Nesta: Totti Was More 'King of Rome' Than Me Because There Are More Roma Fans

Vincent Candela, the former Roma defender, has predicted that Roma will defeat Real Madrid in their upcoming Champions League fixture at the Olimpico in ten days' time. Speaking at the FIP Gold Mediolanum Padel Cup in Perugia, Candela based his forecast not on sentiment but on tactical analysis, saying: "I think Roma will win. I'm not saying that as a fan, but because I look at the characteristics of Gasperini's squad and the comparison with Mourinho's." Candela believes the encounter will be tactically engaging. "It will certainly be a beautiful match from a tactical point of view; Gasperini and Fabregas are two different coaches, but both have a very precise personality," he said. The clash comes after Roma drew 2–2 with Inter at home, a result Candela felt had boosted morale. He noted that Inter had not managed to win and claimed the draw gave Roma "even more drive, confidence and awareness." Candela also voiced strong confidence in forward Donyell Malen, whom Gasperini has deployed differently from his usual role. "I believe a lot in Malen: he is strong, dynamic, sees the goal and is concrete. I think he will reach beyond 20 goals and will have a great season," Candela said. On the league title race, he assessed Inter as favourites, with Roma positioned as their closest challenger ahead of Como.

Gennaro Gattuso, manager of Lazio, delivered an effusive tribute to Gian Piero Gasperini at the Festival dello Sport in Trento, describing the Roma coach as belonging to the same category of tactical innovators as Arrigo Sacchi. Gattuso recalled how Gasperini supported him during difficult moments in his career, including when Gattuso was at Milan and Gasperini at Atalanta. "He is a great coach and has always been present in my difficult moments. When I was at Milan and he was at Atalanta he called me and told me to hold on, that he liked how my Milan played. We are somewhat alike, we both have strong characters, he has always made me feel his closeness. Nobody talks about it but he is part of the same category as Sacchi for the change he has brought. I and many colleagues try to repeat the things he does, but we struggle. A dinner with him would be an honour," Gattuso said. The moment took a lighter turn when Gasperini appeared in a video message on stage at Trento, inviting Gattuso to dinner with a playful caveat acknowledging the city rivalry between the clubs. "I would be happy to invite you to dinner one evening, obviously not the week of the derby eh! I hope to see you soon, goodbye," Gasperini said. Gattuso responded immediately: "Going to dinner with him would be an honour." Gattuso also addressed the upcoming derby, explaining that he discourages his players and staff from discussing it prematurely. "When I hear my boys talking about it, or people who work in the game, I stop them immediately. There are still important matches; we will talk about it that week," he said.

Former Roma defender Candela has backed the Giallorossi to win their upcoming Champions League match against Real Madrid. Speaking at the FIP Gold Mediolanum Padel Cup in Perugia, Candela expressed confidence in Gasperini's squad, saying: "I think Roma will win." He qualified the prediction as more than just fan sentiment: "I don't say it as a fan, but because I look at the characteristics of Gasperini's team and the comparison with Mourinho's." Roma arrive at the league break in first place with four wins and a draw — the 2–2 result against Inter at the Olimpico. Candela believes that match demonstrated Roma's potential and gave the team "even more drive, confidence and self-awareness." He rates Inter as still the favourites for the Serie A title, with Roma as their closest challengers and Como further back. The next league fixture is against Como, which Candela described as "certainly a beautiful match from a tactical point of view; Gasperini and Fabregas are two different managers, but both have very clear personalities." Candela also made a bold prediction about forward Donyell Malen, whose form has impressed this season. "I believe very much in Malen: he is strong, dynamic, he sees the goal and is clinical," Candela said. "I think he will reach more than 20 goals and will have a great season." The Real Madrid match at the Olimpico is scheduled for ten days' time and Candela called it "a celebration": a Champions League night at home.