Marten de Roon

Roma came away with regret from their return to Champions League football at the Stadio Olimpico after seven years, with a dominant performance undone in the final ten minutes. Lorenzo Pellegrini, introduced in the second half as captain in place of Matías Soulé, posted a message to Roma supporters on social media: "Today more than ever... PROUD TO BE ROMANISTI!" Marten de Roon, in his second consecutive start and the author of Roma's opening goal, also reflected on the result: "What to say after last night. My first Champions League goal on my debut at the Olimpico. It's a difficult result to digest but thanks to all the fans for the unforgettable atmosphere. We continue, Sine-Metu!" The performance marked a significant return to European football's premier competition for the club after a seven-year absence, despite the disappointment of the outcome.

Roma face Genoa at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday 17 October at 20:45 in Serie A matchday seven, aiming to return to winning ways after a 4–3 Champions League defeat to Real Madrid. The Giallorossi drew 0–0 against Como and 0–0 against Inter before the Real Madrid loss; they have not won since facing Torino. Genoa, managed by Daniele De Rossi, won their first match of the season last time out, beating Fiorentina 2–1. Gasperini will make changes to his squad following injuries sustained against Real Madrid. Manu Koné left the pitch in the first half with a muscle problem, while Paulo Dybala was substituted at half-time with a muscular strain; both remain under assessment as of 15 October, with recovery timings unclear. Mile Svilar is out with a fractured toe, Bryan Cristante with a knee problem, and Donyell Malen suspended following his red card against Como. Roma last won on matchday six against Torino. In Gasperini's 3–4–2–1 formation, Pierluigi Gollini will start in goal with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso in the three-man defence. Emanuele Lulli and Wesley are set for the full-back positions, with Marten de Roon and Niccolò Pisilli in midfield. Santiago Castro will lead the attack in place of the suspended Malen, Matías Soulé will play behind him, and Rodrigo Mora is favoured to complete the attacking line if Dybala cannot recover; Lorenzo Pellegrini is an alternative. De Rossi's Genoa are likely to line up in a 4–4–1–1 with goalkeeper Bijlow, but a 3–5–2 with Vitinha alongside the striker remains possible. Roma hold a dominant record at the Olimpico against Genoa: across 65 official matches played in the capital, the Giallorossi have won 48, Genoa 9, with 8 draws. Most recently Roma won 3–1 on 29 December 2025; before that, on 17 January 1990, Genoa last won at the Olimpico, prevailing 1–0. The official lineups will be confirmed before kickoff. The match will be broadcast on DAZN and Sky Sport, with streaming available through NOW and Sky Go according to subscription level.

Gian Piero Gasperini must reshape Roma's lineup for the Genoa match after suffering disappointment against Real Madrid in the Champions League. Donyell Malen is suspended, while Manu Koné and Paulo Dybala both exited injured and are unlikely to be available, forcing the coach to hand opportunities to squad members who have seen limited action. Rodrígo Mora, Niccolò Pisilli and Santiago Castro are candidates to step up. Castro, who cost Roma 35 million euros, has been largely sidelined by Malen's form this season, receiving three consecutive starts on the bench. The article notes that Roma have become more goalscoring and incisive with Malen in the team, but there will come a point when he needs rest—and Genoa offers Castro the chance to prove himself. Pisilli, described as one of Gasperini's special projects, has been transformed by the coach over recent months and given the confidence to dominate in Serie A; he is not yet fully there but close. He will likely partner Marten de Roon at midfield. Mora, identified as among the positives from the Champions League night, is also ready to start. Castro has struck the woodwork on occasions but has been unable to convert chances, though the article suggests his moment has arrived. Pisilli has consistently made the most of his opportunities and will do so again. The Genoa fixture represents Castro's chance to break from Malen's shadow and show Gasperini he is more than a backup, leaving his own mark in giallorosso colours.

Roma hosted Real Madrid in a Champions League fixture at the Olimpico featuring a tactical contest that saw the giallorossi control the game for the opening hour before succumbing to late changes by José Mourinho. Gasperini deployed a 3-4-2-1 formation with Matías Soulé replacing Lorenzo Pellegrini, Wesley at right-back and Nahuel Molina on the left, while Madrid operated in a 4-2-3-1. Roma's intensity and two-touch football allowed them to dominate territorially and recover possession effectively through midfield pressure from Manu Koné and Marten de Roon. The giallorossi created multiple chances with striking ease and took a deserved lead through a goal that emerged from Paulo Dybala's sliding recovery challenge, exemplifying their determination throughout the opening period. Real Madrid's defensive structure was described as poor, with Kylian Mbappé creating danger through quick transitions despite the hosts' superior control. Roma doubled their advantage early in the second half when Rodrigo Mora set up Donyell Malen for a second goal, with Koné again instrumental in winning the ball in midfield. The lead lasted only briefly, however, before Real Madrid equalised—Mario Hermoso's poor clearance in a duel allowing Mbappé to punish the error. Koné departed injured and was replaced by Niccolò Pisilli, while Dybala also left the pitch injured. Despite these setbacks, Roma extended their lead to 2–0 approaching the hour mark, appearing to have secured a prestigious victory. The tactical balance rested on Roma's compact midfield aggression and Madrid's reliance on immediate transition and direct passes to their pacy attackers Vinícius and another forward. Mourinho responded with aggressive substitutions, introducing Eder Endrich and Arda Guler for Dumfries and an ineffective Vinícius, shifting Valverde to right-back, and later bringing in Jude Bellingham—referred to in the text as Silva—for Aurélien Tchouaméni, followed by Alejandro Balde and Carlos Espiñeira for Álvaro Cucurella and Maba Diomande. Fresh Roma changes saw Pellegrini replace Soulé and Leonardo Balerdi come on for the cautioned Gianluca Mancini. Madrid pressed relentlessly as Roma struggled to maintain defensive solidity, eventually conceding three times from set pieces near the corner flag—described as an "incredible" and "bewitched" match that delivered Mourinho's side a dramatic late victory. Both managers acknowledged the match featured two distinct contests in one fixture, with the stronger side emerging victorious at the final whistle despite Roma's earlier dominance. Koné and Dybala's injuries marked a significant cost to Roma's effort on the evening.

José Mourinho encountered three of his former Roma players after the 3–4 draw between Roma and Real Madrid on Thursday, 15 October 2026. Gianluca Mancini, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Paulo Dybala spoke with Mourinho in the plaza outside Stadio Olimpico near the team coaches at the end of a particularly significant evening for the Special One, who returned to the capital as an opponent. The meeting underscored the enduring connection between Mourinho and the club he managed during his time in Rome. The encounter took place in the immediate aftermath of a dramatic fixture that delivered plenty for both sides to reflect on. In the ratings published by five daily newspapers covering the match, Donyell Malen emerged as Roma's highest-rated performer with an average of 7.60. Matías Soulé followed with 7.10 and Wesley with 7.00, while Marten de Roon closed at 6.80. Leonardo Balerdi received the lowest average rating at 5.10. Among the starting players, Nahuel Molina posted the lowest average mark at 5.20, followed by Mario Hermoso at 5.30 and Pierluigi Gollini at 5.50.

Roma delivered an almost perfect performance against Real Madrid for 80 minutes but collapsed late in the match, conceding a goal to Rudiger in a defeat that left much to regret. The display showcased the quality the team possesses, yet the harsh reality of football meant that merit did not translate to points. Gasperini has instilled a different mentality at Roma. The side now understands its capabilities and knows it can compete with any opponent. A telling detail emerged after De Roon's goal: while every other player celebrated, Gasperini remained unmoved, offering instructions to each teammate who passed him and reminding them of mistakes made up to that moment. That winning mentality sustained Roma for 80 minutes. A late blackout is concerning but not decisive. Roma will recover, and with Gasperini in charge, the club can look ahead with confidence.