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Gasperini to face media on Friday ahead of Real Madrid
·12 October 2026·15d ago

Gasperini to face media on Friday ahead of Real Madrid

Source: Forza Roma

Roma turn their attention to the Champions League after drawing with Como, preparing to host Real Madrid at the Olimpico on Wednesday evening. Gian Piero Gasperini will hold a press conference on Friday at 13:30, accompanied by a player, to preview the match against Carlo Ancelotti's side. The squad will then conduct a final training session ahead of the encounter with the Spanish champions.

The fixture carries particular significance given José Mourinho's history with Roma. The buildup intensifies with Gasperini's media appearance, which will mark the formal start of preparations for a Champions League fixture that sits at the heart of Roma's campaign this season.

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Roma have confirmed squad availability ahead of their Champions League fixture against Real Madrid, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini overseeing preparations at Trigoria. Konstantinos Koulierakis has recovered from injury and is available for selection, while Bryan Cristante remains sidelined continuing rehabilitation from a knee injury. Devis Vásquez has been included in the UEFA squad list following Mile Svilar's absence. Gasperini will hold his pre-match press conference on Friday at 13:30 ahead of Wednesday's encounter.

In the buildup to facing his former club, Gasperini has offered extensive praise for José Mourinho's career and management style. When asked which quality he would steal from Mourinho, Gasperini responded with irony, saying he would take "his empathy and his ability to get himself buy extraordinary players by making his clubs spend significant sums." Gasperini stated that Mourinho "deserves the recognition of the people" and acknowledged his track record, noting that "his career speaks for him" and that he "always gets clubs to spend a lot of money." However, Gasperini emphasised that sentiment would be set aside once the match begins, with Roma's supporters offering their full backing to their own team.

Gasperini framed the Real Madrid fixture as an opportunity to test Roma's competitive level against European elite, stressing the importance of maintaining Roma's identity and approach. He noted that Roma should not distort their characteristics against top opposition, comparing the current project to his previous work and emphasising the significance of Roma's return to the Champions League itself, regardless of trophy outcomes.

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Testo Originale / Source Text

“Archiviato il pareggio di Como, la Roma torna a concentrarsi sulla Champions League. Mercoledì sera all’Olimpico arriverà il Real Madrid dell’ex José Mourinho in un match carico di emozione. L'avvicinamento alla sfida entrerà nel vivo domani, quando Gian Piero Gasperini parlerà in conferenza stampa…”

Read the full article in Italian at Forza Roma.

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