Real Madrid dealt fresh injury blow ahead of Roma fixture: Asencio sidelined until 2027

Real Madrid defender Raúl Asencio will undergo surgery in the coming 24 hours to treat a stress fracture of the tibia in his right leg, the club confirmed on 30 September. The operation means Asencio will miss Madrid's Champions League fixture against Roma on 14 October at the Stadio Olimpico, with recovery expected to take between two and four months, ruling him out until 2027. Roma are set to host José Mourinho's Madrid side in the second matchday of the Champions League after facing Como away in Serie A on 11 October, following the international break which ends on 6 October. Madrid arrive depleted, with Valverde, Konaté and Mbappé already doubtful through injury before Asencio's situation emerged. The Real Madrid statement read: "Our player Raúl Asencio will undergo surgery tomorrow due to a stress fracture of the tibia of his right leg." Asencio had been dealing with discomfort in his right tibia, prompting Real Madrid to convene a summit at Valdebebas between the player, Mourinho and the medical staff to determine whether conservative treatment or surgical intervention was necessary. The decision to operate removes another defender from Mourinho's squad for the fixture at Rome's Stadio Olimpico.

Dan Friedkin expressed satisfaction with Roma's position at the European Football Club Association general assembly in Copenhagen, telling representatives of major European clubs that the club is enjoying a fine moment. "Between the stadium and first place, it is truly a great moment for us," Friedkin said according to Corriere dello Sport. The Roma owner highlighted two key developments: progress on the new stadium project and the team's strong start to the 2026-27 season at the top of the Serie A table. Friedkin used the Copenhagen gathering to reinforce Roma's standing among Europe's elite. Manchester City chief executive Ferran Soriano jokingly asked whether Roma wanted to win the title this season, while Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi arranged to meet Friedkin during a Champions League fixture. Roma will face PSG on 25 November in the competition's league phase. The owner returns from the assembly with recognition from his counterparts across the continent, while overseeing a squad that has begun the campaign in pole position domestically.

Dan Friedkin attended the general assembly of European clubs at the Bella Center in Copenhagen on 29 September, where he struck an optimistic tone about Roma's prospects. Speaking to fellow executives, Friedkin remarked: "Between the stadium and first place, it is truly a great moment for us." The comment drew a response from Ferran Soriano, Manchester City's chief executive, who joked with the Roma president: "President, do you want to win it this year?", while glancing towards Beppe Marotta. Friedkin also held talks with Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, who has grown increasingly influential in European football following Real Madrid and Barcelona's rapprochement with the clubs' association. Al-Khelaifi set up a fixture meeting with Friedkin: "See you in the Champions League, Dan." The pair will meet when PSG host Roma on 25 November at the Parc des Princes. Friedkin arrived at the congress hall around 09:00 wearing an elegant dark suit and blue tie, with earbuds in as he sent voice messages. Among his encounters was Dariusz Mioduski, owner of Legia Warsaw, who embraced him warmly. That meeting carried particular resonance given recent Roma business: Ziolkowski, now a Roma player, previously played for the Polish club.