Roma vs Genoa: Giallorossi seek to rebound from Real Madrid defeat as De Rossi returns

Aleandro Rosi, a former Roma defender who trained under Gian Piero Gasperini at Genoa, has said Roma have the credentials to fight Inter for the Serie A title despite their Champions League loss to Real Madrid. Rosi told Retesport that Roma dominated the match but Real Madrid exploited a collapse to score three goals with ease. He drew a parallel to last season's defeats against Inter and Juventus, describing the capitulation as unacceptable at Champions League level. Rosi identified defensive substitutions as a critical issue. "I would not have removed the centre-backs, Mancini and Hermoso, as happened against Inter," he said. "Central defenders should only come off when they are dying on the pitch." He also highlighted set-piece vulnerability, noting that zonal marking proved ineffective and suggesting Gollini, at 190cm tall, could have taken greater command of the area with his fists or a punch clear to support his teammates. Rosi observed that Roma played a "sensational" 70 minutes, similar to the Inter fixture, but changes in personnel made the difference. On Wesley, Rosi suggested the right-back "expresses himself better on the left side alongside Molina on the opposite flank," though he acknowledged Roma lack Mancini currently. Rosi praised Gasperini's tactical approach, saying: "He is a field animal. Perhaps he has gained more awareness of his work. I like this coaching style very much; as a coach I will draw inspiration from him since I am studying to begin a new career." Asked whether Roma can be Inter's main challengers, Rosi replied: "Roma have all the cards to fight to the end. Gasperini is not afraid of anyone. Inter have something more but Roma will be able to trouble them—they are candidates to compete for the title."

Roma face Genoa at the Olimpico on the day after their Champions League defeat to Real Madrid, with the focus turning to how quickly Gian Piero Gasperini's side can respond to a surreal collapse in the final twenty minutes of that European match. Genoa arrive in Rome on the back of a victory over Fiorentina that has stabilised Daniele De Rossi's position on their bench, where he has struggled with just one point from five matches until that win. Legend Roberto Pruzzo, speaking ahead of the fixture, offered perspective on both sides' circumstances. On Genoa's revival, he said: "I'd say so, because it was shaky—with one point in five matches it's tough, even though he [De Rossi] has integrated completely at Genoa and the whole environment respects him. Results can't elude you for too long, regardless of the name you carry and the appeal you have with the supporters. My friends in Genoa are convinced the win over Fiorentina has unblocked the team's mind, so even with the limits Genoa has, they will put up a fight." On Roma's immediate recovery task, Pruzzo noted that while quick returns after psychological blows are generally beneficial, the combined toll of athletic and mental exertion from the Real Madrid match would linger. "Beating Genoa would mean getting back on track straight away," he said. Addressing the collapse itself—seventy minutes of acclaim followed by a "surreal" finale—Pruzzo observed: "Roma put on a show for over an hour, we all agree on that, but matches last ninety minutes, so when the fatigue alarm goes off, sometimes you have to... throw the ball in the Tiber!" Gasperini is set to make two key changes: Lorenzo Pellegrini will move into midfield in place of Manu Koné, and Santiago Castro will start in attack because Donyell Malen is unavailable. Pruzzo backed the latter adaptation, saying: "Castro is a centre-forward—if not now, when? It's his chance."

Gian Piero Gasperini has few selection dilemmas for Roma's match against Genoa, with absences forcing his hand in midfield and attack. Leonardo Balerdi is set to start in defence, while Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora will operate behind Santiago Castro in the forward line. The Roma manager is without Mile Svilar, Bryan Cristante, Manu Koné and Paulo Dybala through injury or unavailability, and Donyell Malen serves a suspension. Emanuele Lulli is also in line for a starting berth as Roma manage their personnel constraints.

Roma face Genoa at the Olimpico on the day after their Champions League defeat to Real Madrid, with the focus turning to how quickly Gian Piero Gasperini's side can respond to a surreal collapse in the final twenty minutes of that European match. Genoa arrive in Rome on the back of a victory over Fiorentina that has stabilised Daniele De Rossi's position on their bench, where he has struggled with just one point from five matches until that win. Legend Roberto Pruzzo, speaking ahead of the fixture, offered perspective on both sides' circumstances. On Genoa's revival, he said: "I'd say so, because it was shaky—with one point in five matches it's tough, even though he [De Rossi] has integrated completely at Genoa and the whole environment respects him. Results can't elude you for too long, regardless of the name you carry and the appeal you have with the supporters. My friends in Genoa are convinced the win over Fiorentina has unblocked the team's mind, so even with the limits Genoa has, they will put up a fight." On Roma's immediate recovery task, Pruzzo noted that while quick returns after psychological blows are generally beneficial, the combined toll of athletic and mental exertion from the Real Madrid match would linger. "Beating Genoa would mean getting back on track straight away," he said. Addressing the collapse itself—seventy minutes of acclaim followed by a "surreal" finale—Pruzzo observed: "Roma put on a show for over an hour, we all agree on that, but matches last ninety minutes, so when the fatigue alarm goes off, sometimes you have to... throw the ball in the Tiber!" Gasperini is set to make two key changes: Lorenzo Pellegrini will move into midfield in place of Manu Koné, and Santiago Castro will start in attack because Donyell Malen is unavailable. Pruzzo backed the latter adaptation, saying: "Castro is a centre-forward—if not now, when? It's his chance."

Donyell Malen has established himself as one of Roma's standout performers in the early stages of the 2026–27 season, scoring goals with consistency and forging an immediate understanding with Paulo Dybala. In an interview with Corriere dello Sport, the Dutch forward reflected on his rapid adaptation to the club, his decision to leave Aston Villa, and the intensity of Gasperini's training methods. Malen explained that he chose to depart Aston Villa because he wanted to play every Sunday, stating: "I was the one who wanted to leave Aston Villa. I wanted to play every Sunday, it is important. I believe I made the right choice." His partnership with Dybala has flourished from the outset. "There is a connection, it is funny, I saw it on the internet. We have a football bond, football does not need the same language. From the first training session we got on well, it is both that I am good at moving and he is good at giving me the ball at the right times, we try to make the game engaging." Malen also scored a hat-trick on his opening appearance for the club and netted a double against Real Madrid. When asked what struck him most about Roma, Malen answered: "What struck me about Roma are the fans and my teammates. We all have the ambition to take the club to success, and that touched me deeply. It is a great club with extraordinary people." On Gasperini's demanding training philosophy, he acknowledged the difficulty without exaggeration: "Gasperini's training sessions are difficult, but I have never vomited. That is why I learned the word 'tired', I must say so. Sometimes it is really too much, it is hard training. However, it is good for the squad, we are all fit. We push ourselves, we train as we play." Malen is learning Italian and has absorbed key football terminology: 'Donyell', 'difficult', 'tired', 'very', 'hot', 'good', 'brave', 'penalty', 'referee', 'offside'. He praised several teammates—Niccolò Pisilli, Matías Soulé, Devyne Rensch and Manu Koné—as strong players with their own strengths. Malen expressed confidence in Roma's prospects, saying: "I have scored a hat-trick on my first appearance, I think we are very strong. We did not beat Inter by little, I think we can do something great." He also noted the tactical differences between Italian and English football: "Here the climate is different, it is very hot. In England it is cold and rains a lot. The philosophy is different too, teams are organized differently. Here there is more tactics, some teams defend in a block and it is difficult to penetrate them. In England they play more freely, they leave open space."

Gian Piero Gasperini has few selection dilemmas for Roma's match against Genoa, with absences forcing his hand in midfield and attack. Leonardo Balerdi is set to start in defence, while Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora will operate behind Santiago Castro in the forward line. The Roma manager is without Mile Svilar, Bryan Cristante, Manu Koné and Paulo Dybala through injury or unavailability, and Donyell Malen serves a suspension. Emanuele Lulli is also in line for a starting berth as Roma manage their personnel constraints.

Roma welcome Genoa to the Olimpico in a match laden with narratives: Gian Piero Gasperini faces the club that made him a great manager, Daniele De Rossi returns to manage his home ground, and Stephan El Shaarawy plays his former club as an opponent for the first time. El Shaarawy's return closes a two-chapter story spanning eight and a half years in the giallorosso, interrupted only by his time in China. His final act in Roma colours came on 24 May last season—a crucial goal against Hellas Verona that sent Roma back to the Champions League after seven years away. That finish, celebrated as a farewell kiss, has defined the emotional memory of his departure. El Shaarawy's story at Roma encompasses sprinting runs down the wing and rare moments of ballistic brilliance, bound by mutual affection that endures. Since leaving, he married Ludovica Pagani and returned romantically to Genoa, where he began his career and reconnected with De Rossi—a battle-hardened teammate and sincere friend from his Roma years. That idealized and sincere farewell five months ago, as he left Roma and the Olimpico, remains vivid for supporters. The club expects to greet him with the warm and deserved applause reserved only for those who gave everything for the shirt.

José Mourinho will field Trent Alexander-Arnold in Real Madrid's match this evening, deploying the English right-back in place of Dumfries on the right flank, with Cucurella on the left. The decision stirs difficult memories for Roma supporters. In 2018, Roma faced Liverpool in a Champions League semi-final when Alexander-Arnold was involved in a pivotal moment: he handled the ball during El Shaarawy's shot into an empty net, a clear handball that went unpunished by the referee. That refereeing error proved decisive as Roma were subsequently eliminated from the competition. Eight years later, Alexander-Arnold will start again at the Olimpico for another Champions League night.

Roma's radio stations have focused heavily on the upcoming Como fixture and squad selection as Gasperini's side prepares for a demanding period. Checco Oddo Casano argued that Devyne Rensch, bought for €5 million, could be sold in January for a profit to bring in a stronger left-back in the style of Moreira. "Rensch is a little player who can fit in Roma's squad, but he'll hardly become a new Gosens, a new Zappacosta or a new Wesley," Casano said. "You bought him at a good price and you can make a profit—maybe in January you can sell him and get a stronger player to improve in that area of the pitch." David Rossi noted that Roma's last league defeat came in April when they lost to Inter at San Siro, despite playing a strong first half. He questioned whether Roma are genuinely weaker than Como or whether the psychological pressure of the fixture is one-sided. Gianluca Piacentini acknowledged Como's strength—demonstrating a solid project over the past season and a half—but emphasised that Roma are equally capable, with both teams among the three strongest in the league. Fabio Petruzzi said Roma and Como have shown significant growth over the last 18 months and play the best football in Italy, even better than Inter, though Inter's superior squad makes them favourites. Piero Torri predicted De Roon will start against Como, saying "he seems made specifically to play with Gasperini." Torri noted Lorenzo Pellegrini could play as a midfielder but has never featured in that role under Gasperini and hasn't played a match since April, making an immediate start unlikely. Torri stated: "I'll be called mad, but for me the Como match is harder than the Real Madrid one." Marco Valerio Corsi reported that Bryan Cristante appears to have a lateral knee ligament problem and will miss both Como and Real Madrid, with the length of the absence still unclear. Roberto Pruzzo called De Roon "a proven reliable player" and "a solid used buy," saying he cannot be ignored as an option despite potential fitness concerns over a run of ten consecutive matches. Nando Orsi said De Roon will "challenge the titularity of one of the two sacred monsters of midfield" if he is physically fit, having praised the signing in advance. Stephan El Shaarawy was not mentioned. Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso featured prominently in defenders' debate, with Carina suggesting N'Dicka was sidelined too easily and forming the best back three with Balerdi and Hermoso. Pruzzo still favoured Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso as the core defensive line, while Mattioli predicted Balerdi will become immovable once fully integrated into Italian football and Roma's system.

Gian Piero Gasperini has few selection dilemmas for Roma's match against Genoa, with absences forcing his hand in midfield and attack. Leonardo Balerdi is set to start in defence, while Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora will operate behind Santiago Castro in the forward line. The Roma manager is without Mile Svilar, Bryan Cristante, Manu Koné and Paulo Dybala through injury or unavailability, and Donyell Malen serves a suspension. Emanuele Lulli is also in line for a starting berth as Roma manage their personnel constraints.

Gian Piero Gasperini provided an injury briefing on the eve of Roma's match against Genoa at the Stadio Olimpico on 17 October at 20:45, detailing the recovery timelines for three key midfielders sidelined in recent weeks. Manu Koné sustained a first-degree muscle lesion during the Champions League fixture against Real Madrid. Gasperini said: "Koné has had an MRI: it is a first-degree lesion, not particularly significant. The necessary time is needed for recovery and we hope to have him available for Sassuolo." Paulo Dybala, who left the Real Madrid match at half-time, has been diagnosed with calf fatigue rather than a serious injury. "For Dybala, there are no particular issues: it is fatigue in the soleus muscle. We hope to get him back next week," the coach explained. Bryan Cristante remains sidelined with knee inflammation sustained after the Roma-Inter fixture and will miss the Genoa match, though Gasperini expressed optimism about his availability for the Napoli game: "We are hoping he can be available for Napoli, that is the hope. He is a warrior and will do even more in this difficult situation. I do not, however, want to put his recovery at risk." Mile Svilar, the goalkeeper, fractured his finger in training and is undergoing recovery in Belgium with an initial expected absence of around one month. His return is anticipated after the next international break. Because stress fractures require complete bone consolidation before increased loads can be applied, and goalkeepers face particular demands from diving, landing and falling, the staff is not rushing his return. Svilar is currently expected to miss matches against Genoa, Slovan Bratislava, Napoli, Cagliari, Udinese, Manchester United and Sassuolo, pending any changes to his recovery plan.

Roma must rebuild mentally after their defeat to Real Madrid, with centrefield damage threatening to complicate their immediate recovery. Manu Koné is feared to have suffered a muscle injury that could sideline him until after the next international break, similar to Mile Svilar's absence timeline. Bryan Cristante will attempt to return for the Napoli away match, leaving Roma's central midfield options severely constrained for the Genoa fixture. Paulo Dybala's situation is more encouraging: the Argentine could even make the bench tomorrow despite the problem he sustained against Real Madrid. The mental challenge will define Roma's response; the technical gap over Genoa is clear on paper, but overcoming the psychological weight of the European night will be the real test. Gasperini's decision to speak at the pre-match press conference signals an attempt to rebuild group cohesion and restore energy after the European disappointment. In attack, a three-man unit of Soulé, Rodrigo Mora and Santiago Castro is gaining prominence, aided by Donyell Malen's suspension. Emanuele Lulli could feature on the flank in place of Nahuel Molina, with further defensive changes possible. Daniele Ghilardi may start, though it remains uncertain how much Gasperini will overhaul a back line already subjected to frequent rotation in recent weeks. A probable Roma XI shapes as: Gollini; Ghilardi, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Lulli, Marten de Roon, Niccolò Pisilli, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Castro.