Malen's pain after Roma's collapse against Real Madrid

Real Madrid won 4-3 against Roma on 14 October in a match that carried special significance for José Mourinho, who returned to Stadio Olimpico as an opponent for the first time since his spell in charge of the club. Roma supporters demonstrated their affection for the former manager with dedicated banners honouring him throughout an intense encounter. After the final whistle, Mourinho greeted three Roma players — Gianluca Mancini, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Paulo Dybala — in conversation in the plaza outside Stadio Olimpico near the team coaches.

Real Madrid came from behind to beat Roma 3–4 at the Olimpico on 15 October, with Antonio Rüdiger scoring the winning goal. Roma delivered a dominant performance and matched one of Europe's strongest sides, but Real Madrid proved specialists in comebacks. Rüdiger did not celebrate after scoring and apologized to the Curva Sud. After the match, Rüdiger posted on social media: "A match full of emotions for me. Many things to improve, but an important away victory for us. AS Roma will always have a special place in my heart and in my journey." The former Roma defender's tribute underscored his affection for the club where he previously played, despite the painful nature of his goal that sealed the Spanish side's comeback win.

José Mourinho and Gian Piero Gasperini exchanged barbs following Roma's loss to Real Madrid, reviving a rivalry that has simmered for years despite their mutual professional respect. After the match, Mourinho blamed Roma's collapse on a decline in Gasperini's team, saying "Roma was dead", while Gasperini shot back: "We could have scored more goals against them, we outclassed them." The tension reflects a relationship that has never been harmonious, even though the two men acknowledge each other's quality. The friction traces back to 2008, when Mourinho managed Inter against Gasperini's Genoa and declared him "the most difficult manager I've ever faced. He changed formation five times and always had an answer." That respect remains, but it is now buried beneath years of pointed remarks exchanged at a distance. The two smile and trade jabs, their outlook on football fundamentally at odds. Roma spent years under Mourinho's stewardship, inheriting his character and winning mentality; under Gasperini, the club has taken on a different identity. Supporters remain attached to both men, though for different reasons. Both share one driving force: the desire to win. Mourinho delivered, leaving behind a European trophy in Roma's cabinet. Gasperini will have his chance to build his own legacy, though he appears determined to do so on his own terms, without imitating his predecessor. The Roma manager has himself noted in a press conference that the club's Champions League qualification is an enormous achievement—Roma had not reached the competition for seven years, not even under Mourinho. That comment may well have been another indirect jab. The sting was sharpened when Real Madrid snatched victory at the 90th minute through a former Roma player, a cruel twist that handed Mourinho a perfect finale to their latest exchange. Gasperini is not content to leave matters there; the defeat stings, but his project continues.

Roma hosted Real Madrid in a Champions League fixture at the Olimpico featuring a tactical contest that saw the giallorossi control the game for the opening hour before succumbing to late changes by José Mourinho. Gasperini deployed a 3-4-2-1 formation with Matías Soulé replacing Lorenzo Pellegrini, Wesley at right-back and Nahuel Molina on the left, while Madrid operated in a 4-2-3-1. Roma's intensity and two-touch football allowed them to dominate territorially and recover possession effectively through midfield pressure from Manu Koné and Marten de Roon. The giallorossi created multiple chances with striking ease and took a deserved lead through a goal that emerged from Paulo Dybala's sliding recovery challenge, exemplifying their determination throughout the opening period. Real Madrid's defensive structure was described as poor, with Kylian Mbappé creating danger through quick transitions despite the hosts' superior control. Roma doubled their advantage early in the second half when Rodrigo Mora set up Donyell Malen for a second goal, with Koné again instrumental in winning the ball in midfield. The lead lasted only briefly, however, before Real Madrid equalised—Mario Hermoso's poor clearance in a duel allowing Mbappé to punish the error. Koné departed injured and was replaced by Niccolò Pisilli, while Dybala also left the pitch injured. Despite these setbacks, Roma extended their lead to 2–0 approaching the hour mark, appearing to have secured a prestigious victory. The tactical balance rested on Roma's compact midfield aggression and Madrid's reliance on immediate transition and direct passes to their pacy attackers Vinícius and another forward. Mourinho responded with aggressive substitutions, introducing Eder Endrich and Arda Guler for Dumfries and an ineffective Vinícius, shifting Valverde to right-back, and later bringing in Jude Bellingham—referred to in the text as Silva—for Aurélien Tchouaméni, followed by Alejandro Balde and Carlos Espiñeira for Álvaro Cucurella and Maba Diomande. Fresh Roma changes saw Pellegrini replace Soulé and Leonardo Balerdi come on for the cautioned Gianluca Mancini. Madrid pressed relentlessly as Roma struggled to maintain defensive solidity, eventually conceding three times from set pieces near the corner flag—described as an "incredible" and "bewitched" match that delivered Mourinho's side a dramatic late victory. Both managers acknowledged the match featured two distinct contests in one fixture, with the stronger side emerging victorious at the final whistle despite Roma's earlier dominance. Koné and Dybala's injuries marked a significant cost to Roma's effort on the evening.

José Mourinho encountered three of his former Roma players after the 3–4 draw between Roma and Real Madrid on Thursday, 15 October 2026. Gianluca Mancini, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Paulo Dybala spoke with Mourinho in the plaza outside Stadio Olimpico near the team coaches at the end of a particularly significant evening for the Special One, who returned to the capital as an opponent. The meeting underscored the enduring connection between Mourinho and the club he managed during his time in Rome. The encounter took place in the immediate aftermath of a dramatic fixture that delivered plenty for both sides to reflect on. In the ratings published by five daily newspapers covering the match, Donyell Malen emerged as Roma's highest-rated performer with an average of 7.60. Matías Soulé followed with 7.10 and Wesley with 7.00, while Marten de Roon closed at 6.80. Leonardo Balerdi received the lowest average rating at 5.10. Among the starting players, Nahuel Molina posted the lowest average mark at 5.20, followed by Mario Hermoso at 5.30 and Pierluigi Gollini at 5.50.

Roma squandered a dominant 82-minute display against Real Madrid at the Olimpico to suffer a heavy defeat in the Champions League. After controlling the match with high-quality football and commanding Real Madrid for the opening phase, Roma's discipline collapsed in the final eight minutes as three goals — all conceded from corner kicks — left the Stadio Olimpico in despair. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini received a rating of 6.5 across the Italian press for his tactical setup, but his side's defensive frailties in set pieces proved fatal. The match saw several substitutions: Manu Koné was withdrawn after just 16 minutes for Niccolò Pisilli, while Gianluca Mancini departed at the 63-minute mark for Leonardo Balerdi. Daniele Ghilardi and Nahuel Molina both entered late in the contest. Among the five major Italian outlets' player ratings, Donyell Malen emerged as Roma's standout performer, earning marks of 7.5 to 8 across the press box. Pierluigi Gollini and Balerdi drew the harshest assessments, with ratings ranging from 4.5 to 6 for the goalkeeper and 5 to 6 for the defender. Wesley drew consistent praise for a solid defensive showing, rated 6.5 to 7.5, while Matías Soulé and Evan N'Dicka also featured prominently in the squad across the 90 minutes.