Roma Flash: Gasperini to back up Fiorentina XI at Lecce; Champions League phase schedule confirmed

Donyell Malen will lead Roma's attack alongside Paulo Dybala in tomorrow's Champions League match against Real Madrid, with Matías Soulé deployed behind them. The Dutch forward is chasing redemption after his red card in the Como fixture. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will hold a press conference at 13:30 alongside Malen, with a training session scheduled for 15:00. Santiago Castro is expected to start in Malen's place on Saturday against Genoa, with a possible rotation between the two for the Real Madrid encounter. Defensive decisions remain fluid: Leonardo Balerdi is pushing for a starting role, while either Evan N'Dicka or Mario Hermoso could be rested. José Mourinho is due to speak at 18:00.

Donyell Malen will appear alongside head coach Gian Piero Gasperini at the pre-match press conference as Roma prepare for their Champions League fixture against Real Madrid. Gasperini's media duties begin at 13:30, followed by a training session at 15:00. Malen, seeking redemption after receiving a red card in Roma's recent match at Como, is set to lead the attack alongside Paulo Dybala, with Matías Soulé in support. Santiago Castro will start in Saturday evening's fixture instead, playing against Genoa at the Olimpico. Defensive concerns loom, with Leonardo Balerdi pushing for minutes and either Evan N'Dicka or Mario Hermoso potentially rested. The article also notes that former manager José Mourinho will hold his own press conference at 18:00.

Pierluigi Gollini marked his return to Serie A action after two years with a clean sheet at Como, keeping out Nico Paz with two vital saves. His next test arrives tomorrow against Real Madrid in the Champions League, where stars including Mbappé and Vinicius will pose a far stiffer challenge. The Stadio Olimpico stage is familiar territory for the goalkeeper, who earned ten Champions League appearances while at Atalanta under Gasperini—the most of any Roma player in the competition this season, ahead of Mile Svilar (4 appearances), Matías Soulé (4), and Gianluca Mancini, Wesley and Manu Koné, who all made their competition debuts in September against Fenerbahçe. Real Madrid hold particular significance in Gollini's European history. His last Champions League outing came against the Spanish club in 2021, when Atalanta lost 0–1; de Roon also featured that evening and will line up again tomorrow in place of the injured Bryan Cristante. Roma will be aiming to replicate Sunday's result at Como, when they secured victory at the final whistle.

Roma's radio commentary landscape brought together multiple voices on 13 October 2026 to assess the club's squad and upcoming challenge. Roberto Pruzzo told Radio Radio Mattino (104.5 FM) that he expects Malen to play alongside Dybala and Soulé, and that Castro's chance will come against Genoa. "The Roma need Mora," Pruzzo said. "De Roon is in condition to play two or three matches in a row. Real Madrid have individuals who are in another category but lack stability. I don't expect many goals." The commentary centred on Roma's readiness for their European fixture and squad rotation under Gasperini. Piero Torri (Radio Manà Manà, 90.9 FM) struck a measured tone, saying: "I believe Gasperini will tell us that Roma won't want to play the sacrificial victim. They have players who are devastating on the counter. I expect a composed approach, with the confidence of a squad that has given important responses even at Como." Simone Valdarchi added perspective on the Friedkin regime's history, noting that the organised ultras are preparing a tribute for Mourinho's return to Roma, though he was uncertain whether it would amount to a full choreography. Valdarchi explained Mourinho's decision to stay: "Mourinho was ready to leave if they had won in Budapest, but the defeat to Sevilla convinced him to remain, extending a relationship that seemed already finished."

Nahuel Molina has established himself as Roma's undisputed right-back after an initial period on the bench, and faces a familiar foe in tomorrow's Champions League match against Real Madrid at the Stadio Olimpico. In four years at Atlético Madrid, Molina played thirteen times against the Blancos, recording three wins, four draws and six defeats. His most memorable moment came in their last defeat, when he scored a stunning goal from over 30 metres—a missile into the top corner that silenced the Bernabéu. The 60,000-plus crowd at the Olimpico will seek to provide the platform for a magical European night. Molina must contend with Real Madrid's attacking threats, likely facing Vinícius unless coach Gasperini repeats the tactical switch deployed against Inter, moving Wesley to the right flank and Molina to the left, which would pit him against Diomandé instead. On the trequarti, Jude Bellingham's presence carries extra tension: the Argentina-England World Cup semi-final remains fresh, a match where Bellingham drew particular ire from the South American players after mocking Messi at kick-off. Romero, Paredes and Martínez were among those who did not hold back, and the taunts continued after the final whistle. Now the two will face each other again in Rome. Emanuele Lulli, the young defender who has ceded the right-back role to Molina, will have opportunities elsewhere in the season. Gasperini's flexibility with Molina's positioning shows a tactical awareness that will be crucial against a Real Madrid side demanding every ounce of the Argentine's experience and composure.

Paulo Dybala has declared his commitment to Roma on the eve of tomorrow evening's Champions League fixture against Real Madrid at the Olimpico, expressing his desire to end his career in Italian football. The Argentine forward, who has performed at a consistently high level this season, opened the door to a contract renewal and spoke of the deep bond he has formed with the club and its supporters. "I hope for an ending to my career in Italy," Dybala told reporters. "I never imagined I would build a career like this here. This country has welcomed me with open arms, the people have helped me grow as a man and as a footballer. There are many emotions, beautiful moments and sad moments, just like life is for anyone. I hope there can be an Italian ending." He added: "The fans are the first to hope for it, the bond with Roma is now unbreakable." Coach Gian Piero Gasperini has made Dybala central to his tactical project since arriving at the club, regularly stating that when Dybala is performing well he makes a decisive difference. At Como, the forward carried the side on his shoulders, playing as a centre-forward and covering defensively after Donyell Malen's red card. On the Champions League challenge ahead, Dybala reflected on last season's push to earn qualification: "We gave everything last season to play in it. It will be difficult—we face some of the most decorated teams in the world—but with our people's support we will have something extra." Over seventy thousand fans are expected at the Olimpico for what promises to be another memorable European night.

Roma's radio commentary landscape brought together multiple voices on 13 October 2026 to assess the club's squad and upcoming challenge. Roberto Pruzzo told Radio Radio Mattino (104.5 FM) that he expects Malen to play alongside Dybala and Soulé, and that Castro's chance will come against Genoa. "The Roma need Mora," Pruzzo said. "De Roon is in condition to play two or three matches in a row. Real Madrid have individuals who are in another category but lack stability. I don't expect many goals." The commentary centred on Roma's readiness for their European fixture and squad rotation under Gasperini. Piero Torri (Radio Manà Manà, 90.9 FM) struck a measured tone, saying: "I believe Gasperini will tell us that Roma won't want to play the sacrificial victim. They have players who are devastating on the counter. I expect a composed approach, with the confidence of a squad that has given important responses even at Como." Simone Valdarchi added perspective on the Friedkin regime's history, noting that the organised ultras are preparing a tribute for Mourinho's return to Roma, though he was uncertain whether it would amount to a full choreography. Valdarchi explained Mourinho's decision to stay: "Mourinho was ready to leave if they had won in Budapest, but the defeat to Sevilla convinced him to remain, extending a relationship that seemed already finished."

Roma's radio stations examined the club's upcoming Champions League tie against Real Madrid on Wednesday, with tactical debate and nostalgia dominating discussion among broadcasters ahead of José Mourinho's return to the Stadio Olimpico. Gianluca Piacentini of Rete Sport flagged Paulo Dybala's missed goal as serious, saying: "The thing that gave me relief is that in 11 against 10 Gollini didn't make a serious save despite missing three fundamental players. De Roon's performance gave me great encouragement—he proved you can play even without Cristante." David Rossi warned of the danger: "If you play soft against Real Madrid you risk waking up to find yourself losing, because they have too many strong players. If Real Madrid gave Roma even one of those champions, Roma would win the Serie A title." Francesca Ferrazza of Tele Radio Stereo placed the match in context: "The emotional meanings are greater than the sporting ones, emotional not only for Mourinho but also for the squad, to understand its consistency and make it grow by comparing itself with Europe's best. There are few sporting meanings, because Roma will play well but Real is much stronger and so I don't expect anything special." Daniele Lo Monaco of Radio Romanista offered tactical insight, saying: "Of the three matches—Inter, Como and Real—the one with Madrid would be tactically the easiest. Not in absolute values, because Real has stunning players who can win matches alone, but tactically. Real Madrid won't have tactical surprises like Como and Inter might have. Rome will go and press them, widening an attacker on one side and a full-back on the other. I expect Rensch with Wesley, or Molina because he knows the opponents." Lorenzo Pes believed the team carried momentum: "I perceive confidence, and knowing Gasp he'll play the match as usual. What happened at Como is a beautiful proof of knowing how to change skin." Alessio Nardo of Tele Radio Stereo offered perspective on Mourinho: "Real Madrid this year are struggling especially away from home. Mourinho? I've already said it, but in my opinion he's never been this emotional in 30 years of a career." Roberto Pruzzo of Radio Radio predicted a warm reception: "The stadium will welcome Mourinho very well; he represented a great deal to Roma's fans. He seems very grateful and remembers this experience with great affection, even more than Milan." Mario Corsi of Tele Radio Stereo cautioned: "Real Madrid is a team that doesn't like being attacked, though clearly you must be careful and 100 per cent concentrated because if they start moving, they have players who are the number ones in the world." Giulia Mizzoni of Rete Sport marked the moment's significance: "Roma-Real Madrid is the standout match of this Wednesday's Champions League. It's five years since I've waited to experience an evening like this at the Olimpico. It's a match with many stories inside it: Mou's return, Gasp's first at home." The match was set for Wednesday 13 October, with stadium officials preparing a reception for Mourinho, the manager who guided Roma to the 2022 UEFA Europa Conference League title.

Donyell Malen will lead Roma's attack alongside Paulo Dybala in tomorrow's Champions League match against Real Madrid, with Matías Soulé deployed behind them. The Dutch forward is chasing redemption after his red card in the Como fixture. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will hold a press conference at 13:30 alongside Malen, with a training session scheduled for 15:00. Santiago Castro is expected to start in Malen's place on Saturday against Genoa, with a possible rotation between the two for the Real Madrid encounter. Defensive decisions remain fluid: Leonardo Balerdi is pushing for a starting role, while either Evan N'Dicka or Mario Hermoso could be rested. José Mourinho is due to speak at 18:00.

Roma's radio commentary landscape brought together multiple voices on 13 October 2026 to assess the club's squad and upcoming challenge. Roberto Pruzzo told Radio Radio Mattino (104.5 FM) that he expects Malen to play alongside Dybala and Soulé, and that Castro's chance will come against Genoa. "The Roma need Mora," Pruzzo said. "De Roon is in condition to play two or three matches in a row. Real Madrid have individuals who are in another category but lack stability. I don't expect many goals." The commentary centred on Roma's readiness for their European fixture and squad rotation under Gasperini. Piero Torri (Radio Manà Manà, 90.9 FM) struck a measured tone, saying: "I believe Gasperini will tell us that Roma won't want to play the sacrificial victim. They have players who are devastating on the counter. I expect a composed approach, with the confidence of a squad that has given important responses even at Como." Simone Valdarchi added perspective on the Friedkin regime's history, noting that the organised ultras are preparing a tribute for Mourinho's return to Roma, though he was uncertain whether it would amount to a full choreography. Valdarchi explained Mourinho's decision to stay: "Mourinho was ready to leave if they had won in Budapest, but the defeat to Sevilla convinced him to remain, extending a relationship that seemed already finished."

Donyell Malen's expulsion during Como-Roma remains a subject of intense discussion, with questions focused not only on referee Michael Fabbri's decision but on the consistency of judgement applied across similar incidents the same weekend. La Repubblica analysed the refereeing decisions from the Serie A round following the international break, comparing Malen's red card for his challenge on Kaiki with a yellow card shown to El Azzouzi for a foul on N'Dri in the closing minutes of Lecce-Bologna. Both interventions, the newspaper found, carried characteristics that justified a sending-off, yet referees Fabbri and Luca Pairetto evaluated them differently—a discrepancy that fuels concerns about decision-making coherence. The analysis also examined events preceding Malen's dismissal. La Repubblica highlighted two holding fouls committed by Ramon against Malen before the challenge on Kaiki. Those contacts, the report states, merited sanction from Fabbri, though they form a separate assessment from the Dutch forward's own foul that followed. The broader theme addresses the direction taken by Italian referees under Orsato's guidance. After an opening stretch marked by greater tolerance of contact and a push for flowing play, the campaign's resumption introduced uncertainties the authorities appeared to have resolved, according to the newspaper. The Malen case thus becomes part of a wider discussion: not merely the correctness of individual decisions, but the requirement to apply uniform criteria from one match to another.

Donyell Malen will lead Roma's attack alongside Paulo Dybala in tomorrow's Champions League match against Real Madrid, with Matías Soulé deployed behind them. The Dutch forward is chasing redemption after his red card in the Como fixture. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will hold a press conference at 13:30 alongside Malen, with a training session scheduled for 15:00. Santiago Castro is expected to start in Malen's place on Saturday against Genoa, with a possible rotation between the two for the Real Madrid encounter. Defensive decisions remain fluid: Leonardo Balerdi is pushing for a starting role, while either Evan N'Dicka or Mario Hermoso could be rested. José Mourinho is due to speak at 18:00.