Roma vs Real Madrid: team news, likely line-ups and kick-off details

Real Madrid trained on 12 October ahead of their Champions League match against Roma at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday at 21:00. The squad's starting players, who won their previous fixture against Villarreal, completed specific recovery work. The remainder of the team trained with possession drills before moving into small-sided matches. Rodrygo and Asencio remain sidelined and are continuing their respective recovery programmes.

Paulo Dybala has spoken ahead of Roma's Champions League clash against Real Madrid at the Olimpico, saying he hopes to end his career in Italy. Speaking to UEFA Champions League Magazine Show on Prime Video two days before the match, Dybala reflected on Roma's performance last season and the challenge ahead. "We gave everything last season," he said. "It brought joy to us and the fans, and pride too. It will be difficult—we are facing some of the most decorated teams in the world—but with the push from our people we will have something extra." On his years in Italy, Dybala expressed gratitude for how the country has shaped him. "I never imagined I could have a career like this here. This country welcomed me with open arms, the people made me grow as a man and as a player. There are so many emotions here—beautiful moments and difficult ones, as is life for anyone. I hope there can be an Italian ending," he said.

Real Madrid have begun preparations for their Champions League fixture against Roma, with José Mourinho overseeing training following their victory over Villarreal. Players who featured in that Liga match completed a specific recovery session, while the remainder of the squad trained normally, working through possession drills and reduced-format matches. Mourinho will be without only the long-term absentees Asencio and Rodrygo, who are continuing their rehabilitation programmes. All other players are available, including Valverde and Mbappé, both of whom started against Villarreal. Roma will face Real Madrid at the Olimpico in what marks Mourinho's return to the stadium.

Roma held Como to a 0–0 draw on 11 October, a result that dominated debate across Roman radio stations and prompted praise for the team's character and tactical flexibility under Gasperini. The match turned on Donyell Malen's red card in the second half; while some commentators accepted the dismissal as correct, others questioned the sequence of play and the referee's positioning. Fabio Petruzzi of Rete Sport struck an optimistic note, saying: "If there is an anti-Inter, it is only Roma." He acknowledged that Malen's absence weakened Roma's attacking threat, noting: "The only problem is that there at Inter, if Lautaro doesn't score Thuram scores, Pio Esposito, Calhanoglu… at Roma if Malen doesn't score we have a bit of a struggle." Multiple voices highlighted Gasperini's tactical acumen in the second half, with Roma playing a notably deeper defensive block after going down to ten men. Francesca Ferrazza of Tele Radio Stereo remarked: "I really liked the lucidity of Gasperini. The boss celebrated at the final whistle because Roma is there." On Malen's expulsion, debate split between those who saw it as inevitable and those who questioned the handling. Checco Oddo Casano argued that referee Fabbri should have blown for a foul on the Dutch winger before the incident in question, while Lorenzo Pes suggested: "That Malen challenge was a yellow-card offence, but the red was not outrageous and for that reason VAR should not have intervened." Roberto Pruzzo of Radio Radio added: "A great referee blows the whistle for the foul, and having not done so five seconds earlier pulls out the yellow." Nando Orsi was more direct: "The red is clear and that's it." On Roma's wider performance, Alessio Nardo praised the team's "ability to reinvent itself with a low block almost Mourinho-style in the second half when down to ten," while Mario Corsi stressed Roma's pressing and suffocation of Como, calling it "a display of character and strength." Paulo Dybala drew mixed assessment: David Rossi noted his early miss but credited his later contributions, saying he has "become another player" operating as an offensive midfielder rather than the lethal second striker of his past. The broadcast coverage touched on goalkeeper changes, with Mario Mattioli defending Pierluigi Gollini's showing in place of the injured Mile Svilar, and reinforced the view that this result—and Roma's defensive solidity throughout the season—marks genuine progress under the manager's methods.

Pierluigi Gollini delivered a man-of-the-match performance in place of the absent Mile Svilar as Roma won at Como, with Gasperini's trusted contingent from his Atalanta days forming the spine of a dominant defensive display. Gollini, who had played only one match in nearly two years before this fixture, was repeatedly tested by Nico Paz and denied him four times. Marten de Roon, another Gasperini recruit, was among the standout performers, while Gianluca Mancini marshalled the defence alongside Mario Hermoso and Evan N'Dicka, offering little to one of Italy's most attacking sides. Mancini drew particular focus. He had faced criticism for early-season lapses against Atalanta and Inter, yet Roma's defensive record speaks loudly: three goals conceded in Serie A, the best in the division. Only Arsenal, across all competitions, has a better tally. Despite his occasional mistakes, Mancini's concentration never wavered. Seven years at Roma have made him a son of the capital, evidenced by his rejection of Inter's advances. Gasperini shaped the defender during his time at Atalanta, and Mancini has grown into the role. After the match, Gasperini explained: "The group put him in the best conditions." The Atalanta contingent—players the coach brought in—seized the spotlight at Como and may yet dominate again this season. Roma face Real Madrid next. The assignment is among the season's heaviest: marking Vinicius and others. It will be the toughest examination for Italy's best defence. Mancini arrives at the right moment—his statistics and Gasperini's confidence on his side, and the doubters waiting to be silenced.

Roma secured a valuable point despite fielding a depleted squad and playing more than half an hour with ten men. The absence of goalkeeper Svilar and midfielder Malen, combined with the red card shown to their leading striker, left the team severely weakened, yet they managed to contain Como and avoid defeat. The opposition created their only genuine chances during stretches when both teams had eleven players on the pitch; once Roma's attacking threat was neutered by Malen's absence, the team adjusted tactically to prioritise containment. Gasperini's management of the crisis demonstrated the hallmark of a top-level coach. Rather than rigidly adhering to a fixed approach, he recognised the context demanded adaptation—a point earned under such circumstances represented a solid outcome. The display showed Roma's capacity to suffer intelligently when circumstances demanded it, maintaining their shape and discipline even as key personnel were unavailable. Gollini stepped into the void left by Svilar's absence, while Pellegrini continued to marshal the midfield. The performance also reflected the broader philosophy underpinning Gasperini's tenure: he makes decisions based on conviction rather than convenience or political calculation. The article notes his independence from what it characterises as a self-serving faction within the fanbase, positioning his approach as the correct direction for the club's future.

Davide Moscardelli, a former Chievo Verona and Bologna player and Roma supporter, analysed yesterday's match against Como on Radio Bruno (101.5), defending the side's goalless draw while questioning some of Gian Piero Gasperini's tactical decisions. Moscardelli backed the point secured, saying: "We take home this result, although I would add with a touch of regret. It is certainly a further step forward in the process Roma began last year and is carrying forward very well. It is a shame, because the match had been prepared and approached well. The first 0–0 of the season arrived between two teams from which perhaps we would not have expected it. But it was a good match. Naturally, Malen's expulsion changed the balance." He highlighted Roma's defensive control in the second half as a particular strength, noting: "Roma succeeded in playing a large part of the second half suffering together, without however conceding many truly dangerous chances. Apart from Perrone's chance, comparable in importance to the one that fell to Dybala, the rest of the match was managed quite well." On Paulo Dybala's performance, Moscardelli acknowledged the midfielder's wider role but noted concern at his lack of goals. "He has done exceptional work, including in defensive transitions and helping the squad. However, it is certainly not what we normally ask him or would like to ask him." He expressed surprise at Santiago Castro not entering the pitch, saying Castro as "a fresh player, a fighter" could have eased Como's pressure, though he accepted Gasperini's judgment. On goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini and midfielder Marten de Roon, Moscardelli was complimentary: "Gollini and De Roon were among the best on the pitch. They were called to give a positive response and they gave it. Confidence must be given to them. Everyone will be needed, especially in this month, with many matches concentrated in less than thirty days." Moscardelli also discussed Donyell Malen's red card, saying the forward arrived "with great force, with much impetuousness" but that the contact with the ball was clear. He suggested the referee had focused on the intensity of the challenge rather than intent to injure. On the broader Champions League campaign ahead, Moscardelli urged the squad to enjoy the moment, particularly Gollini: "Finding himself playing in the Champions League against Real Madrid when perhaps, a short time ago, you were used to playing much less, is something special. For him it will certainly be a source of pride and also a reward for all the work carried out."

Roma held Como to a 0–0 draw on 11 October, a result that dominated debate across Roman radio stations and prompted praise for the team's character and tactical flexibility under Gasperini. The match turned on Donyell Malen's red card in the second half; while some commentators accepted the dismissal as correct, others questioned the sequence of play and the referee's positioning. Fabio Petruzzi of Rete Sport struck an optimistic note, saying: "If there is an anti-Inter, it is only Roma." He acknowledged that Malen's absence weakened Roma's attacking threat, noting: "The only problem is that there at Inter, if Lautaro doesn't score Thuram scores, Pio Esposito, Calhanoglu… at Roma if Malen doesn't score we have a bit of a struggle." Multiple voices highlighted Gasperini's tactical acumen in the second half, with Roma playing a notably deeper defensive block after going down to ten men. Francesca Ferrazza of Tele Radio Stereo remarked: "I really liked the lucidity of Gasperini. The boss celebrated at the final whistle because Roma is there." On Malen's expulsion, debate split between those who saw it as inevitable and those who questioned the handling. Checco Oddo Casano argued that referee Fabbri should have blown for a foul on the Dutch winger before the incident in question, while Lorenzo Pes suggested: "That Malen challenge was a yellow-card offence, but the red was not outrageous and for that reason VAR should not have intervened." Roberto Pruzzo of Radio Radio added: "A great referee blows the whistle for the foul, and having not done so five seconds earlier pulls out the yellow." Nando Orsi was more direct: "The red is clear and that's it." On Roma's wider performance, Alessio Nardo praised the team's "ability to reinvent itself with a low block almost Mourinho-style in the second half when down to ten," while Mario Corsi stressed Roma's pressing and suffocation of Como, calling it "a display of character and strength." Paulo Dybala drew mixed assessment: David Rossi noted his early miss but credited his later contributions, saying he has "become another player" operating as an offensive midfielder rather than the lethal second striker of his past. The broadcast coverage touched on goalkeeper changes, with Mario Mattioli defending Pierluigi Gollini's showing in place of the injured Mile Svilar, and reinforced the view that this result—and Roma's defensive solidity throughout the season—marks genuine progress under the manager's methods.

Pierluigi Gollini delivered a man-of-the-match performance in place of the absent Mile Svilar as Roma won at Como, with Gasperini's trusted contingent from his Atalanta days forming the spine of a dominant defensive display. Gollini, who had played only one match in nearly two years before this fixture, was repeatedly tested by Nico Paz and denied him four times. Marten de Roon, another Gasperini recruit, was among the standout performers, while Gianluca Mancini marshalled the defence alongside Mario Hermoso and Evan N'Dicka, offering little to one of Italy's most attacking sides. Mancini drew particular focus. He had faced criticism for early-season lapses against Atalanta and Inter, yet Roma's defensive record speaks loudly: three goals conceded in Serie A, the best in the division. Only Arsenal, across all competitions, has a better tally. Despite his occasional mistakes, Mancini's concentration never wavered. Seven years at Roma have made him a son of the capital, evidenced by his rejection of Inter's advances. Gasperini shaped the defender during his time at Atalanta, and Mancini has grown into the role. After the match, Gasperini explained: "The group put him in the best conditions." The Atalanta contingent—players the coach brought in—seized the spotlight at Como and may yet dominate again this season. Roma face Real Madrid next. The assignment is among the season's heaviest: marking Vinicius and others. It will be the toughest examination for Italy's best defence. Mancini arrives at the right moment—his statistics and Gasperini's confidence on his side, and the doubters waiting to be silenced.

Paulo Dybala has become AS Roma's most heavily deployed player under Gian Piero Gasperini this season, having accumulated 586 minutes of action so far. In the match on 11 October, the Argentine remained on the pitch for nearly the entire game, withdrawn only in the closing stages of added time. No other outfield player has surpassed his total; Mario Hermoso (569 minutes) and Gianluca Mancini (556 minutes) follow, while Bryan Cristante, Roma's usual leader in this statistic, is pursuing the figure after injury. Roma face Real Madrid on Wednesday, managed by José Mourinho—the coach who convinced Dybala to join the club. The current Roma side now plays with noticeably sharper attacking football than the team previously built around Dybala as its creative fulcrum. Speaking to PRIME ahead of the fixture, Dybala reflected on the previous season: "We gave everything last season. It brought joy to us and the fans, and pride too. We face some of the most decorated teams in the world, but with our people behind us we'll have something extra." Dybala expressed hope of concluding his career in Rome. "I never imagined having a career like this here," he said. "This country welcomed me with open arms, the people helped me grow as a man and player. There are so many emotions here—beautiful moments and difficult ones, like in any life. I hope there can be an Italian ending. Where? At Roma and with Roma. But it's premature to talk about it." The midfielder added that last season "put happiness and pride" into both the squad and supporters.

Pierluigi Gollini emerged as Roma's standout performer in press ratings following the recent match, averaging 7.08 across major Italian newspapers. Evan N'Dicka and Marten de Roon followed closely at 6.92 each, with Gianluca Mancini at 6.42 and Paulo Dybala at 6.33. Donyell Malen, penalised for his red card, rated lowest at 4.83, while substitute Matías Soulé averaged 5.70. Roma resume training today ahead of their UEFA Champions League fixture against Real Madrid. Mile Svilar and Bryan Cristante remain unavailable, though Gian Piero Gasperini will attempt to recover Konstantinos Koulierakis. Mancini and Mario Hermoso are assured in defence, with a contest between Leonardo Balerdi and N'Dicka for the third spot. Malen and Dybala will lead the attack, and Soulé is favoured to reclaim a starting role in the attacking midfield. Manu Koné and de Roon are confirmed as the central midfield pairing, while Nahuel Molina and Emanuele Lulli will battle for the right flank. Former player Ciccio Graziani commented on Malen's expulsion against Como, highlighting a foul the winger suffered before receiving the red card. Graziani said: "He should have fallen and taken the foul—that's also attacker cunning. But he stayed on his feet and lost clarity. You shouldn't simulate, but if there's a foul, take it: he was pulled three times."

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.