Rosi backs Roma to challenge Inter for the title after Real Madrid defeat

Gasperini's summer calls for squad reinforcement are being validated by the performance of the players he requested. All the recruits the coach asked for in the current window are performing well, strengthening the case that deeper investment in the squad is necessary. The hope is that Gasperini's pitch has resonated with the Friedkin Group ownership and will lead to further backing for additions to the playing staff.

Gian Piero Gasperini has reopened tensions with José Mourinho in his pre-match press conference before Roma's fixture against Genoa tomorrow, continuing a row that flared after Wednesday's Champions League defeat to Real Madrid. Gasperini said of the Genoa challenge: "For fortuna we play tomorrow, with several absences and against a team that may not have the champions from the other night but certainly has superior organisation and a superior capacity to close down and cover spaces. It will be another type of difficulty." The comment was a direct response to Mourinho's post-match assessment at the Olimpico, when the Real Madrid manager claimed he had taken advantage of a "dead Roma" unable to sustain the intensity required over 90 minutes. Gasperini had immediately disagreed, arguing that Roma had "outclassed Real Madrid" on the pitch; his measured analysis suggests he remains convinced of that view. The friction between the two coaches, once on better terms, has now become plain to see.

Cesare Prandelli, a former Italy manager and onetime Roma head coach, has reflected on Italian teams' struggles in this season's Champions League, describing the competition as fundamentally beyond the current standard of Italian football. Speaking to La Repubblica, Prandelli said: "The Champions League is a tournament in a class of its own, off the scale for our standards. It is like racing against Formula 1 cars: too fast, too intense and too unpredictable." Addressing Roma's recent loss to Real Madrid at the Olimpico, Prandelli offered a positive assessment of the club's performance and tactical approach. "Roma deserved to win," he said. "If they always play like this, they will make more progress than their Italian rivals, who are struggling a bit. Mourinho was brilliant in revolutionising the formation." Prandelli also cited Villarreal's display against Napoli as an example of the intensity required at the highest level, noting that Allegri's Napoli side had started well but was then overwhelmed by the opposition's fearlessness.

Roma remain interested in Issa Doumbia, the midfielder now at Sporting Lisbon after his summer move from Venezia. Doumbia, born 2003, had already caught Roma's attention last summer, but Sporting's deal was already substantially agreed by then, and the Italian midfielder moved to Portugal directly from Serie B. He has recently made his debut for the Italian national team under coach Mancini. According to A Bola, Juventus, Newcastle and Brentford are also tracking Doumbia alongside Roma. Sporting Lisbon's intention, however, is clear: to secure the 2003-born player. The club has inserted a €80 million release clause into his contract to ward off interest.

Gian Piero Gasperini held his pre-match press conference on 16 October ahead of Roma's Serie A fixture against Genoa on 17 October at 20:45 at the Stadio Olimpico. The manager provided injury updates following Roma's Champions League defeat to Real Madrid: Manu Koné has sustained a grade-one muscle lesion and Roma hope to have him available for the Sassuolo match, while Paulo Dybala is suffering fatigue to his calf and may return within a week. Gasperini confirmed that young players including Santiago Castro will feature prominently due to injuries and suspensions affecting the squad. Gasperini reflected on the defeat to Real Madrid, acknowledging Roma's quality whilst highlighting the importance of reacting immediately. He said the squad has demonstrated value over recent months and can compete with elite teams, but must avoid moral collapses. He noted that Roma were reduced to ten men against Como in their previous match, and highlighted the specific damage inflicted by Real Madrid's set-piece goals: "Three goals from corners…I had seen three missed penalties and thought that was a record, the other evening we surpassed ourselves." Gasperini stressed the need to strengthen the squad depth, saying that sides competing in the Champions League cannot operate with a squad of only 15 players and that substitutions are essential. On team selection for Genoa, Gasperini confirmed Lorenzo Pellegrini can operate in midfield and that Bryan Cristante is being assessed with a view to facing Napoli. Castro will lead the attack, offering "a good opportunity" for the youngster. De Roon, Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora were discussed as young players in development. Gasperini defended the use of five substitutes and set-piece defending, noting: "In such tight spaces, you defend anyway on the man, on the opponent. You don't follow him everywhere. It has always been effective; last year we won matches with Mancini, Hermoso, N'Dicka, Cristante…the other evening this happened." He added that some recent substitutes had performed well: "Mora came on well, Pellegrini too, Pisilli came on immediately, Koulierakis came on at the end." Gasperini emphasized that Roma must produce a strong response against Genoa. He stated: "Tomorrow we have a need for strength, conviction, energy…In the league we are protagonists, and tomorrow is a match that in one way or another we must pull out. If you win this type of match you recover players and give value to the players." The manager indicated that young academy players from the Primavera may be used if necessary.

Rome's radio stations offered their verdict on Roma's 3–2 loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League, with analysis focused on the team's physical and mental state, defensive instability, and the depth of Gasperini's squad for the coming fixture against Genoa. Ugo Trani pointed to Bryan Cristante's absence from set-piece duties and a collective loss of focus after conceding the 3–2 goal. He noted that Mario Hermoso was withdrawn after struggling against Endrick's attacks and recovering from a first-half error, and predicted that one of Evan N'Dicka, Gianluca Mancini or Hermoso would rest against Genoa, with Leonardo Balerdi in line to feature. Trani also suggested Lorenzo Pellegrini could be used as a midfield change, with Niccolò Pisilli and Marten de Roon having shown they can form a functional partnership—the pair were on the pitch for three goals against Real. Roberto Pruzzo told Radio Radio that Roma exited the Real Madrid match in pieces, both physically and mentally. "Alla Roma mancano quei 2–3 giocatori che ti mandano la palla nel Tevere," he said—Rome lack those two or three players who take risks and put the ball where it matters. Mario Mattioli raised concerns over Konstantinos Koulierakis, who he said "was wandering in midfield like a lost soul, with no marking responsibility, nothing." Piero Torri described the squad depth as critical: Gasperini has 16 players of movement available, 11 starters and five substitutes—an emergency. Lorenzo Pes suggested Cristante would attempt to recover for the Napoli fixture. The coverage reflected wider concern about how Gasperini will manage Roma's limited resources in back-to-back domestic and European fixtures.

Gian Piero Gasperini held his pre-match press conference on 16 October ahead of Roma's Serie A fixture against Genoa on 17 October at 20:45 at the Stadio Olimpico. The manager provided injury updates following Roma's Champions League defeat to Real Madrid: Manu Koné has sustained a grade-one muscle lesion and Roma hope to have him available for the Sassuolo match, while Paulo Dybala is suffering fatigue to his calf and may return within a week. Gasperini confirmed that young players including Santiago Castro will feature prominently due to injuries and suspensions affecting the squad. Gasperini reflected on the defeat to Real Madrid, acknowledging Roma's quality whilst highlighting the importance of reacting immediately. He said the squad has demonstrated value over recent months and can compete with elite teams, but must avoid moral collapses. He noted that Roma were reduced to ten men against Como in their previous match, and highlighted the specific damage inflicted by Real Madrid's set-piece goals: "Three goals from corners…I had seen three missed penalties and thought that was a record, the other evening we surpassed ourselves." Gasperini stressed the need to strengthen the squad depth, saying that sides competing in the Champions League cannot operate with a squad of only 15 players and that substitutions are essential. On team selection for Genoa, Gasperini confirmed Lorenzo Pellegrini can operate in midfield and that Bryan Cristante is being assessed with a view to facing Napoli. Castro will lead the attack, offering "a good opportunity" for the youngster. De Roon, Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora were discussed as young players in development. Gasperini defended the use of five substitutes and set-piece defending, noting: "In such tight spaces, you defend anyway on the man, on the opponent. You don't follow him everywhere. It has always been effective; last year we won matches with Mancini, Hermoso, N'Dicka, Cristante…the other evening this happened." He added that some recent substitutes had performed well: "Mora came on well, Pellegrini too, Pisilli came on immediately, Koulierakis came on at the end." Gasperini emphasized that Roma must produce a strong response against Genoa. He stated: "Tomorrow we have a need for strength, conviction, energy…In the league we are protagonists, and tomorrow is a match that in one way or another we must pull out. If you win this type of match you recover players and give value to the players." The manager indicated that young academy players from the Primavera may be used if necessary.

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.

Rome's radio stations offered their verdict on Roma's 3–2 loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League, with analysis focused on the team's physical and mental state, defensive instability, and the depth of Gasperini's squad for the coming fixture against Genoa. Ugo Trani pointed to Bryan Cristante's absence from set-piece duties and a collective loss of focus after conceding the 3–2 goal. He noted that Mario Hermoso was withdrawn after struggling against Endrick's attacks and recovering from a first-half error, and predicted that one of Evan N'Dicka, Gianluca Mancini or Hermoso would rest against Genoa, with Leonardo Balerdi in line to feature. Trani also suggested Lorenzo Pellegrini could be used as a midfield change, with Niccolò Pisilli and Marten de Roon having shown they can form a functional partnership—the pair were on the pitch for three goals against Real. Roberto Pruzzo told Radio Radio that Roma exited the Real Madrid match in pieces, both physically and mentally. "Alla Roma mancano quei 2–3 giocatori che ti mandano la palla nel Tevere," he said—Rome lack those two or three players who take risks and put the ball where it matters. Mario Mattioli raised concerns over Konstantinos Koulierakis, who he said "was wandering in midfield like a lost soul, with no marking responsibility, nothing." Piero Torri described the squad depth as critical: Gasperini has 16 players of movement available, 11 starters and five substitutes—an emergency. Lorenzo Pes suggested Cristante would attempt to recover for the Napoli fixture. The coverage reflected wider concern about how Gasperini will manage Roma's limited resources in back-to-back domestic and European fixtures.

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.

Endrick came off Real Madrid's bench at the Olimpico on Tuesday night and delivered a masterclass in exactly why Roma had pursued him as a potential signing. The Brazilian entered with Madrid trailing 3–1 and proved decisive in their comeback: his header forced Gollini into a save that led to Espí's goal to make it 3–2, then Endrick himself scored to level at 3–3. Beyond those moments, his aggression, dribbling and ability to create danger in the box transformed Madrid's attacking threat in the final stages—a painful reminder to Gasperini's squad of what they lacked. The contrast between the two benches laid bare one of Roma's remaining gaps. Mourinho could call on Arda Güler, Carlos Espí and Endrick to shift momentum; Gasperini, already without the injured Koné and Dybala, had no equivalent tools for tactical change through substitution. The issue points directly to the transfer market. Although Roma acted in the summer, not all of Gasperini's targets were met, and some roster vacancies remain unresolved. The primary gap is a left-sided attacking winger—preferably right-footed, capable of beating defenders, creating superiority and offering a genuine alternative to the regular starters. Gasperini has also requested greater depth at left wing-back. Endrick would have been one of the most attractive opportunities, but Mourinho has publicly protected him, stating he has no intention of letting him leave and declaring that anyone wishing to sign him in January would have to "fight" him. That firm stance complicates any move now. However, Endrick did not entirely rule out a winter departure after the Olimpico match, explaining that if he leaves in January, he will do so. Roma must now find an alternative. Jamie Gittens at Chelsea remains under observation: he has logged only 56 minutes across official competitions so far this season, little playing time that could prompt a January exit. Jamie Leweling presents a different picture. The German chose to stay at Stuttgart in the summer and has not become a fixture; in the Bundesliga he started only one of the first five matchdays, though he played over seventy minutes against Paderborn most recently. His use has been inconsistent, and his name could regain relevance if his situation does not improve. Tony D'Amico's task is now to identify which opportunities may emerge in the coming weeks—not necessarily names already chased in the summer, but perhaps deals that develop unexpectedly by exploiting a dissatisfied, underused or suddenly available player. Roma will seek in January what they need: another signing like Malen, a player who can slot immediately into rotation and alter the squad's attacking weight. The night against Real showed how vital alternatives become when matches enter their final twenty minutes.

Roma's painful defeat to Real Madrid on Wednesday—a loss made all the more difficult by a dominant first-eighty-two minutes undone by three corner-kick goals in the closing stage—has left the club facing an immediate test of character. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is determined to restore momentum with tomorrow's fixture against Genoa, and his willingness to address the squad and media again so soon signals his conviction that the setback must not be allowed to dampen the enthusiasm that has driven the team's progress so far this season. Gasperini's insistence on dialogue reflects his awareness of the danger posed by such reversals. The coach appears conscious of the parallel to Roma's collapse against Juventus last season, when the team surrendered a 3–1 lead to draw 3–3 in the final moments. A single match lost, no matter how bitterly, cannot erase the quality Roma displayed for the vast majority of Wednesday's contest or the genuine progress being made both in European competition and the domestic league. The squad and technical staff have built something of substance; a late reversal does not undo that work. Gasperini believes a clear restatement of purpose is essential to prevent the mood from fracturing. Among the consolations are individual performances worth preserving in memory. Donyell Malen continues to prove himself a centre-forward of substance; Wesley delivered an outstanding display; Matías Soulé, Rodrigo Mora—who provided an assist for Malen—and Marten de Roon all merited praise. Pierluigi Gollini, Leonardo Balerdi and Nahuel Molina were among those who made individual errors in the closing moments, but such analysis cannot overshadow eight-five minutes of superior football. For tomorrow's match against Genoa, managed by Claudio Ranieri, Gasperini will have only seventeen outfield players available. Absent through injury or other reasons will be Mile Svilar, Bryan Cristante, Manu Koné, Paulo Dybala and Malen—the spine of the squad. The fixture may yet vindicate the manager's stated wish for a left-sided attacker of right-foot preference and a left-sided winger; the club may now understand that such requests were not whim but necessity.