← All stories
Yaya Touré on Roma: "Difficult" Champions League clash with Slovan Bratislava at the Olimpico
·20 October 2026·7d ago

Yaya Touré on Roma: "Difficult" Champions League clash with Slovan Bratislava at the Olimpico

Source: Roma News

Slovan Bratislava coach Yaya Touré has spoken ahead of Roma's Champions League third-matchday fixture against Slovan Bratislava at the Stadio Olimpico, saying he has fond memories of the stadium. Touré, who played in the Olimpico as a player, said returning there is always special, recalling a "special final against United that we managed to win" when he was on the pitch for Barcelona against Manchester United.

Touré said: "Yes, I was on the pitch. It is always nice to return here, I have wonderful memories, a special final against United that we managed to win. Today is a different match, as a coach, and I am curious too to see how it goes."

Asked whether both sides were looking for their first win, Touré said: "We have respect for Roma, we know it will be difficult. In the last match against Real they were unlucky, and I think they should have won that game. Now they will have to repeat that against us, and we will see whether we can bring the result home."

The match is part of the third matchday of the Champions League league phase. Roma's Champions League campaign for 2026-27 is taking place alongside their Serie A commitments, and this fixture gives the Giallorossi a chance to build momentum in Europe's premier club competition.

● AI Generated Summary

This summary was generated by an AI model. Always read the source for complete and accurate information.

Story Coverage25 sources on this story

Roma beat Slovan Bratislava 4-0 at the Stadio Olimpico in their third Champions League League Phase match, earning their first win of the competition and lifting them to four points. Hermoso opened the scoring with a header in the 21st minute, Molina doubled the lead before half-time, Pisilli added a third early in the second half, and Malen converted a penalty won by Wesley. Roma News reports it as the club's first Champions League win in 2,807 days, and several outlets note it followed a draw with Fenerbahce and a defeat to Real Madrid.

Lorenzo Pellegrini's withdrawal around the 49th minute was the main concern. Roma News describes a hip flexor problem, while a separate Roma News report and Forza Roma say it was in his right thigh. Gasperini called it a small issue but said a muscular injury takes about 20 days. Pisilli wore the captain's armband for the first time and scored, and Forza Roma notes Pellegrini's exit gave him the captaincy. Ghilardi's late goal was ruled out for offside. Cristante is available again and could travel to Napoli, while Dybala and Koné remain out.

Gasperini warned that Roma are thin in some areas and that matches every three days will test the squad. Next comes Saturday's trip to Napoli at the Maradona, followed by away fixtures against Manchester United and PSG.

AI synthesis of all sources below — always check the originals.

Testo Originale / Source Text

“Tutte le dichiarazioni dell’allenatore dei ‘belasi’ in occasione di Roma-Slovan Bratislava, match valido per la terza giornata di Champions League: Cosa provi a tornare qui all’Olimpico dopo quella finale tra Barcellona e Manchester United in cui eri in campo?“Si, ero in campo. E’ sempre bello…”

Read the full article in Italian at Roma News.

Read original on Roma News →

More Europe

Roma fans sell out away end for Udinese clash at Dacia Arena
Match ReportEurope● AI
16h ago

Roma fans sell out away end for Udinese clash at Dacia Arena

At least 1,300 Roma supporters are expected at the Dacia Arena for Udinese v Roma, after the away tickets sold out within a few days. The neighbouring sector has also sold out, and the home stadium is likely to be filled with Roma fans. The two sets of supporters are linked by a friendship between their ultras, and several fans will also be scattered across other parts of the stadium. The match is scheduled for Saturday at 18:00. The fixture comes three days before Roma's trip to Manchester, where an exodus of Roma fans is also expected at Old Trafford. More than 3,000 are set to travel to England for that match. The travelling support in both cities underlines the size of the following Roma are taking into the coming week. The travelling numbers show how strongly Roma supporters are backing the club across both fixtures, with the Udinese away end and the Manchester trip expected to be among the biggest displays of the week.

Roma and Juventus reportedly eye Genoa teenager Samuel Wiafe; Mora may start against Cagliari
Transfer NewsSquad News● AI
18h ago

Roma and Juventus reportedly eye Genoa teenager Samuel Wiafe; Mora may start against Cagliari

Roma and Juventus have reportedly identified Genoa midfielder Samuel Wiafe, a 2008-born player, as a prospect to strengthen their midfield. Scouts from several of Serie A's biggest clubs were in the stands on Sunday to watch him closely, and both clubs are said to be evaluating him with a long-term view. Genoa bought the player in the summer from Modena for 2.5 million plus bonuses. In Roma's own news, Rodrigo Mora could get a first-team start against Cagliari. With Lorenzo Pellegrini out and Paulo Dybala at best likely to be on the bench, the Portuguese hopes to find room in his natural role. According to Il Messaggero, Gasperini sees Mora not as an alternative to Matías Soulé but mainly as the deputy for Dybala: a pure number ten, to be involved more between the lines and in the final pass. Roma's match against Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico is expected to draw around 60,000 spectators. It is the last home game before a double away trip: the Giallorossi travel to Udine on Saturday, then remain in Friuli to train on Sunday before leaving from Trieste for England, where they face Manchester United in the Champions League on Tuesday.

GialloRossi.netRead original →
Gollini to start three more games as Svilar nears return
InjurySquad News● AI
21h ago

Gollini to start three more games as Svilar nears return

Pierluigi Gollini is set to play his final matches as Roma's first-choice goalkeeper before handing the number one shirt back to Mile Svilar, who is close to full recovery from a finger injury. Gollini has delivered convincing performances and clean sheets against Como, Genoa and Slovan Bratislava, and has also stood out in high-level clashes against Napoli and Real Madrid, with decisive saves from De Bruyne, Olivera and Politano. Gollini's save percentage stands at 77%, level with Maignan's. His aim is to keep a clean sheet in the next two league fixtures, against Cagliari at the Olimpico and away at Udinese. Roma's medical staff are encouraged by Svilar's progress, and according to Corriere dello Sport, his return to action is scheduled for early November, before the international break. Two possible dates have been identified for his comeback: the Champions League trip to Manchester United at Old Trafford, or the following league match against Sassuolo. On the European front, a specific UEFA rule applies. Vásquez was registered in the squad on 2 October following Svilar's injury, and UEFA regulations require a minimum period of one month before a new change can be made. The window for reinstating Svilar officially opens on 2 November, which theoretically makes it possible for him to be named for the Manchester match the following day. The final decision will rest with the medical staff. If there are any doubts about the risk, Gollini will also guard the goal at Old Trafford.

Feedback