Roma eye Brandt on free transfer as Malen connection offers added appeal

Alessio Cacciamani's name dominated Roma's transfer activity over the summer, but the Torino winger ultimately remained with the club and renewed his contract. Torino's sporting director addressed the matter before his side's match against Udinese, telling Sky Sport that Roma were not alone in their interest. He stated: "Cacciamani and Roma? The giallorossi were not the only ones interested in the player. The president had said he did not want to sell the player: only an important proposal would have prompted evaluation, but this did not arrive and so we will enjoy having him." The director's comments clarify that despite sustained speculation linking Cacciamani to Roma, no offer of sufficient scale materialised to shift Torino's stance on their player. With Cacciamani's contract now renewed, he will continue as part of the Granata's plans moving forward.

Torino sporting director Gianluca Petrachi confirmed that Roma made a genuine attempt to sign Alessio Cacciamani during the summer transfer window. Cacciamani, who started for Torino in their Serie A match against Udinese on 12 October, was among several clubs tracking the winger, but no deal materialised. Petrachi disclosed that Torino's president had stipulated the player would only leave for a sufficiently substantial proposal. Speaking before kick-off, he said: "There was not only Roma interested in Cacciamani. The president had said he didn't want to sell the player: only an important offer would have made us consider it. It didn't arrive, and we're enjoying him." The winger remains at the club as Torino continue their Serie A campaign.

Cicinho, who joined Roma from Real Madrid in August 2007 and won a Coppa Italia and Supercoppa during his time in giallorosso, has backed the club to challenge for honours and urged young Brazilian forward Endrick to make the switch from Madrid if the opportunity arises. Speaking exclusively to Forzaroma.info ahead of Wednesday's match at the Olimpico, the former right-back reflected on Endrick's situation and Roma's current trajectory under Gian Piero Gasperini. Asked whether he would advise Endrick to join Roma or remain at Real Madrid awaiting his chance, Cicinho said: "If I were Endrick, I would go to Roma without thinking twice. I think Real Madrid should also consider this possibility, because it would be very positive for him. A player with his talent needs to be on the pitch, not getting rusty on the bench. He still has a lot to learn and I think he would adapt very well to Gasperini's energetic style and the intensity of his game." Cicinho also addressed Paulo Dybala's worthiness of Roma's number 10 shirt, a subject on which Francesco Totti recently expressed reservations. "The Captain gave Roma's number 10 a meaning that goes well beyond football and borders on magic," Cicinho reflected. "Twenty-four years of devotion to the giallorosso shirt, during which he brought professionalism and dedication to the highest levels and, above all, reminded everyone in the dressing room that they had a duty to represent that fanbase. Dybala is also, as they say in Italy, a fantasist, a player capable of making fans dream, and has already shown great attachment to the club, even refusing economically more advantageous offers. I think the number 10 would be in good hands with Dybala, but we must make peace with the idea that we will never find another Totti." On Roma's title prospects, Cicinho expressed cautious optimism about Gasperini's project but suggested it remains in a growth phase. "Yes, I believe in it, but it seems to me that the Roma-Gasperini project is still in a phase of growth and could reach its peak perhaps in the next season, provided we manage to retain the most important players, like Manu Koné, and continue to strengthen well in the market," he said. "Roma's starting eleven is exceptional, but I believe it is necessary to increase the depth of the squad. The second half against Inter was an example. Matches like that decide the title, not only for the points in the table, but also for the message they send to opponents." Cicinho also spoke of finding contentment away from football, having previously described a period in which he "saw no joy in anything." He credited his family and simpler life with providing genuine happiness. "Being able to be with my wife and my children, seeing them grow. True happiness lies in simple things, in the possibility of enjoying them without rush and with a clear mind, to fully live these beautiful moments. That is the real luxury of life, not cars, parties or spotlights."

Roma approach their Champions League fixture against Real Madrid in confident mood despite a goalless draw at Como and the early dismissal of Donyell Malen. Playing with numerical disadvantage, Gian Piero Gasperini's side demonstrated solidity and character, underlining the strength of their defence: they have conceded just three goals in six league matches, a figure among the best in Europe's top five divisions. Pierluigi Gollini, deputising for Mile Svilar, delivered a convincing performance. Evan N'Dicka proved reliable, while Gianluca Mancini provided edge. In midfield, Marten de Roon stood out, covering 11,657 kilometres — more than any other player on the pitch — and confirming his contribution in work rate and tactical intelligence. The block of former Atalanta players delivered strong responses.

Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen will face Real Madrid at the Olimpico on Wednesday evening with unfinished business against the Spanish club. Both players have previously suffered Champions League elimination at the hands of Madrid in final-stage competition. Dybala was on the pitch for Juventus in the 2017 Champions League final on 3 June at Cardiff, where his team was defeated 4–1. Less than a year later, in April 2018, he faced Madrid again in the quarter-finals at the Stadium, where Juventus lost 0–3 and Dybala was sent off at the 66th minute for a second yellow card. Malen experienced similar disappointment on 1 June 2024, when he came on late in Borussia Dortmund's Champions League final against Real Madrid at Wembley, which ended in a 2–0 defeat with goals from Carvajal and Vinicius. Wednesday's match holds particular significance for Roma, as the Olimpico will host a Champions League fixture for the first time in 2801 days—the last occasion being 12 February 2019, when Roma beat Porto 2–1. Both Dybala and Malen now have the chance to rewrite their narratives against Madrid, this time wearing Roma colours in a contest that carries symbolic weight in the club's return to Europe's elite competition. Malen will play following a red card he received at Como in the previous domestic fixture, which forces him to miss the Serie A match but carries no suspension in the Champions League. Dybala arrived at this fixture after a high-quality performance against Como, though once again without a goal. The Argentine has spoken recently about his desire to bring Roma back to the Champions League and his expectations of the Olimpico crowd against one of the world's most decorated teams. For both players, the match represents more than a simple competitive encounter. Cardiff for Dybala, Wembley for Malen—two Champions League finals lost to the same opponent. Now, with Roma, comes a fresh opportunity to script a different ending.

Roma drew 0–0 away at Como, salvaging an important point from a difficult visit to the Sinigaglia stadium despite significant adversity. Mile Svilar's absence through injury forced a reshuffle in goal, and the team played for an entire half with a numerical disadvantage after Donyell Malen's expulsion. The result highlighted Roma's resolve under pressure as they kept a clean sheet in testing circumstances.