Cacciamani to test himself against Roma and Gasperini after Torino contract renewal

Liverpool are reportedly willing to sell Federico Chiesa for €15 million, according to the German portal Fussball-news.de, with Roma among the clubs tracking the winger. The report says the former Juventus forward has been getting little playing time under new Liverpool coach Iraola, compared with his previous role, and has begun looking towards the Italian market. According to the report, initial contacts were made with Inter, but no agreement has been reached. Roma are also said to be following Chiesa, alongside Atalanta, Lazio and Milan. Liverpool could look to move the player as early as January, the report adds, as he has lost importance in the club's technical plans. The winter window is approaching, and several names linked to Roma are already circulating as Gian Piero Gasperini looks to strengthen his squad. Chiesa was previously of interest to the Giallorossi, and the German report revives that link at a time when the club is looking for reinforcements.

Federico Chiesa's name has been linked with Roma more often than almost any other, and Fusball-news.de has revived the claim that the Liverpool winger is a target for the Giallorossi. The English club reportedly would be willing to sell the player for €15 million, since he has found less room under Arne Iraola than before. There have been initial contacts with Inter, but no agreement has been reached. Roma are reportedly among several clubs tracking the former Juventus player, alongside Lazio, Atalanta and Milan. Chiesa turned down Roma a year ago, when he was still at Juventus, and he does not appear to interest Gian Piero Gasperini at present. The report is based on Fusball-news.de's claims, and Chiesa's name has circulated in Roman transfer talk for a long time. Any move would have to satisfy Gasperini, who currently shows no interest in the Italian winger.

Federico Chiesa is back on Roma's transfer list, with Liverpool reportedly ready to let the 29-year-old Italian winger go for around €15 million as the winter window approaches. Chiesa is continuing to find very little space at Liverpool under head coach Andoni Iraola, which has led to speculation about a move back to Serie A. Roma, under Gian Piero Gasperini, are reportedly among the clubs interested as they look for attacking reinforcements in January. The competition is expected to be strong, with Inter, Milan, Lazio and Atalanta also said to be tracking the former Juventus player. Inter have reportedly already held some exploratory contacts, but no agreement has been reached. For now, the reports speak of interest and sounding-out rather than advanced negotiations. For Chiesa, a return to Italy would represent a chance to revive his career after an English spell in which he never managed to establish himself as a key player. His experience and profile could offer Gasperini an important alternative on the wide attacking positions. The financial terms of any deal still need to be assessed, starting with the player's high salary, as well as the competition from other Italian clubs. Roma are watching the situation and waiting to see whether the opportunity can become a concrete possibility. Sources: Fussball-News, Calciomercato.com

Roman radio pundits debated Roma's squad depth, Paulo Dybala's fitness and the Udinese and Manchester United fixtures in a round-up of the capital's football talk shows. David Rossi of Rete Sport said he was worried that Roma are short of players, pointing to Matías Soulé and Niccolò Pisilli, who he said have been playing three matches a week for some time. He said Roma play a demanding style and that the midfield is very thin: if Roma rest Roon, who is not in good shape, Cristante still has to play against Udinese, and then in Manchester he asked what would happen without him. Rossi called the decision to use four midfielders, attributed to Gasperini and D'Amico, an enormous error of judgement. He said Gasperini had wanted the contracts of Dybala and Pellegrini, adding that Roma would be in a better position had they signed two players who were alive, even if less talented. On Dybala, Rossi said: "Dybala was a beast here, a beast there, but now Gasperini has realised he has the pain threshold of a 5-year-old child. Mora has done more than Dybala, the same as Soulè, but you can't say it..." Fabio Petruzzi of Rete Sport said Roma have clearly improved on last year, showing they are a strong side. He said last year you struggled and created little, while now Roma look like a stronger Atalanta. He said they have reached the top but can improve in the transfer market with two wide players and a midfielder. He said Roma were less of a team than usual against Cagliari but still won, and that Cagliari had given them more problems than Como and Inter. He added that some tiredness is to be expected. Claudio Moroni, also of Rete Sport, argued that Dybala should be sacrificed on the left with Soulè on the right, saying Soulè's best form comes from the right and that Dybala's performance hardly changes between the two flanks. Mario Corsi of Tele Radio Stereo praised Mora for a fine headed goal, but warned against calling him a new Messi. Turning to Juventus, he said their crisis was 80% the team's fault and 20% Spalletti's, adding that Conte was not being considered and that Pioli is the available option. Lorenzo Pes of Tele Radio Stereo said Dybala only did physiotherapy yesterday but he remains convinced the player wants to play the Champions League match against Manchester United. He said the injury has healed, that Dybala can theoretically train and has overcome the physical problem. He said the medical staff and the player's own feelings will decide, and that Dybala would probably try to rejoin the group partially today. He said keeping the door open for Manchester is important, and that having him on the bench for Udine would also be valuable. Piero Torri of Manà Manà Sport said Roma were robbed in yesterday's match against Venezia. He said Udinese have shown signs of revival, having recovered most of their players including Zaniolo, and that the fixture worries him. If Balerdi has recovered, he expects him to start, with Ghilardi possibly replacing Mancini, and expects Lulli alongside Wesley and Pisilli with Cristante. On Como, he said they have always been title candidates and that anyone who thinks otherwise is wrong, given their strong players, great football and a fine coach. Roberto Pruzzo of Radio Radio said he had backed Castro but that a player who has not played for two months cannot simply step in and become a star. He said the transfer market has brought Roma reserves, good alternatives who are not able to play as starters, and that when Malen is missing you notice straight away. Nando Orsi of Radio Radio questioned whether Roma are too dependent on Malen, pointing out that he brought Roma into the Champions League. He said that when he has been absent, Roma have struggled to score, but that Roma are not bottom of the table despite heavy absences, noting Lazio are top despite missing four key players. Ilario Di Giovambattista of Radio Radio named the Roma players he would take for Lazio: Malen, Svilar, and Ghilardi, whom he said he adores. He would also take Koné for midfield, and said that for Soulè he would keep Isaksen and put Soulè on the bench.

Roma defender Wesley is continuing his training even after the club's 4-2 home win over Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico on the evening of 27 October. Gasperini gave the squad a day off to prepare for the next fixture, but Wesley was back at work on 28 October. He shared a photo on social media showing him still training in the gym, captioned "il lavoro continua" ("the work continues") with two yellow and red hearts. Wesley came on as a substitute on Monday night, replacing Molin. His commitment to extra work after the match underlines his determination to keep improving, at a time when Gasperini's side are looking to build on the result against Cagliari. The Brazilian's post, accompanied by the phrase "il lavoro continua" and two giallorossi hearts, was shared with supporters as a sign of his dedication to the cause.

Wesley refused the day off that Gian Piero Gasperini gave the squad, instead throwing himself into a gym session of weights, press-ups and more to stay in shape and get back to running down the flank as he knows how. Roma's Brazilian defender posted on social media: "Il lavoro continua" ("The work goes on"), and the photos accompanying the story show the session. Wesley has been at the centre of gossip around Trigoria after comments his wife made on social media, a distraction that has unsettled his usual routine. On the pitch his performances have not suffered, though there is a sense that he is offering a little less than he did last season. The story frames it as nothing to worry about, with hard work always paying off and Wesley knowing it. Udine is next on the schedule, and Wesley is expected to start there. He is determined to let his football do the talking rather than the gossip.

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 scored four goals against Cagliari, and the Rome radio panels were quick to discuss the performances. Francesco Balzani, a commentator for Tele Radio Stereo, called it the worst Roma performance of the season, even though the team finished the match with four goals scored. He said many players were tired and that the side had made the mental step but still needed to close a technical gap. Ugo Trani, also of Tele Radio Stereo, gave Mancini a 4 or 4.5 out of 10 and said he had been caught out in his defensive reading of the game. Trani said Mancini was tired rather than finished, and that Roma now need to freshen up because they are struggling to keep going. Trani also praised Lulli, giving him an 8 for consistency, freshness and crossing. He said Mora had made a decisive impact, with three points won when he played and three touches, all of them decisive, including at Napoli. Trani said that while Mora is not the new Messi, he had seen signs. Balzani said he had been surprised not to see Mora start and that the young player needed to be given time. Balzani also said Mancini should have been taken off earlier because he was struggling physically. The pundits were also divided on Gollini. Piero Torri of Radio Manà Manà Sport said Cagliari had played a very good match and that Gollini made three important saves, showing a concentration he had never shown before after the misfortune of Svilar. Torri said Gollini could secure a future at Roma, though in the backup role. On Dybala, Lorenzo Pes of Tele Radio Stereo said: "Dybala returned to training on Sunday, but he will miss Saturday's match, a week after that. There is something that doesn't add up." Pes said Dybala had planned to train at Trigoria on his rest day and that he did not think the player wanted to miss Manchester-Roma at Old Trafford. Pes said that with Dybala it is impossible to make plans, because everything depends on how he feels. Roberto Pruzzo of Radio Radio Mattino said: "If Gasp had another substitute, he would have taken Mora off. But I am glad that two youth-team players solved the problems." Pruzzo said he admired Castro, but that Mina had put him in his pocket the previous day. He said Castro needs a mental switch and that Molina struggles in Italian football. He added: "I have big doubts about the Giallorossi market." Nando Orsi, also of Radio Radio Mattino, said Roma had not struggled against Cagliari and were far superior to them. Torri also noted that Lazio have 25 points from 27 games, but still have to play Roma, Napoli, Inter, Como, Atalanta, Fiorentina and Torino. Trani said he would not be surprised by a draw at Udine.