Roma train ahead of Real Madrid; Cristante and Svilar sidelined

Roma are monitoring William Gomes of Porto as a potential winger signing, though the club could explore an interim loan option in January before committing to a permanent deal next summer. Gian Piero Gasperini declined to discuss the transfer market ahead of Roma's Champions League clash with Real Madrid, but officials are actively working to strengthen the squad. The two clubs already conducted business this summer, with Roma acquiring Rodrigo Mora for €25M plus 50 percent of a future sale. Discussions are now underway to renew Mora's contract, raising his release clause from €80M to €100M and extending his deal by two years to 2031. Gomes, a Brazilian acquired from São Paulo for €9M in 2025, has quickly established himself at Porto with 16 goals and 4 assists in 67 appearances. Roma's strategy appears to involve bringing in a short-term solution on loan in January—with Endrick from Real Madrid mentioned as a possibility—before investing heavily in Gomes or another young prospect next summer. The club has already established a working relationship with Porto through the Mora transfer, which may facilitate negotiations. Regarding Endrick's compatriot at Real Madrid, Alan Redmond, the global head of football at Roc Nation, addressed the speculation surrounding his future. "There was a lot of interest in him, but leaving has never been his goal. There was only some chatter. The deals were never close to being completed. We'll see what happens in the future, but I think he'll stay at Real Madrid for a long time. The teams after him are fantastic, but I don't believe he'll transfer."

Roma held their final training session on the afternoon of 13 October before facing Real Madrid in the Champions League. The squad worked through a light session featuring small-sided games and work marked by a relaxed atmosphere. Academy members D'Amico and Galantic took part in the session as Gian Piero Gasperini prepares the squad for one of the season's biggest fixtures. The Champions League league-phase encounter with Real Madrid represents a significant test for Roma as they look to prove themselves against one of Europe's elite sides. The match will offer Gasperini's team a chance to measure their level against high-quality opposition early in their European campaign.

Donyell Malen has been suspended for one match by the Sport Judge following disciplinary action from the latest Serie A matchday, ruling him out of Roma's fixture against Genoa. Matías Soulé received his first yellow card of the season, while midfielders Manu Koné and Marten de Roon were each shown a second caution. Roma has also been fined €4,000 for unjustifiably causing a delay of approximately three minutes to the start of the first half.

Roma held a training session at Trigoria on 13 October at 15:00 ahead of their next fixture against Real Madrid. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini used the session to assess squad condition and finalise his starting lineup. Konstantinos Koulierakis has recovered from injury and is available for selection, but Bryan Cristante remains sidelined as he continues his rehabilitation from a knee injury. The session included goalkeeper work, with Devis Vásquez included in the UEFA squad list following Mile Svilar's injury. The press access portion of training concluded with the squad working on possession drills.

Gian Piero Gasperini held a pre-match press conference at Fulvio Bernardini training ground on the eve of Roma's Champions League fixture against Real Madrid at the Olimpico. The head coach addressed the magnitude of the occasion, the emotions surrounding José Mourinho's return to the club he managed, and Roma's tactical approach to one of Europe's strongest sides. Gasperini said Roma are in good form and eager to measure themselves against elite European opposition. "For us it is a fine moment, we want to test ourselves against one of the best squads in Europe," he said. He acknowledged Real Madrid's quality and recent managerial change under Carlo Ancelotti but noted they "have need of some matches to work themselves in, given that they have changed system and manager. But it is a squad that has great resources and I believe it can grow over time, remaining a very dangerous squad capable of winning any match." On Real's attacking talent—Mbappé, Vinicius Jr, Diomandé, and Bellingham—he observed: "If in front you have Mbappé, Vinicius, Diomandé, then Bellingham, you have extraordinary players who can settle any match but you perhaps lose something on compactness." Regarding Mourinho's reception, Gasperini said it was right and proper. "It is just that it should be so; towards Mourinho there has been important affection and he deserves the recognition of the people. These are things that everyone feels, they cannot be stopped. Then the match starts and all feeling is set aside: the people of Roma will support only their own team." When asked if he would ask Mourinho about Endrick, Gasperini smiled and said: "I do not believe so. We have begun a path and tomorrow will be a great event, we will live it with this pleasure." On squad fitness, he reported that Konstantinos Koulierakis had returned to training with the group after missing time, while Bryan Cristante required more recovery following the recent match against Como. Donyell Malen's goalscoring form drew praise: "No, I did not expect he would have more goals than Mbappé in the calendar year, but these goals are all valid and deserved." Gasperini expressed hope that Roma can surpass what his Atalanta achieved. "This is my objective and my hope. The Atalanta arrived from a lower position than Roma, won the Europa League, played five Champions Leagues. But we cannot launch proclamations for our football: we cannot win the Champions, we need to grow our own garden well. Then the journey will still be long."

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini held his pre-match press conference on 13 October ahead of Roma's Champions League fixture against Real Madrid. Gasperini framed the encounter as an opportunity to test Roma's competitive level against one of Europe's elite sides. "We verify it tomorrow," he said. "For us it's a good moment. We want to measure ourselves against a squad that is among the best in Europe, even if perhaps they need a period of adjustment because they have changed manager and playing style. It remains a squad that beat Inter—it's a prestigious match that also counts for the standings." Gasperini emphasised that Roma should not abandon their identity against such opposition. When asked about Roma's defensive approach against top teams, he stated: "Our attitude brought us to win the Champions League, it is clear that we know the value of Real Madrid but it is not the first squad of value we meet. Real are a squad that when you think you are putting them in difficulty, that is the moment they score a goal. It is part of the great squads that have great players. I do not believe Roma should distort its characteristics." He added that Roma's return to the Champions League itself represented a significant achievement for the club, comparing the current squad to his previous work with Atalanta and framing the ongoing project as one requiring patience. On José Mourinho, who managed Roma until last season, Gasperini predicted the Roma supporters would offer him recognition before kick-off. "There has been important affection from the fans towards Mourinho," Gasperini said. "He deserves the recognition of the people. Then the match begins and everyone lets go of all sentiments and the people of Rome will only support their own squad." Regarding what he might learn from Mourinho, Gasperini offered: "If I could take something it would be the empathy to have yourself taken extraordinary players and spend notable sums—that is fantastic." On squad availability, Gasperini confirmed that Konstantinos Koulierakis returned to group training on 12 October, while Bryan Cristante requires further recovery time following the Como fixture. Gasperini noted that Real Madrid, despite their individual quality, still require match fitness and cohesion. "They have great resources, they remain a squad capable of winning any type of match," he said. "On the purely playing side they have margins and they will be able to improve." The fixture will be Roma's next serious test after recent domestic engagements, with Gasperini stressing that the Champions League competition itself offers the club vital resources for development regardless of trophies won.

Devis Vásquez has been added to Roma's Champions League squad list following Mile Svilar's injury, expanding Gian Piero Gasperini's goalkeeping options for European competition. The Colombian goalkeeper will now be available to Gasperini in both Serie A and the Champions League, a decision that provides the club with additional depth between the posts while the first-choice goalkeeper is sidelined. Gasperini had already communicated Vásquez's reinstatement to the Serie A squad after Svilar's injury setback, a decision he confirmed off the record at the end of his press conference ahead of Roma's match against Como. The addition to the Champions League list represents the next step in managing Roma's goalkeeping resources during Svilar's absence, ensuring continuity in the club's European campaign this season.

Roma held a training session at Trigoria on 13 October at 15:00 ahead of their next fixture against Real Madrid. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini used the session to assess squad condition and finalise his starting lineup. Konstantinos Koulierakis has recovered from injury and is available for selection, but Bryan Cristante remains sidelined as he continues his rehabilitation from a knee injury. The session included goalkeeper work, with Devis Vásquez included in the UEFA squad list following Mile Svilar's injury. The press access portion of training concluded with the squad working on possession drills.

Mile Svilar is determined to return to action as quickly as possible after suffering a stress fracture to the fifth toe of his right foot ahead of Roma's match against Como. The goalkeeper will be sidelined for several weeks, but posted images on social media showing him working in the gym with a protective brace on his foot, alongside video of upper-body exercises. He accompanied the content with a message: "Tenere sotto controllo ciò che è possibile nonostante le battute d'arresto" — keeping control of what is possible despite setbacks. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini acknowledged the blow Svilar's absence represents. "It is a bad setback," Gasperini said in his press conference. "It is not a displaced fracture, but it will require at least a month of recovery." Against Como, Pierluigi Gollini stepped in as substitute goalkeeper and delivered a convincing performance, offering Roma some reassurance ahead of the next fixture against Real Madrid while Gasperini awaits the return of his number one.

Devis Vásquez has been added to Roma's Champions League squad list following Mile Svilar's injury, expanding Gian Piero Gasperini's goalkeeping options for European competition. The Colombian goalkeeper will now be available to Gasperini in both Serie A and the Champions League, a decision that provides the club with additional depth between the posts while the first-choice goalkeeper is sidelined. Gasperini had already communicated Vásquez's reinstatement to the Serie A squad after Svilar's injury setback, a decision he confirmed off the record at the end of his press conference ahead of Roma's match against Como. The addition to the Champions League list represents the next step in managing Roma's goalkeeping resources during Svilar's absence, ensuring continuity in the club's European campaign this season.

Roma held a training session at Trigoria on 13 October at 15:00 ahead of their next fixture against Real Madrid. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini used the session to assess squad condition and finalise his starting lineup. Konstantinos Koulierakis has recovered from injury and is available for selection, but Bryan Cristante remains sidelined as he continues his rehabilitation from a knee injury. The session included goalkeeper work, with Devis Vásquez included in the UEFA squad list following Mile Svilar's injury. The press access portion of training concluded with the squad working on possession drills.

New sporting director Tony D'Amico has moved swiftly to prioritise Lorenzo Pellegrini's contract renewal after taking up his post on Friday afternoon. Pellegrini's deal expires in 15 days, and Gasperini has requested that the midfielder remain in the squad despite earlier talk of a departure. D'Amico, who has established relationships with Pellegrini's agent, has reopened negotiations on the extension. The player currently earns 6.5 million euros net plus bonuses in his final year, a figure expected to be revised downwards in talks. The renewal of Paulo Dybala is progressing in a similarly positive climate. Beyond contracts, D'Amico faces pressure to meet the club's Settlement Agreement obligations, with Roma attempting to sell squad players of secondary importance — Romano, Salah-Eddine, Cherubini, Pagano, Mannini, Reale, Kumbulla and Vásquez among those available — while protecting the squad's most valued assets. However, the board recognises that sales of established first-team players will be necessary to meet the target. Matías Soulé is considered the primary candidate for departure. His agent has been contacted by Borussia Dortmund, Fenerbahçe and intermediaries representing Arab clubs, and is working to find the best possible outcome. Agents representing Jan Ziółkowski and Artem Dovbyk are also actively engaged in discussions.