Gasperini: Roma Outclassed Real Madrid, Huge Regret at Those Three Corners

FolioPitch.com – 15 October 2026 | Gian Piero Gasperini was left to rue a stunning late collapse as his Roma side fell 4-3 to Real Madrid at the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday night. The coach insisted that Gasperini Roma outclassed Real Madrid huge regret at those three corners, as the Giallorossi conceded three identical goals from corners in the final seven minutes to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

Roma had surged into a fully deserved 3-1 lead with a Marten de Roon strike and a Donyell Malen brace, but some shocking defending from set pieces saw them concede three in a row from the 83rd minute to the 90th. Carlos Espi, Endrick and former Roma defender Antonio Rudiger were all on target from almost identical goals, giving Real Madrid a 4-3 victory.

“They had taken corners in the first half too, but in the final minutes it was as if we were paralysed with fear on those corners, they scored too easily,” Gasperini told Sky Sport Italia and Amazon Prime Video Italia. “There is huge regret, because a game played like that should not have ended with that epilogue.”

Real Madrid had just one shot on target in the entire first half and it was the Kylian Mbappé goal, whereas Thibaut Courtois was forced into several saves. “We have to build on the positives, so even if this defeat weighs heavily, we need to shake it off quickly, otherwise we risk cancelling out all the good things we saw in this match,” insisted the coach. “It is so hard to accept, but Roma certainly did some very good things, which we ruined at the end. Quite beyond Real Madrid’s capabilities on set plays, we were far too passive, and that is a pity.”

Jose Mourinho said to the media after the final whistle that Roma were ‘dead’ in the closing stages, but Gasperini took offence. “If there was a team that looked like it had run out of steam, it was Real Madrid. We outclassed them in everything, they scored only on corners, but other than that we were certainly up to the task. It’s true we have to learn how to see games through to the end, those final minutes were decisive. We’ve got to build on our style of play and work on the negatives.”

The night had more problems for Gasperini, because Manu Koné went off in tears after just 17 minutes with a fresh injury, then Paulo Dybala had to be replaced at half-time with a muscular issue. They were already missing Mile Svilar with a fractured toe and Bryan Cristante thanks to that knee injury. “Koné is certainly a muscular problem, Dybala felt the soleus muscle harden, so we have to wait and see. The Koné injury is certainly worse, that is a strain. You run the risk of injuries when playing at this level, but we had recovered well,” confirmed Gasperini.

Roma now have one point from two Champions League games, as they held Fenerbahce to a 1-1 draw in Turkiye. The defeat leaves a bitter taste, but Gasperini remains convinced that his side can compete with the best. “We outclassed Real Madrid for large periods, but football is decided by moments. Those three corners will haunt us, but we must move on.”

In conclusion, Gasperini Roma outclassed Real Madrid huge regret at those three corners will be the talking point for weeks to come. The coach’s insistence that his team were the better side is backed by the statistics, but the harsh reality is that Roma left the Stadio Olimpico with nothing. The challenge now is to turn that performance into points before the Champions League campaign slips away.