Malen reflects on early arrival; Dybala set for two-year renewal as Roma plan Barcelona and Brighton friendlies

Gian Piero Gasperini will hold his pre-match press conference tomorrow at 13:30, alongside one of his players, as Roma prepare for their Champions League fixture against Real Madrid on Wednesday at 21:00 at the Stadio Olimpico. The squad will conduct a final training session shortly after the press conference. Gasperini has few formation doubts ahead of the encounter, with the main tactical question centring on the attacking midfield position. Lorenzo Pellegrini and Matías Soulé are competing for a starting place alongside Paulo Dybala in that area of the pitch.

Marten de Roon delivered one of Roma's standout performances in the match against Como, silencing doubters within the fanbase and justifying head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's confidence in the midfielder. Playing at the Sinigaglia, de Roon covered more ground than any other player on the pitch, recording 11.657 kilometres and effectively taking on the statistical mantle from Bryan Cristante, who has typically led Roma in that metric. The Dutch midfielder also registered five tackles—three of which he won—and won six of eleven duels, but it was his tactical intelligence that truly shaped Roma's equilibrium. Gasperini brought de Roon to Roma specifically for displays of this calibre, and the Como fixture laid bare his reasoning. His positional awareness was exemplified by a crucial intervention on Couto, whom he stopped after the forward had been released into space at pace. The 35-year-old's physical and athletic durability proved remarkable given his age and his continued work to regain full match fitness. His contribution became particularly vital at a moment when Gasperini must manage without Cristante. De Roon completed the match with six defensive actions and reached a top speed of 27.627 km/h, underscoring his endurance across ninety minutes. The former Atalanta player has now repaid Gasperini's backing and confirmed his value as a key resource for the squad.

Real Madrid have begun preparations for their Champions League fixture against Roma, with José Mourinho overseeing training following their victory over Villarreal. Players who featured in that Liga match completed a specific recovery session, while the remainder of the squad trained normally, working through possession drills and reduced-format matches. Mourinho will be without only the long-term absentees Asencio and Rodrygo, who are continuing their rehabilitation programmes. All other players are available, including Valverde and Mbappé, both of whom started against Villarreal. Roma will face Real Madrid at the Olimpico in what marks Mourinho's return to the stadium.

Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen will face Real Madrid at the Olimpico on Wednesday evening with unfinished business against the Spanish club. Both players have previously suffered Champions League elimination at the hands of Madrid in final-stage competition. Dybala was on the pitch for Juventus in the 2017 Champions League final on 3 June at Cardiff, where his team was defeated 4–1. Less than a year later, in April 2018, he faced Madrid again in the quarter-finals at the Stadium, where Juventus lost 0–3 and Dybala was sent off at the 66th minute for a second yellow card. Malen experienced similar disappointment on 1 June 2024, when he came on late in Borussia Dortmund's Champions League final against Real Madrid at Wembley, which ended in a 2–0 defeat with goals from Carvajal and Vinicius. Wednesday's match holds particular significance for Roma, as the Olimpico will host a Champions League fixture for the first time in 2801 days—the last occasion being 12 February 2019, when Roma beat Porto 2–1. Both Dybala and Malen now have the chance to rewrite their narratives against Madrid, this time wearing Roma colours in a contest that carries symbolic weight in the club's return to Europe's elite competition. Malen will play following a red card he received at Como in the previous domestic fixture, which forces him to miss the Serie A match but carries no suspension in the Champions League. Dybala arrived at this fixture after a high-quality performance against Como, though once again without a goal. The Argentine has spoken recently about his desire to bring Roma back to the Champions League and his expectations of the Olimpico crowd against one of the world's most decorated teams. For both players, the match represents more than a simple competitive encounter. Cardiff for Dybala, Wembley for Malen—two Champions League finals lost to the same opponent. Now, with Roma, comes a fresh opportunity to script a different ending.

Roma drew 0–0 away at Como, salvaging an important point from a difficult visit to the Sinigaglia stadium despite significant adversity. Mile Svilar's absence through injury forced a reshuffle in goal, and the team played for an entire half with a numerical disadvantage after Donyell Malen's expulsion. The result highlighted Roma's resolve under pressure as they kept a clean sheet in testing circumstances.

Roma host Real Madrid at the Stadio Olimpico in the second round of the Champions League, a fixture that pits Donyell Malen against Kylian Mbappé in a battle between two of Europe's most dangerous attacking players. The giallorossi will look to Paulo Dybala's quality and Malen's offensive threat to counter a Real Madrid side laden with world-class talent including Thibaut Courtois, Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior and Mbappé. Malen, born in 1999, brings speed, penetrative runs and the ability to find the finish quickly from positions far from the penalty area. The Dutch forward can operate as a central striker or from a wider, deeper position, using his acceleration and mobility to break free from defenders. Under Gasperini's system, these qualities provide vertical outlets and allow him to capitalize on his teammates' passes. His chief strength lies in changing tempo: he can drop deep to engage in combination play, then attack the space behind the opposition's back line. Right-footed, he typically seeks a rapid shot without giving his marker time to recover. Roma can unlock him most effectively by accompanying his movements with well-timed passes—Malen becomes particularly dangerous when receiving on the run with a direct line to goal. Mbappé, born in 1998, requires no introduction. He combines speed and progression with a diverse skill set that makes him lethal both in open space and near the box. He can occupy centre-forward or drift left, positions from which he enjoys cutting infield onto his right foot to shoot. Oriented control, dribbling and sharp execution allow him to turn seemingly innocent ball reception into a clear chance. Defending against him demands close attention to the gap between the lines and coverage of depth; giving him space invites his explosive runs, while pressing without cover favours his one-on-one ability. The comparison between the two attackers hinges on Roma's ability to press space and apply continuous tempo changes to unsettle Madrid's defenders. Malen provides mobility and verticality; Mbappé adds a broader range of individual solutions, making him one of Real Madrid's principal attacking reference points.

Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen will face Real Madrid at the Olimpico on Wednesday evening with unfinished business against the Spanish club. Both players have previously suffered Champions League elimination at the hands of Madrid in final-stage competition. Dybala was on the pitch for Juventus in the 2017 Champions League final on 3 June at Cardiff, where his team was defeated 4–1. Less than a year later, in April 2018, he faced Madrid again in the quarter-finals at the Stadium, where Juventus lost 0–3 and Dybala was sent off at the 66th minute for a second yellow card. Malen experienced similar disappointment on 1 June 2024, when he came on late in Borussia Dortmund's Champions League final against Real Madrid at Wembley, which ended in a 2–0 defeat with goals from Carvajal and Vinicius. Wednesday's match holds particular significance for Roma, as the Olimpico will host a Champions League fixture for the first time in 2801 days—the last occasion being 12 February 2019, when Roma beat Porto 2–1. Both Dybala and Malen now have the chance to rewrite their narratives against Madrid, this time wearing Roma colours in a contest that carries symbolic weight in the club's return to Europe's elite competition. Malen will play following a red card he received at Como in the previous domestic fixture, which forces him to miss the Serie A match but carries no suspension in the Champions League. Dybala arrived at this fixture after a high-quality performance against Como, though once again without a goal. The Argentine has spoken recently about his desire to bring Roma back to the Champions League and his expectations of the Olimpico crowd against one of the world's most decorated teams. For both players, the match represents more than a simple competitive encounter. Cardiff for Dybala, Wembley for Malen—two Champions League finals lost to the same opponent. Now, with Roma, comes a fresh opportunity to script a different ending.

Roma host Real Madrid at the Stadio Olimpico in the second round of the Champions League, a fixture that pits Donyell Malen against Kylian Mbappé in a battle between two of Europe's most dangerous attacking players. The giallorossi will look to Paulo Dybala's quality and Malen's offensive threat to counter a Real Madrid side laden with world-class talent including Thibaut Courtois, Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior and Mbappé. Malen, born in 1999, brings speed, penetrative runs and the ability to find the finish quickly from positions far from the penalty area. The Dutch forward can operate as a central striker or from a wider, deeper position, using his acceleration and mobility to break free from defenders. Under Gasperini's system, these qualities provide vertical outlets and allow him to capitalize on his teammates' passes. His chief strength lies in changing tempo: he can drop deep to engage in combination play, then attack the space behind the opposition's back line. Right-footed, he typically seeks a rapid shot without giving his marker time to recover. Roma can unlock him most effectively by accompanying his movements with well-timed passes—Malen becomes particularly dangerous when receiving on the run with a direct line to goal. Mbappé, born in 1998, requires no introduction. He combines speed and progression with a diverse skill set that makes him lethal both in open space and near the box. He can occupy centre-forward or drift left, positions from which he enjoys cutting infield onto his right foot to shoot. Oriented control, dribbling and sharp execution allow him to turn seemingly innocent ball reception into a clear chance. Defending against him demands close attention to the gap between the lines and coverage of depth; giving him space invites his explosive runs, while pressing without cover favours his one-on-one ability. The comparison between the two attackers hinges on Roma's ability to press space and apply continuous tempo changes to unsettle Madrid's defenders. Malen provides mobility and verticality; Mbappé adds a broader range of individual solutions, making him one of Real Madrid's principal attacking reference points.

Gian Piero Gasperini will hold his pre-match press conference tomorrow at 13:30, alongside one of his players, as Roma prepare for their Champions League fixture against Real Madrid on Wednesday at 21:00 at the Stadio Olimpico. The squad will conduct a final training session shortly after the press conference. Gasperini has few formation doubts ahead of the encounter, with the main tactical question centring on the attacking midfield position. Lorenzo Pellegrini and Matías Soulé are competing for a starting place alongside Paulo Dybala in that area of the pitch.

Roma will face Real Madrid in the Champions League group phase on Wednesday 14 October at 21:00 at the Stadio Olimpico, the second round of fixtures after opening with a 1–1 draw away to Fenerbahce. Real Madrid enter on three points following a 2–1 victory over Inter at the Bernabéu. Gian Piero Gasperini's side are without goalkeeper Mile Svilar, who has suffered a stress fracture to the fifth toe and will miss several weeks, leaving Pierluigi Gollini to start after featuring in the 0–0 draw at Como. Bryan Cristante remains uncertain with a right knee problem that forced him to miss the Como trip. Roma's last four Champions League meetings with Real Madrid have ended in defeat without scoring, making this fixture a chance to reverse a poor record. The clubs have met 12 times in the competition, with Real Madrid winning eight, Roma winning once and three draws recorded. Gasperini is expected to deploy a 3–4–2–1 formation, with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso in defence, Nahuel Molina and Wesley on the flanks, and Marten de Roon partnering Manu Koné in midfield. Paulo Dybala will operate behind the forward, with Matías Soulé in contention after starting on the bench at Como and Donyell Malen leading the line. Malen's red card against Como applies only to Serie A and will not prevent him playing in Europe. José Mourinho's Real Madrid will likely field a 4–2–3–1. Thibaut Courtois starts in goal with a back four potentially featuring Matthijs de Ligt, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Ferland Mendy, though alternatives include Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rüdiger and Álex Carreras. Yan Diomande, who scored the winner against Villarreal last weekend, is being monitored as a threat to Vinícius Júnior for a starting berth. Federico Valverde and Tchouaméni will anchor midfield, with Arda Güler, Jude Bellingham and Vinícius supporting Kylian Mbappé. Real Madrid are without Éder Militão, who has returned to training but will miss Roma and subsequent fixtures, and Mendy is not included on the club's UEFA squad list. The match will be broadcast exclusively in Italy on Amazon Prime Video, with build-up coverage starting at 19:30 and kick-off at 21:00 on Wednesday 14 October. Official team sheets will be released approximately one hour before the start.

Roma have the strongest defence in European football this season, level with Cagliari, having conceded only three goals in six matches. In the top five leagues, no other side has a better defensive record. The goals Roma have shipped came from Atalanta (one) and Inter (two). This defensive solidity marks a significant shift from last season, when Gasperini's team struggled in attack despite strong defensive numbers. Today, Roma's goal difference stands at +11, the best in Serie A, and in the calendar year 2026 only Arsenal have performed better than the Giallorossi, who sit second in that year-long ranking alongside Como. The defensive unit benefits from an embarrassment of riches in depth: Mancini, N'Dicka, Balerdi, Hermoso, Koulierakis and Ghilardi are all competing for places, a reflection of the squad's overall cohesion and the choices available to Gasperini across the back line.

Pierluigi Gollini delivered a man-of-the-match performance in place of the absent Mile Svilar as Roma won at Como, with Gasperini's trusted contingent from his Atalanta days forming the spine of a dominant defensive display. Gollini, who had played only one match in nearly two years before this fixture, was repeatedly tested by Nico Paz and denied him four times. Marten de Roon, another Gasperini recruit, was among the standout performers, while Gianluca Mancini marshalled the defence alongside Mario Hermoso and Evan N'Dicka, offering little to one of Italy's most attacking sides. Mancini drew particular focus. He had faced criticism for early-season lapses against Atalanta and Inter, yet Roma's defensive record speaks loudly: three goals conceded in Serie A, the best in the division. Only Arsenal, across all competitions, has a better tally. Despite his occasional mistakes, Mancini's concentration never wavered. Seven years at Roma have made him a son of the capital, evidenced by his rejection of Inter's advances. Gasperini shaped the defender during his time at Atalanta, and Mancini has grown into the role. After the match, Gasperini explained: "The group put him in the best conditions." The Atalanta contingent—players the coach brought in—seized the spotlight at Como and may yet dominate again this season. Roma face Real Madrid next. The assignment is among the season's heaviest: marking Vinicius and others. It will be the toughest examination for Italy's best defence. Mancini arrives at the right moment—his statistics and Gasperini's confidence on his side, and the doubters waiting to be silenced.