Cristante struggle to be fit for Como and Real Madrid battles, happy to see Mourinho
ISTANBUL, TURKEY - SEPTEMBER 10: Bryan Cristante of AS Roma celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammate Mario Hermoso during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Fenerbahce SK and AS Roma at Fenerbahce Sükrü Saracoglu Spor Kompleksi on September 10, 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Burak Kara/Getty Images)
Bryan Cristante warns he will probably not recover in time for the big Roma games against Como and Real Madrid, but ‘it will be good to see Jose Mourinho again.’
The midfielder was forced to withdraw from the Italy squad in the Nations League due to a knee injury, and it proved to be a particularly serious one.
He spoke to reporters including La Gazzetta dello Sport at a sponsorship event and confessed the healing process is going to take a while.
Cristante on Roma treatment table
“I had this knee problem and will try to be back as soon as possible, but it’s unlikely that I will be there for the next couple of games,” he said.
Roma are joint top of the Serie A table with Inter and Lazio, with Como trailing just behind, so the upcoming showdown with Cesc Fabregas is going to be crucial.
“Consistency is going to be fundamental, we had a great season and all want to repeat ourselves. We started this term from a more solid foundation, we are consolidated now, so clearly everyone wanted to stay and keep building.
“These are two big games, Como are a direct rival for position, while Real Madrid are always Real Madrid.”
Their coach is Mourinho, who will forever be loved by Roma fans for the Conference League victory, even if the rapport came to an abrupt end.
“It will be good to see Mourinho again. We had some wonderful moments together and it will be a great pleasure. Mourinho knows how to win and he wins wherever he goes. He brought a winning mentality to Roma.”
Cristante had already worked with Gian Piero Gasperini at the start of his career at Atalanta.
“He hasn’t changed at all, and that is his greatest strength, that he has this identity. He has given us something extra, though admittedly it’s a different experience doing his training sessions when I’m 31 compared to 21 years old.”
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