Roma may abandon wide signing as Lulli's breakthrough prompts rethink

Roma have begun planning reinforcements for the January transfer window and have set their sights on Daniel Banjaqui, a 2008-born right-back at Benfica considered one of Europe's most promising young talents in his position. The interest comes as the club looks ahead to both immediate needs and longer-term recruitment options. Banjaqui has already attracted attention from several clubs, including Juventus, according to German transfer outlet Transfersfeed. The move would form part of Roma's broader strategy to strengthen the squad in the coming window, with ambitious signings under consideration beyond their existing targets.

Roma have identified Daniel Banjaqui, a 18-year-old right-back at Benfica, as a potential transfer target, according to German outlet Transfersfeed. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini stated ahead of Roma's match against Real Madrid: "Now the January market does not interest me", with reference to forward Endrick, who is expected to remain at the Spanish club. Roma's move for Banjaqui comes as the club considers alternative objectives across different positions. Juventus are also monitoring the teenager among several European sides tracking him. Banjaqui remains contracted to Benfica until 2031 with a release clause set at €45 million, though a transfer could potentially be negotiated for around €35 million. Roma have undertaken only preliminary information-gathering through intermediaries at this stage, with no concrete negotiations underway. The club are also watching developments in Portugal across two fronts: alongside Banjaqui at Benfica, Roma are tracking Porto right-winger William Gomes, a 20-year-old left-footed player. Gomes carries a substantial release clause of €80 million in his current Porto contract, which expires in 2031. The clause is expected to rise to €100 million following an imminent contract renewal with the Portuguese club. Neither pursuit represents an active negotiation at present.

José Mourinho has issued a clear warning to clubs pursuing Endrick ahead of Real Madrid's Champions League fixture against Roma on Tuesday. The Real Madrid manager said: "Whoever wants to take him in January will have to go over me and fight me." Mourinho doubled down on his determination to keep the Brazilian forward, stating: "Endrick is not going anywhere, I adore him. He is very strong and will help us. Loans are not needed, Endrick will explode here at Madrid." The comments represent a significant setback for Roma, who have continued to monitor the 2006-born forward ahead of the January transfer window. The Giallorossi had come close to signing Endrick on loan during the summer before Mourinho intervened to retain him at the Bernabéu. Interest has resurfaced because of the limited playing time Endrick has received at the start of this season, prompting Roma and other European clubs to renew their pursuit. Mourinho's latest stance suggests he plans to block any departure attempt again, convinced he can revive Endrick's form directly at Madrid. When asked in a press conference today whether he might use his encounter with Mourinho to discuss Endrick, Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini smiled but deflected the question. Gasperini said: "Right now the January market is something that doesn't interest me." For Roma to realistically pursue Endrick in January, they will first need to persuade Real Madrid and overcome Mourinho's clear resistance to letting the player leave.

Roma's pursuit of Real Madrid forward Endrick remains at an impasse two months after a summer rejection, with the Spanish club offering neither discussion nor closure on a potential move. The international break has revived interest in the 20-year-old, who has made only four minutes of league action and no Champions League appearances under Carlo Ancelotti and remains keen to leave in search of regular playing time. Endrick has repeatedly told Real Madrid he wants to join Roma and wear the giallorosso, most recently reiterating this to José Mourinho before reporting to the Brazilian national team two weeks ago. Ancelotti has publicly acknowledged the forward needs consistent minutes to develop. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has not prioritised the signing, concentrating instead on upcoming fixtures rather than transfer activity—a perspective that makes sense given the January window lies three months away. Roma's primary target remains a winger with specific qualities: physically strong and capable of explosive pace. Endrick is not that profile, though Gasperini would accept him as a secondary option, potentially deploying him on the right wing or as a second striker. The first-choice targets remain Chelsea's Gittens, Stuttgart's Lewelling and Zenit's Luiz Henrique, all of whom were discussed in the closing stages of the summer market and remain on Roma's radar. Only Henrique received significant playing time after negotiations halted in August. Another barrier exists: the Friedkin family's likely demands for departures before any arrival. Soulé has been repeatedly pursued—both in summer and now through the winter window—while a possible move for defender Oosterwolde could mean Rensch or Ghilardi leaving. Oosterwolde was abandoned at the end of August due to physical problems, which are reportedly now resolved. For any Endrick deal to progress, Real Madrid must break its silence, the player must remain committed despite minimal minutes, and Roma must find clarity on squad-trimming priorities.

Roma could reopen talks with Jayden Oosterwolde during the winter transfer window after a summer move collapsed over medical concerns. The club had scheduled the defender's medical examinations before completing the deal, but assessments revealed a significant muscle tear that required surgery and an estimated three-month recovery. Roma chose not to proceed at that point, but have kept the 2001-born left-back on their radar. Director of sport Massimo D'Amico continues to monitor Oosterwolde's progress, and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini had already approved the move when it was being considered in summer, signalling how highly the former Parma player was valued for the project. The failed summer operation has not damaged relations between the parties. Roma will reassess Oosterwolde once he returns to full fitness and provides sufficient physical guarantees, with the January window offering a chance to revive negotiations that seemed all but done before the injury setback. A recent sign of sustained interest came during Roma's Champions League fixture against Istanbul, when Oosterwolde greeted several Roma players and subsequently held talks with Gasperini and his staff. Much will depend on the Dutch defender's recovery and Roma's own evaluation, but he remains a profile to watch for the giallorossi's left flank.

Roma's interest in Jayden Oosterwolde has not ended despite the dramatic collapse of negotiations last summer. The Dutch player arrived in the capital for medical examinations, but concerns emerged over his muscle injury during those tests. In early September, he underwent surgery with a recovery period estimated at around three months. Director Tony D'Amico and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini have kept Oosterwolde on their radar, with January potentially offering a second opportunity to complete the deal. Gasperini had already approved the move in summer, and both he and D'Amico continue to monitor the player's rehabilitation. The club has not crossed Oosterwolde off their list and remain interested in the former Parma player once he returns to full fitness. A recent encounter in Istanbul before Roma's match against Fenerbahçe showed the relationship remains intact: Oosterwolde greeted several Roma players and met with Gasperini, the medical staff and the fitness team. Roma are watching the progress of his recovery without urgency but without having closed the door either. If his physical condition provides adequate assurances, January could bring Oosterwolde back to the centre of Roma's transfer activity. The summer halt to negotiations need not mark the end of the story.

Roma host Real Madrid at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday 14 October at 21:00 in the second matchday of the UEFA Champions League League Phase. The fixture marks the return to Rome of José Mourinho, now managing Real Madrid. Roma drew 1–1 away at Fenerbahçe in their opening European match and arrive on the back of a goalless draw against Como in Serie A, played for much of it with 10 men after Donyell Malen's red card. Real Madrid beat Inter 2–1 at home in their Champions League debut and won 1–0 at Villarreal in La Liga. Gian Piero Gasperini's squad is without Mile Svilar, sidelined by a foot problem that will keep him out for several weeks. Pierluigi Gollini will continue in goal after a solid performance against Como, with Devis Vásquez added to the Champions League squad list. Bryan Cristante is also unavailable; Gasperini explained in his press conference that "the midfielder will need more time because of the knee problem". Konstantinos Koulierakis has returned to full training with the squad after his injury and trained with the players who did not start against Como, though it remains uncertain whether he will be used. In defence, competition is open among Balerdi, Mancini and Hermoso, with Evan N'Dicka the most secure of his place. Balerdi is pushing for a starting role following recent strong displays. Gasperini may select the trio Mancini–N'Dicka–Hermoso or field Balerdi from the start. Wesley is certain on one flank, while on the opposite side Nahuel Molina has a slight edge over Devyne Rensch and Emanuele Lulli. Marten de Roon is expected to partner Manu Koné in midfield in Cristante's absence. Paulo Dybala and Malen are both expected to start, with Malen eligible to play in the competition despite his Serie A suspension. Matías Soulé is slightly favoured over Rodrigo Mora to complete the front line. Roma are expected to deploy a 3–4–2–1 with Dybala and Soulé behind Malen. Real Madrid travel with a rich squad but several absences: Rodrygo, Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy and Raúl Asencio have not been called up due to injury. Those who departed for Rome include Rüdiger, Huijsen, Konaté, Alexander-Arnold, Dumfries, Valverde, Camavinga, Tchouaméni, Güler, Bellingham, Vinicius and Mbappé. Andriy Lunin will start in goal. Alexander-Arnold and Dumfries are competing for the right-back role, with Konaté and Huijsen slight favourites at centre-back alongside Rüdiger as an alternative. Cucurella is expected to start at left-back. Valverde and Tchouaméni form the midfield base with Jude Bellingham higher up; Arda Güler is favoured on the right wing, Vinicius starts on the left and Kylian Mbappé leads the line after scoring in the Inter match. Referee François Letexier of France will oversee the match, with Dennis Higler of the Netherlands as VAR. The match will be broadcast exclusively in Italy on Amazon Prime Video, with coverage beginning at 21:00 on Wednesday 14 October. The commentary is provided by Sandro Piccinini with analysis by Massimo Ambrosini. Betting odds favour Real Madrid, with Roma victory quoted at 3.60–3.80, a draw between 3.75–4.10, and a Real Madrid win at 1.83–1.85. Over 1.5 goals is priced around 1.40–1.50, reflecting both teams' attacking potential. An away win of 1–2 for Real Madrid is quoted at 8.50–9.00 and is regarded as the most likely scoreline by several pre-match analyses.

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.

Gian Piero Gasperini will deploy Roma's full attacking quality against Real Madrid, eschewing caution in favour of an open tactical approach that reflects his philosophy of competing through football rather than speculation. The manager drew confidence from Roma's draw at Como despite playing with ten men, and intends to harness the energy of the Olimpico crowd against the defending European champions. Gasperini's last meeting with Real Madrid came on 10 December 2024, when leading Atalanta to a 2–3 defeat in an entertaining, wide-open contest. Matías Soulé, who came off the bench at Como with positive impact, is set for a starting place. Paulo Dybala completed the league match with a hand injury but instrumental checks ruled out serious damage; he will feature from the first minute. Donyell Malen, suspended for Roma's next Serie A fixture against Genoa following his red card at Como, sees the Real Madrid match as a major opportunity for redemption. The formation will be a 3–4–2–1 capable of switching to an aggressive 3–4–1–2, with Marten de Roon and Manu Koné forming the midfield shield and Emanuele Lulli and Wesley operating on the flanks. Rodrigo Mora and Lorenzo Pellegrini are lower in the pecking order for this fixture but available as replacements. Santiago Castro is also primed to feature either in the Champions League or the subsequent Serie A matches against Genoa and Napoli. Gasperini's approach mirrors the guidance offered by his fellow manager: "Advance and do not change according to your opponent." In European competition, teams that play defensively and seek a result against elite opponents typically fare poorly; attacking with courage and imposing play remains the surest path to avoiding being overwhelmed.

Roma host Real Madrid at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday 14 October at 21:00 in the second matchday of the UEFA Champions League League Phase. The fixture marks the return to Rome of José Mourinho, now managing Real Madrid. Roma drew 1–1 away at Fenerbahçe in their opening European match and arrive on the back of a goalless draw against Como in Serie A, played for much of it with 10 men after Donyell Malen's red card. Real Madrid beat Inter 2–1 at home in their Champions League debut and won 1–0 at Villarreal in La Liga. Gian Piero Gasperini's squad is without Mile Svilar, sidelined by a foot problem that will keep him out for several weeks. Pierluigi Gollini will continue in goal after a solid performance against Como, with Devis Vásquez added to the Champions League squad list. Bryan Cristante is also unavailable; Gasperini explained in his press conference that "the midfielder will need more time because of the knee problem". Konstantinos Koulierakis has returned to full training with the squad after his injury and trained with the players who did not start against Como, though it remains uncertain whether he will be used. In defence, competition is open among Balerdi, Mancini and Hermoso, with Evan N'Dicka the most secure of his place. Balerdi is pushing for a starting role following recent strong displays. Gasperini may select the trio Mancini–N'Dicka–Hermoso or field Balerdi from the start. Wesley is certain on one flank, while on the opposite side Nahuel Molina has a slight edge over Devyne Rensch and Emanuele Lulli. Marten de Roon is expected to partner Manu Koné in midfield in Cristante's absence. Paulo Dybala and Malen are both expected to start, with Malen eligible to play in the competition despite his Serie A suspension. Matías Soulé is slightly favoured over Rodrigo Mora to complete the front line. Roma are expected to deploy a 3–4–2–1 with Dybala and Soulé behind Malen. Real Madrid travel with a rich squad but several absences: Rodrygo, Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy and Raúl Asencio have not been called up due to injury. Those who departed for Rome include Rüdiger, Huijsen, Konaté, Alexander-Arnold, Dumfries, Valverde, Camavinga, Tchouaméni, Güler, Bellingham, Vinicius and Mbappé. Andriy Lunin will start in goal. Alexander-Arnold and Dumfries are competing for the right-back role, with Konaté and Huijsen slight favourites at centre-back alongside Rüdiger as an alternative. Cucurella is expected to start at left-back. Valverde and Tchouaméni form the midfield base with Jude Bellingham higher up; Arda Güler is favoured on the right wing, Vinicius starts on the left and Kylian Mbappé leads the line after scoring in the Inter match. Referee François Letexier of France will oversee the match, with Dennis Higler of the Netherlands as VAR. The match will be broadcast exclusively in Italy on Amazon Prime Video, with coverage beginning at 21:00 on Wednesday 14 October. The commentary is provided by Sandro Piccinini with analysis by Massimo Ambrosini. Betting odds favour Real Madrid, with Roma victory quoted at 3.60–3.80, a draw between 3.75–4.10, and a Real Madrid win at 1.83–1.85. Over 1.5 goals is priced around 1.40–1.50, reflecting both teams' attacking potential. An away win of 1–2 for Real Madrid is quoted at 8.50–9.00 and is regarded as the most likely scoreline by several pre-match analyses.

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.

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.