Totti backs Roma to challenge for the title under Gasperini; pays tribute to Mourinho's return

Francesco Totti has closed the door on a playing comeback to AS Roma, stating firmly: 'I am not returning.' The Roma legend, in remarks published on 14 October, offered a clear answer to speculation about a potential comeback at the club where he spent his entire playing career. Totti backed Roma's current prospects under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, saying the side can compete for the Serie A title. 'Roma can compete for the Scudetto. We know Inter have an extra gear, but it is a team that can give them trouble,' he said. He also praised Gasperini directly, describing him as 'a top player'—a reference to the coach's stature and tactical prowess.

Francesco Totti attended the Olimpico this evening for Roma's match against Real Madrid, where he confirmed his presence at the launch of the 2026/27 Panini football sticker album collection. The Roma legend offered his assessment of the title race, saying: "Roma is a team that can compete for the Scudetto. We know that Inter has an extra gear, but it is a team that can give them a run for their money." Totti reflected on his childhood memories of collecting Panini stickers, recalling that packets cost 200 lire when he was growing up. He described the hobby as unforgettable, explaining: "It was difficult to finish in a short time, it was fun because you would spend half the afternoon sticking the stickers in. But there was one team that I would turn upside down — I cannot say which one." The comment was a veiled reference to Lazio, Roma's fierce local rivals.

Radio pundit Lorenzo Pes has argued that Roma's spending under Gasperini this season exceeds what the club invested during José Mourinho's tenure. Speaking on Tele radio stereo (92.7), Pes said: "If we're talking about spending, this year Roma has spent more with Gasperini compared to Mourinho's years. Perhaps, as a coach, you could say other things about Mourinho. In general, it seems to me he is insisting a lot on the ownership, probably because he knows he can do so. Mourinho is trying to normalise everything, but it is clear that for him this is a particular moment. I expect a high-level match, also because the match itself will drive the teams to play that way. I don't think Roma will start with a fearful attitude: they know they have a technical difference and can face the match with serenity. But the qualification, you play it especially in the last four matches." The broader radio consensus in Rome suggests Roma can compete at the highest level. Nando Orsi (Radio Radio Mattino, 104.5) remarked: "Real Madrid seems very beatable to me right now. It doesn't seem like a top Madrid. Mourinho is now setting other tasks: he's thinking about managing the group more than coaching quality. The difference with Barcelona in terms of points is clear. They're not unbeatable, in short. Roma can compete." Legend Roberto Pruzzo, also on Radio Radio Mattino (104.5), called for caution: "At the Olimpico I expect a match that could follow this pattern. A draw could suit both teams, but it will be important that the referee is up to the task, because compared to the Como match I don't have the same certainty: Real is an opponent that can hurt you. For this reason I would proceed with caution, trying to understand what is the best way to face the match."

Roma face Real Madrid at the Olimpico on 15 October at 21:00 in the second matchday of the UEFA Champions League league phase. The fixture marks the return of Champions League football to the Olimpico after seven years and will be broadcast on Prime Video. José Mourinho returns to manage Real Madrid against his former club. Gasperini has two unavailable players for the match: Bryan Cristante and Mile Svilar are omitted from the squad list. Konstantinos Koulierakis has recovered from a contusion sustained on international duty and returns to selection. Paulo Dybala suffered a hand problem when he departed Roma's previous match against Como but has no concerns ahead of this fixture. Pierluigi Gollini will start in goal, with Devis Vásquez reintegrated into the Champions League squad list. Roma's starting XI will be Gollini in goal behind a three-defender line of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso. Wesley plays right-back to handle Real Madrid's pace, while Devyne Rensch takes the left-back slot in a surprise tactical choice over Nahuel Molina. Manu Koné and Marten de Roon fill the midfield, with Matías Soulé deployed behind Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen in attack. Real Madrid, managed by Mourinho, line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation and arrive after beating Inter 2-1 in their opening league-phase match. Roma drew 1-1 at home against Fenerbahce in their first game. The head referee is Letexier from France, with Higler from the Netherlands as VAR. Historically, Real Madrid lead the fixture record with eight victories to Roma's three, with one draw between them. Real Madrid have scored 24 goals and Roma nine across their meetings. Roma's last victory came in the 2007–08 Champions League last-16 tie, when they won 2-1 both at the Bernabéu and at home.

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.