Badiashile says Roma's Malen is 'really strong' and Napoli must work together to stop him

Gian Piero Gasperini has spoken to the press ahead of Napoli v Roma, a big match in the eighth round of Serie A at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, saying that a victory in Naples would be a major boost for his side. Roma come into the game on the back of a week full of satisfaction, performances and results, and the coach has also had to deal with the loss of Lorenzo Pellegrini while welcoming back Bryan Cristante. Gasperini stressed the importance of Cristante's return to the squad. He explained that Roma have often had to field the same players in that department, so the midfielder's availability is significant both for his quality and for his form in this campaign. Gasperini also highlighted the tactical flexibility Cristante gives the team, as he can play in the deep midfield role but can also drop into the back two, allowing another player to push forward. The coach added that this gives Roma variations to use during the match. Asked how much a game like this could shape the season, Gasperini said: "It's a bit early for definitive judgements, but it's undoubtedly true that if we win today in Naples, it would be a further step in terms of awareness and strength, and in that respect it would be a great boost, undoubtedly." He also described the fixture as a high-level clash: "It's a match of quality, Napoli-Roma. A game with many important players on the pitch, two of the best teams in our league, so it's a very important match." Gasperini was speaking both before the game and after the final whistle.

Gian Piero Gasperini has spoken to Dazn ahead of Roma's match against Napoli, praising Bryan Cristante's return as an important boost for the squad. Roma have lost Lorenzo Pellegrini, but Gasperini says Cristante's value to the team is significant. Gasperini described the fixture as a match between sides of quality, adding: "Napoli-Roma is a match between teams of quality. They are two of the best in the league, it is an important game." Cristante is a key return, and the coach explained the reasoning behind his impact on the side. Gasperini said: "Yes, because in that area we have often played with the same men. His value is important. It makes the team more versatile, we can play him in the deeper midfield role. It gives us the chance to have variations." Asked how much the match could shape the season, he said: "It is difficult to say now, but if we win today it is a further step in awareness. It would be a great boost."

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has spoken ahead of Napoli v Roma, a Serie A match in the eighth matchday, describing it as a fixture between two of the league's best sides with many important players on the pitch. He said that winning at Napoli would be a major boost and a further proof of his side's awareness and strength. Gasperini was asked how much the result could shape the season and answered that it is still too early to speak in definitive terms. He also addressed the value of Bryan Cristante, who joined Roma in July 2018, explaining that the team has often had to play with the same players in that area of the pitch. He added that Cristante's importance lies in the options he gives the side: playing him as the deep midfield pivot, or bringing him into the two-man midfield and advancing another player, allows the team to vary its shape. Gasperini said: "Oggi è una gara di livello, una partita con tanti giocatori importanti in campo, due tra le squadre migliori del campionato." On Cristante, he said: "Molto, in quel reparto abbiamo dovuto giocare spesso con gli stessi uomini, e poi è importante per il suo valore, giocare con lui con il vertice basso o entrare nei due e far avanzare un altro, ci dà possibilità di variare." On the wider season he said: "La stagione è un po' presto per parlarne in termini definitivi. Vincere a Napoli sarebbe una grande spinta, una ulteriore prova di consapevolezza e di forza."

Roma defender Badiashile says he is settling in better in Italy, after a difficult start to life in a league that differs greatly from England. Speaking ahead of Napoli-Roma, a match in matchday eight of Serie A, he discussed his adaptation and the challenge of facing Donyell Malen. Badiashile said: "I'm very happy to be here. The start was hard because it is very different from England, but I'm adapting better." His comments offer an insight into how the Frenchman is finding his feet in Serie A, a competition that has posed its own demands since his arrival. He has faced Malen before, during his time at Aston Villa, and he spoke about the threat the forward poses. Badiashile said: "He is an excellent striker. To stop a striker like that, individual work is not enough, we need teamwork." The message points to a collective defensive effort from Roma as they prepare to meet Napoli.

Roma head to Napoli with their unbeaten Serie A run intact and aim to keep it going today. Gian Piero Gasperini has settled on his line-up for the clash with Antonio Allegri's side, who need a response after a heavy defeat at Venezia. Roma's starting XI is Gollini; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Rensch, de Roon, Pisilli, Wesley; Cristante; Soulé, Malen. Cristante plays further forward, alongside Soulé behind Malen. Napoli line up Milinkovic-Savic; Di Lorenzo, Badiashile, Marín, Olivera; Anguissa, De Bruyne, McTominay; Politano, Hojlund, Lang, in a 4-3-3. Roma's bench includes Vasquez, De Marzi, Lulli, Koulierakis, Molina, Balerdi, Ghilardi, Di Nunzio, Mora, Castro and Camara. Napoli's bench features Meret, Contini, Beukema, Gilmour, Giovane, Lobotka, Lucca, Marianucci, Rrahmani, Spinazzola and Vergara.

Gasperini's Roma face Massimiliano Allegri's Napoli in Serie A's eighth round this afternoon at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Kickoff is at 18:00, with the turnstiles open from 15:30. Roma travel without Svilar, Koné, Dybala and Pellegrini. Gasperini does have Cristante available again, and Malen is back in the starting frame after serving a one-match suspension. Cristante is the favourite to start in a more advanced role ahead of Mora. Napoli are expected to rely on Højlund, supported by Politano and Lang. In Roma's expected line-up, Lulli is favoured over Molina on the right flank. Cristante is set to play further forward, with Soulé and Malen completing the attack. The choice over Cristante's role is the main open question before the team sheets are released. Napoli (4-3-3): Milinkovic-Savic; Di Lorenzo, Badiashile, Rafa Marin, Olivera; Anguissa, De Bruyne, McTominay; Politano, Højlund, Lang. Substitutes: Meret, Contini, Beukema, Marianucci, Rrahmani, Spinazzola, Gilmour, Lobotka, Vergara, Giovane, Lucca. Coach: Massimiliano Allegri. Roma (3-4-1-2): Gollini; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Lulli, De Roon, Pisilli, Wesley; Cristante; Soulé, Malen. Substitutes: Vasquez, De Marzi, Rensch, Koulierakis, Molina, Balerdi, Ghilardi, Di Nunzio, Mora, Castro, Camara. Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini. The referee is Colombo of Como, with assistants Bindoni and Rossi M. Fourth official: Sacchi J.L. VAR: Aureliano. Assistant VAR: Meraviglia.