Real Madrid. Como vs. Roma 0–0. Sometimes consolidating (even drawing). Sometimes changing (even the result).
Italy’s Nations League matches have demonstrated that Italian football is producing players of international caliber (for example—in alphabetical order—Bastoni, Daniele Maldini, Dimarco, Donnarumma, Fagioli, Kayode, Kean, Pio Esposito, Tonali, and Vergara). Now, the clubs must also showcase this technical quality in the Champions League and Europa League. This applies particularly to us, playing at the passionate Stadio Olimpico against the most prestigious club in the world: Real Madrid.
For us Roma fans, this match holds special significance—not only because we are facing the most illustrious club in the world, but also because we are coming up against a coach like Mourinho, to whom we are deeply attached, as an opponent for the first time. However, he will put those sentiments aside during the match and try to crush us. We, too, must therefore fight hard—out of respect for the competition and for an opponent we hold dear.
Sometimes it’s right to give in to nostalgia. And to cement a tradition with certain key players—like we did with Cristante, Mancini, and Pellegrini (who played well at Como). Sometimes, though, it’s right to make a change. We’ve found the right wavelength with Gasperini. Daje Gasp!
From a technical standpoint, there is no point in going into the details of the Real forwards' dribbling skills. Despite their less-than-ideal standing in La Liga (Real are fourth with 18 points from eight games), they are phenomenal players nonetheless. I would only risk giving our opponents pointers. Besides, Gasp has far more skilled match analysts at his disposal who will know how to explain the issues and find solutions.
Historically, Real Madrid seeks to dominate any opponent. On paper, the setup is a 4-2-3-1 with Bellingham playing behind Mbappé, though the formation often changes.
Bellingham is the best central attacking midfielder in the world. He is skilled at winning back possession and excels in dribbling and speed. Arda Güler, the right-sided attacker, is left-footed, so he tends to cut inside. Tchouaméni acts as the playmaker, while Valverde plays in a more advanced role but drops back to provide an additional option during the build-up phase.
In general, however, they do not shy away from a positional defensive phase in a 4-4-2 formation, looking to launch quick counter-attacks with long balls to Mbappé—as I saw in the recent match against Villarreal—and, I wouldn't rule it out, to Vini Jr.
They defend in zones on corner.
Playing against Real—even in the heated atmosphere of our Olimpico—means we have to consider the possibility of a draw; that said, they aren't unbeatable—they have plenty of flaws, especially in defense—and if we get the chance to win, we’ll have to seize it.
Even playing away at Como, a draw was a good result for Roma after Malen was sent off. The first half was a hard-fought contest, with the *Giallorossi* holding a slight edge. Como dominated the second half because we were down to ten men. In the final 30 minutes, Como put us under immense technical and mental pressure, but we held firm with great resolve. Given how the situation unfolded, we can be satisfied with the draw.
| 6th Serie A | First Half | Second Half | Final Score | Scorers |
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So, for Como, sticking with the current result worked out well for us. By the same token, I would urge Brazilians to stick with Lula. A victory for Flavio Bolsonaro—a Brazilian representative of the far-right movement gaining strength worldwide—would spell disaster not only for the poor but also for the middle class. For the world at large, it would mean the tragedy of deforestation in the Amazon—our "green lung"—bringing catastrophic climatic and weather-related consequences not just for Brazil, but for the entire planet.
Against Real, however, we may have the chance to turn the result around and win, spurred on by the many passionate and magical Roma fans. Similarly, it is time for Israel to change course and oust Netanyahu; his bloody and reckless policies have failed to ensure Israel's security and have isolated the Israeli people from all other nations that despise and hate the Israeli government. And I repeat: criticizing the Israeli government falls within the scope of freedom of opinion and is legitimate, whereas hating Jews simply because they are Jewish constitutes shameful antisemitism.
So I hope Brazil stays on the right track with Lula, just as I hope Israel replaces Netanyahu with Eisenkot. As for the coach, Roma fans have an emotional attachment to the memories of the Mourinho era, but making a change was the right move; now we need to solidify our tactics with the great "Gasp."
Daje Roma!
Giordano Sepi