Radio Roma panels react to Real Madrid defeat, concerns grow over morale and injuries

Paolo Condò analysed Roma's Champions League defeat to Real Madrid in an exclusive interview, emphasising the growth the club demonstrated despite the loss. Roma were the strongest of the four Italian sides to lose in the competition this week, and held Real Madrid at bay for 80 minutes before conceding twice more to lose what Condò described as a painful collapse. Condò highlighted the defensive vulnerability that emerged when Mancini and Hermoso were substituted. "When they came off, the defence fell apart," he said. "We were missing the player who, at 3–3, would say 'we're not playing this game any more and we finish it like this'. Ultimately the pitch seemed to slope in Real Madrid's favour—they always have at least four world-class players fresh on the pitch at the end." He argued that Endrick, the Spanish club's young forward, decided the match and that Mancini's absence was critical: "I believe if Mancini had been on the pitch Roma would not have conceded three goals from corners." Condò noted that Roma's character was evident in midfielders Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné, defender Gianluca Mancini, and goalkeeper Mile Svilar, though he felt their personalities were not fully deployed in the closing stages. On Roma's standing in Serie A, Condò was clear: "Roma remains the most credible anti-Inter candidate, and there are two proofs: they are the only side to have taken points from Inter, and they drew against Como with ten men." He assessed that Roma went closer to victory when at full strength, while in numerical disadvantage they conceded little. Condò also observed that Como, under Fabregas, has fallen behind Gasperini's Roma since that match.

Daniele De Rossi will face Roma for the third time as an opponent on Saturday at 18:00, with the match taking place at the Olimpico. The Genoa manager previously managed Roma and will encounter a team bruised by a midweek defeat to Real Madrid but preparing to fight back. De Rossi played Roma twice before—on 29 December 2025, when the Olimpico crowd embraced him after a 3–1 loss under Gasperini, and at Marassi in March, which Genoa won 2–1. In his pre-match press conference, De Rossi acknowledged that his prior experience facing Roma may help him stay emotionally detached: "Perhaps the fact that I've already played against Roma can help me be a bit colder, but the real difference is that I prepared the first match worse while the second one a bit better." He emphasised Roma's growth since December: "The value of Roma has increased compared to that time in December. It's an incredibly strong squad and yesterday it nonetheless gave a demonstration of that." De Rossi watched Roma's Champions League fixture against Real Madrid closely and was struck by their overall display despite the defeat. He described them as "a truly frightening team." When assessing set-piece vulnerability—Roma conceded goals from corners against Madrid—De Rossi noted that statistics show 30 per cent of goals stem from set plays, making it a wider issue than Roma alone. He pointed to Roma's strengths: "Roma is in good shape, has jumpers and a goalkeeper like Gollini." De Rossi stressed the importance of tactical preparation and respect for the opposition: "I've studied the opponent, our characteristics and assessed our players' condition this week. Roma's match yesterday evening involved great expenditure of energy, both physical and mental. We'll need to be at full strength and, why not, one thinks about changes too. We must not play based on opponents but their characteristics must be respected and fought." De Rossi will attempt to win what will always remain his home, whatever the outcome.

Real Madrid came from behind to beat Roma 4–3 despite a poor display, scoring three goals from set-pieces in the closing stages. A performance widely criticised by fans and media for its lack of quality was masked only by the visitors' ruthlessness on dead-ball situations and Roma's defensive lapses. Sporting journalist Riccardo Trevisani was among the harshest critics, attacking Real Madrid's manager on the podcast Cronache di Spogliatoio. He said: "I saw a match devoid of logic. Real Madrid is a disgrace, it cannot be watched! The blame lies with their coach, who has a squad worth a billion four hundred million euros and lines them up like under-10s. Mourinho comes to Roma, hasn't even left and already Svilar breaks, then Koné and Dybala get injured. He has incredible luck, it's objective. That's how Mourinho wins, only that way." The collapse highlighted Roma's vulnerability to set-piece defending and their inability to control a match they initially dominated.

Roma came away with regret from their return to Champions League football at the Stadio Olimpico after seven years, with a dominant performance undone in the final ten minutes. Lorenzo Pellegrini, introduced in the second half as captain in place of Matías Soulé, posted a message to Roma supporters on social media: "Today more than ever... PROUD TO BE ROMANISTI!" Marten de Roon, in his second consecutive start and the author of Roma's opening goal, also reflected on the result: "What to say after last night. My first Champions League goal on my debut at the Olimpico. It's a difficult result to digest but thanks to all the fans for the unforgettable atmosphere. We continue, Sine-Metu!" The performance marked a significant return to European football's premier competition for the club after a seven-year absence, despite the disappointment of the outcome.

Roma face Genoa at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday 17 October at 20:45 in Serie A matchday seven, aiming to return to winning ways after a 4–3 Champions League defeat to Real Madrid. The Giallorossi drew 0–0 against Como and 0–0 against Inter before the Real Madrid loss; they have not won since facing Torino. Genoa, managed by Daniele De Rossi, won their first match of the season last time out, beating Fiorentina 2–1. Gasperini will make changes to his squad following injuries sustained against Real Madrid. Manu Koné left the pitch in the first half with a muscle problem, while Paulo Dybala was substituted at half-time with a muscular strain; both remain under assessment as of 15 October, with recovery timings unclear. Mile Svilar is out with a fractured toe, Bryan Cristante with a knee problem, and Donyell Malen suspended following his red card against Como. Roma last won on matchday six against Torino. In Gasperini's 3–4–2–1 formation, Pierluigi Gollini will start in goal with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso in the three-man defence. Emanuele Lulli and Wesley are set for the full-back positions, with Marten de Roon and Niccolò Pisilli in midfield. Santiago Castro will lead the attack in place of the suspended Malen, Matías Soulé will play behind him, and Rodrigo Mora is favoured to complete the attacking line if Dybala cannot recover; Lorenzo Pellegrini is an alternative. De Rossi's Genoa are likely to line up in a 4–4–1–1 with goalkeeper Bijlow, but a 3–5–2 with Vitinha alongside the striker remains possible. Roma hold a dominant record at the Olimpico against Genoa: across 65 official matches played in the capital, the Giallorossi have won 48, Genoa 9, with 8 draws. Most recently Roma won 3–1 on 29 December 2025; before that, on 17 January 1990, Genoa last won at the Olimpico, prevailing 1–0. The official lineups will be confirmed before kickoff. The match will be broadcast on DAZN and Sky Sport, with streaming available through NOW and Sky Go according to subscription level.

Real Madrid won 4-3 against Roma on 14 October in a match that carried special significance for José Mourinho, who returned to Stadio Olimpico as an opponent for the first time since his spell in charge of the club. Roma supporters demonstrated their affection for the former manager with dedicated banners honouring him throughout an intense encounter. After the final whistle, Mourinho greeted three Roma players — Gianluca Mancini, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Paulo Dybala — in conversation in the plaza outside Stadio Olimpico near the team coaches.

Real Madrid came from behind to beat Roma 4–3 despite a poor display, scoring three goals from set-pieces in the closing stages. A performance widely criticised by fans and media for its lack of quality was masked only by the visitors' ruthlessness on dead-ball situations and Roma's defensive lapses. Sporting journalist Riccardo Trevisani was among the harshest critics, attacking Real Madrid's manager on the podcast Cronache di Spogliatoio. He said: "I saw a match devoid of logic. Real Madrid is a disgrace, it cannot be watched! The blame lies with their coach, who has a squad worth a billion four hundred million euros and lines them up like under-10s. Mourinho comes to Roma, hasn't even left and already Svilar breaks, then Koné and Dybala get injured. He has incredible luck, it's objective. That's how Mourinho wins, only that way." The collapse highlighted Roma's vulnerability to set-piece defending and their inability to control a match they initially dominated.

Television commentator Riccardo Trevisani has launched a fresh attack on José Mourinho's tactical approach, claiming the Real Madrid manager relies on luck to win matches. Speaking on the Cronache di Spogliatoio podcast, Trevisani criticised Real Madrid's performance against Roma, which ended in a victory for Mourinho's side despite goals arriving late in the match. "I saw a match devoid of logic. Real Madrid is a disgrace, unwatchable," Trevisani said. "The fault lies with his coach, who can count on a squad worth one billion four hundred million euros and lines them up like a youth team. Mourinho gets close to Roma, doesn't even return and already Svilar breaks, then Koné and Dybala. He has incredible luck, it's objective. That's how Mourinho wins, only that way." Trevisani's criticism extends to Mourinho's perceived underutilisation of Real Madrid's vast resources, arguing the Portuguese coach has failed to extract convincing performances from an expensively assembled squad.

Roma must quickly put behind the disappointment of conceding a late comeback against Real Madrid, who scored twice in the final minutes to win 4–3. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will address the media tomorrow at 13:30 ahead of the Genoa fixture. Gasperini will be without five players for the match. Bryan Cristante, Donyell Malen, Mile Svilar, Manu Koné and Paulo Dybala are all unavailable. Koné and Dybala will undergo instrumental tests tomorrow to establish their recovery timescale.