Roma in Europe

At least 1,300 Roma supporters are expected at the Dacia Arena for Udinese v Roma, after the away tickets sold out within a few days. The neighbouring sector has also sold out, and the home stadium is likely to be filled with Roma fans. The two sets of supporters are linked by a friendship between their ultras, and several fans will also be scattered across other parts of the stadium. The match is scheduled for Saturday at 18:00. The fixture comes three days before Roma's trip to Manchester, where an exodus of Roma fans is also expected at Old Trafford. More than 3,000 are set to travel to England for that match. The travelling support in both cities underlines the size of the following Roma are taking into the coming week. The travelling numbers show how strongly Roma supporters are backing the club across both fixtures, with the Udinese away end and the Manchester trip expected to be among the biggest displays of the week.

Roma and Juventus have reportedly identified Genoa midfielder Samuel Wiafe, a 2008-born player, as a prospect to strengthen their midfield. Scouts from several of Serie A's biggest clubs were in the stands on Sunday to watch him closely, and both clubs are said to be evaluating him with a long-term view. Genoa bought the player in the summer from Modena for 2.5 million plus bonuses. In Roma's own news, Rodrigo Mora could get a first-team start against Cagliari. With Lorenzo Pellegrini out and Paulo Dybala at best likely to be on the bench, the Portuguese hopes to find room in his natural role. According to Il Messaggero, Gasperini sees Mora not as an alternative to Matías Soulé but mainly as the deputy for Dybala: a pure number ten, to be involved more between the lines and in the final pass. Roma's match against Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico is expected to draw around 60,000 spectators. It is the last home game before a double away trip: the Giallorossi travel to Udine on Saturday, then remain in Friuli to train on Sunday before leaving from Trieste for England, where they face Manchester United in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Pierluigi Gollini is set to play his final matches as Roma's first-choice goalkeeper before handing the number one shirt back to Mile Svilar, who is close to full recovery from a finger injury. Gollini has delivered convincing performances and clean sheets against Como, Genoa and Slovan Bratislava, and has also stood out in high-level clashes against Napoli and Real Madrid, with decisive saves from De Bruyne, Olivera and Politano. Gollini's save percentage stands at 77%, level with Maignan's. His aim is to keep a clean sheet in the next two league fixtures, against Cagliari at the Olimpico and away at Udinese. Roma's medical staff are encouraged by Svilar's progress, and according to Corriere dello Sport, his return to action is scheduled for early November, before the international break. Two possible dates have been identified for his comeback: the Champions League trip to Manchester United at Old Trafford, or the following league match against Sassuolo. On the European front, a specific UEFA rule applies. Vásquez was registered in the squad on 2 October following Svilar's injury, and UEFA regulations require a minimum period of one month before a new change can be made. The window for reinstating Svilar officially opens on 2 November, which theoretically makes it possible for him to be named for the Manchester match the following day. The final decision will rest with the medical staff. If there are any doubts about the risk, Gollini will also guard the goal at Old Trafford.

Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar is aiming to return before the November international break, with an MRI scan in Belgium scheduled for Thursday 29 October. The Serbia international is recovering from a fracture to his fifth toe, and the scan will determine whether he can resume training ahead of upcoming matches. According to ForzaRoma.info, the discomfort has decreased and Svilar hopes to bring his initially planned timeline forward. A trip to Manchester United on 3 November remains difficult for regulatory reasons. Under UEFA rules, after an injured goalkeeper is replaced on the list, at least 30 days must pass from the date of the injury, not from the date the change was communicated. Reinstating him also requires the player to be declared fit and the club to notify UEFA within the set deadlines. For this reason, the home match against Sassuolo on 7 November currently appears a more realistic prospect for Svilar's return. Gollini will continue in goal against Cagliari and Udinese. The article focuses on the timing of Svilar's recovery and the UEFA eligibility rules that govern his possible return to the Champions League fixture in Manchester, while Sassuolo at home is seen as the more likely target.

Matías Soulé has become an indispensable figure in Gian Piero Gasperini's tactical setup, and Paulo Dybala is closing in on a return to the attack alongside him. Soulé put in a top-class display in the draw against Napoli, with four key passes, an 88% pass completion rate, four duels won, four dribbles and a high number of balls recovered. With three goals and one assist in eight league matches, the 2003-born forward appears transformed, more daring, incisive and decisive in the big games. Soulé's rise comes after a complicated summer marked by transfer rumours and the after-effects of a groin problem (pubalgia) that kept him sidelined for much of last season. Now he is set to form a potent attacking partnership with Dybala again. La Joya has almost recovered from a slight calf injury picked up against Real Madrid and has trained partly with the group, and he is pushing hard to be fit for the home match against Cagliari. In Gasperini's 3-4-2-1, the two Argentines require specific balance. When Dybala is on the pitch, Soulé is shifted to the right flank, a position that does not curb his forward runs but demands constant coordination. The coach nonetheless values the versatility and total willingness to sacrifice of both players, which are key to keeping Roma's attack competitive. The squad continues its preparations for the next league fixture. On the injury front, Koné will have to wait a few more days for a full recovery, although his condition is improving markedly. Attention is also being paid to travel ahead of the next Champions League fixture against Manchester United: after the match in Udine, the team will fly directly to England from Trieste, a decision planned by the coaching staff to manage energy levels and avoid travel stress for the players.

Matías Soulé has returned to a central role in Gian Piero Gasperini's attack after overcoming the pubalgia problems that held back his form early in 2026. The Argentine forward has played 504 league minutes, making him the striker Gasperini has used most so far and ahead of fellow forwards Malen and Dybala. His performance at the Maradona, which included a superb goal that sparked Roma's comeback, showed his personality, his link-up play in tight spaces and his consistent impact in the final third. Il Tempo reports that there is good news from the Fulvio Bernardini training centre in Trigoria on the injury front, as the infirmary begins to empty. Cristante has returned to full training, and Paulo Dybala is progressing towards full recovery. Dybala left the European match against Real Madrid during the first half with a slight calf injury, has taken part in part of the group training session and is pushing hard for a place in the squad for the home match against Cagliari. There are also encouraging signs in goal. Mile Svilar, sidelined by a stress fracture in his right foot, will undergo new checks in Belgium on Thursday. If the result is positive, the goalkeeper could return before the international break. That would open the possibility of adding or swapping him on the UEFA list ahead of the Champions League trip to Manchester United on 3 November, using the rule that allows an injured goalkeeper to be replaced after a minimum period out.

Paulo Dybala is feeling better and is set to return to the matchday squad, although he is expected to start on the bench before coming back into the starting lineup from the first minute against Udinese. Yesterday he trained partially with the group. The squad stayed overnight at Trigoria after Saturday's away trip, and today's final training session is meant to settle the last selection doubts. Soulé and Malen will lead the attack, with either Mora or Cristante alongside them. Manu Koné will have to wait a few more days, and tomorrow evening he will still be in the stands. The main focus, however, is the Champions League big match against Manchester United. Roma may travel to England with the squad straight after the Udine fixture for logistical reasons, according to Daniele Aloisi of Il Messaggero. After facing Juventus, the team will not return to the capital. Instead, it will stay in Friuli and then fly to England from Trieste. Gasperini wanted the change of plans to manage the squad's energy and avoid too many journeys. Aloisi's report adds that the details can make all the difference in cases like this, and the logistics of the trip underline how carefully the staff are planning the run of fixtures ahead.

Roma scouts were among those watching Porto against PSV Eindhoven at the Estádio do Dragão in the Champions League, as the club keeps working ahead of the January transfer window to strengthen Gian Piero Gasperini's squad. Sporting director D'Amico is looking for talent to complete the attack and the wide areas, where a left-sided midfield winger is still missing. Scouts from Everton, Manchester United, Brentford and Nottingham Forest were also present, according to English outlet Sport Witness. Many talents featured for PSV as well as for Porto, who are coached by Farioli. Among the possible targets Roma are monitoring is Sven Mijnans, an attacking midfielder born in 2000 who had already been followed in the summer. Also on the list is Bajraktarević, a Bosnian left-sided winger born in 2005. Roma will keep working on these ideas in the coming weeks, as a side that has made a top start still needs reinforcements. Porto's young standouts also drew attention. Oscar Pietuszewski, a right-footed winger born in 2008, is very young. Alberto Costa, a 23-year-old full-back, was close to joining Roma in January 2025.

Lele Adani has praised Roma's resilience under Gian Piero Gasperini, saying the team looks highly credible in difficult moments after their defeat to Real Madrid. Roma have responded with two consecutive wins, scoring six goals and conceding none across Serie A and the Champions League. The giallorossi bounced back immediatamente from the setback, showing maturity, confidence in their own abilities and the capacity to get through dips in form without knock-on effects. The response has not gone unnoticed by pundits. On the latest episode of the programme Viva el Futbol, Adani gave the coach top marks for the work done so far and stressed the strength of the group's character in responding to adversity. Roma's defeat to Real Madrid could, in the past, have left lasting damage on morale and on the path the side was trying to build under Gasp. Adani also linked the Real Madrid result to the Genoa match, asking how often in other situations a Roma side in Rome would have slipped up at that point. Adani said: "I am totally a Gasp fan. I see Roma as very credible in difficult moments. The match against Real could have led to aftereffects, and the match against Genoa, in other situations, in Rome how many times has it led to a slip-up?" Antonio Cassano looked further back, to 2007, when he faced Gasperini's Genoa as an opponent. He said: "When I played against Genoa, in 2007, Gasperini was already this. Nobody noticed, nobody ever said it. But people only looked at the results. He got great results, he reached the Europa League with that team. Man-to-man, full-pitch, he has been doing it for 20 years. Now they've realised he is a revolutionary."

Roma have conceded fewer goals since August than any side in Europe's top five leagues. They have let in just three goals in seven Serie A matchdays. Including the Champions League, Tuesday evening's 2-0 win over Slovan Bratislava (hmm)

Roma's injury crisis is opening a door for Rodrigo Mora, with the Portuguese midfielder set to be given a starting chance as Gasperini looks for answers after the 4-0 Champions League win over Slovan. Lorenzo Pellegrini has joined a growing injury list that already includes Mile Svilar, Manu Koné and Paulo Dybala, and the first checks offer little hope of a quick return: he is expected to be out for around a month, though the official extent of the problem will only be confirmed after an MRI scan. Roma are averaging two injuries a week. With Pellegrini sidelined, Gasperini has only Matías Soulé and Mora as specialist attacking midfielders for Saturday's trip to Napoli at the Maradona. Dybala is targeting a return for the match at Udinese, while Bryan Cristante is back in the squad but needs to regain match rhythm. The head coach has backed Mora since his arrival, but his performances have been more subdued in recent starts. After an excellent cameo against Real Madrid, he appeared more in the shadows when starting against Genoa and Slovan. Gasperini expects more concrete answers from him, and Napoli could be the chance to take a step forward and earn a regular place. The night in Bratislava was otherwise a positive one for the Giallorossi. Donyell Malen impressed with his goalscoring, Daniele Ghilardi was reliable at the back, Wesley showed renewed energy and Nahuel Molina scored his first goal for the club. Gasperini can take pride in having built a side with a strong identity, but the injury problem is the main concern. A decision on whether to start Mora alongside Soulé will be central to the coming fixture.

Donyell Malen scored again on Tuesday evening against Slovan Bratislava, converting a penalty in an easy win for Roma. The Dutch forward, known as 'Bobby', has now scored 24 goals in 29 appearances since arriving in January. The article notes that he was the subject of doubts from some fans, who had been hoping for Zirkzee, and others who were frustrated by the failure to sign Raspadori. In Italy, Malen is regarded by many as a top striker, and in Europe he keeps company with players of the calibre of Mbappé, Haaland, Yamal and Raphinha, with Kane considered unreachable at the top. Stefano Carina, writing in Il Messaggero, said that former Italy coach Fabio Capello had described the Bundesliga, where Kane plays, as a league that is "poco allenante" (not very demanding). Malen is also refining other aspects of his game, including dropping deep to meet the ball carrier, cleaning up passes and creating space for team-mates to run into. Against Slovan Bratislava he set up Pellegrini twice, Mora once and Wesley once. With Dybala absent, Malen will need to rebuild his understanding with Soulé, and the weight of the attack rests heavily on his shoulders. Antonio Arena's teammate Santiago Castro can also wait his turn, with Malen described as ready for the challenge.

Niccolò Pisilli scored at the Stadio Olimpico in the Champions League against Slovan Bratislava, celebrating in front of former captain Francesco Totti in the stands. He was wearing the captain's armband that Lorenzo Pellegrini had handed over after leaving the pitch injured. The moment, according to Gazzetta dello Sport's Alessio D'Urso, is a sign of destiny and of an unwritten pact passed from one generation of Roma men to the next, with symbols of the club's romanist identity in the spotlight on the biggest stage. Pisilli, a Roma academy product, is described as having all the qualities to carry this fairytale story forward from the Trigoria training ground. The article suggests the future now belongs to him. Backed by his team-mates and following in the footsteps of the great players before him, he could lead Roma into a new phase and become the captain who plays in the club's centenary year, and who makes his debut in the new stadium at Pietralata. The article describes the goal against Slovan as the work of a midfielder wearing the captain's armband who is not afraid and who, facing that light in the temple, does not step back. It concludes that the soul of Roma remains in safe hands and warm feet.

Konstantinos Koulierakis celebrated Roma's Champions League win at the Stadio Olimpico yesterday, sharing images of the evening on Instagram. The defender said the result was one the team's performances had earned. Roma won convincingly, scoring and keeping a clean sheet in a result that puts the club firmly back on track in Europe. The victory followed a painful defeat to Real, which made the response all the more satisfying for the squad. Koulierakis's post reflected that relief, with the Greek centre-back stressing that the side's displays had finally been rewarded. Koulierakis wrote: "Finalmente il risultato che le nostre prestazioni meritavano. E continuiamo così", which translates as: "Finally the result our performances deserved. And we keep going like this."

Niccolò Pisilli scored while wearing the captain's armband in Roma's European win over Slovan Bratislava, echoing Francesco Totti, who scored his first goal as captain against Fiorentina in 1998. It is the third goal of the season for the 2004-born midfielder, who may now get a chance on the trequarti in the next match away to Napoli at the Maradona. Gian Piero Gasperini's side are enjoying a strong spread of goals: eleven different players have scored in the first ten matches, which puts the capitolini ahead of the other Italian clubs, Inter included. Donyell Malen leads the attacking output with nine goals and now faces the trip to Napoli. Roma are also dealing with a complicated injury situation. Marten de Roon has made an important contribution as well. He has accumulated 170 minutes across his last three matches, played in six days, and scored his first Champions League goal. The Dutchman leads the team's midfielders for ball recoveries and attempted clearances, confirming his physical condition is improving.

Roma's 4-0 Champions League win over Slovan Bratislava has inspired a new cartoon from reader Michele dall'Oman, who again used his trademark irony. The drawing features the Romanews.eu mascot ticking items off a Champions League to-do list. The first task is to face Real Madrid with their heads held high, a nod to Gian Piero Gasperini's side and their performance against the Spanish club, despite a 4-3 defeat at the Stadio Olimpico. The second item revisits a long-standing grievance: avenging Roma's elimination from the Europa League by Slovan Bratislava on 25 August 2011. The cartoon treats that unfinished business as a score finally being settled, a revenge Roma fans had been waiting fifteen years for. The cartoon's concluding line ties the two moments together, reflecting the spirit of the drawing as a whole. The punchline reads: "Siamo lenti a fare le 'cose' perché ci piace farle per benino!!!" In English: "We are slow to do 'things' because we like doing them properly!!!" The cartoon builds on Roma's European journey so far, pairing the Real Madrid display with the win over Slovan Bratislava to make a lighthearted point about the club's approach in Europe.

Roma currently sit on 4 points in the Champions League, but simulations have already mapped out their possible European path. Data compiled by Football Meets Data, produced by a supercomputer model, projects Roma finishing 20th in the league phase. That position would be enough to reach the playoffs, which are reserved for teams placed from ninth to 24th. In this scenario, PSV Eindhoven would be Roma's likely playoff opponent and the first obstacle on the road to the round of 16. The model's outcome would become even tougher if Roma won the playoffs. The simulation suggests Roma could then face either Manchester United, who are already in Roma's league-phase group, or Borussia Dortmund in the last 16. Both are clubs with long European traditions. The projection is purely statistical and not a confirmed pairing. The final league-phase table and the draw will determine the actual matchups.

Roma have already secured at least €53.1m in UEFA Champions League prize money, according to an analysis published by Football Meets Data, and that sum is guaranteed even in the worst scenario for the rest of the tournament. The figure is the minimum total indicated by the source, and it can grow through results and progression to the later rounds. The analysis separates money already banked, money still to be paid and money that will depend on results on the pitch. Of the €53.1m, €41.4m would already have been paid in September. The difference is money Roma have earned but will receive according to the scheduled payment dates. The next date highlighted by Football Meets Data is 20 November, when the prizes linked to results from the first four matchdays of the league phase will be paid. The system is simple: each win is worth €2.1m and each draw €700,000. Roma have already earned €2.8m from the points they have taken. A win in the fourth matchday would take that figure to €4.9m, while a draw would raise it to €3.5m. A defeat would leave it at €2.8m. These sums form part of the overall season total. The November payment is one of the instalments through which UEFA distributes prizes, not an amount to be added again to revenue already counted. Alongside the guaranteed sums, Football Meets Data presents a projection of Roma's route. In the single scenario illustrated, Roma would finish the league phase in 13th place with 13 points, qualifying for the playoff round for the last 16. Compared with the four points already considered in the analysis, the nine additional points would bring another €6.3m in match prizes. On top of that, around €6.7m would be linked to finishing 13th in the final standings. The league-phase position also matters financially, as UEFA allocates part of its revenue according to placing, so a higher finish improves the prize. In the scenario described, Roma would also receive €1m for finishing between ninth and sixteenth place and another €1m for taking part in the playoff. The first reward recognises the position reached, the second the entry into the knockout round. The biggest jump would come from getting past the playoff. Following the path hypothesised by Football Meets Data, Roma would reach the round of 16 and earn a further €11m. That is one of the decisive elements in approaching the total of €78.9m indicated in the analysis. The figure should be read as the product of a precise combination: 13th place, 13 points in the league phase and a subsequent progression to the last 16 through the playoff. It is not money already secured but a forecast dependent on results still to be earned. The total also includes sums whose payment is scheduled further ahead. In June 2027, Roma will receive, according to the source, €7.86m, corresponding to the remaining 25% of the so-called Value Pillar. This component reflects the share of UEFA revenue distributed by considering the value of television markets and club coefficients. It is different from prizes for wins and qualifications: in the analysis it is treated as fixed, and the balance does not depend on upcoming matches. An additional payment of €750,000 is scheduled for October 2027 as the balance of the participation bonus. Again, this is money already included in the count, which will be physically collected later. Football Meets Data also distinguishes the single path described from the average result of its simulations. The estimated average for Roma is €70.7m, while 90% of the scenarios produced a total between €56.3m and €97.7m. The gap is explained by the many possible developments in the competition: an early exit reduces the prizes, a longer run increases them. That range describes the model's predictions and is not a guarantee of income. The firm foundation of the analysis remains the €53.1m already secured. From there, every result can add to the value of Roma's Champions League campaign. The calculation concerns UEFA prizes, and to these are added the gate receipts from home matches at the Olimpico, which further contribute to the economic weight of taking part.

Two travelling supporters, one Slovak and one Polish, have been arrested over disorder that broke out in the away section of the Stadio Olimpico at the start of the second half of Roma against Slovan Bratislava. The Digos, the police anti-terrorism and investigations unit, began inquiries immediately and in the hours that followed tracked down and arrested the two fans on charges classed as stadium-related offences. Of the 2,000 away supporters present, 200 have been identified so far, including 150 Polish ultras considered to be at high risk. Preventive work also covered pubs and bars traditionally frequented by the visiting fans. Police at Fiumicino and Ciampino airports, working closely with local police offices and the Rome Questura's Digos, carried out a thorough checking operation on arrivals. The hours before the match passed without any incidents in all areas of the city centre, though without any particular outcomes to report.

Roma's win over Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League has also boosted the club's finances, with the three points worth €2.1 million. According to Calcio e Finanza, Roma have collected just over €52 million from Europe's premier competition so far. The total is made up of €18.62 million for qualifying and €30.49 million under the so-called value pillar, the mechanism through which UEFA distributes part of its revenue based on the value of television markets and the historic ranking of clubs. The figure is set to rise further thanks to matchday ticket revenue. Roma are in the Champions League this season after finishing third in Serie A in 2025-26, and the club's haul continues to grow with each result.

Roma responded to their Champions League struggles with a comfortable 4-0 win over Slovan Bratislava at the Stadio Olimpico in the third matchday of the League Phase. Gian Piero Gasperini's side also made a statement in terms of goal difference. The fixture revived a meeting between the two clubs from 15 years ago. The result comes as Italian clubs in the competition have struggled overall. Napoli, coached by Allegri, also responded, winning 4-3 at the Maradona against Bodo/Glimt, who pushed the Neapolitans all the way to the final whistle. Inter and Como are set to play later tonight, and their results will complete the picture for Italian sides in Europe's top competition. The article sets out the full standings for the Italian clubs in the League Phase after the third matchday, with Roma's margin of victory now a useful asset in the table.

Niccolò Pisilli scored Roma's third goal and was named Man of the Match as the Giallorossi beat Slovan Bratislava 4-0 at the Stadio Olimpico in their Champions League league-phase third matchday. Pisilli also captained the side for the first time in his career after Lorenzo Pellegrini was forced off through injury, and he marked the occasion by scoring soon after taking the armband. The goal means Pisilli became the first Roma player to score in his first match as captain, a feat that the article notes only Francesco Totti had previously achieved. Totti first wore the armband on 17 October 1998, receiving it from Aldair, and he also scored in that match, a 2-1 win over Fiorentina in the final minutes. The result keeps Roma's Champions League campaign moving with a convincing home win, and Pisilli's double contribution as goalscorer and captain adds to a memorable evening for the academy product. Pellegrini's injury is a concern for the squad as the club continues its European and domestic programme.

Daniele Ghilardi made his first career start in the Champions League last night, delivering a very convincing performance for Roma. Ghilardi also provided the assist that unlocked the match. The defender's display comes as reports had suggested a possible January sale, although Roma have no intention of letting him go, according to the article's reporting on the situation. Roma have collected four points from nine so far this season. Asked whether that record feels short of what the team has shown, Ghilardi said: "If it feels short I don't know, because away from home we managed to get a point, which was not easy. Today we won, and last game unfortunately we know how it went, but the performance was there. We will keep trying to pick up points to position ourselves in the best place in the table." On whether the team has reached its definitive mental edge for the campaign or needs the Napoli game, he replied: "No, we approach the match the same way whether it is Real Madrid or Bratislava. We give our all and try to win because that is our aim. We hope to keep going like this." Asked about his Champions League debut, Ghilardi said: "I am happy, I was emotional at the end of the match, then I melted. I am happy it went that way, with the assist that unlocked the game. We hope to keep going like this." Asked what he is working on most compared with last year, he said: "Everything: heading, speed, one-on-one duels. We work on everything to improve because I can improve in so many areas. We do it in training and I hope it shows on the pitch."

Lorenzo Pellegrini has been ruled out with a new muscle problem, while Bryan Cristante is back in the squad and aiming to be fully available for Saturday's trip to Napoli, coach Gian Piero Gasperini has said. Speaking after the 4-0 win over Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League, Gasperini said: "Now we have recovered Cristante but we lose Pellegrini. In certain areas we are a bit stretched." Roma regained their winning form in Europe and rotated their squad, but the injury list grew. Pellegrini was forced off early in the second half against Slovan with a muscle problem, interrupting a spell in which he had been steadily regaining continuity and condition. Gasperini played down the severity of the injury but indicated a recovery of some length: "I don't think it's a serious thing. However small it is, when it's muscular it takes 20 days, I think it's around that value." Further tests will clarify the situation, but Pellegrini is set to miss the Napoli match and several of the games that follow. His absence further complicates the selection in the attacking midfield, already affected by the absence of Paulo Dybala. Cristante had been out for recent weeks with a knee problem sustained after the Roma-Inter match. Against Slovan he was officially named back in the matchday squad, although he did not play, with Gasperini preferring not to rush his return. Being on the bench is still a significant step towards full recovery. The aim now is for him to be genuinely available against Napoli at the Maradona, a date Gasperini had earlier identified as a possible return. His availability could prove particularly valuable given the shortage in midfield. Dybala's situation has changed since the first indications after the Real Madrid match. Initially a simple calf strain was mentioned, but the latest checks revealed a small tear. Ahead of the Slovan game, Gasperini explained the Argentine must rest for at least a couple of weeks. After the European match the coach stressed how much his absence weighs on the attack: "If we don't recover Dybala quickly we will really be few in number." Dybala will therefore miss Napoli, and his recovery will be managed with caution. Manu Koné's rehabilitation continues. Tests carried out after the Roma-Real Madrid match showed a first-degree tear of the right hamstring. The Frenchman will not be available at the Maradona and is working towards a return in the coming weeks. Gasperini had pointed to the Sassuolo match as a possible reference point for his return: "Koné has had an MRI: it is a first-degree tear, not particularly significant. It needs the necessary time for recovery and we hope to have him available for Sassuolo." Whether he could be available sooner for the Champions League trip to Manchester United remains to be assessed. Mile Svilar is also still out, recovering from a stress fracture to a finger. The goalkeeper is continuing his programme and will not be available for the trip to the Maradona. The aim is to have him back after the next international break, once the necessary consolidation work is complete. In the meantime Pierluigi Gollini continues to inspire confidence in goal, having kept two consecutive clean sheets against Genoa and Slovan Bratislava. Until Svilar returns, Gollini will remain Roma's first choice in goal. The absences of Dybala, Pellegrini and Koné mainly reduce the options between midfield and the attacking midfield, but Gasperini can count on Malen's return and the possible recovery of Cristante. The most natural solution remains a 3-4-2-1, with Soulé and Mora behind the Dutchman, although a two-striker system with Malen and Castro, supported by one of the two attacking midfielders, is not ruled out. If Cristante is fully available, an alternative would be to pair him with De Roon in midfield, allowing Pisilli to push forward into the attacking midfield. As of 21 October, the probable Roma line-up is: Gollini; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Wesley, De Roon, Pisilli, Molina; Mora, Soulé; Malen. Coach: Gasperini.

Manu Koné is continuing his recovery and hopes to return to Roma's squad for the match against Sassuolo, which falls just before the international break. The French midfielder is still unavailable, but Gasperini hopes to have him back soon to strengthen the department, according to Il Tempo. Player ratings from the Italian papers rewarded Pisilli and Wesley (7.28), the best performers in the win over Slovan Bratislava. Hermoso and Malen (7.14) also earned high marks, followed by Ghilardi and Pellegrini (7.07). Mora (5.93) received the lowest rating and was the only player below the average mark. Gasperini was also praised, receiving a 7.36 for his management of the game. Donyell Malen continues to drive Roma forward. Against Slovan Bratislava he scored a penalty and provided an assist for Pisilli, following his brace against Real Madrid and his assist for Cristante against Fenerbahce. The Dutchman has risen to 9 goals this season, 6 in the league and 3 in the Champions League. He is the first Roma player to be involved in a goal in each of the first three matches of a single edition of the competition, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. There were moments of tension at the Olimpico during Roma against Slovan Bratislava. In the away section, several Slovak ultras reportedly attacked police officers who had intervened to restore order, even taking some riot shields. Police responded with charges that forced the fans back. Some supporters were reportedly identified, and further measures are not ruled out, according to Corriere della Sera.

Roma dominated Slovan Bratislava from start to finish, with Hermoso and Soulé's goals and a sustained attacking display putting the Champions League side in control, and Gasperini getting the answers he was seeking from players who had previously seen less action. Gasperini changed five players from the Genoa match, lining up in a 3-4-2-1, and the Roma side swarmed the Slovan 4-3-3 from the first whistle. Quick build-up play and incisive passing saw the Giallorossi push forward continually, with the left-sided chain of Pellegrini and Wesley particularly active, Hermoso initially supporting them. Slovan struggled to break up the rhythm and pressure, and their only real source of acceleration was Camara, who was looking for long balls. Roma won the ball back immediately, often without needing any particular marking, and the play was constantly played in a 40-metre area around Takac's goal. Roma's attacking play came mainly down the left, where they regularly reached the byline. The breakthrough was slow to come, however, because of poor finishing. Pellegrini shot wide with his left foot from a Malen pass, then Pisilli sent his rebound wide, and shortly afterwards Pisilli also fired over another chance created by switches of play. Pellegrini had three wayward shots in the first 25 minutes, and Malen initially misread the channels of entry, making some poor runs. Molina, still tentative, worked more in width than in depth. The opener came from a set piece: Ghilardi acted as a target man and Hermoso buried the header. Shortly after, Wesley assisted Molina from wide, who first fluffed his effort at the far post but was then ready on Takac's imperfect rebound to make it 2-0. The double lead ended any sign of a Slovan response, with Pellegrini sound defensively and Balerdi at times almost disarming in how easily he defused danger. With the two-goal cushion, the priority became conserving energy ahead of the Napoli match. After the restart, with the same eleven players, at least another 15 minutes of intensity were needed. The change of pace came when Soulé replaced Pellegrini, who had suffered a new injury, and took up position on the left in an already devastating chain. Soon after, Pisilli won the ball from Malen and Soulé finished it off, described as "like a snack taken from a child", closing out a game that, in effect, never began for Slovan. When Malen made it 4-0, managing energy became even more important. De Roon remained surprisingly on the pitch, and Roma controlled possession, avoiding further setbacks after Pellegrini's knock. Castro and Rensch came on for Malen and Wesley, but De Roon stayed on until the 72nd minute, when Mancini replaced him in midfield, a repeat of the Fonseca emergency of 2020. Koulierakis also came on for Hermoso. Three aspects stood out late on. At 4-0, several vigorous ball recoveries by the Giallorossi showed a ferocious mentality. Castro impressed with the quality of his touch and his game management, which was truly top class. Ghilardi scored a textbook goal, a perfectly co-ordinated volley that recalled Totti at Bologna in 2001, but it was ruled out for an obvious offside by two teammates.

Mario Hermoso scored the goal that opened the way for Roma's Champions League win over Slovan Bratislava, ending a winless run in the competition that had lasted 2,807 days. The Spaniard's strike was his second goal of the season, following his effort against Atalanta. A year ago, Hermoso was not even expected to report to pre-season training, and the summer of 2025 saw him seemingly with one foot out of Trigoria. Fifteen months on, he is the player Gasperini cannot seem to do without. Hermoso has made 10 appearances this season, starting nine of them. His only rest came against Genoa. Marco Juric of La Repubblica notes that after two months he has played 752 minutes, more than any other Roma player. Last season he made 37 appearances as the club returned to the Champions League, and this season's workload is set to be even heavier. The Champions League win is Roma's first in the competition since 12 February 2019, when they beat Porto 2-1. Hermoso was then at Espanyol and had yet to have any connection with Roma. Juric observes that Hermoso's greatest Gasperini-style quality is that he has become indispensable almost without anyone having declared him so. Theoretically a defender who should live mainly on timing his interventions and covering, he has also scored two important goals: the one against Atalanta that started the comeback and the European strike against Slovan. Today he is Gasperini's praetorian guard.

Donyell Malen was again decisive in Roma's 4-0 win over Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League, and he is now one of the in-form forwards in Europe, second only to Harry Kane. Roma must quickly refocus on Serie A, with Napoli, coached by Allegri, visiting the Stadio Maradona on Saturday. Malen's display in Bratislava added to his growing impact since he joined Roma last January. He laid on a perfect assist for Niccolò Pisilli and converted a penalty coolly. With 24 goals and 4 assists since wearing the giallorosso, Malen has become the first Roma player ever to be involved in a goal in each of the first three matches of a single Champions League campaign. He remains the focal point of Gasperini's attack, even without Paulo Dybala alongside him. The Napoli trip is complicated, but it gives Malen the chance to return to Serie A action after his suspension. He has already left his mark at the Maradona, scoring a brace there last season. Roma head into the fixture with confidence and a forward in outstanding form, and Malen looks like the biggest threat to the Napoli defence.

Roma thrashed Slovan Bratislava 4-0 in the Champions League, with goals from Hermoso, Molina, Pisilli and Malen, and the result has quickly eased the sting of the ten painful minutes against Real Madrid. The Giallorossi took control early and never let go, and they could have scored far more, with a hurried final ball and some poor finishing denying them a more entertaining rout. The win came despite a sizeable rotation. Balerdi, Ghilardi, Molina, Pisilli, De Roon, Mora and Pellegrini all started, and the team still dominated. Malen was described as a force of nature who carried the side, supported by Wesley, Pisilli, a reborn and re-motivated Pellegrini, and the whole team. Ghilardi was singled out as excellent, justifying Mancini's surprise call-up. Mancini later came on to replace De Roon in midfield, while Rensch, Castro and Koulierakis also came off the bench. Writing in La Gazzetta dello Sport, Fabio Licari said the result was not just a matter of winning tricks but a total domination. He pointed to the left-hand channel, where Wesley and Pellegrini passed the ball as they pleased and delivered crosses few in Serie A can match, constantly troubling a Slovan defence that was already struggling. Four goals, two in each half, all different, showed the variety of Roma's solutions. Licari concluded: "After a year, this is Gasp's Roma." The Giallorossi now turn their attention to Saturday's match against Napoli, which Licari described as a fixture he cannot wait to watch.

Roma defender Daniele Ghilardi said his Champions League debut was a huge emotional moment and that the squad also wants to win against Napoli. Ghilardi said: "Tanta emozione per l'esordio in Champions. Vogliamo vincere anche col Napoli", which translates as: "A lot of emotion for the Champions League debut. We want to win against Napoli too." The comments follow Roma's 4-0 win over Slovan Bratislava, which the Italian coverage rated in player ratings that picked out Ghilardi and Hermoso, with Malen also singled out. Roma's Champions League campaign has begun with that result, and the club now turns its attention to Napoli. Elsewhere in the club's news, Gian Piero Gasperini said of team selection: "Chi gioca deve essere all'altezza della Roma. Spero di riavere presto Dybala, davanti siamo pochi", meaning those who play must be up to the standard of Roma, and he hopes to have Dybala back soon as the attack is thin. Lorenzo Pellegrini has a muscle injury, and Gasperini said: "Nulla di grave, ma rischia di stare out 20 giorni", meaning it is nothing serious but he could be out for 20 days. Niccolò Pisilli said wearing the Roma captain's armband is an honour and that he has grown a lot under Gasperini.

Gian Piero Gasperini and Massimiliano Allegri shared a light-hearted exchange on Sky Sport after both sides won their Champions League matches, setting up Napoli against Roma. Roma beat Slovan Bratislava 4-0, while Napoli beat Bodø/Glimt 4-3. The fixture is at the Maradona on Saturday. The pair's on-air banter was a playful preview of the weekend's clash. Gasperini opened by telling Allegri, "Ciao Max, arrivo arrivo. Ci vediamo sabato" ("Hi Max, I'm coming, I'm coming. See you Saturday"). Allegri replied that both teams had won and were arriving in good spirits, adding: "Non avevate nemmeno bisogno, noi un po' di più di voi" ("You didn't even need to, we needed it a bit more than you"). Gasperini had the final word, laughing as he said: "Adesso basta però, non esageriamo" ("That's enough now, let's not overdo it"). The exchange was a lighthearted moment as both coaches looked ahead to Saturday's Serie A encounter at the Maradona, with Roma arriving on a strong European result.

Roma defender Ghilardi has spoken to Sky Sport after a performance that he says showed he is ready to play for Roma, and he hopes to build on it with more consistent minutes. Ghilardi played only a small amount this season but was among the best players whenever he appeared. Against Real Madrid he set up the assist that unlocked the game, and he also had a goal ruled out for an offside by Castro, which denied him a first European goal. Roma have conceded fewer goals than any side in Europe's top five leagues. Ghilardi said: "It is a source of satisfaction for us defenders and for the whole defensive unit, but also for the whole defensive phase, which is not only the defenders but the whole team. It is something we seek, not conceding goals is very important and we are happy that it is going this way. We will try to continue." Asked about his current form, he said: "There are many giants, both in the national team and at Roma. Being called up to the national team was a satisfaction. I was not able to play, but already being called up was very important for me. I hope to return there as soon as possible." On playing one-on-one and in open space against quick opponents, such as the two wingers he faced today, he said: "I like playing this way a lot. These are challenges I enjoy. I like playing in open space and one-on-one. It amuses me a lot." Asked why he did not play for the whole first half of last season, he explained: "It was a schooling period. I had to learn a new method of football. At Verona we did not play like this, and here the level was higher too. It is a different intensity. The first months were about settling in, then I was fortunate to play with more continuity. I hope to have that this season too." Roma have taken four points from nine available so far. Ghilardi said: "Tight, I don't know. Away from home we drew on a difficult pitch, today we won and against Real Madrid the performance was there. We will try to get points and place ourselves in the best position possible." On the Napoli fixture, he said: "We approach every match the same way, whether it is Genoa, Napoli, Real or Bratislava. We try to win, give our best and hope to keep it going." On his Champions League debut, he said: "I am very happy. I was nervous at the start but then I relaxed. I am happy with the assist that unlocked the game, and we hope to continue like this." Asked whether it was his best game since joining Roma, he replied: "I don't know, maybe that is for you to say." On what he is working on most this season, he said: "Everything, heading, duels and one-on-one. We can improve in all aspects and I hope it shows on the pitch."

Niccolò Pisilli scored after just one minute wearing the captain's armband in Roma's Champions League match against Slovan Bratislava, a third-matchday fixture. Speaking afterwards, he described the moment as a great honour. Pisilli said: "Sì, per me è un onore, ogni singolo minuto che ho giocato con la fascia è stato un onore. Oggi mancava tanta gente che la porta prima di me e questo è stato un grandissimo orgoglio." The midfielder said that many players who had worn the armband before him were absent, which made the occasion even more meaningful for him. Asked what has changed for him and the team this season, Pisilli said the side is growing considerably together. He explained that last year was the first under the coach, so the players had to absorb all the key concepts. This season the squad starts with an extra year of work, making things a little easier because they now know what the coach asks of them. Pisilli said: "Secondo me stiamo crescendo molto come squadra. L'anno scorso era il primo con il mister e dovevamo comunque recepire tutti i concetti bene. Adesso partiamo con un anno in più di lavoro ed è un po' più semplice, sappiamo cosa lui ci chiede. Io cerco di mettermi a disposizione della squadra, crescere e fare ciò che mi chiede il mister. Quando c'è da attaccare cerco di attaccare e quando c'è da difendere cerco di essere tosto." His message was clear: he is ready to give everything for the team, attacking when required and defending with toughness when needed.