Letexier to referee Roma v Real Madrid; four previous meetings with the Giallorossi

Pierluigi Gollini emerged as Roma's standout performer in press ratings following the recent match, averaging 7.08 across major Italian newspapers. Evan N'Dicka and Marten de Roon followed closely at 6.92 each, with Gianluca Mancini at 6.42 and Paulo Dybala at 6.33. Donyell Malen, penalised for his red card, rated lowest at 4.83, while substitute Matías Soulé averaged 5.70. Roma resume training today ahead of their UEFA Champions League fixture against Real Madrid. Mile Svilar and Bryan Cristante remain unavailable, though Gian Piero Gasperini will attempt to recover Konstantinos Koulierakis. Mancini and Mario Hermoso are assured in defence, with a contest between Leonardo Balerdi and N'Dicka for the third spot. Malen and Dybala will lead the attack, and Soulé is favoured to reclaim a starting role in the attacking midfield. Manu Koné and de Roon are confirmed as the central midfield pairing, while Nahuel Molina and Emanuele Lulli will battle for the right flank. Former player Ciccio Graziani commented on Malen's expulsion against Como, highlighting a foul the winger suffered before receiving the red card. Graziani said: "He should have fallen and taken the foul—that's also attacker cunning. But he stayed on his feet and lost clarity. You shouldn't simulate, but if there's a foul, take it: he was pulled three times."

Donyell Malen apologised to Roma's squad and supporters on social media following his direct red card in the match at Como, drawing praise for his integrity and humility. The Dutch forward closed down the controversy by taking responsibility for the dismissal. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini defended Malen, arguing correctly that before the foul leading to the red, the winger had been pulled back by Ramon without sanction. Malen will return to the starting line-up for Roma's Serie A trip to Napoli and will start on Wednesday against Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Roma drew 0–0 at Como on 12 October, securing a point with ten men for over an hour after Donyell Malen's expulsion. The match at Stadio Sinigaglia saw the Giallorossi defend with tactical maturity and discipline following the dismissal, which altered Roma's game plan but drew praise from the coaching staff for the squad's response under adversity. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperinisaid in his post-match analysis: "I didn't celebrate so much for the draw itself, but for the spirit of the squad. It wasn't easy to play a third of the match with numerical disadvantage. We did it with lucidity. In the first half we had excellent chances to score, and in the second the team gave more the impression of being able to go ahead." On Malen's red card, Gasperini was direct: "The unfortunate expulsion of Malen changed the game plan, but the boys were exceptional at defending with order." Paulo Dybala came through the match but left the field with a strapped hand following a hard collision with Chalobah; his condition raises no particular concern ahead of Roma's Champions League fixture. The squad resumes training tomorrow morning at Trigoria for the final preparation before the match against Real Madrid at the Olimpico. Como's manager Cesc Fabregas disputed the nature of Malen's challenge while acknowledging Roma's defensive solidity. Roma now shift focus entirely to the European appointment.