"Roma can compete, Real are no longer the Galacticos team against which I had to play," Francesco Totti said on Sky Sport Italia, and he widened that view across the rest of the Champions League picture in the same appearance. Speaking at the presentation of the new Panini Calciatori album at the International Broadcast Center in Lissone on Wednesday 14 October, he backed AS Roma against Real Madrid, predicted a warm reception for José Mourinho and said Inter can go all the way in Europe.

Roma against Real Madrid

Totti's confidence has some backing in Roma's start to the 2025-26 season. They are third in Serie A with 14 points from 6 matches, unbeaten with 4 wins and 2 draws, and they have conceded only 3 goals. He also pointed to the scale of the night itself, with Roma and Real Madrid scheduled for 20.45 at the Olimpico in front of 70,000 people.

The Real side is not the old Galacticos group he faced, as Totti put it, and that is his opinion rather than a guarantee. Real Madrid are fourth in La Liga with 18 points from 8 matches, and they have still won 6 of those league games, so Roma are not being asked to beat a fallen giant.

Inter and Mourinho at the Olimpico

Totti's other major line was about Inter, whom he described as a great and competitive team that can get to the end in Italy and in Europe. He went even further, saying: "Inter can win the Champions League: if they are lucky they can triumph." That is a bold call after their start in Europe, because Inter have two defeats in their first two Champions League matches, against Real Madrid and Brugge.

He also expects Mourinho to get a good reception at the Olimpico, pointing to what the Portuguese coach gave to the city and the two consecutive European finals he reached with Roma. Totti also said, "Return to Roma? Tonight I will be at the stadium, but I am not returning to Roma," which should settle any fantasy about a comeback. What remains is the match at 20.45 and the atmosphere around it.

Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →