Mourinho thanks Roma fans after emotional Olimpico welcome

José Mourinho returned to the Stadio Olimpico as an opponent for the first time since his spell managing Roma, in the Roma–Real Madrid match. The Roma fans welcomed him with banners and chants, which Mourinho acknowledged with gestures towards the Curva, making the evening emotionally charged for all involved. After the match, Mourinho posted a message on Instagram directed at the Roma supporters, reflecting on the experience. He wrote: "When the most beautiful moments of a long career are not goals or victories, but rather emotions for which I can only humbly express my gratitude. Thank you Roma, thank you Romanisti. Emotions and eternal gratitude to you."

Roma travel to the Olimpico to face Genoa in Serie A's seventh matchday on 17 October, seeking to recover from a heavy defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League. The hosts will be without five key players: goalkeeper Mile Svilar, midfielder Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné, forward Paulo Dybala, and winger Donyell Malen, who is suspended. Marten de Roon will anchor Roma's midfield against Genoa's Morten Frendrup in what promises to be a physically and tactically demanding encounter. De Roon has integrated rapidly into Gasperini's system, a football philosophy he knows intimately from his years at Atalanta. The Dutch midfielder brings experience, positional intelligence and balance to both phases of play, intercepting opposition passing lines while maintaining simple but effective possession management. He has made three league appearances totalling 122 minutes and recently scored his first Champions League goal of his career, at 35 years old, against Real Madrid. The loss of Cristante and Koné has elevated his importance to Roma's central midfield control. Frendrup, by contrast, embodies intensity and dynamism. The Danish midfielder has become a cornerstone of Genoa's campaign, appearing in all six league matches as a starter and accumulating 540 minutes without substitution, though he has yet to register a goal or assist. His game centres on ball recovery, pressing opposition players and maintaining high intensity across all 90 minutes. Under Daniele De Rossi's management, Frendrup's role will be crucial in limiting Roma's possession and preventing the giallorossi from finding space between the lines. The clash will pit de Roon's experience and reading of the game against Frendrup's pace and the physical, tactical pressure of one of Genoa's most consistent performers this season.

Roma radio personalities offered contrasting assessments of the club's performance and outlook following the Real Madrid defeat. Roberto Pruzzo told Radio Radio that Roma emerged from the match physically drained and that Gasperini must revitalise the squad for upcoming fixtures. "Roma are missing those 2–3 players who put the ball in the Tiber," Pruzzo said, adding that work remains to be done in that area. He acknowledged defensive uncertainty, noting that when thinking of Rudiger, Gatti comes to mind, and that costly disappointments can occur. Lorenzo Pes at Tele Radio Stereo forecast changes to Roma's line-up, with Bryan Cristante expected to attempt recovery for the Napoli match. He suggested that Pellegrini would likely remain on the bench as a utility option and that one of Mancini or Hermoso could be rested in defence. Pes warned that constant changes to the defence may generate confusion. Piero Torri at Manà Manà Sport contrasted Svilar's performance positively, saying "with Svilar in goal you wouldn't have conceded four from Real Madrid." Torri stressed the shortage of available players, saying Gasperini currently has 16 outfield players—11 starters and 5 substitutes—describing the situation as an emergency. Mario Mattioli from Radio Radio highlighted the psychological impact of the final ten minutes, expecting lingering effects and dressing-room discussion. He condemned the defensive errors, singling out Koulierakis for being "wandering in the middle like a soul in torment, with no clear marking assignment."