Mourinho credits Gasperini for limiting Vinicius as Real Madrid admit fatigue after Roma thriller

Real Madrid manager José Mourinho has attributed Vinicius Junior's poor performance in Madrid's 4–3 Champions League victory over Roma on 14 October to Gasperini's tactical approach. Vinicius was substituted in the second half after struggling throughout the match, and Mourinho singled out his responsibility for a Roma goal, saying his attacking play from the left flank had disrupted Madrid's balance. Roma held their own despite the defeat, neutralising Madrid's attacking threat for long periods and forcing Mourinho to make tactical adjustments. The manager explained his decision to replace Vinicius: "Vinicius played a very difficult match. For me, the main person responsible for his complicated game was Gasperini, because he always attacked from his side. It was very difficult for me as a coach to make changes. In the second half Roma changed and what bothered me was the nature of the second goal, when the match was balanced and we had no problems. He shouldn't have done what he did, but it's in the past now, nothing happens. I made five changes, not just one. The change is part of football." Mourinho added that Vinicius will start Madrid's midweek fixture, stating: "Vinicius must work harder and, without promising anything—because I don't like to promise—I think he will play on Wednesday." He also addressed his own recent four-match touchline ban, expressing surprise it was not extended: "I'm happy because I thought they would give him more. I thought the hidden cats would have added one or two more."

Lautaro Martínez and Manu Koné will miss significant time after suffering injuries in their respective UEFA Champions League matches. Martínez sustained a flexor strain in his left thigh and will be sidelined until the next international break, unavailable for Inter's Derby versus Milan among other contests, according to Christian Chivu. Koné is nursing a low-grade thigh strain and could return at the earliest for the last game before the next break. Roma's midfield is now stretched thin without Koné, as Bryan Cristante is also on the mend. The injury crisis compounds the Giallorossi's problems ahead of the Serie A title race, with the club operating with limited elite reserves that could prove costly. Paulo Dybala suffered calf muscle fatigue but should return within a week. Inter face their own personnel issues, with Benjamin Pavard sidelined by an adductor problem on top of Martínez's absence. Martínez's injury record has deteriorated in recent seasons. He missed just 14 fixtures between 2018 and February 2026, but has sat out 18 matches and counting from that date onward. Inter have recorded 34 wins, 9 draws, and 8 losses without him. The Nerazzurri retain attacking options with Marcus Thuram, Francesco Pio Esposito, and Ange-Yoan Bonny all in form, whereas Roma lack comparable depth in midfield.

Aleandro Rosi, a former Roma defender who trained under Gian Piero Gasperini at Genoa, has said Roma have the credentials to fight Inter for the Serie A title despite their Champions League loss to Real Madrid. Rosi told Retesport that Roma dominated the match but Real Madrid exploited a collapse to score three goals with ease. He drew a parallel to last season's defeats against Inter and Juventus, describing the capitulation as unacceptable at Champions League level. Rosi identified defensive substitutions as a critical issue. "I would not have removed the centre-backs, Mancini and Hermoso, as happened against Inter," he said. "Central defenders should only come off when they are dying on the pitch." He also highlighted set-piece vulnerability, noting that zonal marking proved ineffective and suggesting Gollini, at 190cm tall, could have taken greater command of the area with his fists or a punch clear to support his teammates. Rosi observed that Roma played a "sensational" 70 minutes, similar to the Inter fixture, but changes in personnel made the difference. On Wesley, Rosi suggested the right-back "expresses himself better on the left side alongside Molina on the opposite flank," though he acknowledged Roma lack Mancini currently. Rosi praised Gasperini's tactical approach, saying: "He is a field animal. Perhaps he has gained more awareness of his work. I like this coaching style very much; as a coach I will draw inspiration from him since I am studying to begin a new career." Asked whether Roma can be Inter's main challengers, Rosi replied: "Roma have all the cards to fight to the end. Gasperini is not afraid of anyone. Inter have something more but Roma will be able to trouble them—they are candidates to compete for the title."