries not to take him." In the 53rd minute, Malen was sent off following a prolonged shirt-hold by Ramón that went undetected. Fabbri immediately showed red; Malen's disbelief was matched by Gasperini, who ran ironically along the bench. "He's ruined a match, you can't ruin a match like this, he got the ball first," Gasperini said. His assistant Gritti acknowledged: "If he whistles earlier, it's all over"—a view Malen conveyed to fourth official Sozza on his way off. Gasperini had Santiago Castro ready to replace Paulo Dybala after the expulsion, but Dybala performed well with his heading play and the substitution never came.

On the eve of Roma's Champions League match against Real Madrid, Gian Piero Gasperini framed the fixture as a measuring stick for the club's competitiveness. "Difficult to have Real Madrid as a benchmark. What we must take as a benchmark is what happens on the pitch, to measure ourselves against them. We have played Inter and Como, among the best in Italy; now we find one of the best in Europe, and we can understand how competitive we can be," Gasperini said at his pre-match press conference from Trigoria. On José Mourinho's return to the Olimpico, Gasperini acknowledged the emotional weight of the occasion: "It is right that it is so; there was great affection for Mou. He deserves all the recognition the fans will give him. Then the match begins, and Roma's supporters will cheer for Roma." Mourinho himself addressed the media after arriving at the stadium, reflecting on his homecoming. "Coming back here… I am ready, I am well, I am balanced, solid, without doubt that during the match I will give everything. Then perhaps before or after my heart will beat faster, but during the match there is no room for doubt. The Roma fans want to win and so do we; in that moment there is no room for love," he said. He emphasised Roma's place in his career: "The interests of the club, the players and the fans are always ahead of mine. Many people recognise that. We won a European competition with Roma, reached another final and more besides. Roma fans are special people; I have been treated well at many clubs, but these people are special." Donyell Malen has been handed a one-match suspension following his red card in the away fixture at Como, meaning he will miss the next game against Genoa but will be available for the Napoli fixture. Referee Michael Fabbri sent Malen off for a challenge on Kaiki; the incident sparked debate over the referee's conduct and a possible prior foul on Malen himself. Malen posted an apology on social media to his teammates and the Roma fans, acknowledging his own recklessness. With Mile Svilar sidelined by injury, Pierluigi Gollini has taken over in goal. Devis Vásquez, the Colombian goalkeeper, has now been added to both the Serie A and Champions League squad lists to serve as back-up to Gollini during Svilar's absence. Gasperini had revealed after the Como match that Vásquez would be reintegrated into the league squad; his inclusion in the European list is a fresh addition.

Roma's match against Real Madrid at the Olimpico tomorrow will hold particular significance for José Mourinho, who received a warm reception from Giallorossi supporters outside the Blancos' hotel in the capital. The fixture carries emotional weight for the former Roma manager, who is being welcomed with affection by the club's fanbase despite now leading the visiting side. Gasperini commented on the occasion: "With Real we will understand our level, we must not change who we are. Mou deserves the affection of the people." The coach framed the Champions League encounter as a benchmark for Roma's standing among Europe's elite. Donyell Malen was suspended for one match—siting out the fixture against Genoa—following a disciplinary decision by the Giudice Sportivo.