Roma brace for Real Madrid clash missing Svilar for a month
Roma confront a stark contrast: the joy of a 2-2 draw against Inter on 19 September, with Mile Svilar and Lautaro Martínez sharing the spotlight, sits opposite the looming challenge of hosting Real Madrid in the Champions League while their first‑choice goalkeeper remains sidelined. The injury, announced by Gian Piero Gasperini today, casts a shadow over what should be a celebratory moment.
Svilar’s month‑long absence confirmed
Gasperini told a press conference that Svilar suffered a stress fracture to the lower part of the fifth toe on his right foot during training on 2 October at Trigoria. "It is not a displaced fracture, but recovery will take at least a month," he explained, adding that doctors may need to insert a screw, which would extend the timetable beyond the next international break.
The Serbian keeper, who joined Roma in 2022 and became undisputed starter at the start of the 2024‑25 season, will miss six Serie A games and three Champions League fixtures if the month‑long lay‑off holds. Those include the Wednesday clash with Real Madrid and the away tie at Manchester United on 3 November.
Impact on upcoming fixtures
Roma, currently leading Serie A alongside Inter and Lazio on 13 points, will travel to Cesc Fàbregas’s Como tomorrow, a test that will precede the high‑profile meeting with Real. Pierluigi Gollini, the 31‑year‑old Italian who has featured only once for Roma – against Panathinaikos in the Europa League in January – is set to replace Svilar.
Gasperini, also referred to as Gian in some reports, described the setback as “a hard blow” but reminded that long seasons inevitably produce unforeseen obstacles. He stressed that the team must adapt quickly, especially with the Champions League group stage still in its early stages after a 1‑1 draw away to Fenerbahçe.
Gregorio Borgia and Jordi Archs, writing for Fútbol internacional, highlighted the timing of the injury as particularly untimely, noting that it arrives just before the international break and the crucial second group‑stage match against Real Madrid.
Despite the setback, Gasperini hinted that Svilar could be back for the match against PSG on 21 November in Paris, offering a glimpse of hope for the giallorossi as the season progresses.