Roma Beats Slovan Bratislava 4-0 in Champions League

AS Roma secured their first win in the 2026-27 UEFA Champions League league phase with a commanding 4-0 victory over Slovan Bratislava at the Stadio Olimpico on October 20, 2026. Mario Hermoso, Nahuel Molina, Niccolo Pisilli, and Donyell Malen scored as Gian Piero Gasperini's side responded to their previous defeat against Real Madrid and collected three important points. According to Corriere dello Sport and Fanpage, the result lifted Roma to four points after three matches.

The Italian club had opened its campaign with a 1-1 draw against Fenerbahce in Turkey before losing 4-3 at home to Real Madrid after surrendering an advantage. Slovan Bratislava, coached by Yaya Touré, suffered its third consecutive heavy defeat in the competition. The Slovakian side had previously lost 6-1 away to Paris Saint-Germain and 3-0 at home to Stuttgart, bringing its goals conceded total to 13 after the Roma match, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Roma controlled the opening half and took the lead in the 21st minute. Lorenzo Pellegrini delivered a cross into the penalty area, and the resulting attacking move allowed Spanish defender Hermoso to finish from close range.

The hosts doubled their advantage in the 39th minute through Molina. Malen created the opportunity with an effort that goalkeeper Takac could not hold, allowing the Argentine defender to reach the rebound and score. Roma maintained its pressure after the interval, and Pisilli extended the lead in the 52nd minute. The midfielder, wearing the captain's armband, converted Malen's pass with a powerful left-footed finish beneath the crossbar.

Six minutes later, Malen completed the scoring from the penalty spot. The referee awarded Roma a penalty after Wesley was brought down inside the area, and the Dutch forward sent his low shot past Takac to make it 4-0. Gasperini subsequently replaced Malen with Castro and brought on Rensch for Wesley, managing his squad with Roma's upcoming league commitments in mind. The home side continued to create opportunities, although a later goal by Ghilardi was disallowed for offside involving Castro, according to Corriere dello Sport.

Roma also recorded a defensive milestone in the first half. Corriere dello Sport reported that Hermoso and Molina became the first two different Roma defenders to score in the same European Cup or Champions League match in the club's history. Hermoso emphasized the importance of the result after the match, particularly following the disappointment against Real Madrid.

Speaking to Sky, the defender highlighted the team's need to win, its defensive performance, and the importance of working collectively to make the most of its attacking quality. Pisilli also described wearing the captain's armband as a significant personal honor. Speaking to Sky, he said, "Every single minute played with the armband was a tremendous honor."

He added that the team had continued to develop under Gasperini and that he followed the coach's instructions in both possession and defensive phases.

Former Roma captain Francesco Totti also visited the players in the stadium tunnel before kickoff, greeting several members of the squad, including Malen, Paulo Dybala, Pellegrini, and Gianluca Mancini, according to Sky Sport Italia.

Roma's next Champions League assignment is an away match against Manchester United at Old Trafford, according to Fanpage. The victory over Slovan Bratislava gives Gasperini's team four points in the league phase heading into that fixture.