Juventus target Svilar as goalkeeper hunt intensifies

Alessio Cacciamani's name dominated Roma's transfer activity over the summer, but the Torino winger ultimately remained with the club and renewed his contract. Torino's sporting director addressed the matter before his side's match against Udinese, telling Sky Sport that Roma were not alone in their interest. He stated: "Cacciamani and Roma? The giallorossi were not the only ones interested in the player. The president had said he did not want to sell the player: only an important proposal would have prompted evaluation, but this did not arrive and so we will enjoy having him." The director's comments clarify that despite sustained speculation linking Cacciamani to Roma, no offer of sufficient scale materialised to shift Torino's stance on their player. With Cacciamani's contract now renewed, he will continue as part of the Granata's plans moving forward.

Torino sporting director Gianluca Petrachi confirmed that Roma made a genuine attempt to sign Alessio Cacciamani during the summer transfer window. Cacciamani, who started for Torino in their Serie A match against Udinese on 12 October, was among several clubs tracking the winger, but no deal materialised. Petrachi disclosed that Torino's president had stipulated the player would only leave for a sufficiently substantial proposal. Speaking before kick-off, he said: "There was not only Roma interested in Cacciamani. The president had said he didn't want to sell the player: only an important offer would have made us consider it. It didn't arrive, and we're enjoying him." The winger remains at the club as Torino continue their Serie A campaign.

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."

Pierluigi Gollini marked his return to Serie A action after two years with a clean sheet at Como, keeping out Nico Paz with two vital saves. His next test arrives tomorrow against Real Madrid in the Champions League, where stars including Mbappé and Vinicius will pose a far stiffer challenge. The Stadio Olimpico stage is familiar territory for the goalkeeper, who earned ten Champions League appearances while at Atalanta under Gasperini—the most of any Roma player in the competition this season, ahead of Mile Svilar (4 appearances), Matías Soulé (4), and Gianluca Mancini, Wesley and Manu Koné, who all made their competition debuts in September against Fenerbahçe. Real Madrid hold particular significance in Gollini's European history. His last Champions League outing came against the Spanish club in 2021, when Atalanta lost 0–1; de Roon also featured that evening and will line up again tomorrow in place of the injured Bryan Cristante. Roma will be aiming to replicate Sunday's result at Como, when they secured victory at the final whistle.

Roma will host Real Madrid at the Stadio Olimpico on 14 October 2026 in a Champions League fixture that marks the club's return to the competition at home for the first time in seven years — 2,801 days since their last such match. The encounter carries added significance: Real Madrid are managed by José Mourinho, who left Roma in January 2024, ensuring an emotionally charged reunion between the Portuguese coach and the Giallorossi. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will lean heavily on Roma's defensive strength as his primary weapon against Real Madrid's attacking talent. Roma boasted the joint-best defence in Serie A 2025–26 alongside Cagliari, conceding just three goals across their continental matches and achieving clean sheets in six official fixtures — a record that places them among European football's elite. However, Gasperini faces a defensive injury crisis: Mile Svilar is unavailable between the posts, handing the gloves to Pierluigi Gollini, who last played a Champions League match on 24 February 2021 in the same competition while with Atalanta against Real Madrid. Bryan Cristante is also sidelined, with Marten de Roon set to control the midfield. Paulo Dybala will lead Roma's attacking thrust, bringing experience and quality to European nights. Roma's task is formidable. Real Madrid possess pace and firepower through players including Mbappé, Vinicius and Rodrygo. Roma, however, enter with momentum after claiming a point in their Champions League opener against Fenerbahçe. The Stadio Olimpico is expected to be packed, with supporters determined to provide backing for their side and extend a respectful welcome to Mourinho. Roma aim to secure a positive result that consolidates their path towards the playoff stage and sustains confidence in their European campaign.

Roma face Real Madrid in the Champions League second matchday tomorrow at 21:00 at the Stadio Olimpico, seeking their first victory after drawing with Fenerbahce. The Giallorossi will be at full capacity for the clash against the Blancos. Gasperini will deploy Soulé, Dybala and Malen in attack, while Gollini continues in goal in place of the injured Svilar. The match will be broadcast exclusively on Prime Video. To watch on television, viewers will need an Amazon Prime Video subscription and can access it via smart TV app, gaming consoles including Xbox or PlayStation, or compatible devices such as Amazon Fire TV Stick, Google Chromecast and TIM VISION Box. Live coverage will also be available through Forzaroma.info's live blog and social media updates on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.