Radio Roma declares Roma a title contender alongside Inter and Como

Roma Women lost 2-0 away to Chelsea in the UEFA Women's Champions League, with Carpenter and Buchanan scoring in London. Chelsea took the lead in the 51st minute of the second half through Carpenter, and Buchanan made it 2-0 in the 89th minute with a header, sealing the result. The defeat is Roma's second loss in Europe this campaign, following their defeat to Barcelona. Coach Gianpiero Piovani's side remain on one point in the standings. Carpenter's goal came in the 51st minute, and Buchanan's header in the 89th minute ended any hopes of a comeback for the Giallorosse.

Roma have shown a new resilience under Gian Piero Gasperini, coming from behind to beat Cagliari in a comeback win. Their willingness to respond to going behind marks one of the most significant changes in the team. After the struggles of last season, the Giallorossi have already collected seven points from matches in which they trailed, the same number they gathered across the whole of the previous Serie A campaign. The run continued after the win over Inter, and it has revived the club's ambitions. It has also brought Gasperini closer to the figures needed to chase the record of Nils Liedholm. The article's remaining detail is limited, so the comeback against Cagliari and the seven-point tally, matched against the entire previous league season, stand as the central facts of the story.

Former Roma player and ex-UEFA vice-president Zibi Boniek has praised Rodrigo Mora's late goal in Roma's win over Cagliari, saying the Portuguese had shown little before and that the strike could boost his confidence. Speaking to Retesport, Boniek also discussed Gianluca Mancini's place in the side, the Lazio team Roma face in the city derby, and the importance of Roma staying focused. Boniek said the match looked over before a late finish from Mora, whom he described as a player with good individual technique whose physique had not helped him. He said: "La partita di ieri sembrava chiusa poi c'è stato un finale targato Mora che mi è piaciuto perché questo ragazzo aveva fatto vedere poco. Il portoghese è un calciatore con una buona tecnica individuale ma la sua struttura fisica non l'aveva aiutato. Spero che questo gol possa fargli aumentare il livello dell'autostima." On Mancini, who has been linked with losing his starting place to Balerdi, Boniek highlighted his attacking contribution. He said: "Quasi quasi è diventato il primo attaccante. Anche nel secondo gol di Pisilli c'è molto di Mancini che ha servito Lulli che ha fatto il cross per Niccolò. Ieri è stato raggirato da Fadera ma non mando in panchina nessuno, è chiaro che se ci sono 20 giocatori di pari livello si deve valutare chi è stanco ma questo Gasperini lo fa molto bene, infatti, poi ha messo Ghilardi e ha passato un pallone determinante a Mora. Mancini è forte nel pressing basso, anticipa gli avversari mentre quando c'è tanto spazio e deve correre può andare in difficoltà perché ha altre caratteristiche." Boniek also spoke about Lazio, who had just beaten Sassuolo, and praised coach Gennaro Gattuso. He said: "Adoro Gattuso perché è una persona vera che non si nasconde e dice quello che pensa: è un allenatore bravo. Se fa troppi punti diventa antipatico (ride ndr). La Lazio gioca bene, ieri l'ho vista con il Sassuolo, è una squadra molto veloce che va sempre in verticale con tante sovrapposizioni e non fa nessun Tiki Taka. Più la Lazio va forte e più la Roma manterrà alto il livello della concentrazione per fare altrettanto bene, vista la rivalità cittadina."

Roman radio pundits were largely focused on Roma after the win over Cagliari, with the debate centring on Mancini's performance, Mora's goal and the fitness of Paulo Dybala. David Rossi of Rete Sport said: “Maybe it was the worst match Mancini has played since he’s been here at Roma. Honestly, after that first half I didn’t think he could come back out, and yet he did.” He added: “In a normal world, you had to take Mancini off after 20 minutes. He wasn’t presentable.” Gianluca Piacentini said Mora's goal had silenced his serial critics, and praised Gasperini for stressing that the points Roma have taken this season, the same number as last season, carry greater weight because they came against Como, Inter, Napoli and Atalanta. Mario Corsi of Tele Radio Stereo defended Mancini against the whistles he received, saying: “Mancini plays as a striker on Gasperini’s orders. You can’t go back and forth at two hundred an hour; you lose something along the way.” On the Roma-Cagliari match, Corsi described it as a lacklustre game, adding that the young players had turned it around. Piero Torri of Manà Manà Sport praised Gollini, who made three important saves, and said he was playing with a concentration he had never shown before, having been given a great opportunity by Svilar’s misfortune. Roberto Pruzzo of Radio Radio said: “Mora? If Gasperini had another substitute, he’d have taken him off after a quarter of an hour. That was my impression.” He also said he was pleased that Pisilli and Lulli had partly sorted out the match, and said: “If you have to compare yourself to the Roma market, my friend… I had backed Castro, but if Mina has you in his pocket for 80 minutes, you need changing.” He added that Molina struggles to play in Italian football, and that De Roon was static in midfield. Nando Orsi of Radio Radio said: “I thought Roma never would lose this one.” Mario Mattioli of Radio Radio said Roma had suffered before taking full points. Daniele Lo Monaco of Radio Romanista said Roma are unbeaten with six wins and three draws, and argued that Lazio’s eight wins from nine carry a different weight. He said: “I don’t see the Leicester effect in any way. If Lazio finish in the top three, I’ll become a priest.” Mario Corsi said Lazio do not have a team fit for the top places, and Torri noted that Lazio have taken 25 points from 27, with fixtures against Roma, Napoli, Inter, Como, Atalanta, Fiorentina and Torino still to come. The focus then turned to the coming fixtures. Alessio Nardo said the Dybala situation was thorny: he had seemed set to return against Cagliari, but now risked missing the next three matches. He said: “I expect a very, very difficult match against Udinese, and it will take a great Roma to win it.” Lorenzo Pes said Dybala had returned to training on Sunday but would miss Saturday’s game against Udinese, adding: “I think he doesn’t want to miss Manchester-Roma at Old Trafford.” Checco Oddo Casano said the doubt for Saturday against Udinese would be between Mora and De Roon, and said the club’s hopes in attack now depend on Soulé.

Roma's goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini was the man of the moment in the aftermath of the win over Cagliari, with several Radio Roma commentators praising his display. Speaking on Radio Radio Mattino, former Roma striker Pruzzo said: "Molina and Castro are struggling." Gollini, who made three or four important saves according to Pugliese on Radio Radio, was highlighted by multiple pundits as the key figure in keeping the result intact. Cagliari produced 19 shots against Roma, making it the most difficult of the five matches that could help Roma's season, according to Pugliese on Radio Radio. Marcacci said Gasperini's criticism of his players began in the opening minutes, as he sensed the match would be difficult, and that Roma had been under pressure from Cagliari. Gollini had shown over six matches that he was up to the task, Pugliese added, calling him a great goalkeeper. Mora was praised for taking advantage of a Cagliari defensive error to score. Marcacci said the goal would be remembered at the end of the season because it came when Cagliari still had the most energy. Camelio questioned Molina's substitution, saying Mancini could no longer continue and should have been taken off earlier. Vocalelli said Roma had been forced to play every three days, arrived with five injured players and chose to rest some players, adding that the reaction after the 2-2 could not be criticised. Di Giovambattista said that a player like Mora could never score with his head. Pedrelli, on Radio Bruno Roma, said that with Lulli and Pisilli the future was already the present, and wished Mora and Ghilardi more space. Verdenelli praised a Roma side that refuses to accept defeat, saying: "A Roma that does not accept defeat, a Roma that always wants to impose its own game, a Roma that in the end always manages to get the result. We are the reflected image of those who coach us, and I like it." Ferri said Roma had a strong mentality despite important absences and that Gasperini was the added value, adding that Mancini should rest for now. Pruzzo said that if Gasperini had another substitute he would have taken Mora off, but he was happy that two academy players had solved the problems. He said: "I am an admirer of Castro, but Mina put him in his pocket yesterday. He needs to make a mental switch, Molina struggles in Italian football. I have big doubts about the Giallorossi market." Orsi, on Radio Radio Mattino, said Roma had not struggled against Cagliari and that he had the feeling Roma could never lose the match, adding: "Gollini saved the team, I am happy for him. Anyway, the Giallorossi were far superior to Cagliari."

Roma's unbeaten run has reached 16 matches following their win over Cagliari, a streak that began after the 5-0 defeat by Inter. Coach Gasperini has equalled Garcia's mark and now has his sights set on the club's historic records. Ahead of the other stories in the round-up, former striker Marco Borriello, speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, offered a measured view of Donyell Malen, who has scored 10 goals this season. He said: "He has quality, Gasperini brings it out of him, but Serie A today has more mediocrity than in my time. If you put him in a big Spanish or English club, he sits on the bench." Borriello was far warmer about Daniele De Rossi, saying: "He is a predestined one. He is proving to be a competent and intelligent coach, the 'Smart One'. If I were the president of Genoa, I would hold on to him tightly." The unbeaten run is now 16 matches, and Gasperini has matched Garcia's figure. Roma's historic benchmarks lie ahead, with runs of 19, 20, 24 and 25 matches all above them. The most significant mark is the 30 consecutive unbeaten league results set by Liedholm, a record that has stood since the 1980-81 season. In the player ratings, Lulli was named the best player on the pitch unanimously by the newspapers, with a 7.50. Mora followed on 7.25, a standout performance after coming off the bench. Gollini (7.08) and Malen (6.92) also earned praise, while Ghilardi and Soulé (both 6.75) received positive reviews. At the bottom, Mancini was rated 5.08, clearly the worst, followed by Rensch (5.58) and Castro (5.75).

Former Roma player Zibi Boniek believes Lazio's strong start to the season is helping to keep Roma sharp, given the rivalry between the two Rome clubs. Roma and Lazio are both sitting high in the table after the opening stretch of the league season, something that has not happened for several years. Speaking to 'Rete Sport', Boniek said: "The stronger Lazio go, the more Roma will maintain their level of concentration to do just as well, given the city rivalry." The Polish former player, a Serie A champion with Roma, praised Lazio's head coach Gattuso: "I adore him, because he is a real person who doesn't hide and says what he thinks: he is a good coach. If he gets too many points he becomes unpleasant (laughs)." On Lazio's play, Boniek added: "Lazio play well. I saw them yesterday against Sassuolo. They are a very fast team that always goes vertical with lots of overlaps, and they don't play any tiki-taka." Turning to Roma, Boniek described a match that looked closed before a late goal from Mora, whom he said had shown little before. "The Portuguese is a player with good individual technique, but his physical structure had not helped him. I hope this goal can raise his level of self-esteem." He said Roma started well but slowed in the second half, believing they could hold on, and conceded to Maldini. The immediate response from the giallorossi, he said, shows that players on the bench can make a difference. He praised Ghilardi for a cross and an overlap, despite playing little. Boniek noted that the first-choice defensive trio is Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso, but said that former Verona player Balerdi is a player of real calibre. He asked whether Mancini might move to the bench for Balerdi, adding that he has almost become the first striker. He also said there is much of Mancini in Pisilli's second goal, with Mancini's pass setting up Lulli, whose cross found Niccolò. On the team selection, Boniek said: "Yesterday he was tricked by Fadera, but I am not sending anyone to the bench. Clearly if there are 20 players of equal level, you have to assess who is tired, but Gasperini does this very well. He then brought on Ghilardi, who passed a decisive ball to Mora." Finally, Boniek spoke about Soulé, a 2003-born player: "He is changing. When you train with a good coach, you improve. He is also more resilient now. Players grow at 26-27, let alone at his age. Yesterday I liked him very much."

Roma will not return to Rome after their Serie A trip to Udine, instead travelling straight on to Manchester for their Champions League fixture against Manchester United on 3 November. Roma face Udinese on Saturday 31 October at 18:00. Angelo Mangiante, speaking on Mana Mana Sport, reported that the squad will train in Udine on Sunday morning, before leaving from Trieste airport for Manchester in the afternoon, in order to ease the travel burden of an intense week of league and Champions League matches. The transfer market is also on the agenda. Roma are looking to broaden the options available to head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, and Carlos Forbs, a Portuguese attacking winger born in 2002 who plays for Brugge, is reportedly among the profiles being monitored. Roma have reportedly sent scouts to San Siro to watch Forbs in the match against Inter and assess the player closely. Competition is strong, however, with Tottenham and Manchester United, along with other Premier League clubs, also reportedly interested. Brugge set a valuation of around 30 million euros in the summer, a figure that could still form the basis of any negotiation. Gasperini was also remembered in a tribute to the late journalist Mario Sconcerti, at the second edition of the award dedicated to him, held at the Salone d'Onore of the CONI in Rome and aimed at younger generations. Gasperini sent a video message to the students present, highlighting the value of Sconcerti's professional legacy: "A warning about what his profession was, his capacity. It is a lesson that will stay with you in your future profession." Following Roma's recent match against Cagliari, Marcacci spoke on Radio Radio: "Mora was good: full credit to him, for taking advantage of the defender's mistake from Cagliari. We will remember Mora's goal at the end of the season, because it came at a moment when Cagliari had more energy in the tank. Gasp's rebukes started from the first minutes: he sensed the match would be difficult, and Roma suffered against Cagliari. Mancini struggled and leaves too much space behind him. A note of credit for the crowd, who were involved; the team needed that push." Pedrelli, on Radio Bruno Roma, added: "With Lulli and Pisilli the future is already here. I wish Mora and Ghilardi more space. Well done also to Gollini. What a Roma this is, who keep trying until the end. No one excluded."

Former Roma player and ex-UEFA vice-president Zibi Boniek has praised Rodrigo Mora's late goal in Roma's win over Cagliari, saying the Portuguese had shown little before and that the strike could boost his confidence. Speaking to Retesport, Boniek also discussed Gianluca Mancini's place in the side, the Lazio team Roma face in the city derby, and the importance of Roma staying focused. Boniek said the match looked over before a late finish from Mora, whom he described as a player with good individual technique whose physique had not helped him. He said: "La partita di ieri sembrava chiusa poi c'è stato un finale targato Mora che mi è piaciuto perché questo ragazzo aveva fatto vedere poco. Il portoghese è un calciatore con una buona tecnica individuale ma la sua struttura fisica non l'aveva aiutato. Spero che questo gol possa fargli aumentare il livello dell'autostima." On Mancini, who has been linked with losing his starting place to Balerdi, Boniek highlighted his attacking contribution. He said: "Quasi quasi è diventato il primo attaccante. Anche nel secondo gol di Pisilli c'è molto di Mancini che ha servito Lulli che ha fatto il cross per Niccolò. Ieri è stato raggirato da Fadera ma non mando in panchina nessuno, è chiaro che se ci sono 20 giocatori di pari livello si deve valutare chi è stanco ma questo Gasperini lo fa molto bene, infatti, poi ha messo Ghilardi e ha passato un pallone determinante a Mora. Mancini è forte nel pressing basso, anticipa gli avversari mentre quando c'è tanto spazio e deve correre può andare in difficoltà perché ha altre caratteristiche." Boniek also spoke about Lazio, who had just beaten Sassuolo, and praised coach Gennaro Gattuso. He said: "Adoro Gattuso perché è una persona vera che non si nasconde e dice quello che pensa: è un allenatore bravo. Se fa troppi punti diventa antipatico (ride ndr). La Lazio gioca bene, ieri l'ho vista con il Sassuolo, è una squadra molto veloce che va sempre in verticale con tante sovrapposizioni e non fa nessun Tiki Taka. Più la Lazio va forte e più la Roma manterrà alto il livello della concentrazione per fare altrettanto bene, vista la rivalità cittadina."

Roma came through their match against Cagliari, though they were forced to come from behind after Maldini's equaliser in the closing stages, with Mora and Malen completing the comeback and securing three important points. The result keeps the Giallorossi in touch with a Serie A title race that remains wide open on the table. Gasperini's side are firmly in the hunt for the lead, and the fight for the top places is tightening. Speaking on Sky Sport, Walter Zenga analysed the duel between Gasperini's team and Inter, but also looked at the wider picture. He noted that four sides remain unbeaten, the two Milan clubs and the two Roman clubs, and said he could not recall how often that had been seen. Zenga said: "I was asking myself a question yesterday: after the matches I thought there are four teams still unbeaten, the Milan clubs and the Roman ones, I don't know how many times that has been seen. Roma play well and are spectacular, but yesterday they risked a lot. Como put in a considerable show of strength, because Torino are going very well. All these discussions are linked to the Champions League places: it is a very beautiful and balanced championship."

Manu Koné is the player Roma cannot do without, according to the article, ahead of even Mile Svilar and Paulo Dybala. The French midfielder is described as Gasperini's man of balance, an element who seems impossible to replace. The numbers back this up: with Koné on the pitch, Roma have conceded 4 goals in 7 matches; without him, they have conceded 9 in just 5. His withdrawal against Real Madrid, with a mask on his face and pain visible in his eyes, had already set off alarm bells. From that moment, Roma's defensive phase appeared to lose its certainties. The article argues that Koné is not a player of spectacular moments but of balance, which allows others to shine. In Gasperini's side, Roma take considerable risks when attacking: the full-backs push forward, the attacking midfielders move close to Malen, and the team pushes up to win the ball back immediately. When the press is beaten or opponents counter, Koné steps in. His contribution, the article says, is measured not only by tackles won but by the dangerous moves that never develop. According to StatsNext, he averages 5.3 balls recovered, 1.75 tackles and around 0.9 interceptions per 90 minutes. Team data is also highlighted: with him on the pitch Roma conceded 0.57 goals per match, against 1.8 without him. The article acknowledges that this figure alone does not prove a direct link between his absence and the defensive difficulties, but says it merits attention. Against Cagliari the difference was evident, the article states. Pisacane's side passed through with ease, transitions flowed, and Roma left gaps. De Roon was struggling and Cristante was not at his best. The midfield needed a Manu, the player Roma have held on to for years and whom Gasperini never wants to lose. The article concludes that the data supports this view, though it was evident even without the numbers. The immediate goal is to have Koné back for the match against Sassuolo. Gasperini is waiting for him, and so is Roma.

Rodrigo Mora headed the decisive goal as Roma came from behind to beat Cagliari 4-2, with Donyell Malen scoring the fourth. Mora, who stands 1.68 metres tall, rose to head home the 3-2 goal, a moment that reversed the momentum after the match had seemed to slip away from the hosts. Il Messaggero described the Portuguese forward's header as a moment that brought the young but tired Roma side back into the game. Gian Piero Gasperini was smiling at the final whistle despite a second half that his side played poorly, with many individual and collective errors, Roma conceding more than they should have and creating less than usual. The result came after Roma had shipped five goals in their last two matches, a worrying return even though the fear of conceding appeared to have disappeared against Cagliari. The win came in the style of Inter, with Roma absorbing pressure before striking back, and the Italian paper noted the Giallorossi tend to be pushed back without ever managing to counter seriously. Cagliari had the edge in shots in the closing stages, 9 to 8. Gollini, in the mould of Svilar, made a save to deny Mendy shortly before Maldini's goal put Cagliari in front, which proved to be the moment that woke Roma up for a second time. Mora flew to meet a cross from Ghilardi and headed in, a late development in the match. Malen then sealed the 4-2, collecting another fine piece of play from the Portuguese midfielder, after Mora had again been involved in delivering the ball into the area for the Dutch forward. Gasperini, the paper concluded, once again went beyond the difficulties and errors with his decisions in the closing stages.