Roma vs Real Madrid: Gasperini and Mourinho name their lineups

Roma suffered a double injury blow during their Champions League second matchday fixture against Real Madrid. Manu Koné was forced off after 15 minutes, and Paulo Dybala did not return for the second half due to a muscular strain, having completed the first 45 minutes. Rodrigo Mora was introduced as Dybala's replacement. The injuries represent a significant loss to head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's squad depth ahead of what could be a crucial week of fixtures. Dybala's availability will be assessed in the coming days as Roma look to recover both players.

Marten de Roon scored in Roma's Champions League match against Real Madrid at the Olimpico on 14 October, putting the side ahead in the 20th minute with a well-struck effort from outside the box. At 35 years and 199 days, the Dutch midfielder became Roma's oldest foreign goalscorer in Champions League and Coppa dei Campioni history. The previous record was held by Gabriel Omar Batistuta, who scored against Ajax in 2002 at the age of 33 years and 312 days.

Roma played host to Real Madrid in a Champions League match at the Stadio Olimpico, with French referee Letexier in charge. The match was refereed by a mixed officiating team: Letexier handled the centre, assisted by French linesmen Mugnier and Rahmouni, with Dechepy as fourth official. The VAR team was entirely Dutch, with Higler on VAR and van Boekel as assistant VAR. Several key incidents marked the contest. At 37 minutes, Cucurella was spared a yellow card after an apparent handball on Matías Soulé, who had space to advance. Pellegrini received a yellow card for a foul on Bernardo Silva in the 89th minute. Wesley was cautioned for a challenge on Diomande in the 69th minute, and Gianluca Mancini was booked for holding Mbappé at the 59-minute mark. Mbappé's goal was disallowed for offside at the 68-minute mark. Carlos Espì's goal was initially ruled out for offside but was overturned after VAR review at 83 minutes.

Roma played host to Real Madrid in a Champions League match at the Stadio Olimpico, with French referee Letexier in charge. The match was refereed by a mixed officiating team: Letexier handled the centre, assisted by French linesmen Mugnier and Rahmouni, with Dechepy as fourth official. The VAR team was entirely Dutch, with Higler on VAR and van Boekel as assistant VAR. Several key incidents marked the contest. At 37 minutes, Cucurella was spared a yellow card after an apparent handball on Matías Soulé, who had space to advance. Pellegrini received a yellow card for a foul on Bernardo Silva in the 89th minute. Wesley was cautioned for a challenge on Diomande in the 69th minute, and Gianluca Mancini was booked for holding Mbappé at the 59-minute mark. Mbappé's goal was disallowed for offside at the 68-minute mark. Carlos Espì's goal was initially ruled out for offside but was overturned after VAR review at 83 minutes.

Roma defeated Real Madrid 3–1 in the Champions League League Phase second matchday at the Stadio Olimpico on 14 October 2026, with goals from Marten de Roon, Donyell Malen (twice) and a response from Kylian Mbappé. The hosts made an aggressive start, forcing Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois into saves before de Roon's powerful effort from the edge of the box broke the deadlock in the 20th minute. Mbappé equalised five minutes later after capitalising on an error from Mario Hermoso, but Roma regained control in the second half. Rodrigo Mora entered at half-time to replace Paulo Dybala, and the tactical shift paid immediate dividends when Mora fed Malen to restore Roma's lead at 51 minutes. A Malen goal was initially ruled out for offside before the VAR overturned the decision, and the replayed sequence confirmed Matías Soulé's assist had left him in a legal position—the score became 3–1 in the 57th minute. Real Madrid manager José Mourinho, returning to face his former club, made changes to try to reduce the deficit: Arda Güler and Endrick replaced Matthijs Dumfries and Vinícius Junior at 58 minutes, and Bernardo Silva came on for Aurélien Tchouaméni at 70 minutes. Roma lost Manu Koné to injury after 15 minutes, with Niccolò Pisilli entering to replace him. Gianluca Mancini received a caution for a foul on Mbappé at the hour mark, and Wesley was booked at 69 minutes. The Giallorossi had opened their European campaign with a 1–1 draw away at Fenerbahçe; Real Madrid won their opener 2–1 at home against Inter. The match was refereed by François Letexier of France, with Dennis Higler operating as VAR. Roma's line-up saw Pierluigi Gollini in goal, with Devyne Rensch competing for a place against Nahuel Molina in the full-back role. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini fielded a 3-4-2-1 formation with Malen as the focal point up front, Dybala and Soulé operating as attacking midfielders, and the midfield two of de Roon and Koné (before his injury).

Gian Piero Gasperini has named his squad for Roma's Champions League league-phase match against Real Madrid, kick-off 21:00 this evening. Konstantinos Koulierakis returns to the travelling party, while Devis Vásquez is included among the goalkeepers. The squad list features 24 players across all four positions. In defence, Gasperini has selected Devyne Rensch, Koulierakis, Evan N'Dicka, Nahuel Molina, Mario Hermoso, Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Balerdi, Wesley, Emanuele Lulli and Daniele Ghilardi. Midfield options comprise Lorenzo Pellegrini, Marten de Roon, Manu Koné, Niccolò Pisilli and Rodrigo Mora. The forward line includes Santiago Castro, Donyell Malen, Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala.

Gian Piero Gasperini has named his squad for Roma's Champions League league-phase match against Real Madrid, kick-off 21:00 this evening. Konstantinos Koulierakis returns to the travelling party, while Devis Vásquez is included among the goalkeepers. The squad list features 24 players across all four positions. In defence, Gasperini has selected Devyne Rensch, Koulierakis, Evan N'Dicka, Nahuel Molina, Mario Hermoso, Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Balerdi, Wesley, Emanuele Lulli and Daniele Ghilardi. Midfield options comprise Lorenzo Pellegrini, Marten de Roon, Manu Koné, Niccolò Pisilli and Rodrigo Mora. The forward line includes Santiago Castro, Donyell Malen, Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala.

Gian Piero Gasperini has named his squad for Roma's Champions League League Phase match against Real Madrid this evening at the Olimpico, with 23 players available. Mile Svilar is unavailable due to a fractured finger, leaving Pierluigi Gollini, Giorgio De Marzi and Devis Vásquez as the goalkeepers in contention. Konstantinos Koulierakis has returned to full training in recent days and is regularly available for selection. Bryan Cristante, however, remains unavailable. The squad spans all four outfield positions, with defenders including Devyne Rensch, Evan N'Dicka, Nahuel Molina, Mario Hermoso, Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Balerdi, Wesley, Emanuele Lulli and Daniele Ghilardi; midfielders Lorenzo Pellegrini, Marten de Roon, Manu Koné, Niccolò Pisilli and Rodrigo Mora; and forwards Santiago Castro, Donyell Malen, Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala.

Gian Piero Gasperini has named his squad for Roma's Champions League League Phase match against Real Madrid at the Stadio Olimpico this evening at 21:00. Konstantinos Koulierakis is fit and available, while goalkeeper Devis Vásquez has been included in the Champions League squad following Mile Svilar's injury, utilising the temporary replacement rule provided under UEFA regulations. Both Svilar and Bryan Cristante remain absent. The full squad list names Vásquez, De Marzi and Gollini as goalkeepers; Rensch, Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Mancini, Balerdi, Wesley, Lulli and Ghilardi in defence; Pellegrini, De Roon, Koné, Pisilli and Mora in midfield; and Castro, Malen, Soulé and Dybala in attack.

Roma defeated Real Madrid 3–1 in the Champions League League Phase second matchday at the Stadio Olimpico on 14 October 2026, with goals from Marten de Roon, Donyell Malen (twice) and a response from Kylian Mbappé. The hosts made an aggressive start, forcing Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois into saves before de Roon's powerful effort from the edge of the box broke the deadlock in the 20th minute. Mbappé equalised five minutes later after capitalising on an error from Mario Hermoso, but Roma regained control in the second half. Rodrigo Mora entered at half-time to replace Paulo Dybala, and the tactical shift paid immediate dividends when Mora fed Malen to restore Roma's lead at 51 minutes. A Malen goal was initially ruled out for offside before the VAR overturned the decision, and the replayed sequence confirmed Matías Soulé's assist had left him in a legal position—the score became 3–1 in the 57th minute. Real Madrid manager José Mourinho, returning to face his former club, made changes to try to reduce the deficit: Arda Güler and Endrick replaced Matthijs Dumfries and Vinícius Junior at 58 minutes, and Bernardo Silva came on for Aurélien Tchouaméni at 70 minutes. Roma lost Manu Koné to injury after 15 minutes, with Niccolò Pisilli entering to replace him. Gianluca Mancini received a caution for a foul on Mbappé at the hour mark, and Wesley was booked at 69 minutes. The Giallorossi had opened their European campaign with a 1–1 draw away at Fenerbahçe; Real Madrid won their opener 2–1 at home against Inter. The match was refereed by François Letexier of France, with Dennis Higler operating as VAR. Roma's line-up saw Pierluigi Gollini in goal, with Devyne Rensch competing for a place against Nahuel Molina in the full-back role. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini fielded a 3-4-2-1 formation with Malen as the focal point up front, Dybala and Soulé operating as attacking midfielders, and the midfield two of de Roon and Koné (before his injury).

Gian Piero Gasperini has named his squad for Roma's Champions League league-phase match against Real Madrid, kick-off 21:00 this evening. Konstantinos Koulierakis returns to the travelling party, while Devis Vásquez is included among the goalkeepers. The squad list features 24 players across all four positions. In defence, Gasperini has selected Devyne Rensch, Koulierakis, Evan N'Dicka, Nahuel Molina, Mario Hermoso, Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Balerdi, Wesley, Emanuele Lulli and Daniele Ghilardi. Midfield options comprise Lorenzo Pellegrini, Marten de Roon, Manu Koné, Niccolò Pisilli and Rodrigo Mora. The forward line includes Santiago Castro, Donyell Malen, Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala.

Gian Piero Gasperini has named his squad for Roma's Champions League League Phase match against Real Madrid this evening at the Olimpico, with 23 players available. Mile Svilar is unavailable due to a fractured finger, leaving Pierluigi Gollini, Giorgio De Marzi and Devis Vásquez as the goalkeepers in contention. Konstantinos Koulierakis has returned to full training in recent days and is regularly available for selection. Bryan Cristante, however, remains unavailable. The squad spans all four outfield positions, with defenders including Devyne Rensch, Evan N'Dicka, Nahuel Molina, Mario Hermoso, Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Balerdi, Wesley, Emanuele Lulli and Daniele Ghilardi; midfielders Lorenzo Pellegrini, Marten de Roon, Manu Koné, Niccolò Pisilli and Rodrigo Mora; and forwards Santiago Castro, Donyell Malen, Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala.