Baldini praises Lulli's rapid rise with Italy Under-21s

Netherlands head coach Xavi Hernández has heaped praise on Roma forward Donyell Malen ahead of the Nations League fixture against Greece, which is scheduled for tomorrow at 20:45. Speaking at his press conference, the Spanish coach focused on the Roma attacker, who has earned high regard from the Oranje boss. Xavi said: "He is training very well and is in excellent form. He has shown that he has settled in perfectly and wants to show all of his potential. He is doing very well in Italy, and I am trying to give him confidence because he can become an important player for this team." The coach added: "He has the ability to make himself noticed, create chances and be in the right place at the right time. Furthermore, he attacks the goal with great effectiveness. He is a footballer with many qualities who can make an important contribution to our team." He concluded: "I can't wait to see him on the pitch."

Paulo Dybala could return to Roma's starting line-up for the trip to Parma on 21 November at 18:00, with Gian Piero Gasperini reportedly considering the Argentine from the first minute. Eleven Roma players have been called up for the international break, more than any other club's squad in the article's account, and Argentina is the nation with the most Giallorossi on duty. Leonardo Balerdi, Santiago Castro and Matías Soulé are all with Argentina, which plays Uruguay on 14 November and Costa Rica on 18 November. The Costa Rica fixture is the problem for Gasperini. After that match, Soulé, Castro and Balerdi will not return to the capital until 19 November, leaving the head coach just two days to work with them and the rest of the group before the Parma trip. That is before allowing for the tiring long-haul journey. For this reason, Gasperini is reportedly weighing Dybala from the start against Parma, while Soulé could begin on the bench and be brought on during the game. The club's Telegram and WhatsApp channels offer free Roma news updates to fans on their phones.

Radio commentators have linked AS Roma with a number of attacking targets, with Kvernadze, Gittens and Endrick named as the main options for a left-sided attacker. Speaking on Radio Radio Pomeriggio, Pugliese said: "For the trip to Parma, Svilar and Dybala will be available again. Paulo will start, while Soulé could start from the bench after his commitments with Argentina. For Roma, the most important presence remains Koné." He added that Gasperini wants three players to complete the squad: a midfielder, a wide man and the much-discussed left winger. However, Pugliese believes it is very likely Roma will only be able to sign the offensive winger. On Marten de Roon, Pugliese said there is nothing concrete yet over a new contract. The player reportedly wants to stay for another season but has not spoken with the ownership since April, and no official talks are currently taking place. Pugliese said: "The main names are Kvernadze, Gittens and Endrick, but I do not rule out some surprise." Sabatini focused on Kvernadze, saying there is a release clause of around €4 million. He said: "If Roma came in with an offer of €8-10 million, they could sign him straight away." Sabatini also said Soulé has played matches at levels similar to Dybala and that their output does not double when they play together, sometimes performing better without Paulo. On goalkeepers, he said Vásquez could have been mainly responsible for the defeat at Manchester, but conceded goals he could do little about, and that Gollini has been surprising in some games. Ferrajolo said Vásquez and Gollini conceded two goals from over 25 metres, but that Svilar's composure is a different thing. He said Gollini was unlucky because he was playing well before his injury. Ferrajolo said: "I would start with Soulé and Dybala and then bring on Mora during the game, because I do not think Dybala has 90 minutes in his legs and he needs managing." Melli said Malen has blossomed under Gasperini, having previously played mainly as a winger, which explains why he does not perform for the national team as he does at Roma. He said: "Gasperini's contribution to his growth has been fundamental." Vocalelli said everyone has scored under Gasperini, and that the decision to deploy Malen as a centre-forward was decisive. He said Dybala's absence was felt more than Svilar's, and that Vásquez saved a penalty, which was retaken, and had little responsibility for the goals conceded. Orsi praised Malen as a great player whose qualities emerge especially inside the box, describing him as a true centre-forward rather than a deep-lying striker, unlike Castro, who tends to move more outside the area. He added: "Gasperini wants to strike back against Inter."

Roma defender Emanuele Lulli is the only Giallorossi player in Italy's Under-21 squad, and coach Baldini has heaped praise on him ahead of Saturday's friendly against France at 18:30 on 13 November. Baldini said: "Lulli I didn't think would break through so quickly, but he has always been monitored." The coach's comments were the headline of his pre-match remarks, and Lulli is the Roma player at the centre of them. Baldini also spoke about two other players. On Ekhator he said: "Ekhator is very strong and more mature than his age. He can give a big hand to Juve and will have a great future." On Inacio he said: "A promising lad with great qualities, and he is doing brilliantly. He will get his chance." Baldini described the squad's atmosphere in warm terms: "Here it is a family. I make the comparison with people who work abroad and, when they come home, find celebration and harmony. When I see these boys I feel those same emotions. They are special in knowing how to separate the professionalism of work on the pitch from fun off it. There are rules, but the number one rule is cheerfulness: I want to see them joking and laughing. For me, they are a divine gift."

Roma are accelerating their transfer activity and focusing their attention on the attack, with Endrick at the top of the list. The Brazilian reportedly wants more playing time after a first spell at Real Madrid in which he did not carve out the role he had hoped for. Roma are pressing to sign him on loan, but the route remains complicated: Milan are also following the situation, and the Spanish club has not yet decided whether to let him leave. Endrick is not the only name on Gian Piero Gasperini's mind. Among the alternatives are Jamie Gittens, for whom Chelsea have reportedly opened the door to a loan move, and Ademola Lookman, a profile that continues to attract interest. The name of Rodrigo Riquelme has also returned to the discussions in recent assessments. The priority has become adding quality and options in attack, temporarily putting the search for an alternative to Wesley on hold. Lulli played an important role in this change of strategy.

Roma's priorities have shifted: a backup for Wesley is no longer a priority, and the club are now focused on strengthening their attack ahead of the winter window. The January market opens early this year, on 28 December, between Christmas and New Year, and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is reportedly hoping for at least two signings, both in attacking roles. The forward line is short of numbers, and reinforcing it is the absolute priority. Lorenzo Pellegrini will not return until 2027, while Paulo Dybala remains a question mark over his physical condition. Gasperini wants two attacking players. Compared with the summer, the priorities have changed. In the final days of the summer window Roma had also looked at a backup for Wesley, but that is no longer a priority. The coach is willing to keep his group of four wide players, largely thanks to the emergence of Lulli. The 2007-born player has quickly become a fixed point for the Giallorossi and sits ahead of Rensch in the pecking order on the right, often putting pressure on Molina. Balde was recently offered for that role, with his agent the same as Mora's, but all talks are currently frozen. Part of the reason is that a proper transfer summit has yet to take place, and part is that Roma will hunt for forwards to strengthen the attacking unit. Endrick is at the top of the list, but Gittens, van Bommel and Leweling are also under close watch. Kvernadze is considered more difficult to land.