ROME - A bitter and unacceptable defeat for AS Roma, who squandered a two-goal lead in the final ten minutes of play. At the end of a crazy match, Real Madrid overturned a 3-1 scoreline into a 4-3 result that weighs heavily on the Giallorossi's European campaign.
Marten de Roon opened the scoring in the 20th minute, before Kylian Mbappé equalised five minutes later. In the second half, a brace from Donyell Malen, in the 51st and 58th minutes, seemed to have sealed the deal, putting AS Roma 3-1 up. Gian Piero Gasperini's side, third in Serie A with 14 points, were in control. Then, in the 83rd minute, Carlos Espí's goal reopened the contest. Two minutes later Endrick made it 3-3, before Antonio Rüdiger completed the incredible comeback from a corner in the 90th minute.
Mourinho's words
José Mourinho, returning to the Olimpico, commented on the turnaround coolly. "In the first half they killed us but in the last 20 minutes we killed them," declared the Real Madrid coach. He then thanked the Roma fans, stating: "I thank them for today and forever, there's not much to say, these are situations I will never forget."
Gasperini's view
On the other side, Gian Piero Gasperini did not hide his disappointment. "We stopped at the finish line, on the corner we were really passive. We lost a match we had led," admitted the Giallorossi manager. The defeat comes during a patchy run of form, with just one win in their last five matches across all competitions. The coach also confirmed the physical problems for Manu Koné, who came off with a thigh strain, and Paulo Dybala, substituted due to a muscle issue.
The next challenge is already around the corner: on Sunday 17 October, AS Roma host Genoa, currently 17th in the table. A must-win match to redeem this heavy blow and keep pace in the league, where the gap to leaders Inter is just two points. The team must rediscover the defensive solidity that has characterised them so far, having conceded only three goals in six Serie A matchdays. For the full schedule of upcoming matches, refer to the fixtures page. Malen, the season's top scorer with six goals, will be called upon to lead the reaction once again.
This story first appeared at Sky Sport IT
Roma face Genoa at the Olimpico on Sunday, October 17. The Genoa coach is Daniele De Rossi, former captain and former manager of the Giallorossi. The team, third in Serie A with 14 points, seeks a reaction after the Champions League defeat.
