Roma's Champions League campaign took a painful turn on Wednesday night as Gian Piero Gasperini's side threw away a 3-1 lead at the Stadio Olimpico, eventually losing 4-3 to Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid in a collapse that will take time to process. As reported after the match, the Giallorossi dominated for 83 minutes, only to concede three goals in the final stages, with substitute Endrick proving decisive off the bench. The defeat was not just a missed opportunity for three points but part of a broader Italian embarrassment: all four Serie A clubs lost in the second Champions League matchday, a record low for Italian football in European competition.

The physical cost of that night is now shaping Roma's immediate future. Paulo Dybala was forced off at half-time with an injury, while Donyell Malen faces a one-match domestic suspension, leaving Gasperini short of attacking options. As outlined ahead of the Genoa fixture, the manager must now find solutions from the wider squad, with Santiago Castro among those likely to step into a bigger role.

Despite the disappointment, Roma sit third in Serie A with 14 points from six games, one point behind city rivals Lazio. The next test arrives Saturday when Genoa visit the Olimpico, a match that carries added weight given the squad's depleted state and the need to restore confidence after a damaging midweek result.