Malen suspended for Genoa clash, returns for Naples trip

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.

Roma held a training session at Trigoria on 13 October at 15:00 ahead of their next fixture against Real Madrid. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini used the session to assess squad condition and finalise his starting lineup. Konstantinos Koulierakis has recovered from injury and is available for selection, but Bryan Cristante remains sidelined as he continues his rehabilitation from a knee injury. The session included goalkeeper work, with Devis Vásquez included in the UEFA squad list following Mile Svilar's injury. The press access portion of training concluded with the squad working on possession drills.

Mile Svilar is determined to return to action as quickly as possible after suffering a stress fracture to the fifth toe of his right foot ahead of Roma's match against Como. The goalkeeper will be sidelined for several weeks, but posted images on social media showing him working in the gym with a protective brace on his foot, alongside video of upper-body exercises. He accompanied the content with a message: "Tenere sotto controllo ciò che è possibile nonostante le battute d'arresto" — keeping control of what is possible despite setbacks. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini acknowledged the blow Svilar's absence represents. "It is a bad setback," Gasperini said in his press conference. "It is not a displaced fracture, but it will require at least a month of recovery." Against Como, Pierluigi Gollini stepped in as substitute goalkeeper and delivered a convincing performance, offering Roma some reassurance ahead of the next fixture against Real Madrid while Gasperini awaits the return of his number one.

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.

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."

Donyell Malen addressed his red card at Como in a press conference ahead of Roma's Champions League match against Real Madrid, insisting he had no intention to harm anyone. "It was frustration, not my intention to do something bad or things like that," Malen said. "So we move on. We are very motivated for the match tomorrow. I think it will be a fantastic evening for Roma, because we will play at home in the Champions League against a big club like Real Madrid." Malen acknowledged the psychological weight of the dismissal but separated it from the task ahead. "After the match it was one of the most stressful moments I have lived in a long time, watching my teammates play," he explained. "When you get a red card and your team loses, you feel like the fault is yours. But I think the next match is a different match, which has little to do with what happened. So we move on." He apologised to the squad and staff after Como, taking responsibility for playing with one fewer player, but stressed that facing Real Madrid offered a chance to reset. Malen highlighted the importance of Roma's home support in the Champions League fixture. "Yes, I think the support of the fans is very important, especially in difficult moments, like those just mentioned. When you play away there are even more factors to consider. Now, instead, we play at home, in front of our fans. I believe they can give us enormous support," he said. He also reflected on his first year at Roma, noting that returning to the Champions League was a primary objective when he arrived. "It is something special. When I came here last year, one of the main objectives was precisely to return to playing in the Champions League. Now being able to play the first match at home against Real Madrid is really special and we can't wait." Malen praised the club environment, crediting head coach Gasperini's confidence, his teammates' acceptance, and the city itself. Regarding a reunion with Jude Bellingham, his former Borussia Dortmund teammate now at Real Madrid, Malen confirmed they had not spoken beforehand. "I know him very well, we played together for a long time. He is a really special player, with so much quality. I also have an excellent relationship with him and I haven't seen him for a while, so it will be nice to meet up again," he said.