D'Amico Stands by Roma's '80 Spectacular Minutes' as January Endrick Move Stays on the Table
Roma director Tony D'Amico has insisted the club will take the positives from their agonising 4-3 Champions League defeat to Real Madrid, refusing to let the result overshadow what he called “80 spectacular minutes” as the Giallorossi prepare to host Slovan Bratislava at the Stadio Olimpico.
Roma were on course for a statement win in the Italian capital, leading 3-1 and dominating the reigning European champions, before conceding three near-identical goals from corner kicks inside a seven-minute spell that turned the match on its head.
D'Amico: The result is the only negative
“Those seven minutes were unusual, they left us breathless,” D'Amico told Sky Sport Italia. “This is the Champions League, it is a very difficult competition, but we also remember 80 spectacular minutes played by the team. As with every game, whether it is a win or a defeat, you have to analyse everything and not just the result.
“There are many positive elements about that performance, the negative was the result.”
The manner of the loss — following an opening 1-1 draw away to Fenerbahce — has piled pressure on Roma to claim their first victory of this season's Champions League campaign when they welcome Slovan Bratislava this evening.
Injuries force Roma to lean on youth
D'Amico confirmed Roma are still being stretched by absences. Donyell Malen, suspended for the weekend's Serie A victory over Genoa, returns to the fold, while Bryan Cristante is back on the bench after a month out with a knee injury. However, Paulo Dybala, Manu Koné and Mile Svilar remain unavailable.
With the squad thin, Roma have turned to academy products such as Niccolò Pisilli and Emanuele Lulli, and D'Amico credited the coaching staff for managing the transition.
“It was a great evening against Genoa, we were curious to see these youngsters in action too, but Gian Piero Gasperini is an expert at getting the best out of youth,” he said. “That match came hot on the heels of Real Madrid, so the lads did so well and we are happy to be able to count on them.”
Endrick question resurfaces before January
The catalyst for Real Madrid's fightback from 3-1 down was the introduction off the bench of Endrick, whose impact has reignited scrutiny over his role and minutes at the Santiago Bernabéu. Roma had pushed hard to sign the Brazilian on loan over the summer, and D'Amico was asked whether the club would renew that effort in January.
“That is a long way in the future, so we want to concentrate on ourselves right now,” D'Amico noted. “We'll try to do our best in January to give the coach and squad more resources for the many games we're going into.”
Reports from 16 October 2026 revealed that José Mourinho had turned down Roma's summer loan request for Endrick after the striker headed Real Madrid's equaliser in the same comeback, insisting the then 20-year-old is capable of more. Coverage dated 18 October 2026 subsequently reported that Roma wanted a loan with an option to buy, a position D'Amico's latest comments broadly align with — though he stopped short of confirming a formal January bid.
For now, Roma's immediate focus is on Slovan Bratislava and the chance to finally get their Champions League campaign up and running.