Malen apologises to squad after Como red card, targets Real Madrid redemption

Gian Piero Gasperini and José Mourinho have begun their pre-match exchanges ahead of tomorrow's fixture, with the Roma head coach delivering a pointed jab at his counterpart during a press conference. When asked which quality he would steal from Mourinho, Gasperini responded with irony: "I would steal his empathy and his ability to get himself buy extraordinary players by making his clubs spend significant sums. In that he is fantastic." The comment came as Gasperini acknowledged Mourinho's impending return to face his former club, saying he merits recognition from the crowd: "He deserves the acknowledgement of the people. Then though the match will start and feelings will be set aside." The two coaches represent profoundly different tactical philosophies, a contrast evident in how Roma has evolved over recent seasons. Despite their divergent approaches, Gasperini closed the distance between them with praise, stating: "José is judged by his results." The verbal sparring underscores the intensity building ahead of the encounter, where sentiment will give way entirely to competition on the pitch.

Gian Piero Gasperini held a pre-match press conference at Fulvio Bernardini training ground on the eve of Roma's Champions League fixture against Real Madrid at the Olimpico. The head coach addressed the magnitude of the occasion, the emotions surrounding José Mourinho's return to the club he managed, and Roma's tactical approach to one of Europe's strongest sides. Gasperini said Roma are in good form and eager to measure themselves against elite European opposition. "For us it is a fine moment, we want to test ourselves against one of the best squads in Europe," he said. He acknowledged Real Madrid's quality and recent managerial change under Carlo Ancelotti but noted they "have need of some matches to work themselves in, given that they have changed system and manager. But it is a squad that has great resources and I believe it can grow over time, remaining a very dangerous squad capable of winning any match." On Real's attacking talent—Mbappé, Vinicius Jr, Diomandé, and Bellingham—he observed: "If in front you have Mbappé, Vinicius, Diomandé, then Bellingham, you have extraordinary players who can settle any match but you perhaps lose something on compactness." Regarding Mourinho's reception, Gasperini said it was right and proper. "It is just that it should be so; towards Mourinho there has been important affection and he deserves the recognition of the people. These are things that everyone feels, they cannot be stopped. Then the match starts and all feeling is set aside: the people of Roma will support only their own team." When asked if he would ask Mourinho about Endrick, Gasperini smiled and said: "I do not believe so. We have begun a path and tomorrow will be a great event, we will live it with this pleasure." On squad fitness, he reported that Konstantinos Koulierakis had returned to training with the group after missing time, while Bryan Cristante required more recovery following the recent match against Como. Donyell Malen's goalscoring form drew praise: "No, I did not expect he would have more goals than Mbappé in the calendar year, but these goals are all valid and deserved." Gasperini expressed hope that Roma can surpass what his Atalanta achieved. "This is my objective and my hope. The Atalanta arrived from a lower position than Roma, won the Europa League, played five Champions Leagues. But we cannot launch proclamations for our football: we cannot win the Champions, we need to grow our own garden well. Then the journey will still be long."

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has ruled out discussing Endrick with José Mourinho ahead of tomorrow's match, stating that the transfer market holds no interest for him at present. Gasperini said: "We have just begun a run of matches and we will experience tomorrow's fixture as an event that has been missing for many years. We will live it that way." The fixture marks a significant occasion for Roma, with Gasperini emphasising the weight of the occasion. He added: "Tomorrow we will understand our level but we must not lose sight of who we are. Mou deserves the affection of the people." The comments come as Roma prepare for a match Gasperini considers a defining moment in the club's current campaign, though he has signalled that squad reinforcements are not a priority in his immediate thinking.

Donyell Malen has been suspended for one match by the Sport Judge following disciplinary action from the latest Serie A matchday, ruling him out of Roma's fixture against Genoa. Matías Soulé received his first yellow card of the season, while midfielders Manu Koné and Marten de Roon were each shown a second caution. Roma has also been fined €4,000 for unjustifiably causing a delay of approximately three minutes to the start of the first half.

Donyell Malen will miss Roma's next Serie A fixture after receiving a suspension following his red card in the match against Como. The forward will sit out Roma-Genoa, scheduled for Saturday at 20.45 at Stadio Olimpico. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will need to reconfigure his attacking setup without one of his key players during this early stretch of the season. Malen will be available again for Roma's subsequent away fixture at Napoli, set for 24 October.

Gian Piero Gasperini held a pre-match press conference at Fulvio Bernardini training ground on the eve of Roma's Champions League fixture against Real Madrid at the Olimpico. The head coach addressed the magnitude of the occasion, the emotions surrounding José Mourinho's return to the club he managed, and Roma's tactical approach to one of Europe's strongest sides. Gasperini said Roma are in good form and eager to measure themselves against elite European opposition. "For us it is a fine moment, we want to test ourselves against one of the best squads in Europe," he said. He acknowledged Real Madrid's quality and recent managerial change under Carlo Ancelotti but noted they "have need of some matches to work themselves in, given that they have changed system and manager. But it is a squad that has great resources and I believe it can grow over time, remaining a very dangerous squad capable of winning any match." On Real's attacking talent—Mbappé, Vinicius Jr, Diomandé, and Bellingham—he observed: "If in front you have Mbappé, Vinicius, Diomandé, then Bellingham, you have extraordinary players who can settle any match but you perhaps lose something on compactness." Regarding Mourinho's reception, Gasperini said it was right and proper. "It is just that it should be so; towards Mourinho there has been important affection and he deserves the recognition of the people. These are things that everyone feels, they cannot be stopped. Then the match starts and all feeling is set aside: the people of Roma will support only their own team." When asked if he would ask Mourinho about Endrick, Gasperini smiled and said: "I do not believe so. We have begun a path and tomorrow will be a great event, we will live it with this pleasure." On squad fitness, he reported that Konstantinos Koulierakis had returned to training with the group after missing time, while Bryan Cristante required more recovery following the recent match against Como. Donyell Malen's goalscoring form drew praise: "No, I did not expect he would have more goals than Mbappé in the calendar year, but these goals are all valid and deserved." Gasperini expressed hope that Roma can surpass what his Atalanta achieved. "This is my objective and my hope. The Atalanta arrived from a lower position than Roma, won the Europa League, played five Champions Leagues. But we cannot launch proclamations for our football: we cannot win the Champions, we need to grow our own garden well. Then the journey will still be long."