Roma's 3–1 lead crumbles in seven minutes as Real Madrid scores four times to steal 4–3 win

Roma's defence collapsed catastrophically in the closing stages as Real Madrid stormed back from 3–1 down to win 4–3 at the Olimpico, despite Gian Piero Gasperini's side controlling the match for over 80 minutes. Donyell Malen scored twice to put Roma in command, but three goals conceded from set pieces in quick succession — all in the final eight minutes — undid a commanding performance. Gasperini deployed man-marking throughout, with Matías Soulé assigned to Cucurella, Manu Koné on Valverde, Marten de Roon on Tchouaméni, Wesley on Vinícius, Nahuel Molina on Dumfries, Evan N'Dicka on Mbappé, Gianluca Mancini on Bellingham and Mario Hermoso on Diomande. Roma took the lead in the 20th minute when De Roon finished after Paulo Dybala won possession, with Malen and Niccolò Pisilli building the move; the shot was deflected by Konaté past Courtois. Mbappé equalized but Roma pushed on. In the second half, Malen struck twice more — both goals confirmed by VAR — to extend Roma's lead to 3–1 and send the Olimpico into raptures. Yet fatigue and the quality of Real's substitutes proved decisive. José Mourinho introduced Endrick, Arda Guler and fresh reinforcements from the bench. Espí made it 3–2 at the 82nd minute, Endrick equalized two minutes later, and Rüdiger completed the turnaround at the 90th minute. The performance remained immense and proved Roma can compete at the highest level, but three goals from set plays in rapid succession delivered a cruel ending to a night of dominance.

Wesley has revealed how Gasperini asked him to mark Vinicius in Roma's recent match against Real Madrid, describing the specific tactical instruction and the confidence the coach showed in him. Speaking to TNT Sports, the Brazilian defender explained that he expected Nahuel Molina to take the assignment on the left, noting that Molina has faced Vinicius many times before and shares a natural competitive edge with him as an Argentine against a Brazilian. However, Gasperini chose Wesley for the role, telling him: "I'm going to put you on Vini, I trust you." Wesley accepted the challenge, saying: "I thought, 'Let's go, let's see what happens'." Wesley was satisfied with his individual performance despite Roma's 3–4 defeat. He acknowledged that the result left a bitter taste, stating: "I was prepared and I liked my match. I still need to improve many things, but I'm happy with my individual performance. For the loss, though, I'm not satisfied, because we deserved to win." He also outlined Roma's tactical approach: the team attacked more heavily on the right because Gasperini knew that Real Madrid's left flank required a defender of Wesley's profile. On the specific duel with Vinicius, Wesley reflected: "Fortunately I managed to stop Vini. At one point I thought, 'Today it's me here, go to the other side and let's see what you can do there'." The arrival of Endrick as a substitute changed the dynamic, however. Wesley said: "He came on and got an assist and a goal. Total respect for him—that guy is brilliant and I'm a fan of his. But today I wasn't rooting for him."

José Mourinho produced a subdued response to Real Madrid's dramatic 4-3 comeback victory over Roma at the Olimpico, refusing to celebrate even after Rudiger's decisive goal completed an improbable second-half turnaround. The result, though heavy in significance for Madrid, came in his first return as opposition manager to the stadium where he managed Roma until January 2024. Mourinho acknowledged Roma's superior display in the opening period, which saw them establish a 3-1 lead, before Madrid's pace and tactical adjustments made them unstoppable as the match progressed. He recognised Roma as a difficult opponent with strong identity under current management. The emotional weight of the occasion, however, transcended the scoreline. Though he had attempted to project coldness and focus beforehand, Mourinho could not conceal his feeling at the moment he entered the pitch. The Olimpico welcomed him with affectionate banners—including "Ave Mou!" and references to Budapest—and an overwhelming chorus that engulfed the stadium, a genuine tribute to a manager who left a profound mark on Roma's recent history. Mourinho responded by raising his hand, placing his hand on his chest, and blowing a kiss, his eyes glistening, before experiencing another evening of high-calibre football. The bond he forged with Trigoria and the Roma supporters remained strong despite his departure, and he paid his respects to an embrace that acknowledged his deep connection to the club.

Roma's defence collapsed catastrophically in the closing stages as Real Madrid stormed back from 3–1 down to win 4–3 at the Olimpico, despite Gian Piero Gasperini's side controlling the match for over 80 minutes. Donyell Malen scored twice to put Roma in command, but three goals conceded from set pieces in quick succession — all in the final eight minutes — undid a commanding performance. Gasperini deployed man-marking throughout, with Matías Soulé assigned to Cucurella, Manu Koné on Valverde, Marten de Roon on Tchouaméni, Wesley on Vinícius, Nahuel Molina on Dumfries, Evan N'Dicka on Mbappé, Gianluca Mancini on Bellingham and Mario Hermoso on Diomande. Roma took the lead in the 20th minute when De Roon finished after Paulo Dybala won possession, with Malen and Niccolò Pisilli building the move; the shot was deflected by Konaté past Courtois. Mbappé equalized but Roma pushed on. In the second half, Malen struck twice more — both goals confirmed by VAR — to extend Roma's lead to 3–1 and send the Olimpico into raptures. Yet fatigue and the quality of Real's substitutes proved decisive. José Mourinho introduced Endrick, Arda Guler and fresh reinforcements from the bench. Espí made it 3–2 at the 82nd minute, Endrick equalized two minutes later, and Rüdiger completed the turnaround at the 90th minute. The performance remained immense and proved Roma can compete at the highest level, but three goals from set plays in rapid succession delivered a cruel ending to a night of dominance.

Roma face a mounting injury crisis following their 3–4 defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League. Manu Koné suffered the most serious blow, limping off after just 17 minutes with a muscular problem to his thigh. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini confirmed the injury and indicated it would be the more severe of two fresh concerns. Paulo Dybala also departed at half-time with what Gasperini described as a calf strain and tightness in the soleus muscle, though the initial assessment suggests a shorter absence than Koné's. Instrumental tests on both players were scheduled for today to establish the precise nature and extent of their injuries. The fear surrounding Koné is a right-leg bicep femoris strain with potential recovery taking roughly a month, meaning he could miss matches until after the international break in mid-November. The worst-case scenario would rule him out for several weeks. Dybala's presence against Genoa on Saturday appears heavily compromised, though Roma hope for a swift recovery in time for subsequent fixtures, particularly the crucial clash against Napoli. This crisis compounds existing absences. Mile Svilar will remain sidelined at least until November's international break owing to a stress fracture of the fifth toe, while Bryan Cristante is unavailable with knee inflammation and no confirmed return date. The midfield emergency has become particularly acute: without Cristante and, in all likelihood, without Koné for multiple matches, Gasperini has only Marten de Roon and Niccolò Pisilli as natural options for the two central midfield spots. Lorenzo Pellegrini would become the primary alternative to drop deeper into midfield if required, leaving the squad perilously thin in reserve. The timing is delicate given Roma's fixture schedule and the demands of balancing Serie A and Champions League football. Genoa, managed by Daniele De Rossi, visit the Olimpico on Saturday. The coming hours will determine how heavily the Champions League night weighs on Roma's resources.

Roma dominated Real Madrid for an hour and led 3–1 through goals from Marten de Roon and a brilliant double from Donyell Malen, only to collapse catastrophically in the final seven minutes at the Olimpico. Three goals conceded from corner kicks between the 83rd and 90th minutes, the last a decisive finish by Antonio Rüdiger, handed José Mourinho's side a 4–3 victory and left Roma's supporters in shock. The collapse—described as a brutal blow—was severe punishment for what the hosts created on the pitch, though it underlined the character and fighting spirit of Gasperini's team. Gasperini had set Roma up with meticulous preparation, positioning Matías Soulé high on the right against Cucurella to allow Wesley close coverage of Vinícius, a tactical move that restricted Real Madrid's attacking play for long periods. Gianluca Mancini marked Bellingham; Evan N'Dicka covered Mbappé; Mario Hermoso picked up Diomande. De Roon, Manu Koné and Nahuel Molina formed the midfield until Koné was forced off injured. Mourinho started cautiously, keeping Güler, Camavinga, Bernardo Silva, Endrick and Brahim Diaz on the bench—all players who would reshape the match in the second half. Roma struck first when De Roon scored in the 20th minute after a Matías Soulé recovery and a Konaté deflection, though Mbappé equalised immediately with help from a Mancini deflection. In the second half, despite Paulo Dybala's departure, Roma found their rhythm: Malen scored twice in the 6th and 12th minutes to make it 3–1 and trigger an explosion at the Olimpico. Mourinho then introduced his attacking replacements, and Roma's legs gave way. Espí, Endrick and Rüdiger—in the 90th minute—completed the turnaround from corner situations where Roma's defence faltered at critical moments.

Pierluigi Gollini expressed deep disappointment after Roma's defeat to Real Madrid in the second matchday of the Champions League, saying the side's collapse from set pieces had spoiled an otherwise dominant display. Playing against one of Europe's elite, Roma controlled the match for 80 to 90 minutes with a strong physical and tactical performance, but conceded three set-piece goals that undermined all that work. "It is difficult to explain, it hurts a lot," Gollini said. "We played the match in a sumptuous way. It would have been a beautiful evening for us and our fans. We fell short on one detail—set pieces. I haven't watched the goals yet honestly, but we could all have done more. It's a shame; three set pieces were enough to spoil and squander a performance. We are left with the bitterness of this match, despite 80–90% of the game being positive. It's a pity." Gasperini addressed the squad after the final whistle, instructing each player to reflect on what they could have done better. The goalkeeper acknowledged the psychological impact of conceding similar goals in quick succession: "When you concede a goal in that way and another one the same, it's normal that fears set in, perhaps a negative thought. Taking two goals in the same manner means a bit more concern on the third. That's part of football. We know what we need to do—analyse these goals and move on from what we did brilliantly tonight. It would be a pity to throw it away." Gollini emphasized his own contribution: "I felt very good on the pitch. I had to make a few saves, but that's normal against teams of this calibre. I saw a great Roma physically and tactically." Looking ahead, he adopted a day-by-day approach: "After Como I thought about Real Madrid; from tomorrow I think about Genoa. I take it day by day, trying to prepare myself as best I can and give my contribution to help this squad stay high and produce beautiful performances."

Pierluigi Gollini reflected on Roma's loss, expressing the frustration of a difficult evening. The goalkeeper said: "There remains the bitterness of this evening, of a match played in a magnificent manner." Roma surrendered a lead in a European fixture against Real Madrid, conceding four goals in a 3–4 defeat at home. The result follows Gian Piero Gasperini's post-match assessment, in which the head coach stated that Real were "outclassed" and that Roma "planted themselves on the finish line" — suggesting defensive lapses in the closing stages. Coach José Mourinho, meanwhile, described the match as "two-faced," saying Roma "were unable to stop us" late on. Gollini's comments reflect the squad's sense that the performance deserved a better outcome given their dominance for large periods. The loss marks a significant setback in Roma's European campaign this season.

Pierluigi Gollini spoke after Roma's defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League, expressing frustration at conceding three set-piece goals despite a dominant display. The goalkeeper acknowledged Roma's control of the match for 80–90 minutes but said the team had paid for a critical weakness. "Ottanta minuti di grandissima Roma, poi?" he began. "Difficile spiegare, fa molto male. Rimane l'amarezza di questa serata, di una partita giocata in maniera sontuosa." He continued: "Sarebbe stata una serata bellissima, per noi e per i nostri tifosi. Siamo venuti a mancare in un particolare, nei calci piazzati. Non ho ancora rivisto i gol sinceramente, ma tutti potevamo fare di più. Ci dispiace, sono bastati tre calci piazzati a rovinare e mandare in fumo una prestazione." Gollini praised Roma's overall approach and said set-piece vulnerability must be addressed urgently. "Una grande Roma, sì," he said of the team's first-half showing. "Ho avuto qualche intervento da fare, ma è normale che arrivino contro squadre del genere. Mi sono sentito molto bene in campo, ho visto una grande Roma fisicamente e tatticamente. Purtroppo siamo mancati in quel fondamentale del gioco del calcio, i calci piazzati, ed è un peccato." Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini told the squad in the dressing room to reflect individually on how each player could improve. Gollini noted that conceding two identical set-piece goals had introduced psychological pressure before the third. "Prendere un gol in quel modo e un altro uguale è normale che subentrino delle paure, magari c'è un pensiero negativo," he explained. "Il fatto di aver preso due gol uguali, al terzo un po' di preoccupazione in più la hai." Looking ahead, Gollini said he approaches each fixture individually: after Como and Real Madrid, he is now focused on the Genoa match. He stressed that the team should carry forward the positive elements of the performance. "Ciò che è stato fatto bene ci deve dare morale, ciò che abbiamo sbagliato rabbia per arrivare più carichi alla prossima."

Roma's defence collapsed catastrophically in the closing stages as Real Madrid stormed back from 3–1 down to win 4–3 at the Olimpico, despite Gian Piero Gasperini's side controlling the match for over 80 minutes. Donyell Malen scored twice to put Roma in command, but three goals conceded from set pieces in quick succession — all in the final eight minutes — undid a commanding performance. Gasperini deployed man-marking throughout, with Matías Soulé assigned to Cucurella, Manu Koné on Valverde, Marten de Roon on Tchouaméni, Wesley on Vinícius, Nahuel Molina on Dumfries, Evan N'Dicka on Mbappé, Gianluca Mancini on Bellingham and Mario Hermoso on Diomande. Roma took the lead in the 20th minute when De Roon finished after Paulo Dybala won possession, with Malen and Niccolò Pisilli building the move; the shot was deflected by Konaté past Courtois. Mbappé equalized but Roma pushed on. In the second half, Malen struck twice more — both goals confirmed by VAR — to extend Roma's lead to 3–1 and send the Olimpico into raptures. Yet fatigue and the quality of Real's substitutes proved decisive. José Mourinho introduced Endrick, Arda Guler and fresh reinforcements from the bench. Espí made it 3–2 at the 82nd minute, Endrick equalized two minutes later, and Rüdiger completed the turnaround at the 90th minute. The performance remained immense and proved Roma can compete at the highest level, but three goals from set plays in rapid succession delivered a cruel ending to a night of dominance.

Roma dominated Real Madrid for an hour and led 3–1 through goals from Marten de Roon and a brilliant double from Donyell Malen, only to collapse catastrophically in the final seven minutes at the Olimpico. Three goals conceded from corner kicks between the 83rd and 90th minutes, the last a decisive finish by Antonio Rüdiger, handed José Mourinho's side a 4–3 victory and left Roma's supporters in shock. The collapse—described as a brutal blow—was severe punishment for what the hosts created on the pitch, though it underlined the character and fighting spirit of Gasperini's team. Gasperini had set Roma up with meticulous preparation, positioning Matías Soulé high on the right against Cucurella to allow Wesley close coverage of Vinícius, a tactical move that restricted Real Madrid's attacking play for long periods. Gianluca Mancini marked Bellingham; Evan N'Dicka covered Mbappé; Mario Hermoso picked up Diomande. De Roon, Manu Koné and Nahuel Molina formed the midfield until Koné was forced off injured. Mourinho started cautiously, keeping Güler, Camavinga, Bernardo Silva, Endrick and Brahim Diaz on the bench—all players who would reshape the match in the second half. Roma struck first when De Roon scored in the 20th minute after a Matías Soulé recovery and a Konaté deflection, though Mbappé equalised immediately with help from a Mancini deflection. In the second half, despite Paulo Dybala's departure, Roma found their rhythm: Malen scored twice in the 6th and 12th minutes to make it 3–1 and trigger an explosion at the Olimpico. Mourinho then introduced his attacking replacements, and Roma's legs gave way. Espí, Endrick and Rüdiger—in the 90th minute—completed the turnaround from corner situations where Roma's defence faltered at critical moments.

Roma looked destined for a historic victory against Real Madrid at the Olimpico, leading 2–0 deep into the second half before conceding three goals in seven minutes to lose 3–2. De Roon's shot, slightly deflected by Konaté, put Roma ahead early despite Koné's injury (tests scheduled for today) and the prestige of Real's lineup. Real equalised through Mbappé after Mario Hermoso's poor pass, with Mancini's deflection assisting the leveller. In the second half, Paulo Dybala was withdrawn with a muscle strain and replaced by Rodrigo Mora, who set up Donyell Malen for Roma's second goal after five minutes. Matías Soulé then crossed for Malen to make it 2–0 at the 57th minute, and Roma came close to a fourth when Lorenzo Pellegrini threatened the scoreline further. The Olimpico, where Francesco Totti watched from the stands, erupted with each Roma goal. Then the collapse began. Real Madrid manager José Mourinho, celebrated by the stadium before and during the match with banners and a dedicated choreography, engineered the turnaround through substitutions, bringing on Endrick and Éspinoza. Both attackers, along with Rudiger, combined to reverse the result between the 83rd and 90th minutes on set pieces, handing Mourinho a dramatic victory.