# Roma's Response to Real Madrid Setback
Roma suffered a painful 3–4 defeat to Real Madrid on Wednesday after dominating for approximately 80 minutes, only to concede three goals from corner kicks in the closing stages. The outlets agree unanimously on this sequence of events, though they differ on precise timing. Il Messaggero characterises it as a 3–1 victory for Roma that soured in the final moments, while multiple other sources describe the full 3–4 scoreline. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has chosen to address the media less than 48 hours after the loss—a deliberate signal of his determination to rebuild momentum ahead of Sunday's fixture against Genoa and next Tuesday's Europa League match against Slovan Bratislava. His swift intervention reflects awareness of the psychological danger posed by such reversals, with Roma News drawing a parallel to the team's collapse against Juventus last season when a 3–1 lead became a 3–3 draw. Gasperini rejected suggestions that Roma had tired physically or tactically, insisting his side had outclassed Real Madrid throughout. Individual defensive errors in those closing minutes—from goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini, defender Leonardo Balerdi, and Nahuel Molina—merit scrutiny, but cannot overshadow the quality Roma displayed for the vast majority of the contest. Il Messaggero particularly praised Donyell Malen's attacking display, describing him as delivering "every shot a threat, no waste" and singling out his performance as vindication of his standing at the club.
Gasperini will face significant obstacles for the Genoa match, with only 17 outfield players available. The absences strike at the squad's spine: goalkeeper Mile Svilar, midfielders Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné, forward Paulo Dybala, and Malen are all unavailable. Retesport reports that Koné suffered a muscle strain while Dybala picked up a muscle irritation. Among those who impressed despite the defeat, Wesley drew particular praise—even garnering admiring comment from José Mourinho, according to the coverage—while Matías Soulé and Marten de Roon delivered strong performances. Rodrigo Mora provided an assist for Malen. The outlets suggest the defeat may vindicate Gasperini's stated need for tactical reinforcements: a left-sided attacker with a right foot and a left-sided winger—requests that Roma News characterises not as whimsy but as tactical necessity reflecting genuine squad requirements. Among the consolations for Roma supporters, Forza Roma notes that fans have largely maintained perspective, recognising the season as marking genuine progress compared to the previous campaign and evidence that Roma can compete against elite opposition. Mourinho, the former manager, drew criticism from some supporters on social media for his post-match demeanour, though the current project under Gasperini carries broader backing across the city.
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