Mauro: Roma's title hopes rest on Koné, Malen and Dybala—depth falls short

José Mourinho will return to the Olimpico tomorrow evening as Real Madrid's manager for the first time since his dismissal by the Friedkin Group ownership, facing a Roma squad transformed under Gian Piero Gasperini. The Olimpico will warmly receive the former coach who delivered the night in Tirana and took Roma to a Europa League final in Budapest, but the team on the pitch will bear little resemblance to the one he left behind. Gasperini outlined the philosophical shift after Roma's 0–0 draw at Como. "Mourinho has left an extraordinary memory and affection in the people," he said. "Now, though, our squad is very different from the one that played with him." The difference lies less in individual players than in tactical approach and match management. When Roma drew 0–0 against Leverkusen in May 2023 under Mourinho, they defended the away goal with ninety minutes of suffering and deep defensive blocks. Yesterday at the Sinigaglia, the same scoreline came through a more confident display: Roma played without fear, created chances and pushed for the goal even after Donyell Malen's red card in the second half, then reorganised with lucidity and order without losing composure. Gasperini's central innovation has been emotional control. Facing setbacks—such as Malen's dismissal—the manager encouraged his players to continue playing their football while making tactical adjustments to manage the match and secure a legitimate point. Under Mourinho in similar circumstances, emotional tension would often overwhelm the team, leading to protests or exaggerated defensive retreat. The current Roma side has learnt to preserve its identity even when complications arise. Yet a strong thread connects both eras: team spirit. The defensive resilience shown at Leverkusen appears today in the hunger with which Roma imposes itself on the pitch and suffers united under pressure. Gasperini stressed the human element after the final whistle: "It is a squad that is giving me great satisfaction, because it really took great heart to play like that at Como." Tomorrow against Real Madrid and its former boss, Roma will need both that heart and the new tactical maturity gained in recent months.

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.

Roma drew 0–0 at Como on 13 October, and Gian Piero Gasperini's reaction—a closed fist, almost a celebration—captured a fundamental shift in how the club now operates under his management. After Donyell Malen's red card reduced Roma to ten men, Gasperini abandoned his trademark attacking approach. Instead of pushing for a winner and accepting the risks that come with aggressive football, he lowered the team's centre of gravity, surrendered possession, filled defensive spaces, and transformed the match into a test of endurance. In the final quarter, Como held 83.8% possession while Roma managed just 16.2%—numbers that starkly contradict Gasperini's usual philosophy but perfectly matched what the moment demanded. This marks a significant maturation for a squad hunting consistency over a long season. Gasperini's football has always been built on the principle of going forward, seeking another goal, and committing bodies to the opponent's half regardless of risk. At Como, those conditions no longer existed, and the coach showed the clarity to accept reality rather than force it. Roma defended the result with order and lucidity—a far cry from the same stadium a year earlier, when numerical disadvantage had exposed defensive fragility. The broader lesson applies to any team aiming to stay in contention for an entire campaign: not every match can be dominated, especially within a fixture schedule demanding play every three days. There will be afternoons requiring victory through attack, and others where the points come from the ability to suffer. The first half had seen Roma play aggressively and vertically, probably more dangerous than Como itself. Malen's expulsion simply imposed a different match, and Gasperini possessed the tactical awareness to switch accordingly. This is the evolution: not a less ambitious Roma, but one capable of recognizing when the maximum possible outcome is no longer victory but simply avoiding defeat. Even points gained in such circumstances accumulate to heavy weight across a season. That closed fist at the Sinigaglia—Como's stadium—reflected a growing awareness: Gasperini is building a Roma that wants to command matches, but increasingly knows how to survive when it cannot. For a squad targeting a deep run, that may be a leap in quality far more valuable than what any single 0–0 draw suggests.

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.

Paulo Dybala has declared his commitment to Roma on the eve of tomorrow evening's Champions League fixture against Real Madrid at the Olimpico, expressing his desire to end his career in Italian football. The Argentine forward, who has performed at a consistently high level this season, opened the door to a contract renewal and spoke of the deep bond he has formed with the club and its supporters. "I hope for an ending to my career in Italy," Dybala told reporters. "I never imagined I would build a career like this here. This country has welcomed me with open arms, the people have helped me grow as a man and as a footballer. There are many emotions, beautiful moments and sad moments, just like life is for anyone. I hope there can be an Italian ending." He added: "The fans are the first to hope for it, the bond with Roma is now unbreakable." Coach Gian Piero Gasperini has made Dybala central to his tactical project since arriving at the club, regularly stating that when Dybala is performing well he makes a decisive difference. At Como, the forward carried the side on his shoulders, playing as a centre-forward and covering defensively after Donyell Malen's red card. On the Champions League challenge ahead, Dybala reflected on last season's push to earn qualification: "We gave everything last season to play in it. It will be difficult—we face some of the most decorated teams in the world—but with our people's support we will have something extra." Over seventy thousand fans are expected at the Olimpico for what promises to be another memorable European night.

Roma face Real Madrid in the Champions League on the back of Sunday's draw at Como, a match that saw Donyell Malen sent off. Paulo Dybala played as a centre-forward in that game and carried Roma's attack through the numerical disadvantage, prompting head coach Gian Piero Gasperini to lean on him again for the European fixture. Gasperini has stressed since the start of the season that when Dybala is in this form, he makes the difference. The Argentina forward enjoyed a full pre-season this summer without setback, building his fitness gradually and arriving at his best condition. Roma have secured his contract renewal, though the club had allowed his deal to run down before extending it. Dybala remains committed to Roma and has indicated his desire to finish his career in Italian football. The Real Madrid encounter carries difficult history: Roma have faced the Spanish club twice before in European competition, losing both meetings, one of them the 2017 Champions League final when Dybala was a Juventus player. Dybala said two days before the Real Madrid match: "I hope for an Italian finish to my career." Gasperini and Roma's staff are taking every precaution to preserve Dybala's form heading into this high-profile European test.

José Mourinho will return to the Olimpico tomorrow evening as Real Madrid's manager for the first time since his dismissal by the Friedkin Group ownership, facing a Roma squad transformed under Gian Piero Gasperini. The Olimpico will warmly receive the former coach who delivered the night in Tirana and took Roma to a Europa League final in Budapest, but the team on the pitch will bear little resemblance to the one he left behind. Gasperini outlined the philosophical shift after Roma's 0–0 draw at Como. "Mourinho has left an extraordinary memory and affection in the people," he said. "Now, though, our squad is very different from the one that played with him." The difference lies less in individual players than in tactical approach and match management. When Roma drew 0–0 against Leverkusen in May 2023 under Mourinho, they defended the away goal with ninety minutes of suffering and deep defensive blocks. Yesterday at the Sinigaglia, the same scoreline came through a more confident display: Roma played without fear, created chances and pushed for the goal even after Donyell Malen's red card in the second half, then reorganised with lucidity and order without losing composure. Gasperini's central innovation has been emotional control. Facing setbacks—such as Malen's dismissal—the manager encouraged his players to continue playing their football while making tactical adjustments to manage the match and secure a legitimate point. Under Mourinho in similar circumstances, emotional tension would often overwhelm the team, leading to protests or exaggerated defensive retreat. The current Roma side has learnt to preserve its identity even when complications arise. Yet a strong thread connects both eras: team spirit. The defensive resilience shown at Leverkusen appears today in the hunger with which Roma imposes itself on the pitch and suffers united under pressure. Gasperini stressed the human element after the final whistle: "It is a squad that is giving me great satisfaction, because it really took great heart to play like that at Como." Tomorrow against Real Madrid and its former boss, Roma will need both that heart and the new tactical maturity gained in recent months.

Paulo Dybala has declared his commitment to Roma on the eve of tomorrow evening's Champions League fixture against Real Madrid at the Olimpico, expressing his desire to end his career in Italian football. The Argentine forward, who has performed at a consistently high level this season, opened the door to a contract renewal and spoke of the deep bond he has formed with the club and its supporters. "I hope for an ending to my career in Italy," Dybala told reporters. "I never imagined I would build a career like this here. This country has welcomed me with open arms, the people have helped me grow as a man and as a footballer. There are many emotions, beautiful moments and sad moments, just like life is for anyone. I hope there can be an Italian ending." He added: "The fans are the first to hope for it, the bond with Roma is now unbreakable." Coach Gian Piero Gasperini has made Dybala central to his tactical project since arriving at the club, regularly stating that when Dybala is performing well he makes a decisive difference. At Como, the forward carried the side on his shoulders, playing as a centre-forward and covering defensively after Donyell Malen's red card. On the Champions League challenge ahead, Dybala reflected on last season's push to earn qualification: "We gave everything last season to play in it. It will be difficult—we face some of the most decorated teams in the world—but with our people's support we will have something extra." Over seventy thousand fans are expected at the Olimpico for what promises to be another memorable European night.

Roma face Real Madrid in the Champions League on the back of Sunday's draw at Como, a match that saw Donyell Malen sent off. Paulo Dybala played as a centre-forward in that game and carried Roma's attack through the numerical disadvantage, prompting head coach Gian Piero Gasperini to lean on him again for the European fixture. Gasperini has stressed since the start of the season that when Dybala is in this form, he makes the difference. The Argentina forward enjoyed a full pre-season this summer without setback, building his fitness gradually and arriving at his best condition. Roma have secured his contract renewal, though the club had allowed his deal to run down before extending it. Dybala remains committed to Roma and has indicated his desire to finish his career in Italian football. The Real Madrid encounter carries difficult history: Roma have faced the Spanish club twice before in European competition, losing both meetings, one of them the 2017 Champions League final when Dybala was a Juventus player. Dybala said two days before the Real Madrid match: "I hope for an Italian finish to my career." Gasperini and Roma's staff are taking every precaution to preserve Dybala's form heading into this high-profile European test.