Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini has addressed the upcoming UEFA Champions League clash against Real Madrid at the Stadio Olimpico, alongside discussing the anticipated return of former Giallorossi manager José Mourinho.
Mourinho, who departed Roma in January 2024, is expected to receive a warm reception from the home crowd. Gasperini acknowledged the strong bond between Mourinho and the Roma faithful, stating that the Portuguese coach deserves all the recognition he will receive.
However, Gasperini expressed confidence that once the match kicks off, fan emotions will shift entirely to supporting the current Roma team. “Rightly so, because there surely was love for Mourinho from our fans, so he’ll deserve all the recognition he’ll receive,” Gasperini said. “At the same time, I’m convinced that when the game begins, all emotions will be set aside and people will support Roma exclusively.”
Beyond the expected welcome, Gasperini also shared his professional admiration for Mourinho’s capabilities, particularly highlighting his skill in the transfer market. Gasperini noted Mourinho’s “ability to persuade clubs to buy extraordinary players and spend large sums of money.”
The Champions League Challenge
Turning his attention to the match itself, Gasperini emphasised Roma’s readiness to test themselves against one of Europe’s elite clubs. He acknowledged Real Madrid’s quality, noting their capacity to create dangerous situations, but stressed that Roma would not alter their established philosophy and style of play for the encounter.
Gasperini also reflected on the differences between the current Roma squad and the team under Mourinho. He described the present side as a “developing team that is very tough” and “confident,” having secured Champions League qualification. He also noted the difficulty of using Real Madrid, a club with numerous titles and a global fanbase, as a direct benchmark, preferring to focus on Roma’s performance on the pitch.
In their opening Champions League fixture, Roma secured a 1-1 draw away against Fenerbahce. Real Madrid, meanwhile, began their campaign with a victory over Roma’s domestic rivals, Inter.