Roma race against the clock to meet UEFA deadline

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 travel to a Champions League test against Real Madrid at the Olimpico, with former manager José Mourinho returning to face his old club for the first time since leaving. The fixture comes after Roma's goalless draw with Como in Serie A. Gasperini will be without Svilar, sidelined for approximately one month, and will rely on Gollini in goal—a choice that has yielded positive performances in the league. Roma enter the match seeking a significant result after drawing 1–1 with Fenerbahce in the opening fixture of the Champions League League Phase. Dybala and Malen are expected to lead the attack. The match will be broadcast on television, with specific broadcast details and team selections confirmed closer to kickoff.

Roma face Real Madrid under José Mourinho at the Olimpico this evening in a heavyweight Champions League fixture. Ahead of the match, Fabio Capello offered a detailed tactical breakdown of Gian Piero Gasperini's side and the contest ahead, assessing both teams' strengths and vulnerabilities in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport. Capello praised Roma's recent form, saying: "In the first half against Como I saw the finest football there has been so far in our league. A team took the field convinced, determined and compact." He highlighted Pierluigi Gollini's performance in goal during Mile Svilar's absence, noting the goalkeeper proved more than capable. Capello expects Roma to play aggressively but warned of the challenge ahead: "The level of the opponent is higher. Tactically Gasperini will play man-to-man, which can create problems but requires maximum attention, because Madrid have the quality, speed and players to exploit every smallest mistake, especially when the midfield pushes forward. The key to the match is right there." He added that while Madrid's defence under Mourinho has vulnerabilities and Roma poses "very, very dangerous" attacking threats, the visitors possess the individual talent to punish errors. Capello noted that both sides carry motivation from recent dismissals: Donyell Malen was sent off in Roma's previous fixture and will seek redemption, as will a Madrid player. "We're talking about two potentially decisive players. They'll have a fire inside them," he said. On Madrid's struggles at home this season, Capello observed: "I know the Madrid environment—they have refined tastes and if they don't see quality they turn their nose up. Especially when the game is at home it's very difficult not to feel the pressure. I can guarantee you there are players who found the courage to try something away from home, while at the Bernabéu they got nervous." When asked if Madrid might play better away, he replied: "Definitely." On the decisive individual matchups, Capello identified Malen and Mbappé as the players "who in the end put it in the net," but flagged Paulo Dybala as a potential danger: he "can really put their defence in difficulty" from his position, "provided he pays attention to the pace of a fullback like Cucurella."

Fabio Capello has backed Roma ahead of their Champions League fixture against Real Madrid, singling out their first-half performance in the Como match as the finest attacking display of the season. Speaking to *Gazzetta dello Sport*, Capello examined Roma's tactical prospects against Mourinho's side and the adjustments both teams may need to make. Capello noted that despite concerns about Svilar's absence, Pierluigi Gollini proved himself entirely capable in goal. He expects Roma to play aggressively but warned that Madrid's quality, pace and ability to punish defensive lapses—particularly when their midfield advances—represent the key threat. "Tactically Gasperini will play man-to-man, which can create problems, but maximum attention is needed because Madrid has the quality, speed and players to exploit every tiny mistake, especially when the midfield pushes forward. I think that's where the key to the match lies," Capello said. He added that Roma's attacking threat is genuinely dangerous: "It's also true that Mourinho's team leaves something defensively, and when Roma attack, they make very, very dangerous plays." Capello acknowledged that both Donyell Malen and an unnamed Madrid player were sent off in the previous weekend's matches and will be eager to make amends. He identified Paulo Dybala as a player capable of creating real difficulties for Madrid's defence, but cautioned him to watch for the pace of Madrid's left-back Cucurella. On Madrid's struggles this season, Capello noted the pressure of the Bernabéu environment: "I know Madrid's atmosphere. They have refined taste, and if they don't see quality football they turn their noses up. Especially when the game is at home it's very hard not to feel the pressure." He suggested Madrid's players show more courage away from home than at the Bernabéu. Capello identified Malen and Mbappé as the players most likely to decide the outcome, though he emphasised Dybala's potential to disrupt Madrid's back line if he remains alert.

Roma host Real Madrid at the Olimpico in the second matchday of the Champions League League Phase, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini having settled on his starting XI. Pierluigi Gollini will start in goal, with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso forming the defence. Nahuel Molina and Wesley are set to operate on the flanks, while Marten De Roon will partner Manu Koné in midfield as Bryan Cristante remains unavailable. Matías Soulé will play behind Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen in attack. The midfield pairing of De Roon and Koné faces the task of withstanding Real Madrid's central dominance and providing intensity and cover during transitions. Gasperini is placing his faith in the attacking unit that offers the greatest technical guarantees and threat. The only meaningful defensive debate involves Leonardo Balerdi pressing Mario Hermoso for a place, while Devyne Rensch represents an alternative on the right flank—though Molina appears favoured to start from the opening whistle. Donyell Malen will make his first start despite the red card he received on Sunday against Como. Roma's probable formation (3-4-1-2): Gollini; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, De Roon, Koné, Wesley; Soulé; Dybala, Malen. The club will field itself without particular calculation, ready to challenge Real Madrid with its own identity and with the Olimpico expected to drive the team through one of the most prestigious evenings in recent years.

Radio and television commentators in Rome are backing Roma to compete in today's Champions League match against Real Madrid, citing weaknesses in Carlo Ancelotti's squad and confidence in Gasperini's tactical approach. Carina told Radio Radio that Roma's formation is settled aside from a choice between Rensch and Molina at right-back, and Balerdi pushing to displace N'Dicka—though the latter's position remains difficult after the Como fixture. Malen, Soulé and Dybala will play. "The atmosphere is one of great anticipation," Carina said. "Gasperini has the sense he can hurt Real Madrid, and it's no accident that the big sides with ambitions in this competition can lose these matches too—see Inter against Bruges. Against Madrid it will be the same Roma, and maybe that's a good thing, because Madrid isn't yet a complete team: in seven matches they've always conceded a goal." Orsi told Radio Radio: "Real Madrid seems very beatable to me right now. I don't think it's a stellar Madrid—we saw that against Inter. Mourinho is now more focused on management; in the league they're eight points behind Barcelona. They're more beatable now, not unbeatable. Roma can compete." Pruzzo cautioned that a draw could suit both teams but warned the opponent is dangerous. Mattioli expressed confidence, saying Roma is playing well and Real Madrid is showing weaknesses. Pes on Teleradiostereo noted that under Gasperini, Roma has spent more this year than during Mourinho's tenure, and predicted the match will be high-level. "When Gasperini faces Real, he keeps his identity and manages to create difficulty for them," Pes said. "I don't see a fearful approach from Roma, which knows it has the technical difference to play with serenity. But qualification must be taken mainly in the last four matches."

Roma face Real Madrid with the confidence built from their Como victory, and Gian Piero Gasperini is determined to impose his tactical identity on a side capable of competing with anyone. The coach plans to stick to his philosophy rather than adapt to José Mourinho's presence on the bench opposite, relying on the clarity of purpose his side has developed over the season. The team's shape is largely settled. Malen, Dybala and Soulé will lead the attack, with Manu Koné and Marten de Roon anchoring midfield. The uncertainty lies in defence, where Leonardo Balerdi is pushing for a starting place and may displace Evan N'Dicka from the back three. Italian newspapers have outlined their predicted lineups. Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, Il Tempo and Leggo all favour a 3-4-1-2 with Soulé in the creative role. Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport predict a 3-4-2-1 with both Soulé and Dybala in advanced positions ahead of Malen. The main divergence concerns the central defence: Balerdi features in three predictions (Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere della Sera and Leggo), while the others retain N'Dicka. Pierluigi Gollini is expected to start in goal, with Gianluca Mancini, Devyne Rensch, Nahuel Molina and Wesley forming the defensive structure across the various formations.

Roma will host Real Madrid on Wednesday at 20:45 in the second matchday of the Champions League league phase, with French referee Francois Letexier appointed to take charge. Letexier will be assisted by Mugnier and Rrahmouni, with Dechepy as fourth official. The VAR team comprises Higler and Van Boekel. Roma and Letexier have met four times previously, all in European competition. The record stands at two victories and two defeats. The most recent encounter came in the 2024–25 Europa League knockout round, when Roma won 3–2 against Porto at the Olimpico in the return leg, with Dybala scoring twice and Pisilli adding a goal. In the preceding season, Roma lost 2–0 to Slavia Praga in the group stage, defeated Brighton 4–0 in the Round of 16 first leg, and fell 2–0 to Bayer Leverkusen in the semi-final first leg.

Roma held firm at Como for 50 minutes with a display matching a top-six side, only to be undone by a controversial refereeing decision. Referee Fabbri of Ravenna allowed a clear foul on Malen to pass without sanction, then issued a red card to the winger moments later for a challenge of at least debatable intent. That dismissal handed Como territorial control and possession for the remaining 40 minutes of the second half, but Roma emerged unscathed and without defensive risk—a result that, judged against last season's standard, represents genuine progress. Gasperini's side carried home encouraging signs from a bruising 90-minute contest against Fàbregas's combative setup. Gasperini deployed the recently recovered Pellegrini in a hybrid trequartista role on the left, flanking Malen with Dybala operating wide on the opposite flank. Como set up to play through the centre, with both teams vacating midfield spaces before refilling them through timed runs with the ball exposed during build-up play from defence. Fàbregas arranged a three-man midfield behind striker Douvikas, with Nico Paz and Diao operating at his sides. Roma entered the final third through rotations along the wing corridors, with Mancini notably active; Como found their openings through vertical tracers in the central lanes, springing Diao and Nico Paz into space. Both sides suffered from ball quality early on, with Dybala missing a monumental chance inside five minutes and Nico Paz testing Gollini moments later. Koné flanked Perrone while De Roon stood alongside Caqueret; Roma's first defensive difficulty was reaching Da Cunha, who dropped deep then cut transversely into midfield through gaps opened by his teammates. Roma rotated marking between Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso against Como's three attacking players, while Wesley faced a precarious duel with Diao. De Roon gradually took Da Cunha's measure, leaving forward momentum to Koné, whose passes after regaining possession were frequently imprecise, wasting multiple transition opportunities—particularly when Pellegrini and the defensive line sat high, a pattern Roma's midfielders and wing-backs could have exploited both for ball-free runs and to spring Malen. Roma also failed to read Como's aggressive press on the ball-carrier from behind, the intensity Como brought to defensive possession, making a switch of play from flank to flank tactically sensible. At half-time Gasperini withdrew Pellegrini in favour of Soulé to mark Yan Couto, but after five minutes Roma's defensive exhibition began in earnest once Fabbri's red card left them outnumbered, regrouping into a 3-4-2 with Balerdi replacing Hermoso. Fàbregas sensed an opportunity to go for the win, removed Caqueret for Jesus Rodriguez and shifted to 4-2-4, raising his line and attacking with angled runs without needing to defend the depth that Dybala, lacking the required pace, could not threaten. Dybala finished too isolated, though he managed the ball well on several occasions before ceding his place alongside Koné to Lulli, deployed as left-sided midfielder, and Pisilli. Rensch came on for the exhausted Molina. Fàbregas played his final card with Addai, to intensify pressure in the 1v1 wide contests, and Kempf for aerial duels at corners and set plays. At the 90th minute, however, Como managed only tentative attempts, unable to give substance to their pressure—they remained most dangerous when finding open or disorganised opponents in central spaces, a consequence of their coaching and player quality.

Roma drew 1–1 at Como's Stadio Sinigaglia on 12 October, earning a point that pleased head coach Gian Piero Gasperini despite the team having to reorganise and defend in numerical disadvantage for over thirty minutes. The giallorossi showed tactical maturity and mental resilience, demonstrating the compactness and character expected of a top side in a match of considerable difficulty. Italian newspapers offered varied assessments of individual performances. Pierluigi Gollini received consistent praise from most outlets, earning ratings between 7 and 7.5 across the reviews. Evan N'Dicka also impressed, rated between 6.5 and 7.5 depending on the publication. Marten de Roon earned widespread recognition for his midfield work, with scores ranging from 6.5 to 7, underscoring his value as a stabilising presence in the centre. Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso were graded 6 to 6.5, while Bryan Cristante, Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini each received middling marks between 6 and 6.5. Donyell Malen received the most critical assessment across the board, rated between 4.5 and 5, with several outlets using the notation "relativo" to suggest his red card was debatable. Gasperini himself was rated between 6.5 and 7 for his tactical management during the match. Substitutes who came on late—including Balerdi, Lulli, Pisilli, Rensch and Soulé—received sparse or non-numerical marks.