Gasperini: ‘Roma fans waited years, Real Madrid best in the world’
TURIN, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 14: Gian Piero Gasperini, Manager of AS Roma, looks on during the Serie A match between Torino FC and AS Roma at Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino on September 14, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
Gian Piero Gasperini realises Roma fans ‘have been waiting years for this moment’ hosting Real Madrid in the Champions League. ‘We are up against some of the best players in the world.’
It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico at 20.00 UK time (21.00 CEST).
The Giallorossi have their first Champions League home fixture in over seven years, and it is against one of their former coaches, as Jose Mourinho won the Conference League here and reached the Europa League Final.
Gasperini focus on Roma strengths
“There were no doubts about the atmosphere, this type of match has been missing for too long from this stadium, and the fans have been waiting years for this moment,” Gasperini told Amazon Prime Video Italia.
“It’ll feel like we have a 12th man on our side in the stands, but on the pitch, it is just 11 against 11. We have to count on our own strengths, so while the motivation and atmosphere is going to be incredible, we’ve got to make it count on the pitch.”
Real Madrid just learned that Vinicius Junior has been given a four-match LaLiga ban for a hair-pulling incident against Villarreal, but they will appeal.
He therefore is extra motivated along with Jude Bellingham, Yan Diomande and Kylian Mbappé.
“We are up against some of the best players in the world, and their pace is above all going to be a concern. We know all that, so we need to work well not just individually, but as a unit,” noted Gasperini.
Donyell Malen was sent off in the 0-0 draw with Como, so will be suspended for the upcoming Serie A match against Genoa, and can focus all his attention on tonight’s clash.
Goalkeeper Mile Svilar and midfielder Bryan Cristante are still out injured, so Pierluigi Gollini and Marten de Roon step in.
“We’ve got to try to take the game to Real Madrid, cause them problems, highlight some of their weaknesses and limit some of their many strengths.”
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