Mourinho: atmosphere favours Roma; Rüdiger's experience may prove crucial

Matías Soulé spoke ahead of Roma's Champions League fixture against Real Madrid on 14 October, calling it one of the most important matches of his career. "It's very special, it's a beautiful match to play and also for the people who will be at the stadium," he said. "We will face them at our best and hope to do well." Soulé highlighted his partnership with Paulo Dybala, whom he has known for three years since their time together at Juventus. "We're always together. I know him a lot and with each passing day we have more confidence. Playing with Dybala is special for me," Soulé explained. He also noted the bond shared among the Argentine contingent in the squad. On the challenge ahead, Soulé acknowledged Real Madrid's strength in the competition but stressed Roma's determination. "We know we're facing Real Madrid and how they are in the Champions League especially. But we have the enthusiasm and the desire to play these matches, as happened already with Inter. This evening could be a magical night, we hope."

Gian Piero Gasperini spoke ahead of Roma's Champions League fixture against Real Madrid on the evening of 14 October, addressing the scale of the occasion and the challenge that awaits. When asked what he expected from the match, the Roma coach said: "There were no doubts. This type of fixture has been missing for a long time and people have been waiting for them for years. This evening we have an important opponent." He acknowledged the atmosphere that would surround the team, noting: "We know that this evening we play with 12, 13 or 14, with the cauldron of the stadium. But then on the pitch it is 11 against 11. We must rely on our own strength; around us there is incredible momentum of motivation but then there is the pitch." Gasperini emphasised that Roma must contend with elite attacking talent. When asked whether he had lost sleep over Real Madrid's forward options, he replied: "They are the best players in the world, and above all their speed is demanding. We know this; we must be good not only individually but also as a team." On Roma's approach to the match, the coach stressed the importance of maintaining the club's identity. He described Roma's tactical intention as one of seeking to trouble the opposition and exploiting any weaknesses while limiting their considerable strengths, rather than abandoning their principles for the occasion. Gasperini reiterated that Roma's identity would remain unchanged despite facing world-class opposition. "That of trying, of seeking to put the opponent in difficulty and of highlighting some of their difficulties that they have and of limiting their qualities, which are many," he said when asked to define Roma's identity for the contest.

Gian Piero Gasperini will not alter Roma's tactical approach to contain Real Madrid's attacking threat, the head coach confirmed on the eve of the Champions League fixture at the Olimpico—the club's first home European night in 3,165 days. Real Madrid arrive with an array of attacking talent in Mbappé, Bellingham and Vinícius, who between them have scored 527 goals excluding international appearances, but Gasperini ruled out man-marking across the pitch or wholesale tactical changes. "The Roma do not betray themselves," he said, pointing to the aggressive and courageous style that carried the club to third place in Serie A and Champions League qualification. Gasperini acknowledged Real Madrid's quality and their continued adaptation under new management, citing their victory over Inter as proof of their calibre. He emphasised that Roma will take the field with their established identity, a philosophy already proven in memorable European nights such as the 2–0 win at Liverpool in 2020. The Real Madrid attack, powered by Mbappé and Vinícius, will demand maximum concentration from the Roma defence, particularly in guarding against the counter-attacks that are Mourinho's favoured weapon. The fixture pits individual contests across the pitch: Malen against Mbappé, Dybala against Bellingham. When asked to compare himself with Mourinho, Gasperini deflected the question while underscoring his Roma side's achievements, joking about the Friedkin ownership and Mourinho's ability to assemble world-class talent. The coach approached the match vigil with enthusiasm and conviction that Roma can compete at the highest level.