Wesley Fit and Ready as Gasperini Addresses Squad at Start of Pre-Season

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 will face Real Madrid in the Champions League group phase on Wednesday 14 October at 21:00 at the Stadio Olimpico, the second round of fixtures after opening with a 1–1 draw away to Fenerbahce. Real Madrid enter on three points following a 2–1 victory over Inter at the Bernabéu. Gian Piero Gasperini's side are without goalkeeper Mile Svilar, who has suffered a stress fracture to the fifth toe and will miss several weeks, leaving Pierluigi Gollini to start after featuring in the 0–0 draw at Como. Bryan Cristante remains uncertain with a right knee problem that forced him to miss the Como trip. Roma's last four Champions League meetings with Real Madrid have ended in defeat without scoring, making this fixture a chance to reverse a poor record. The clubs have met 12 times in the competition, with Real Madrid winning eight, Roma winning once and three draws recorded. Gasperini is expected to deploy a 3–4–2–1 formation, with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso in defence, Nahuel Molina and Wesley on the flanks, and Marten de Roon partnering Manu Koné in midfield. Paulo Dybala will operate behind the forward, with Matías Soulé in contention after starting on the bench at Como and Donyell Malen leading the line. Malen's red card against Como applies only to Serie A and will not prevent him playing in Europe. José Mourinho's Real Madrid will likely field a 4–2–3–1. Thibaut Courtois starts in goal with a back four potentially featuring Matthijs de Ligt, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Ferland Mendy, though alternatives include Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rüdiger and Álex Carreras. Yan Diomande, who scored the winner against Villarreal last weekend, is being monitored as a threat to Vinícius Júnior for a starting berth. Federico Valverde and Tchouaméni will anchor midfield, with Arda Güler, Jude Bellingham and Vinícius supporting Kylian Mbappé. Real Madrid are without Éder Militão, who has returned to training but will miss Roma and subsequent fixtures, and Mendy is not included on the club's UEFA squad list. The match will be broadcast exclusively in Italy on Amazon Prime Video, with build-up coverage starting at 19:30 and kick-off at 21:00 on Wednesday 14 October. Official team sheets will be released approximately one hour before the start.

Paulo Dybala has spoken ahead of Roma's Champions League clash against Real Madrid on 14 October, reflecting on the club's return to Europe's elite competition and his deepening connection to Italy. Two days before the fixture, the Argentine forward praised the effort that secured Roma's place in the Champions League this season. "We gave everything last season," Dybala said. "It brought joy to us and to 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 of our people we will have something more." Dybala has become increasingly central to Roma's project since arriving in 2022, and he outlined his vision for his future at the club. Speaking to Prime Video UEFA Champions League Magazine Show, he emphasised the importance Italy has assumed in his career and personal life: "I would never have imagined making a career like this here. This country welcomed me with open arms. The people have helped me grow as a man and as a footballer. There are so many emotions here — beautiful moments and difficult ones, as in anyone's life. I hope there can be an Italian ending." The 32-year-old made clear he envisions that ending in the capital. His remarks underline Roma's ambition in the Champions League this season after competing in the Europa League in 2025–26, and signal his commitment to the Giallorossi project as they prepare to face one of world football's biggest clubs.

Roma will face Real Madrid in the Champions League group phase on Wednesday 14 October at 21:00 at the Stadio Olimpico, the second round of fixtures after opening with a 1–1 draw away to Fenerbahce. Real Madrid enter on three points following a 2–1 victory over Inter at the Bernabéu. Gian Piero Gasperini's side are without goalkeeper Mile Svilar, who has suffered a stress fracture to the fifth toe and will miss several weeks, leaving Pierluigi Gollini to start after featuring in the 0–0 draw at Como. Bryan Cristante remains uncertain with a right knee problem that forced him to miss the Como trip. Roma's last four Champions League meetings with Real Madrid have ended in defeat without scoring, making this fixture a chance to reverse a poor record. The clubs have met 12 times in the competition, with Real Madrid winning eight, Roma winning once and three draws recorded. Gasperini is expected to deploy a 3–4–2–1 formation, with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso in defence, Nahuel Molina and Wesley on the flanks, and Marten de Roon partnering Manu Koné in midfield. Paulo Dybala will operate behind the forward, with Matías Soulé in contention after starting on the bench at Como and Donyell Malen leading the line. Malen's red card against Como applies only to Serie A and will not prevent him playing in Europe. José Mourinho's Real Madrid will likely field a 4–2–3–1. Thibaut Courtois starts in goal with a back four potentially featuring Matthijs de Ligt, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Ferland Mendy, though alternatives include Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rüdiger and Álex Carreras. Yan Diomande, who scored the winner against Villarreal last weekend, is being monitored as a threat to Vinícius Júnior for a starting berth. Federico Valverde and Tchouaméni will anchor midfield, with Arda Güler, Jude Bellingham and Vinícius supporting Kylian Mbappé. Real Madrid are without Éder Militão, who has returned to training but will miss Roma and subsequent fixtures, and Mendy is not included on the club's UEFA squad list. The match will be broadcast exclusively in Italy on Amazon Prime Video, with build-up coverage starting at 19:30 and kick-off at 21:00 on Wednesday 14 October. Official team sheets will be released approximately one hour before the start.

Roma held firm at Como for 50 minutes with a display matching a top-six side, only to be undone by a controversial refereeing decision. Referee Fabbri of Ravenna allowed a clear foul on Malen to pass without sanction, then issued a red card to the winger moments later for a challenge of at least debatable intent. That dismissal handed Como territorial control and possession for the remaining 40 minutes of the second half, but Roma emerged unscathed and without defensive risk—a result that, judged against last season's standard, represents genuine progress. Gasperini's side carried home encouraging signs from a bruising 90-minute contest against Fàbregas's combative setup. Gasperini deployed the recently recovered Pellegrini in a hybrid trequartista role on the left, flanking Malen with Dybala operating wide on the opposite flank. Como set up to play through the centre, with both teams vacating midfield spaces before refilling them through timed runs with the ball exposed during build-up play from defence. Fàbregas arranged a three-man midfield behind striker Douvikas, with Nico Paz and Diao operating at his sides. Roma entered the final third through rotations along the wing corridors, with Mancini notably active; Como found their openings through vertical tracers in the central lanes, springing Diao and Nico Paz into space. Both sides suffered from ball quality early on, with Dybala missing a monumental chance inside five minutes and Nico Paz testing Gollini moments later. Koné flanked Perrone while De Roon stood alongside Caqueret; Roma's first defensive difficulty was reaching Da Cunha, who dropped deep then cut transversely into midfield through gaps opened by his teammates. Roma rotated marking between Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso against Como's three attacking players, while Wesley faced a precarious duel with Diao. De Roon gradually took Da Cunha's measure, leaving forward momentum to Koné, whose passes after regaining possession were frequently imprecise, wasting multiple transition opportunities—particularly when Pellegrini and the defensive line sat high, a pattern Roma's midfielders and wing-backs could have exploited both for ball-free runs and to spring Malen. Roma also failed to read Como's aggressive press on the ball-carrier from behind, the intensity Como brought to defensive possession, making a switch of play from flank to flank tactically sensible. At half-time Gasperini withdrew Pellegrini in favour of Soulé to mark Yan Couto, but after five minutes Roma's defensive exhibition began in earnest once Fabbri's red card left them outnumbered, regrouping into a 3-4-2 with Balerdi replacing Hermoso. Fàbregas sensed an opportunity to go for the win, removed Caqueret for Jesus Rodriguez and shifted to 4-2-4, raising his line and attacking with angled runs without needing to defend the depth that Dybala, lacking the required pace, could not threaten. Dybala finished too isolated, though he managed the ball well on several occasions before ceding his place alongside Koné to Lulli, deployed as left-sided midfielder, and Pisilli. Rensch came on for the exhausted Molina. Fàbregas played his final card with Addai, to intensify pressure in the 1v1 wide contests, and Kempf for aerial duels at corners and set plays. At the 90th minute, however, Como managed only tentative attempts, unable to give substance to their pressure—they remained most dangerous when finding open or disorganised opponents in central spaces, a consequence of their coaching and player quality.

Donyell Malen was sent off in the 53rd minute for a challenge on Kaiki, his first career dismissal, in what referee Fabbri judged a clear straight red card. The tackle's severity aligned with designator Orsato's recent directive to officials following errors in Como–Parma (second matchday) and Lecce–Bologna, where similar fouls received only yellow cards. Fabbri applied the protocol without hesitation, though Malen had been held by Ramon's shirt moments earlier without the referee stopping play—a point Malen raised to fourth official Sozza as he left the pitch. The Dutch forward acknowledged the incident on social media, writing: "I ask for forgiveness from the team and the fans." Gasperini sought to provide context, saying: "He had momentum after being held and he touched the ball too. There was a foul on him first. What is ugly is the leap, but there is no intent. There is no willingness or determination to cause harm. The incident made the match uglier." The coach grew frustrated when slow-motion replays were broadcast, arguing they distorted reality: "Football is not made of frames but actions, otherwise you can justify everything. It is time to stop with the frames, they falsify reality. We have suffered this for years, finally from this year onwards you see truer football. Please, do not go backwards." The disciplinary outcome remains open. The sports judge must decide whether to confirm a one-match ban for serious foul play or impose three matches (reduced to two) for violent conduct—though the latter is remote. Malen's apology may influence the decision. Separately, Gian Piero Gasperini pointed to an uncorrected error when Wesley was not penalised for a challenge on Diao heading toward goal; the VAR deemed N'Dicka capable of intervening as a second defender, ruling out a clear goalscoring chance and thus limiting the offence to a yellow-card level. Fabbri's overall direction came under scrutiny. He raised the white flag at the 68th minute due to a knee problem, telling the benches "it hurts, they run too much" before handing the whistle to Sozza. The incident underscores a broader push by the Italian Football Federation: at Saturday's AIA elections, newly elected president Massini and vice-president Affinito emphasised the need for higher athletic standards among referees and dedicated expert support during training. Professionalising Can referees and building specialist teams around them is becoming essential as football accelerates in pace and intensity.

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.

Roma will face Real Madrid in the Champions League group phase on Wednesday 14 October at 21:00 at the Stadio Olimpico, the second round of fixtures after opening with a 1–1 draw away to Fenerbahce. Real Madrid enter on three points following a 2–1 victory over Inter at the Bernabéu. Gian Piero Gasperini's side are without goalkeeper Mile Svilar, who has suffered a stress fracture to the fifth toe and will miss several weeks, leaving Pierluigi Gollini to start after featuring in the 0–0 draw at Como. Bryan Cristante remains uncertain with a right knee problem that forced him to miss the Como trip. Roma's last four Champions League meetings with Real Madrid have ended in defeat without scoring, making this fixture a chance to reverse a poor record. The clubs have met 12 times in the competition, with Real Madrid winning eight, Roma winning once and three draws recorded. Gasperini is expected to deploy a 3–4–2–1 formation, with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso in defence, Nahuel Molina and Wesley on the flanks, and Marten de Roon partnering Manu Koné in midfield. Paulo Dybala will operate behind the forward, with Matías Soulé in contention after starting on the bench at Como and Donyell Malen leading the line. Malen's red card against Como applies only to Serie A and will not prevent him playing in Europe. José Mourinho's Real Madrid will likely field a 4–2–3–1. Thibaut Courtois starts in goal with a back four potentially featuring Matthijs de Ligt, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Ferland Mendy, though alternatives include Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rüdiger and Álex Carreras. Yan Diomande, who scored the winner against Villarreal last weekend, is being monitored as a threat to Vinícius Júnior for a starting berth. Federico Valverde and Tchouaméni will anchor midfield, with Arda Güler, Jude Bellingham and Vinícius supporting Kylian Mbappé. Real Madrid are without Éder Militão, who has returned to training but will miss Roma and subsequent fixtures, and Mendy is not included on the club's UEFA squad list. The match will be broadcast exclusively in Italy on Amazon Prime Video, with build-up coverage starting at 19:30 and kick-off at 21:00 on Wednesday 14 October. Official team sheets will be released approximately one hour before the start.

Roma will host Real Madrid on Wednesday at 20:45 in the second matchday of the Champions League league phase, with French referee Francois Letexier appointed to take charge. Letexier will be assisted by Mugnier and Rrahmouni, with Dechepy as fourth official. The VAR team comprises Higler and Van Boekel. Roma and Letexier have met four times previously, all in European competition. The record stands at two victories and two defeats. The most recent encounter came in the 2024–25 Europa League knockout round, when Roma won 3–2 against Porto at the Olimpico in the return leg, with Dybala scoring twice and Pisilli adding a goal. In the preceding season, Roma lost 2–0 to Slavia Praga in the group stage, defeated Brighton 4–0 in the Round of 16 first leg, and fell 2–0 to Bayer Leverkusen in the semi-final first leg.

Roma have the strongest defence in European football this season, level with Cagliari, having conceded only three goals in six matches. In the top five leagues, no other side has a better defensive record. The goals Roma have shipped came from Atalanta (one) and Inter (two). This defensive solidity marks a significant shift from last season, when Gasperini's team struggled in attack despite strong defensive numbers. Today, Roma's goal difference stands at +11, the best in Serie A, and in the calendar year 2026 only Arsenal have performed better than the Giallorossi, who sit second in that year-long ranking alongside Como. The defensive unit benefits from an embarrassment of riches in depth: Mancini, N'Dicka, Balerdi, Hermoso, Koulierakis and Ghilardi are all competing for places, a reflection of the squad's overall cohesion and the choices available to Gasperini across the back line.

Como and Roma meet in a high-quality fixture on 11 October as both sides look to test their ambitions early in the season. Gasperini's Roma face significant absences: Bryan Cristante and Mile Svilar are unavailable, with Marten de Roon and Pierluigi Gollini stepping in. Como manager Cesc Fabregas is without Kean, his backup striker. Pellegrini returns to Roma's lineup after six months out, wearing the captain's armband on the trequarti alongside Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. The fixture is early enough in the campaign to offer limited guidance on league position, but Gasperini will use it to gauge the squad's form and competitive level. Roma field a 3-4-2-1: Gollini; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, de Roon, Koné, Wesley; Dybala, Pellegrini; Malen. Substitutes: Vasquez, De Marzi, Balerdi, Ghilardi, Rensch, Lulli, Pisilli, Soulé, Castro, Mora. Como line up in 4-2-3-1: Butez; Couto, Ramon, Chalobah, Valle; Da Cunha, Perrone; Diao, Paz, Baturina; Douvikas.

Roma have released their squad list for Saturday's Serie A match against Como, kick-off 12:30, in the sixth round of fixtures. Mile Svilar and Bryan Cristante are both unavailable and will miss the trip. Wesley and Donyell Malen have been cleared to play after returning to fitness under Gian Piero Gasperini. Vasquez has been reintegrated into the squad after being left out until now, and will serve as deputy to Pierluigi Gollini during Svilar's absence. The full squad includes goalkeepers Vasquez, De Marzi and Gollini; defenders Rensch, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Mancini, Balerdi, Wesley, Lulli and Ghilardi; midfielders Pellegrini, De Roon, Koné, Pisilli and Mora; and forwards Castro, Malen, Soulé and Dybala.