Roma pundits hail Champions League finish as Dybala renewal looms

Michele Criscitiello, director of Sportitalia, has criticised the ovation Roma supporters gave José Mourinho before the Roma–Real Madrid match, arguing it was disproportionate to his achievements at the club. Criscitiello said the reception was inappropriate given that Mourinho won only the UEFA Europa Conference League during his time in Rome, which he described dismissively. He stated: "Roma has won only a Conference which is a little cup. You have shown yourselves to be a small fanbase—an ovation like that I could have expected from Inter for the treble, but for a little cup like the Conference League they made Mourinho into a god descended to earth. It makes no sense. 'Eternal Rome', for what? For winning the Conference…" Criscitiello also criticised Mourinho's response to the applause, noting that the manager appeared indifferent at the end of the match after taking the three points to return to the Bernabéu. He argued that such displays lack respect for Gian Piero Gasperini, the current Roma coach, who he said is working hard for the squad. The journalist characterised modern footballers and managers as mercenaries and suggested Roma's fanbase and the city had shown themselves to be small even on the international stage through the excessive welcome. Criscitiello concluded by saying: "I remain stunned by such a reception. Mourinho didn't even care. Adding insult to injury, he doesn't care at all—he takes the three points and returns to the Bernabéu. Players and managers are mercenaries. A simple round of applause would have sufficed. You have shown yourselves to be a small fanbase and a small city, even abroad."

Real Madrid came from behind to beat Roma 4–3 despite a poor display, scoring three goals from set-pieces in the closing stages. A performance widely criticised by fans and media for its lack of quality was masked only by the visitors' ruthlessness on dead-ball situations and Roma's defensive lapses. Sporting journalist Riccardo Trevisani was among the harshest critics, attacking Real Madrid's manager on the podcast Cronache di Spogliatoio. He said: "I saw a match devoid of logic. Real Madrid is a disgrace, it cannot be watched! The blame lies with their coach, who has a squad worth a billion four hundred million euros and lines them up like under-10s. Mourinho comes to Roma, hasn't even left and already Svilar breaks, then Koné and Dybala get injured. He has incredible luck, it's objective. That's how Mourinho wins, only that way." The collapse highlighted Roma's vulnerability to set-piece defending and their inability to control a match they initially dominated.

Television commentator Riccardo Trevisani has launched a fresh attack on José Mourinho's tactical approach, claiming the Real Madrid manager relies on luck to win matches. Speaking on the Cronache di Spogliatoio podcast, Trevisani criticised Real Madrid's performance against Roma, which ended in a victory for Mourinho's side despite goals arriving late in the match. "I saw a match devoid of logic. Real Madrid is a disgrace, unwatchable," Trevisani said. "The fault lies with his coach, who can count on a squad worth one billion four hundred million euros and lines them up like a youth team. Mourinho gets close to Roma, doesn't even return and already Svilar breaks, then Koné and Dybala. He has incredible luck, it's objective. That's how Mourinho wins, only that way." Trevisani's criticism extends to Mourinho's perceived underutilisation of Real Madrid's vast resources, arguing the Portuguese coach has failed to extract convincing performances from an expensively assembled squad.

Roma's injury troubles deepened Wednesday when two key squad members went down with muscle injuries. Manu Koné limped off in the sixteenth minute, while Paulo Dybala did not return after half-time. Both players underwent instrumental examinations on 16 October, with early indications suggesting a longer absence for Koné. The French midfielder felt pain in the biceps femoris — the same area that troubled him twice last year — and risks missing matches against Genoa, Slovan, Napoli, Cagliari, Udinese, Manchester United and Sassuolo before the international break. Roma expect to deploy the partnership of Niccolò Pisilli and Marten de Roon against Genoa. Dybala, who had already undergone initial checks on 15 October, remained under observation, though the club was more optimistic about his prospects; he would not have played against Genoa regardless. Donyell Malen is unavailable through suspension, and Mile Svilar continues his absence from the squad.

Roma face Genoa at the Olimpico on Thursday at 20.45 after a devastating Champions League defeat to Real Madrid on Wednesday night, when the club conceded three goals in seven minutes to lose a match they had dominated for 70 minutes. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini must rebuild morale quickly, drawing on the squad's awareness of their own quality to avoid a repeat of last season's collapse. After Roma surrendered a 3–1 lead to Juventus in a late turnaround, they lost to Como and Genoa and exited the Europa League to Bologna. The injury toll threatens to derail the recovery. Mile Svilar and Bryan Cristante were already sidelined; Manu Koné and Paulo Dybala have now joined them on the casualty list. Koné left the field in tears after 15 minutes with a hamstring strain that raises fears of a muscle tear. Dybala has a calf complaint and is likely to be rested against Genoa ahead of fixtures against Slovan and Napoli in a congested schedule. Both players are due for medical tests on Thursday. Donyell Malen is suspended, further stretching the squad's options. Gasperini is expected to field Rodrigo Mora, Niccolò Pisilli and Santiago Castro from the start in attack. A defensive reshuffle may see Leonardo Balerdi replace either Mario Hermoso or Evan N'Dicka. With Koné potentially facing a lengthy absence, midfield cover is tight and Lorenzo Pellegrini will be asked to drop deeper to provide support.

Roma will face Genoa on 17 October without five key players, leaving Gasperini to blood young squad members in what amounts to a depleted side. The coach will be without Mile Svilar in goal, Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné in midfield, and Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen in attack. Niccolò Pisilli, Rodrigo Mora and Santiago Castro are set to feature as Gasperini manages a squad stretched by fixture congestion and injury. The French midfielder Koné left the field in tears, covering his face with his shirt, raising immediate concern about a potential hamstring injury to his right biceps femoris. If graded as first-degree, the injury would sideline him for two weeks; a second-degree tear would mean three to four weeks out. Gasperini hopes to have Koné available after the international break for Roma's trip to Parma on 21 November. Dybala is expected to miss the Genoa fixture but return for Roma's next Champions League match against Slovan, which the team must win. Cristante remains a target for recovery by that point. Marten de Roon faces his third consecutive match in six days, covering fixtures against Como, Real Madrid and Genoa—a demanding schedule for a 35-year-old. Castro has featured in only four of Roma's eight matches so far, accumulating just 105 minutes of action. The young striker and his teammates Pisilli and Mora will have a rare opportunity to prove themselves in what Gasperini views as a chance to give confidence to players awaiting their real breakthrough.

Roma's injury troubles deepened Wednesday when two key squad members went down with muscle injuries. Manu Koné limped off in the sixteenth minute, while Paulo Dybala did not return after half-time. Both players underwent instrumental examinations on 16 October, with early indications suggesting a longer absence for Koné. The French midfielder felt pain in the biceps femoris — the same area that troubled him twice last year — and risks missing matches against Genoa, Slovan, Napoli, Cagliari, Udinese, Manchester United and Sassuolo before the international break. Roma expect to deploy the partnership of Niccolò Pisilli and Marten de Roon against Genoa. Dybala, who had already undergone initial checks on 15 October, remained under observation, though the club was more optimistic about his prospects; he would not have played against Genoa regardless. Donyell Malen is unavailable through suspension, and Mile Svilar continues his absence from the squad.

Roma face Genoa at the Olimpico on Thursday at 20.45 after a devastating Champions League defeat to Real Madrid on Wednesday night, when the club conceded three goals in seven minutes to lose a match they had dominated for 70 minutes. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini must rebuild morale quickly, drawing on the squad's awareness of their own quality to avoid a repeat of last season's collapse. After Roma surrendered a 3–1 lead to Juventus in a late turnaround, they lost to Como and Genoa and exited the Europa League to Bologna. The injury toll threatens to derail the recovery. Mile Svilar and Bryan Cristante were already sidelined; Manu Koné and Paulo Dybala have now joined them on the casualty list. Koné left the field in tears after 15 minutes with a hamstring strain that raises fears of a muscle tear. Dybala has a calf complaint and is likely to be rested against Genoa ahead of fixtures against Slovan and Napoli in a congested schedule. Both players are due for medical tests on Thursday. Donyell Malen is suspended, further stretching the squad's options. Gasperini is expected to field Rodrigo Mora, Niccolò Pisilli and Santiago Castro from the start in attack. A defensive reshuffle may see Leonardo Balerdi replace either Mario Hermoso or Evan N'Dicka. With Koné potentially facing a lengthy absence, midfield cover is tight and Lorenzo Pellegrini will be asked to drop deeper to provide support.

Roma will face Genoa on 17 October without five key players, leaving Gasperini to blood young squad members in what amounts to a depleted side. The coach will be without Mile Svilar in goal, Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné in midfield, and Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen in attack. Niccolò Pisilli, Rodrigo Mora and Santiago Castro are set to feature as Gasperini manages a squad stretched by fixture congestion and injury. The French midfielder Koné left the field in tears, covering his face with his shirt, raising immediate concern about a potential hamstring injury to his right biceps femoris. If graded as first-degree, the injury would sideline him for two weeks; a second-degree tear would mean three to four weeks out. Gasperini hopes to have Koné available after the international break for Roma's trip to Parma on 21 November. Dybala is expected to miss the Genoa fixture but return for Roma's next Champions League match against Slovan, which the team must win. Cristante remains a target for recovery by that point. Marten de Roon faces his third consecutive match in six days, covering fixtures against Como, Real Madrid and Genoa—a demanding schedule for a 35-year-old. Castro has featured in only four of Roma's eight matches so far, accumulating just 105 minutes of action. The young striker and his teammates Pisilli and Mora will have a rare opportunity to prove themselves in what Gasperini views as a chance to give confidence to players awaiting their real breakthrough.

Roma's injury troubles deepened Wednesday when two key squad members went down with muscle injuries. Manu Koné limped off in the sixteenth minute, while Paulo Dybala did not return after half-time. Both players underwent instrumental examinations on 16 October, with early indications suggesting a longer absence for Koné. The French midfielder felt pain in the biceps femoris — the same area that troubled him twice last year — and risks missing matches against Genoa, Slovan, Napoli, Cagliari, Udinese, Manchester United and Sassuolo before the international break. Roma expect to deploy the partnership of Niccolò Pisilli and Marten de Roon against Genoa. Dybala, who had already undergone initial checks on 15 October, remained under observation, though the club was more optimistic about his prospects; he would not have played against Genoa regardless. Donyell Malen is unavailable through suspension, and Mile Svilar continues his absence from the squad.

Roma face Genoa at the Olimpico on Thursday at 20.45 after a devastating Champions League defeat to Real Madrid on Wednesday night, when the club conceded three goals in seven minutes to lose a match they had dominated for 70 minutes. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini must rebuild morale quickly, drawing on the squad's awareness of their own quality to avoid a repeat of last season's collapse. After Roma surrendered a 3–1 lead to Juventus in a late turnaround, they lost to Como and Genoa and exited the Europa League to Bologna. The injury toll threatens to derail the recovery. Mile Svilar and Bryan Cristante were already sidelined; Manu Koné and Paulo Dybala have now joined them on the casualty list. Koné left the field in tears after 15 minutes with a hamstring strain that raises fears of a muscle tear. Dybala has a calf complaint and is likely to be rested against Genoa ahead of fixtures against Slovan and Napoli in a congested schedule. Both players are due for medical tests on Thursday. Donyell Malen is suspended, further stretching the squad's options. Gasperini is expected to field Rodrigo Mora, Niccolò Pisilli and Santiago Castro from the start in attack. A defensive reshuffle may see Leonardo Balerdi replace either Mario Hermoso or Evan N'Dicka. With Koné potentially facing a lengthy absence, midfield cover is tight and Lorenzo Pellegrini will be asked to drop deeper to provide support.

Roma will face Genoa on 17 October without five key players, leaving Gasperini to blood young squad members in what amounts to a depleted side. The coach will be without Mile Svilar in goal, Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné in midfield, and Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen in attack. Niccolò Pisilli, Rodrigo Mora and Santiago Castro are set to feature as Gasperini manages a squad stretched by fixture congestion and injury. The French midfielder Koné left the field in tears, covering his face with his shirt, raising immediate concern about a potential hamstring injury to his right biceps femoris. If graded as first-degree, the injury would sideline him for two weeks; a second-degree tear would mean three to four weeks out. Gasperini hopes to have Koné available after the international break for Roma's trip to Parma on 21 November. Dybala is expected to miss the Genoa fixture but return for Roma's next Champions League match against Slovan, which the team must win. Cristante remains a target for recovery by that point. Marten de Roon faces his third consecutive match in six days, covering fixtures against Como, Real Madrid and Genoa—a demanding schedule for a 35-year-old. Castro has featured in only four of Roma's eight matches so far, accumulating just 105 minutes of action. The young striker and his teammates Pisilli and Mora will have a rare opportunity to prove themselves in what Gasperini views as a chance to give confidence to players awaiting their real breakthrough.