Mancini and N'Dicka fit as Roma prepare for Real Madrid; Soulé in the frame

Roma's match against Real Madrid at the Olimpico tomorrow will hold particular significance for José Mourinho, who received a warm reception from Giallorossi supporters outside the Blancos' hotel in the capital. The fixture carries emotional weight for the former Roma manager, who is being welcomed with affection by the club's fanbase despite now leading the visiting side. Gasperini commented on the occasion: "With Real we will understand our level, we must not change who we are. Mou deserves the affection of the people." The coach framed the Champions League encounter as a benchmark for Roma's standing among Europe's elite. Donyell Malen was suspended for one match—siting out the fixture against Genoa—following a disciplinary decision by the Giudice Sportivo.

José Mourinho will face AS Roma for the first time since his sacking in January 2024 when Real Madrid visit the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday 14 October at 21:00 for the second matchday of the Champions League league phase. Mourinho, who led Roma to the UEFA Europa Conference League title in 2022 and a Europa League final defeat in Budapest the following year, acknowledged the emotional weight of his return. "For ninety minutes we are opponents, but if they want to give me a special greeting I would also like to embrace the Roma fans," he said at his pre-match press conference. "Before the match it won't be normal, even arriving at the airport or at the stadium, in this press conference, walking down the corridor hasn't been normal. Never in the ninety minutes will it be." Mourinho framed Roma as one of Serie A's strongest teams alongside Inter Milan, whom Real Madrid beat in their opening Champions League fixture. "They are motivated to play Champions League at the Olimpico, in front of a crowd that does not just come to watch the match but to play," he explained. He stressed his ability to separate emotion from competition: "I will give everything. Before and after perhaps it will touch my heart, but during the match there is no room for doubt. The Roma fans will want to win and Real Madrid will want to win. In those moments you have to forget about emotions." Mourinho also responded to questions about his affection for Roma's supporters, saying he had won their trust by remaining himself and prioritizing the interests of the team and players above his own. "Roma fans are special; I have worked at many clubs but Roma fans are without doubt very special," he added. Real Madrid's sporting philosophy drew comparison when asked about Gian Piero Gasperini. Mourinho said: "If I manage to forget which stadium I am in, who I am playing against, and I am trying to prepare this match that way and I will do it during the game, I think it can be a contest like any other." He addressed squad rotation at right-back, noting he had felt the need to change position for Fede Valverde against Villarreal "without wasting a substitution," because a player of Valverde's quality could operate at multiple positions. On Vinícius Júnior's early-season form, Mourinho said: "It hurt my heart to see Vini in this situation. Every day he is happy, works hard, but so far he has not yet found the joy of being decisive this year. Let's see if in the Champions League, since he is suspended in the league, he can return to being the true Vini." Aurélien Tchouaméni told the press Real Madrid had started the Champions League well by beating Inter and were determined to continue collecting points. "I like how Roma play very much and I know that tomorrow's match will be difficult, also because we will play away from home," he said. "I think we have enough quality to win the match and that is what we will try to do." Tchouaméni declined to discuss contentious decisions in Real Madrid's weekend match against Villarreal, stating: "We are very frustrated because of these decisions, but the most important thing was winning that match. We think about moving forward."

A contact between Wesley and Diao during the Como-Roma match sparked debate, but referee Fabbri ruled no foul had occurred. Serie A published Ref Cam footage from the fixture on their Instagram profile, showing the official's explanation of the incident. In the video, Fabbri addresses the contact between Diao and Wesley, stating: "He does everything to avoid taking him, at most their legs touch. He also jumps." The footage provides insight into the reasoning behind the on-field decision that allowed play to continue without penalty.

Pierluigi Gollini marked his return to Serie A action after two years with a clean sheet at Como, keeping out Nico Paz with two vital saves. His next test arrives tomorrow against Real Madrid in the Champions League, where stars including Mbappé and Vinicius will pose a far stiffer challenge. The Stadio Olimpico stage is familiar territory for the goalkeeper, who earned ten Champions League appearances while at Atalanta under Gasperini—the most of any Roma player in the competition this season, ahead of Mile Svilar (4 appearances), Matías Soulé (4), and Gianluca Mancini, Wesley and Manu Koné, who all made their competition debuts in September against Fenerbahçe. Real Madrid hold particular significance in Gollini's European history. His last Champions League outing came against the Spanish club in 2021, when Atalanta lost 0–1; de Roon also featured that evening and will line up again tomorrow in place of the injured Bryan Cristante. Roma will be aiming to replicate Sunday's result at Como, when they secured victory at the final whistle.

Roma's 0-0 draw at Como revealed a significant shift in Gian Piero Gasperini's tactical identity, demonstrating both defensive resilience and a willingness to accept a hard-fought point when circumstances demand it. The result, secured while playing more than a third of the match with ten men, drew praise from the coach for his team's refusal to surrender. Gasperini said: "I celebrated for the spirit we showed on the pitch until the ninety-fourth minute. Playing more than a third of a match in numerical inferiority against this Como without ever stepping back is a big deal." The performance marked a departure from Gasperini's traditional approach, which has always prioritised sustained attacking, pursuing a second or third goal regardless of defensive risk. This season, Roma have absorbed the principle that if a match cannot be won, it must be prevented from being lost—a pragmatic shift essential to competing for the season's highest targets. The club's overall balance across all departments now reflects this maturity: Roma have conceded just three goals so far, sharing the league's best defensive record with Cagliari, while maintaining the second-most prolific attack with 14 goals, trailing only Inter. Como's dominance of possession in the final stages—reaching 83.8%—was neutralised by Roma's midfield and defensive foundation. Gianluca Mancini handled 51 passes, Marten de Roon 55, Wesley 65 and Nahuel Molina 63. The defensive line, led by Evan N'Dicka and rotating through Mario Hermoso, Leonardo Balerdi and Daniele Ghilardi, proved impenetrable. Paulo Dybala, despite minor errors born of fatigue, managed 47 passes away from Roma's box, functioning as a leader among opponents' attackers and maintaining continuity through all 90 minutes with ten men. This combination of technical quality and competitive intensity forms the foundation Roma will need for the season's major fixtures.

Amantino Mancini, who Roma discovered at Atlético Mineiro and brought to Italy, will watch tomorrow evening's Roma–Real Madrid match with particular interest. Roma beat Real Madrid in the 2007–08 Champions League round of 16, with Mancini himself scoring the decisive goal in a 2–1 victory at the Olimpico on 19 February 2008. "That was a Roma team that played beautiful football," Mancini said. "The atmosphere at the Olimpico that day was wonderful, the kind you only experience in the Champions League. An unforgettable match. And scoring under the Curva Sud in that way, against Real Madrid, was a dream. A beautiful moment, on a unique stage." Mancini also played under José Mourinho at Inter Milan, winning the Serie A title in the first season before a difficult second campaign. He holds Mourinho in high regard: "I have an excellent memory of Mourinho—he is a great coach." Looking ahead to tomorrow's fixture, Mancini expressed hope that Roma can deliver a strong performance. "It will be a fine match, with the Olimpico packed to the rafters pushing us on," he said. "I hope Roma can put in a brilliant display, perhaps winning. That would be a key victory for the Champions League." Mancini also addressed Roma's broader prospects this season. "Roma can certainly give Inter trouble in the title race," he said. "They have started well, begun the campaign with consistency in results and performances, which is important for anyone wanting to win. Inter should be warned."

Donyell Malen will lead Roma's attack alongside Paulo Dybala in tomorrow's Champions League match against Real Madrid, with Matías Soulé deployed behind them. The Dutch forward is chasing redemption after his red card in the Como fixture. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will hold a press conference at 13:30 alongside Malen, with a training session scheduled for 15:00. Santiago Castro is expected to start in Malen's place on Saturday against Genoa, with a possible rotation between the two for the Real Madrid encounter. Defensive decisions remain fluid: Leonardo Balerdi is pushing for a starting role, while either Evan N'Dicka or Mario Hermoso could be rested. José Mourinho is due to speak at 18:00.

Donyell Malen will appear alongside head coach Gian Piero Gasperini at the pre-match press conference as Roma prepare for their Champions League fixture against Real Madrid. Gasperini's media duties begin at 13:30, followed by a training session at 15:00. Malen, seeking redemption after receiving a red card in Roma's recent match at Como, is set to lead the attack alongside Paulo Dybala, with Matías Soulé in support. Santiago Castro will start in Saturday evening's fixture instead, playing against Genoa at the Olimpico. Defensive concerns loom, with Leonardo Balerdi pushing for minutes and either Evan N'Dicka or Mario Hermoso potentially rested. The article also notes that former manager José Mourinho will hold his own press conference at 18:00.

Roma's 0-0 draw at Como revealed a significant shift in Gian Piero Gasperini's tactical identity, demonstrating both defensive resilience and a willingness to accept a hard-fought point when circumstances demand it. The result, secured while playing more than a third of the match with ten men, drew praise from the coach for his team's refusal to surrender. Gasperini said: "I celebrated for the spirit we showed on the pitch until the ninety-fourth minute. Playing more than a third of a match in numerical inferiority against this Como without ever stepping back is a big deal." The performance marked a departure from Gasperini's traditional approach, which has always prioritised sustained attacking, pursuing a second or third goal regardless of defensive risk. This season, Roma have absorbed the principle that if a match cannot be won, it must be prevented from being lost—a pragmatic shift essential to competing for the season's highest targets. The club's overall balance across all departments now reflects this maturity: Roma have conceded just three goals so far, sharing the league's best defensive record with Cagliari, while maintaining the second-most prolific attack with 14 goals, trailing only Inter. Como's dominance of possession in the final stages—reaching 83.8%—was neutralised by Roma's midfield and defensive foundation. Gianluca Mancini handled 51 passes, Marten de Roon 55, Wesley 65 and Nahuel Molina 63. The defensive line, led by Evan N'Dicka and rotating through Mario Hermoso, Leonardo Balerdi and Daniele Ghilardi, proved impenetrable. Paulo Dybala, despite minor errors born of fatigue, managed 47 passes away from Roma's box, functioning as a leader among opponents' attackers and maintaining continuity through all 90 minutes with ten men. This combination of technical quality and competitive intensity forms the foundation Roma will need for the season's major fixtures.