Roma face Real Madrid in Champions League return to Olimpico

José Mourinho will face AS Roma for the first time since his sacking in January 2024 when Real Madrid visit the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday 14 October at 21:00 for the second matchday of the Champions League league phase. Mourinho, who led Roma to the UEFA Europa Conference League title in 2022 and a Europa League final defeat in Budapest the following year, acknowledged the emotional weight of his return. "For ninety minutes we are opponents, but if they want to give me a special greeting I would also like to embrace the Roma fans," he said at his pre-match press conference. "Before the match it won't be normal, even arriving at the airport or at the stadium, in this press conference, walking down the corridor hasn't been normal. Never in the ninety minutes will it be." Mourinho framed Roma as one of Serie A's strongest teams alongside Inter Milan, whom Real Madrid beat in their opening Champions League fixture. "They are motivated to play Champions League at the Olimpico, in front of a crowd that does not just come to watch the match but to play," he explained. He stressed his ability to separate emotion from competition: "I will give everything. Before and after perhaps it will touch my heart, but during the match there is no room for doubt. The Roma fans will want to win and Real Madrid will want to win. In those moments you have to forget about emotions." Mourinho also responded to questions about his affection for Roma's supporters, saying he had won their trust by remaining himself and prioritizing the interests of the team and players above his own. "Roma fans are special; I have worked at many clubs but Roma fans are without doubt very special," he added. Real Madrid's sporting philosophy drew comparison when asked about Gian Piero Gasperini. Mourinho said: "If I manage to forget which stadium I am in, who I am playing against, and I am trying to prepare this match that way and I will do it during the game, I think it can be a contest like any other." He addressed squad rotation at right-back, noting he had felt the need to change position for Fede Valverde against Villarreal "without wasting a substitution," because a player of Valverde's quality could operate at multiple positions. On Vinícius Júnior's early-season form, Mourinho said: "It hurt my heart to see Vini in this situation. Every day he is happy, works hard, but so far he has not yet found the joy of being decisive this year. Let's see if in the Champions League, since he is suspended in the league, he can return to being the true Vini." Aurélien Tchouaméni told the press Real Madrid had started the Champions League well by beating Inter and were determined to continue collecting points. "I like how Roma play very much and I know that tomorrow's match will be difficult, also because we will play away from home," he said. "I think we have enough quality to win the match and that is what we will try to do." Tchouaméni declined to discuss contentious decisions in Real Madrid's weekend match against Villarreal, stating: "We are very frustrated because of these decisions, but the most important thing was winning that match. We think about moving forward."

A contact between Wesley and Diao during the Como-Roma match sparked debate, but referee Fabbri ruled no foul had occurred. Serie A published Ref Cam footage from the fixture on their Instagram profile, showing the official's explanation of the incident. In the video, Fabbri addresses the contact between Diao and Wesley, stating: "He does everything to avoid taking him, at most their legs touch. He also jumps." The footage provides insight into the reasoning behind the on-field decision that allowed play to continue without penalty.

Referee Michael Fabbri has clarified his decision not to award a penalty for contact between Wesley and Como forward Diao in the first-half stoppage time of last weekend's 0–0 draw at the Sinigaglia. Serie A released footage from Fabbri's RefCam microphone on YouTube, in which the official explains his reasoning: "He does everything not to take it, they just touch legs at most. He even jumps." Diao went down after minimal contact with the Roma defender, but Fabbri allowed play to continue without hesitation. The incident has become a focal point of post-match discussion despite the goalless result between two squads capable of providing spectacle on paper. Como manager Fabregas argued in his post-match comments that the challenge warranted a red card, a much harsher assessment than Fabbri's on-field judgment. The referee's decision-making in the match also drew attention for Donyell Malen's 53rd-minute red card for a challenge on Kaiki, which Fabbri judged as a dismissible offense.

AS Roma have registered Devis Vásquez in their Champions League squad to cover for Mile Svilar, who is sidelined with a fractured toe expected to keep him out for over a month. UEFA regulations permit clubs to temporarily replace a goalkeeper on their A-list when injury requires an absence of at least 30 days, and Roma have exercised this option to provide cover during Svilar's recovery. Vásquez was already back in the squad after Svilar's injury and was included in the squad for Roma's away trip to Como. His Champions League registration now means he will serve as the alternative to Pierluigi Gollini throughout the period when Svilar is unavailable. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will therefore have an additional goalkeeper option during what the club describes as a delicate Champions League cycle ahead. The arrangement is temporary: once Svilar recovers and returns to availability, he will replace Vásquez on the European list. The Colombian goalkeeper's reinstatement comes as Roma manage a crucial phase of their European campaign with full squad depth restored at the goalkeeper position.

Devis Vásquez has been added to Roma's Champions League squad list following Mile Svilar's injury, expanding Gian Piero Gasperini's goalkeeping options for European competition. The Colombian goalkeeper will now be available to Gasperini in both Serie A and the Champions League, a decision that provides the club with additional depth between the posts while the first-choice goalkeeper is sidelined. Gasperini had already communicated Vásquez's reinstatement to the Serie A squad after Svilar's injury setback, a decision he confirmed off the record at the end of his press conference ahead of Roma's match against Como. The addition to the Champions League list represents the next step in managing Roma's goalkeeping resources during Svilar's absence, ensuring continuity in the club's European campaign this season.

Roma held their final training session before tomorrow's match against Real Madrid, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini overseeing a refresher workout at around 15:30. The only absentees were injured midfielder Bryan Cristante and goalkeeper Mile Svilar, who will remain out for approximately a month. The club has removed Svilar from the UEFA squad list and replaced him with Devis Vásquez. The session began with a warm-up phase followed by tactical drills that reflected a relaxed atmosphere despite the significance of tomorrow's fixture against José Mourinho's side. The training was also monitored from a distance by Tony D'Amico and John Galantic.

Angelo Di Livio has criticized Roma for wasting another significant opportunity in their match at Como. Speaking to Retesport, the former player said: "The Roma threw away another big chance at Como, I saw a really good team. If the giallorossi had gone ahead they would have won the match. In the second half not even a pin could pass through. In the first half the giallorossi team deserved to go ahead but once again they were not clinical in front of goal. Winning at Como would have been a great result, so this is not good." Di Livio highlighted Roma's finishing as the key problem, particularly after a missed opportunity by Paulo Dybala. He stated: "If Dybala doesn't score, Malen becomes a problem. I don't want to criticize the Argentine for the missed goal at Como, but the team lost another big chance because in the first half they could have been ahead." He suggested tactical changes for the second half, saying he would have played long balls to Santiago Castro instead of keeping Dybala on the pitch. Di Livio also questioned the management of Rodrigo Mora and Castro, noting that Castro will play against Genoa but expressing concern about his fitness given limited playing time. On Lorenzo Pellegrini's performance, he offered praise: "He played an important match, he got into the thick of the action and almost scored. He gave a good signal, like all the others who hadn't played much such as De Roon and Gollini."

Mario Somma praised Roma's performance in the Como match, describing it as further evidence the side are becoming a major force. Como began with organised pressing to disrupt Roma's game, but the visitors imposed their football and won the tactical battle as the home side dropped deeper. "This means they are becoming a great squad," Somma said on Retesport. On Paulo Dybala's display, Somma was upbeat despite a missed chance. "He provided an important performance in intensity, running and work rate. It's normal that when you have to be decisive technically you can be less sharp. I don't recall a Dybala so willing to work for the team. I'm not worried — I believe at the end of the season the numbers will arrive." Pierluigi Gollini received praise for his goalkeeping: "He had a very good match, was calm in goal. I've known him for many years and Sunday he showed he's a great goalkeeper." On Lorenzo Pellegrini and Gasperini's approach, Somma offered analysis of the manager's thinking. "Pellegrini has Bellingham-like qualities. He reached important numbers at a crucial point in his career without playing for Real Madrid but in a mediocre Roma. At Como he played a containing role and created a crossbar. I think it's normal Gasperini is trying to recover him — on the attacking midfield line, long-term, he can deliver more goals than Mora and Soulé on the left wing." Somma also contrasted the midfield pair: De Roon "runs after everyone," while Cristante is "more a preventing midfielder who thinks a lot." Somma concluded by noting Roma's ability to contain with quality — as demonstrated at Como — could have been replicated in their home fixture with Inter, which the article implies did not occur.

AS Roma have registered Devis Vásquez in their Champions League squad to cover for Mile Svilar, who is sidelined with a fractured toe expected to keep him out for over a month. UEFA regulations permit clubs to temporarily replace a goalkeeper on their A-list when injury requires an absence of at least 30 days, and Roma have exercised this option to provide cover during Svilar's recovery. Vásquez was already back in the squad after Svilar's injury and was included in the squad for Roma's away trip to Como. His Champions League registration now means he will serve as the alternative to Pierluigi Gollini throughout the period when Svilar is unavailable. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will therefore have an additional goalkeeper option during what the club describes as a delicate Champions League cycle ahead. The arrangement is temporary: once Svilar recovers and returns to availability, he will replace Vásquez on the European list. The Colombian goalkeeper's reinstatement comes as Roma manage a crucial phase of their European campaign with full squad depth restored at the goalkeeper position.

Angelo Di Livio has criticized Roma for wasting another significant opportunity in their match at Como. Speaking to Retesport, the former player said: "The Roma threw away another big chance at Como, I saw a really good team. If the giallorossi had gone ahead they would have won the match. In the second half not even a pin could pass through. In the first half the giallorossi team deserved to go ahead but once again they were not clinical in front of goal. Winning at Como would have been a great result, so this is not good." Di Livio highlighted Roma's finishing as the key problem, particularly after a missed opportunity by Paulo Dybala. He stated: "If Dybala doesn't score, Malen becomes a problem. I don't want to criticize the Argentine for the missed goal at Como, but the team lost another big chance because in the first half they could have been ahead." He suggested tactical changes for the second half, saying he would have played long balls to Santiago Castro instead of keeping Dybala on the pitch. Di Livio also questioned the management of Rodrigo Mora and Castro, noting that Castro will play against Genoa but expressing concern about his fitness given limited playing time. On Lorenzo Pellegrini's performance, he offered praise: "He played an important match, he got into the thick of the action and almost scored. He gave a good signal, like all the others who hadn't played much such as De Roon and Gollini."

Referee Michael Fabbri has clarified his decision not to award a penalty for contact between Wesley and Como forward Diao in the first-half stoppage time of last weekend's 0–0 draw at the Sinigaglia. Serie A released footage from Fabbri's RefCam microphone on YouTube, in which the official explains his reasoning: "He does everything not to take it, they just touch legs at most. He even jumps." Diao went down after minimal contact with the Roma defender, but Fabbri allowed play to continue without hesitation. The incident has become a focal point of post-match discussion despite the goalless result between two squads capable of providing spectacle on paper. Como manager Fabregas argued in his post-match comments that the challenge warranted a red card, a much harsher assessment than Fabbri's on-field judgment. The referee's decision-making in the match also drew attention for Donyell Malen's 53rd-minute red card for a challenge on Kaiki, which Fabbri judged as a dismissible offense.

Zibi Boniek has predicted Roma will defeat Real Madrid 2-1 in their Champions League match on 14 October. Speaking to ReteSport, he described the fixture as a special occasion given José Mourinho's role as opponent, and said Roma possess the weapons to trouble the Spanish club despite facing a well-organised side. "The atmosphere at the Olimpico will help Roma," Boniek said. "The players instead of stopping will go 30 metres further. Malen and Dybala, who are in excellent form, are important weapons. The giallorossi team is very well organised and proved that at Como with a player fewer. It won't be easy against Real but you can try." Boniek assessed Roma's title prospects as dependent on Inter slipping. "Roma must be ready if Inter should drop off, but I don't believe that will happen because they have a strong and complete squad," he said. "Inter can only lose the title; they are superior to all the others." He offered praise for Lazio's current league position given their pre-season expectations but ruled out their chances of winning the Scudetto, predicting they will have a good campaign without becoming champions. On Dybala's form, Boniek noted: "I see him grown on the mental and physical level; I hope it lasts because Roma needs it. The Argentine is fundamental in the development of the team's attacking play. He has the capacity to create many goal-scoring chances." Boniek's final prediction: "Gasperini's team wins 2-1."