ROME - Europe's most solid defence prepares for its biggest test. Unbeaten in the league and sitting third with 14 points, AS Roma host Real Madrid at the Olimpico on Monday for a Champions League match that also marks José Mourinho's first return as an opponent.
Gasperini's team has built its season on an impenetrable defensive block. In six Serie A matches it has conceded only three goals, sharing the league's best record with Cagliari. A figure that, including the goal conceded in Istanbul against Fenerbahçe, makes it the team with the tightest defence in Europe's top five leagues. "A solid defence, that concedes little and suffers even less," reads the technical assessment. The manager is aware of the challenge ahead: "They will field their best weapons," Gasperini stated regarding Real.
Svilar and Cristante absent
Preparation is affected by two significant absences. Goalkeeper Svilar will be out for around a month, while midfielder Cristante is unavailable. In their place, Gollini will start in goal-he hasn't played in the Champions League since February 2021, also against Real Madrid-and De Roon will take over in midfield. The Dutchman, with his nearly 44 appearances for the Giallorossi, is second only to Dybala for games in this squad, a key experienced element.
Mourinho's return
The side event igniting passions is the return of Mourinho, who left last January. The Portuguese coach has a record of two wins, two losses, and one draw in direct clashes with Gasperini, with the last draw coming just nine days before his sacking. His Roma, in the 2018-19 season, managed to finish second in their Champions League group despite two defeats against these same Blancos. It has been 2801 days since the last Champions League match at the Olimpico, a wait that ends Monday at 22:00.
The team comes from two prestigious draws in the league, 0-0 with Como and 1-1 with Inter, and needs to return to winning ways. The schedule offers another chance soon with the trip to face 17th-placed Genoa, but first comes the European night. Real, with Valverde, Mbappé and Vinicius, is the ideal opponent to test the resilience of a defence that has held firm so far.
This story first appeared at tuttoasroma.it
ROME - The solid defence was breached in seven minutes. Real Madrid came back to win 3-4 at the Olimpico thanks to three goals from corners between the 83rd and 90th minutes, scored by Carlos Espí, Endrick and Antonio Rüdiger. Roma, third in Serie A with 14 points, had scored through De Roon and a Donyell Malen brace, now the season's top scorer with 6 goals. "They exploited set pieces," manager Gasperini stated. The team, now with a record of 1 win, 3 draws and 1 loss in their last 5, starts again against Genoa.
