Soulé posts training update as Roma step up pre-season work at Trigoria

Atlético Madrid supporters have shown solidarity with Roma's fanbase by displaying a Roma badge during their match against Manchester United on 13 October, which Atlético won 2–0. The gesture underscores the friendship between the two supporter bases, which has been evident on previous occasions: Atlético fans have previously unfurled Roma flags during derbies against Real Madrid and during the club's Champions League encounters with Inter. Roma face Real Madrid at the Stadio Olimpico on 14 October at 21:00 in the second matchday of the Europa League league phase. The backing from Atlético's support represents tangible encouragement for the Giallorossi as they prepare for the fixture.

Roma host Real Madrid at the Olimpico in the second matchday of the Champions League League Phase, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini having settled on his starting XI. Pierluigi Gollini will start in goal, with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso forming the defence. Nahuel Molina and Wesley are set to operate on the flanks, while Marten De Roon will partner Manu Koné in midfield as Bryan Cristante remains unavailable. Matías Soulé will play behind Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen in attack. The midfield pairing of De Roon and Koné faces the task of withstanding Real Madrid's central dominance and providing intensity and cover during transitions. Gasperini is placing his faith in the attacking unit that offers the greatest technical guarantees and threat. The only meaningful defensive debate involves Leonardo Balerdi pressing Mario Hermoso for a place, while Devyne Rensch represents an alternative on the right flank—though Molina appears favoured to start from the opening whistle. Donyell Malen will make his first start despite the red card he received on Sunday against Como. Roma's probable formation (3-4-1-2): Gollini; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, De Roon, Koné, Wesley; Soulé; Dybala, Malen. The club will field itself without particular calculation, ready to challenge Real Madrid with its own identity and with the Olimpico expected to drive the team through one of the most prestigious evenings in recent years.

Roma face Real Madrid at the Stadio Olimpico this evening with approximately 67,000 supporters expected to pack the ground. José Mourinho's return to Rome is the focal point of the fixture, with fans prepared to offer chants, banners and a dedicated display. Francesco Totti has been invited by the club to attend the match as a special guest. Mourinho arrived in Rome but has maintained complete secrecy since his arrival at the Rome Cavalieri hotel. Real Madrid's protocol on away trips prohibits contact with supporters outside the squad: no visits, selfies, autographs or external engagement until after the match. A fan who brought the Tirana final ball seeking Mourinho's signature went without; even that memento of Roma's 2022 Europa Conference League triumph remained unsigned. Pierluigi Gollini is primed for a special evening after performing among Roma's best performers in the recent trip to Como. The goalkeeper's last Champions League knockout match was in 2021, when playing for Atalanta against Real Madrid in the round of 16, a fixture Roma lost 1–0 at Bergamo to a goal by Mendy in the 86th minute. Tonight Gollini has the chance to reconnect with that European thread.

Roma travel to a Champions League test against Real Madrid at the Olimpico, with former manager José Mourinho returning to face his old club for the first time since leaving. The fixture comes after Roma's goalless draw with Como in Serie A. Gasperini will be without Svilar, sidelined for approximately one month, and will rely on Gollini in goal—a choice that has yielded positive performances in the league. Roma enter the match seeking a significant result after drawing 1–1 with Fenerbahce in the opening fixture of the Champions League League Phase. Dybala and Malen are expected to lead the attack. The match will be broadcast on television, with specific broadcast details and team selections confirmed closer to kickoff.

Roma host Real Madrid at the Olimpico in the second matchday of the Champions League League Phase, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini having settled on his starting XI. Pierluigi Gollini will start in goal, with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso forming the defence. Nahuel Molina and Wesley are set to operate on the flanks, while Marten De Roon will partner Manu Koné in midfield as Bryan Cristante remains unavailable. Matías Soulé will play behind Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen in attack. The midfield pairing of De Roon and Koné faces the task of withstanding Real Madrid's central dominance and providing intensity and cover during transitions. Gasperini is placing his faith in the attacking unit that offers the greatest technical guarantees and threat. The only meaningful defensive debate involves Leonardo Balerdi pressing Mario Hermoso for a place, while Devyne Rensch represents an alternative on the right flank—though Molina appears favoured to start from the opening whistle. Donyell Malen will make his first start despite the red card he received on Sunday against Como. Roma's probable formation (3-4-1-2): Gollini; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, De Roon, Koné, Wesley; Soulé; Dybala, Malen. The club will field itself without particular calculation, ready to challenge Real Madrid with its own identity and with the Olimpico expected to drive the team through one of the most prestigious evenings in recent years.

Roma travel to face Real Madrid tonight with Gasperini's side unbeaten across league and Champions League action so far this season. Paulo Dybala will lead the Giallorossi's ambitions in a stellar encounter, though the Argentine has yet to break his run without a goal. Despite his technical quality and the threat Dybala poses, he has misfired when it matters—a pattern that came into sharper focus recently at Como, where he wasted a clear opportunity. Donyell Malen has been scoring regularly, which has masked Dybala's drought, but when both forwards go quiet the problem becomes apparent. The fixture represents the kind of high-stage moment where elite players typically elevate their game. Roma are ready to produce a positive result, and Dybala is primed to end his goal drought at the Olimpico in the type of magical display his supporters crave. The Argentine wants to turn his barren spell into a decisive contribution—a performance worthy of the occasion against one of European football's heavyweight sides.

Roma host Real Madrid at the Olimpico in the second matchday of the Champions League League Phase, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini having settled on his starting XI. Pierluigi Gollini will start in goal, with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso forming the defence. Nahuel Molina and Wesley are set to operate on the flanks, while Marten De Roon will partner Manu Koné in midfield as Bryan Cristante remains unavailable. Matías Soulé will play behind Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen in attack. The midfield pairing of De Roon and Koné faces the task of withstanding Real Madrid's central dominance and providing intensity and cover during transitions. Gasperini is placing his faith in the attacking unit that offers the greatest technical guarantees and threat. The only meaningful defensive debate involves Leonardo Balerdi pressing Mario Hermoso for a place, while Devyne Rensch represents an alternative on the right flank—though Molina appears favoured to start from the opening whistle. Donyell Malen will make his first start despite the red card he received on Sunday against Como. Roma's probable formation (3-4-1-2): Gollini; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, De Roon, Koné, Wesley; Soulé; Dybala, Malen. The club will field itself without particular calculation, ready to challenge Real Madrid with its own identity and with the Olimpico expected to drive the team through one of the most prestigious evenings in recent years.

Roma face Real Madrid at the Stadio Olimpico at 21:00 in the second matchday of the Champions League league phase. The Giallorossi arrive on the back of a 0–0 draw against Como in Serie A and look to test themselves against the Spanish side managed by José Mourinho. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has one significant defensive selection to resolve: a choice between Evan N'Dicka and Leonardo Balerdi in the back three. The right flank also remains open, with Devyne Rensch and Nahuel Molina in contention, while Emanuele Lulli sits further down the pecking order. In attack, Matías Soulé is favoured over Rodrigo Mora and Lorenzo Pellegrini for a starting place. Multiple Italian newspapers have published their predicted lineups for the fixture, mostly settling on a 3–4–2–1 formation. La Gazzetta dello Sport lists N'Dicka in defence alongside Gianluca Mancini and Balerdi, with Rensch at right-back and Wesley on the left, and Donyell Malen leading the line. Corriere dello Sport predicts Mario Hermoso in place of Balerdi, also backing N'Dicka and Rensch. Il Tempo opts for Balerdi over N'Dicka and switches to a 3–4–1–2 shape. Il Messaggero agrees on that formation and personnel, pairing N'Dicka with Balerdi and Hermoso behind. IL Romanista and Romanewseu both favour N'Dicka and Hermoso in defence with Wesley and Molina on the flanks in a 3–4–2–1 setup.

Roma will host Real Madrid at the Stadio Olimpico in a Champions League fixture that marks the return of José Mourinho to his former club for the first time since his departure. The Olimpico is expecting more than 400 accredited media representatives from 16 countries and five continents for what will be the stadium's first major European night in seven years, restoring its international atmosphere after years away from continental elite competition. Gasperini has opted to maintain Roma's recent form and tactical identity rather than alter his approach against one of Europe's strongest teams. The club arrives on a run of 14 consecutive results without defeat and has no intention of changing course at this juncture. The manager has acknowledged the respect Roma's supporters hold for Mourinho while emphasising that once the match begins, the Olimpico will focus entirely on supporting the home side. Real Madrid, despite their individual talent, are still seeking the right cohesion as a unit. Gasperini will field his established lineup: Paulo Dybala, Matías Soulé and Donyell Malen across the front three, Wesley and Nahuel Molina on the flanks, Manu Koné and Marten de Roon in midfield, and a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso protecting Pierluigi Gollini in goal. For Roma, the fixture represents a fundamental test—a chance to measure their ambitions, enjoy their return to European football's elite level, and deliver a performance worthy of a night that has been absent from the stadium for far too long.

Roma host Real Madrid at the Olimpico in the second matchday of the Champions League League Phase, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini having settled on his starting XI. Pierluigi Gollini will start in goal, with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso forming the defence. Nahuel Molina and Wesley are set to operate on the flanks, while Marten De Roon will partner Manu Koné in midfield as Bryan Cristante remains unavailable. Matías Soulé will play behind Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen in attack. The midfield pairing of De Roon and Koné faces the task of withstanding Real Madrid's central dominance and providing intensity and cover during transitions. Gasperini is placing his faith in the attacking unit that offers the greatest technical guarantees and threat. The only meaningful defensive debate involves Leonardo Balerdi pressing Mario Hermoso for a place, while Devyne Rensch represents an alternative on the right flank—though Molina appears favoured to start from the opening whistle. Donyell Malen will make his first start despite the red card he received on Sunday against Como. Roma's probable formation (3-4-1-2): Gollini; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, De Roon, Koné, Wesley; Soulé; Dybala, Malen. The club will field itself without particular calculation, ready to challenge Real Madrid with its own identity and with the Olimpico expected to drive the team through one of the most prestigious evenings in recent years.

Radio and television commentators in Rome are backing Roma to compete in today's Champions League match against Real Madrid, citing weaknesses in Carlo Ancelotti's squad and confidence in Gasperini's tactical approach. Carina told Radio Radio that Roma's formation is settled aside from a choice between Rensch and Molina at right-back, and Balerdi pushing to displace N'Dicka—though the latter's position remains difficult after the Como fixture. Malen, Soulé and Dybala will play. "The atmosphere is one of great anticipation," Carina said. "Gasperini has the sense he can hurt Real Madrid, and it's no accident that the big sides with ambitions in this competition can lose these matches too—see Inter against Bruges. Against Madrid it will be the same Roma, and maybe that's a good thing, because Madrid isn't yet a complete team: in seven matches they've always conceded a goal." Orsi told Radio Radio: "Real Madrid seems very beatable to me right now. I don't think it's a stellar Madrid—we saw that against Inter. Mourinho is now more focused on management; in the league they're eight points behind Barcelona. They're more beatable now, not unbeatable. Roma can compete." Pruzzo cautioned that a draw could suit both teams but warned the opponent is dangerous. Mattioli expressed confidence, saying Roma is playing well and Real Madrid is showing weaknesses. Pes on Teleradiostereo noted that under Gasperini, Roma has spent more this year than during Mourinho's tenure, and predicted the match will be high-level. "When Gasperini faces Real, he keeps his identity and manages to create difficulty for them," Pes said. "I don't see a fearful approach from Roma, which knows it has the technical difference to play with serenity. But qualification must be taken mainly in the last four matches."

Roma face Real Madrid with the confidence built from their Como victory, and Gian Piero Gasperini is determined to impose his tactical identity on a side capable of competing with anyone. The coach plans to stick to his philosophy rather than adapt to José Mourinho's presence on the bench opposite, relying on the clarity of purpose his side has developed over the season. The team's shape is largely settled. Malen, Dybala and Soulé will lead the attack, with Manu Koné and Marten de Roon anchoring midfield. The uncertainty lies in defence, where Leonardo Balerdi is pushing for a starting place and may displace Evan N'Dicka from the back three. Italian newspapers have outlined their predicted lineups. Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, Il Tempo and Leggo all favour a 3-4-1-2 with Soulé in the creative role. Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport predict a 3-4-2-1 with both Soulé and Dybala in advanced positions ahead of Malen. The main divergence concerns the central defence: Balerdi features in three predictions (Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere della Sera and Leggo), while the others retain N'Dicka. Pierluigi Gollini is expected to start in goal, with Gianluca Mancini, Devyne Rensch, Nahuel Molina and Wesley forming the defensive structure across the various formations.