Roma dominated for 82 minutes but concede four goals in stunning Real Madrid collapse

Wesley has revealed how Gasperini asked him to mark Vinicius in Roma's recent match against Real Madrid, describing the specific tactical instruction and the confidence the coach showed in him. Speaking to TNT Sports, the Brazilian defender explained that he expected Nahuel Molina to take the assignment on the left, noting that Molina has faced Vinicius many times before and shares a natural competitive edge with him as an Argentine against a Brazilian. However, Gasperini chose Wesley for the role, telling him: "I'm going to put you on Vini, I trust you." Wesley accepted the challenge, saying: "I thought, 'Let's go, let's see what happens'." Wesley was satisfied with his individual performance despite Roma's 3–4 defeat. He acknowledged that the result left a bitter taste, stating: "I was prepared and I liked my match. I still need to improve many things, but I'm happy with my individual performance. For the loss, though, I'm not satisfied, because we deserved to win." He also outlined Roma's tactical approach: the team attacked more heavily on the right because Gasperini knew that Real Madrid's left flank required a defender of Wesley's profile. On the specific duel with Vinicius, Wesley reflected: "Fortunately I managed to stop Vini. At one point I thought, 'Today it's me here, go to the other side and let's see what you can do there'." The arrival of Endrick as a substitute changed the dynamic, however. Wesley said: "He came on and got an assist and a goal. Total respect for him—that guy is brilliant and I'm a fan of his. But today I wasn't rooting for him."

José Mourinho produced a subdued response to Real Madrid's dramatic 4-3 comeback victory over Roma at the Olimpico, refusing to celebrate even after Rudiger's decisive goal completed an improbable second-half turnaround. The result, though heavy in significance for Madrid, came in his first return as opposition manager to the stadium where he managed Roma until January 2024. Mourinho acknowledged Roma's superior display in the opening period, which saw them establish a 3-1 lead, before Madrid's pace and tactical adjustments made them unstoppable as the match progressed. He recognised Roma as a difficult opponent with strong identity under current management. The emotional weight of the occasion, however, transcended the scoreline. Though he had attempted to project coldness and focus beforehand, Mourinho could not conceal his feeling at the moment he entered the pitch. The Olimpico welcomed him with affectionate banners—including "Ave Mou!" and references to Budapest—and an overwhelming chorus that engulfed the stadium, a genuine tribute to a manager who left a profound mark on Roma's recent history. Mourinho responded by raising his hand, placing his hand on his chest, and blowing a kiss, his eyes glistening, before experiencing another evening of high-calibre football. The bond he forged with Trigoria and the Roma supporters remained strong despite his departure, and he paid his respects to an embrace that acknowledged his deep connection to the club.

José Mourinho praised Wesley after Real Madrid's match against Roma, saying he was struck by the Brazilian's quality up close. "I knew he was strong already, but seeing him in person was the first time," Mourinho told TNT Sports. The Portuguese manager, overseeing a squad filled with talent from Mbappé to Diomandé, noted that Real Madrid's eleven is formidable and capable of turning matches around within five minutes, even from two goals down—as they demonstrated against Roma. However, Wesley remains focused on Roma. Mourinho will have to be content watching him from a distance for now.

Roma dominated Real Madrid for an hour and led 3–1 through goals from Marten de Roon and a brilliant double from Donyell Malen, only to collapse catastrophically in the final seven minutes at the Olimpico. Three goals conceded from corner kicks between the 83rd and 90th minutes, the last a decisive finish by Antonio Rüdiger, handed José Mourinho's side a 4–3 victory and left Roma's supporters in shock. The collapse—described as a brutal blow—was severe punishment for what the hosts created on the pitch, though it underlined the character and fighting spirit of Gasperini's team. Gasperini had set Roma up with meticulous preparation, positioning Matías Soulé high on the right against Cucurella to allow Wesley close coverage of Vinícius, a tactical move that restricted Real Madrid's attacking play for long periods. Gianluca Mancini marked Bellingham; Evan N'Dicka covered Mbappé; Mario Hermoso picked up Diomande. De Roon, Manu Koné and Nahuel Molina formed the midfield until Koné was forced off injured. Mourinho started cautiously, keeping Güler, Camavinga, Bernardo Silva, Endrick and Brahim Diaz on the bench—all players who would reshape the match in the second half. Roma struck first when De Roon scored in the 20th minute after a Matías Soulé recovery and a Konaté deflection, though Mbappé equalised immediately with help from a Mancini deflection. In the second half, despite Paulo Dybala's departure, Roma found their rhythm: Malen scored twice in the 6th and 12th minutes to make it 3–1 and trigger an explosion at the Olimpico. Mourinho then introduced his attacking replacements, and Roma's legs gave way. Espí, Endrick and Rüdiger—in the 90th minute—completed the turnaround from corner situations where Roma's defence faltered at critical moments.

Roma surrendered a 3–1 advantage to lose 4–3 to Real Madrid in a Champions League match at the Olimpico on 15 October, squandering what appeared to be a historic night. Leading 3–1 at the 82nd minute, Roma conceded three goals in seven minutes—all from set pieces—as Real Madrid mounted an extraordinary comeback. Eder Espí made it 3–2 at 83 minutes, Endrick equalised at 85, and Rüdiger completed the turnaround at 90 to leave Gian Piero Gasperini's side devastated. Roma had performed boldly before the collapse. Marten de Roon opened the scoring at the 20th minute with a slightly deflected effort that deceived Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Kylian Mbappé immediately levelled through a second-half error by Vinicius Junior and a rebound off Pierluigi Gollini. Roma then took control after the interval. Donyell Malen struck twice—first at 51 minutes after exploiting space left by Vinicius's error, then at 57 minutes following a cutting pass from Matías Soulé—to build the commanding 3–1 scoreline. The Olimpico was on its feet; Real Madrid appeared beaten. But the match unravelled when Roma failed to consolidate. The article notes that "a two-goal lead can vanish in minutes, especially against Real Madrid," and this proved prophetic. In the second phase, Real Madrid abandoned intricate play and attacked directly into the box with more bodies and aerial pressure, exposing structural weaknesses in Roma's defending on set pieces. Roma also suffered compounding losses: Manu Koné withdrew with a muscular injury in the opening 15 minutes, forcing Niccolò Pisilli into the midfield with Bryan Cristante already unavailable; Paulo Dybala did not return after the interval with a muscle problem. Gasperini found himself progressively without the players most accustomed to reading and governing critical moments—men like Cristante, Koné and Dybala who bring experience and composure. "The Roma this time was not stealing anything," the analysis states. "It had lost Koné and Dybala, had to change men and reference points, yet managed to build a two-goal advantage against one of Europe's strongest teams." The turnaround revealed that Roma possesses enough quality to trouble Real Madrid but lacks the structure and cunning required when matches shift into physical combat inside the penalty area. Roma host Daniele De Rossi's Genoa on Saturday at the Olimpico. Gasperini's squad must absorb the blow immediately and demonstrate the character that separates great performances from great victories.

Roma looked destined for a historic victory against Real Madrid at the Olimpico, leading 2–0 deep into the second half before conceding three goals in seven minutes to lose 3–2. De Roon's shot, slightly deflected by Konaté, put Roma ahead early despite Koné's injury (tests scheduled for today) and the prestige of Real's lineup. Real equalised through Mbappé after Mario Hermoso's poor pass, with Mancini's deflection assisting the leveller. In the second half, Paulo Dybala was withdrawn with a muscle strain and replaced by Rodrigo Mora, who set up Donyell Malen for Roma's second goal after five minutes. Matías Soulé then crossed for Malen to make it 2–0 at the 57th minute, and Roma came close to a fourth when Lorenzo Pellegrini threatened the scoreline further. The Olimpico, where Francesco Totti watched from the stands, erupted with each Roma goal. Then the collapse began. Real Madrid manager José Mourinho, celebrated by the stadium before and during the match with banners and a dedicated choreography, engineered the turnaround through substitutions, bringing on Endrick and Éspinoza. Both attackers, along with Rudiger, combined to reverse the result between the 83rd and 90th minutes on set pieces, handing Mourinho a dramatic victory.

Roma face a mounting injury crisis following their 3–4 defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League. Manu Koné suffered the most serious blow, limping off after just 17 minutes with a muscular problem to his thigh. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini confirmed the injury and indicated it would be the more severe of two fresh concerns. Paulo Dybala also departed at half-time with what Gasperini described as a calf strain and tightness in the soleus muscle, though the initial assessment suggests a shorter absence than Koné's. Instrumental tests on both players were scheduled for today to establish the precise nature and extent of their injuries. The fear surrounding Koné is a right-leg bicep femoris strain with potential recovery taking roughly a month, meaning he could miss matches until after the international break in mid-November. The worst-case scenario would rule him out for several weeks. Dybala's presence against Genoa on Saturday appears heavily compromised, though Roma hope for a swift recovery in time for subsequent fixtures, particularly the crucial clash against Napoli. This crisis compounds existing absences. Mile Svilar will remain sidelined at least until November's international break owing to a stress fracture of the fifth toe, while Bryan Cristante is unavailable with knee inflammation and no confirmed return date. The midfield emergency has become particularly acute: without Cristante and, in all likelihood, without Koné for multiple matches, Gasperini has only Marten de Roon and Niccolò Pisilli as natural options for the two central midfield spots. Lorenzo Pellegrini would become the primary alternative to drop deeper into midfield if required, leaving the squad perilously thin in reserve. The timing is delicate given Roma's fixture schedule and the demands of balancing Serie A and Champions League football. Genoa, managed by Daniele De Rossi, visit the Olimpico on Saturday. The coming hours will determine how heavily the Champions League night weighs on Roma's resources.

Roma dominated Real Madrid for an hour and led 3–1 through goals from Marten de Roon and a brilliant double from Donyell Malen, only to collapse catastrophically in the final seven minutes at the Olimpico. Three goals conceded from corner kicks between the 83rd and 90th minutes, the last a decisive finish by Antonio Rüdiger, handed José Mourinho's side a 4–3 victory and left Roma's supporters in shock. The collapse—described as a brutal blow—was severe punishment for what the hosts created on the pitch, though it underlined the character and fighting spirit of Gasperini's team. Gasperini had set Roma up with meticulous preparation, positioning Matías Soulé high on the right against Cucurella to allow Wesley close coverage of Vinícius, a tactical move that restricted Real Madrid's attacking play for long periods. Gianluca Mancini marked Bellingham; Evan N'Dicka covered Mbappé; Mario Hermoso picked up Diomande. De Roon, Manu Koné and Nahuel Molina formed the midfield until Koné was forced off injured. Mourinho started cautiously, keeping Güler, Camavinga, Bernardo Silva, Endrick and Brahim Diaz on the bench—all players who would reshape the match in the second half. Roma struck first when De Roon scored in the 20th minute after a Matías Soulé recovery and a Konaté deflection, though Mbappé equalised immediately with help from a Mancini deflection. In the second half, despite Paulo Dybala's departure, Roma found their rhythm: Malen scored twice in the 6th and 12th minutes to make it 3–1 and trigger an explosion at the Olimpico. Mourinho then introduced his attacking replacements, and Roma's legs gave way. Espí, Endrick and Rüdiger—in the 90th minute—completed the turnaround from corner situations where Roma's defence faltered at critical moments.

Roma surrendered a 3–1 advantage to lose 4–3 to Real Madrid in a Champions League match at the Olimpico on 15 October, squandering what appeared to be a historic night. Leading 3–1 at the 82nd minute, Roma conceded three goals in seven minutes—all from set pieces—as Real Madrid mounted an extraordinary comeback. Eder Espí made it 3–2 at 83 minutes, Endrick equalised at 85, and Rüdiger completed the turnaround at 90 to leave Gian Piero Gasperini's side devastated. Roma had performed boldly before the collapse. Marten de Roon opened the scoring at the 20th minute with a slightly deflected effort that deceived Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Kylian Mbappé immediately levelled through a second-half error by Vinicius Junior and a rebound off Pierluigi Gollini. Roma then took control after the interval. Donyell Malen struck twice—first at 51 minutes after exploiting space left by Vinicius's error, then at 57 minutes following a cutting pass from Matías Soulé—to build the commanding 3–1 scoreline. The Olimpico was on its feet; Real Madrid appeared beaten. But the match unravelled when Roma failed to consolidate. The article notes that "a two-goal lead can vanish in minutes, especially against Real Madrid," and this proved prophetic. In the second phase, Real Madrid abandoned intricate play and attacked directly into the box with more bodies and aerial pressure, exposing structural weaknesses in Roma's defending on set pieces. Roma also suffered compounding losses: Manu Koné withdrew with a muscular injury in the opening 15 minutes, forcing Niccolò Pisilli into the midfield with Bryan Cristante already unavailable; Paulo Dybala did not return after the interval with a muscle problem. Gasperini found himself progressively without the players most accustomed to reading and governing critical moments—men like Cristante, Koné and Dybala who bring experience and composure. "The Roma this time was not stealing anything," the analysis states. "It had lost Koné and Dybala, had to change men and reference points, yet managed to build a two-goal advantage against one of Europe's strongest teams." The turnaround revealed that Roma possesses enough quality to trouble Real Madrid but lacks the structure and cunning required when matches shift into physical combat inside the penalty area. Roma host Daniele De Rossi's Genoa on Saturday at the Olimpico. Gasperini's squad must absorb the blow immediately and demonstrate the character that separates great performances from great victories.

Wesley has revealed how Gasperini asked him to mark Vinicius in Roma's recent match against Real Madrid, describing the specific tactical instruction and the confidence the coach showed in him. Speaking to TNT Sports, the Brazilian defender explained that he expected Nahuel Molina to take the assignment on the left, noting that Molina has faced Vinicius many times before and shares a natural competitive edge with him as an Argentine against a Brazilian. However, Gasperini chose Wesley for the role, telling him: "I'm going to put you on Vini, I trust you." Wesley accepted the challenge, saying: "I thought, 'Let's go, let's see what happens'." Wesley was satisfied with his individual performance despite Roma's 3–4 defeat. He acknowledged that the result left a bitter taste, stating: "I was prepared and I liked my match. I still need to improve many things, but I'm happy with my individual performance. For the loss, though, I'm not satisfied, because we deserved to win." He also outlined Roma's tactical approach: the team attacked more heavily on the right because Gasperini knew that Real Madrid's left flank required a defender of Wesley's profile. On the specific duel with Vinicius, Wesley reflected: "Fortunately I managed to stop Vini. At one point I thought, 'Today it's me here, go to the other side and let's see what you can do there'." The arrival of Endrick as a substitute changed the dynamic, however. Wesley said: "He came on and got an assist and a goal. Total respect for him—that guy is brilliant and I'm a fan of his. But today I wasn't rooting for him."

José Mourinho praised Wesley after Real Madrid's match against Roma, saying he was struck by the Brazilian's quality up close. "I knew he was strong already, but seeing him in person was the first time," Mourinho told TNT Sports. The Portuguese manager, overseeing a squad filled with talent from Mbappé to Diomandé, noted that Real Madrid's eleven is formidable and capable of turning matches around within five minutes, even from two goals down—as they demonstrated against Roma. However, Wesley remains focused on Roma. Mourinho will have to be content watching him from a distance for now.

Rodrigo Mora has revealed Wesley's pivotal role in his move to Roma, saying the Brazilian defender helped him join the club more than anyone else. Speaking to TNT Sports after playing against Real Madrid and providing an assist, Mora praised Wesley for guiding him through the transition and helping him settle into the squad. The pair bonded immediately from their first training session, with Wesley offering support as Mora integrated into the group and adapted to his new environment. Their connection was strengthened by a shared language: both speak Portuguese. That common ground made it easier for them to build a relationship from their earliest days at Trigoria. Mora said: "It was him who helped me most to arrive at Roma, I am grateful to him." The Portuguese midfielder's quick settling at the club appears to have laid important groundwork for his performances on the pitch.