Castro handed first Roma start against Genoa with months-long goal drought to end

Gian Piero Gasperini has been forced to promote four Primavera players to the first-team squad for the first time this season after injuries and suspensions ravaged Roma's midfield and attacking ranks. Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné are both sidelined through injury in midfield, while Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are unavailable through injury and suspension. Mile Svilar's absence means Pierluigi Gollini continues in goal, having already appeared twice this season. The academy contingent drafted in comprises Antonio Arena, Lorenzo Paratici, Mandjou Camara, and Alessandro Di Nunzio. Arena, born 2009, made his competitive debut last season and scored in the Coppa Italia against Torino. This season he has made 6 appearances in the league and Youth League, contributing 1 goal and 3 assists. Paratici (born 2008), on loan from Sampdoria since summer, has featured 5 times and scored against Fenerbahce. Camara, a 2009-born Guinea international, joined Roma's academy as the final signing by Alberto De Rossi and has impressed the youth coaching staff under Mattia Scala, netting against Empoli after two earlier goals with the Under-18s. Gasperini gave him a run-out in a summer friendly against Trastevere. Di Nunzio, a midfielder born in 2007 who has been at Trigoria for 10 years, won the European Under-17 Championship in 2024 and recently signed a contract extension through 2027. He has scored twice for the Primavera and can operate either as a midfielder or regista.

Rodrigo Mora is set to start for Roma against Genoa at the Stadio Olimpico on 17 October at 20:45, a significant change to the lineup as Gian Piero Gasperini rings alterations following Roma's Champions League defeat to Real Madrid. The Portuguese midfielder will operate on the attacking midfield, offering Gasperini a fresh solution after the demanding European fixture. This represents an important opportunity for Mora to make an impression from the opening minute. Gasperini is tasked with finding new tactical approaches following the exertions of the midweek European campaign, and the Genoa match offers Roma a chance to recover their Serie A form. The fixture pits Roma against a side managed by Daniele De Rossi, the club's former manager. Mora's selection underlines Gasperini's willingness to adapt his approach as Roma look to build momentum in the league.

Gian Piero Gasperini has named his Roma squad for the match against Genoa, with five significant absences due to injury and suspension. Mile Svilar and Bryan Cristante remain sidelined through injury, while Paulo Dybala, Manu Koné and Donyell Malen are unavailable—Malen through suspension and the other two through injury. The fixture comes two days after Roma's defeat to Real Madrid in midweek. Gasperini has called up four academy players to bolster the squad list: Di Nunzio, Camara, Paratici and Arena. The 24-man squad includes goalkeepers Devis Vásquez, Giorgio De Marzi and Pierluigi Gollini; defenders Devyne Rensch, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Evan N'Dicka, Nahuel Molina, Mario Hermoso, Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Balerdi, Wesley, Emanuele Lulli and Daniele Ghilardi; midfielders Lorenzo Pellegrini, Marten de Roon, Niccolò Pisilli, Di Nunzio and Rodrigo Mora; and forwards Santiago Castro, Matías Soulé, Arena, Paratici and Camara.

Gian Piero Gasperini has named his Roma squad for the match against Genoa, with five significant absences due to injury and suspension. Mile Svilar and Bryan Cristante remain sidelined through injury, while Paulo Dybala, Manu Koné and Donyell Malen are unavailable—Malen through suspension and the other two through injury. The fixture comes two days after Roma's defeat to Real Madrid in midweek. Gasperini has called up four academy players to bolster the squad list: Di Nunzio, Camara, Paratici and Arena. The 24-man squad includes goalkeepers Devis Vásquez, Giorgio De Marzi and Pierluigi Gollini; defenders Devyne Rensch, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Evan N'Dicka, Nahuel Molina, Mario Hermoso, Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Balerdi, Wesley, Emanuele Lulli and Daniele Ghilardi; midfielders Lorenzo Pellegrini, Marten de Roon, Niccolò Pisilli, Di Nunzio and Rodrigo Mora; and forwards Santiago Castro, Matías Soulé, Arena, Paratici and Camara.

Gian Piero Gasperini has announced his squad for Roma's Serie A fixture against Genoa on matchday seven, with four Primavera players called up to bolster a squad depleted by absences. Di Nunzio, Arena, Paratici and Camara have been aggregated to the first-team group, a decision that underlines the scale of Roma's injury crisis heading into the match. Gasperini signalled before the fixture that he would be prepared to draw on academy talent if needed, and the depth of rotation required for this encounter has now forced his hand. Arena provides a natural alternative in the centre-forward role behind Santiago Castro, while the inclusion of the other three academy prospects reflects an emergency situation rather than a developmental choice. The youth contingent is present out of immediate necessity rather than long-term planning. Gasperini had flagged the likelihood of such a move at the pre-match press conference, when he opened the door to calling upon younger players from the academy as the injury toll mounted. The full squad list reads as follows: Goalkeepers Vásquez, De Marzi and Gollini; defenders Rensch, Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Mancini, Balerdi, Wesley, Lulli and Ghilardi; midfielders Pellegrini, De Roon, Pisilli, Di Nunzio and Mora; forwards Castro, Soulé, Arena, Paratici and Camara.

Roma face Genoa at the Stadio Olimpico on this evening at 20:45 in Serie A's seventh round, as Gian Piero Gasperini names a squad featuring several young academy players to bolster his resources during a congested fixture schedule. The squad list comes after Roma's Champions League defeat to Real Madrid, with the Giallorossi looking to respond in the domestic competition. Gasperini's call-ups from the youth ranks reflect the squad constraints he is currently managing. The young players have been integrated to provide additional alternatives for the Genoa match, offering them the opportunity to experience top-flight football at close hand during what is a busy period of the season. The decision underscores the academy's involvement in first-team planning. Among those called up are midfielder Alessandro Di Nunzio and forwards Antonio Arena, Paratici and Camara from the youth system. The full squad includes defenders Rensch, Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Mancini, Balerdi, Wesley, Lulli and Ghilardi; midfielders Pellegrini, De Roon, Pisilli, Di Nunzio and Mora; and forwards Castro, Soulé, Arena, Paratici and Camara.

Gian Piero Gasperini has been forced to promote four Primavera players to the first-team squad for the first time this season after injuries and suspensions ravaged Roma's midfield and attacking ranks. Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné are both sidelined through injury in midfield, while Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are unavailable through injury and suspension. Mile Svilar's absence means Pierluigi Gollini continues in goal, having already appeared twice this season. The academy contingent drafted in comprises Antonio Arena, Lorenzo Paratici, Mandjou Camara, and Alessandro Di Nunzio. Arena, born 2009, made his competitive debut last season and scored in the Coppa Italia against Torino. This season he has made 6 appearances in the league and Youth League, contributing 1 goal and 3 assists. Paratici (born 2008), on loan from Sampdoria since summer, has featured 5 times and scored against Fenerbahce. Camara, a 2009-born Guinea international, joined Roma's academy as the final signing by Alberto De Rossi and has impressed the youth coaching staff under Mattia Scala, netting against Empoli after two earlier goals with the Under-18s. Gasperini gave him a run-out in a summer friendly against Trastevere. Di Nunzio, a midfielder born in 2007 who has been at Trigoria for 10 years, won the European Under-17 Championship in 2024 and recently signed a contract extension through 2027. He has scored twice for the Primavera and can operate either as a midfielder or regista.

Gian Piero Gasperini has named his Roma squad for the match against Genoa, with five significant absences due to injury and suspension. Mile Svilar and Bryan Cristante remain sidelined through injury, while Paulo Dybala, Manu Koné and Donyell Malen are unavailable—Malen through suspension and the other two through injury. The fixture comes two days after Roma's defeat to Real Madrid in midweek. Gasperini has called up four academy players to bolster the squad list: Di Nunzio, Camara, Paratici and Arena. The 24-man squad includes goalkeepers Devis Vásquez, Giorgio De Marzi and Pierluigi Gollini; defenders Devyne Rensch, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Evan N'Dicka, Nahuel Molina, Mario Hermoso, Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Balerdi, Wesley, Emanuele Lulli and Daniele Ghilardi; midfielders Lorenzo Pellegrini, Marten de Roon, Niccolò Pisilli, Di Nunzio and Rodrigo Mora; and forwards Santiago Castro, Matías Soulé, Arena, Paratici and Camara.

Roma's radio pundits offered contrasting views ahead of the midweek fixture against Genoa. Roberto Pruzzo told Radio Radio Mattino that Roma's substitutes are stronger than Genoa's first team, predicting a draw driven by the fatigue of midweek football rather than any shortfall in quality. He expressed reservations about some of the summer market decisions, saying: "The reserves of Roma are superior to Genoa's starters. I expect a draw, not because Genoa are stronger, but because playing mid-week brings difficulties. Molina? From what I've seen in recent matches, perhaps it would have been better to look elsewhere. I didn't understand many of the market choices. You have to understand and accept a market where some decisions, for certain roles, seem questionable." Nando Orsi provided a fuller defence of both the transfer strategy and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's squad management. Orsi argued that Gasperini cannot be blamed for Roma's loss to Real Madrid, and that the club has conducted strong recruitment. He noted the reality of transfer constraints: "If you have to spend too much to buy, then you don't buy. Gasperini shaped the market too: it seems he was satisfied 80%. It's hard for a manager to be satisfied 100%, unless you manage Real Madrid, PSG or even bigger clubs." Orsi highlighted Roma's attacking depth, stating: "Roma has 11 players, nine of whom can be starters. Ahead of Castro, Malen always scores: it's obvious there are difficulties, but there are no doubts about Castro's qualities. Mora reminds me of Zaragoza." Orsi also defended recent signings and Roma's overall market performance this summer.

Rodrigo Mora is set to start for Roma against Genoa at the Stadio Olimpico on 17 October at 20:45, a significant change to the lineup as Gian Piero Gasperini rings alterations following Roma's Champions League defeat to Real Madrid. The Portuguese midfielder will operate on the attacking midfield, offering Gasperini a fresh solution after the demanding European fixture. This represents an important opportunity for Mora to make an impression from the opening minute. Gasperini is tasked with finding new tactical approaches following the exertions of the midweek European campaign, and the Genoa match offers Roma a chance to recover their Serie A form. The fixture pits Roma against a side managed by Daniele De Rossi, the club's former manager. Mora's selection underlines Gasperini's willingness to adapt his approach as Roma look to build momentum in the league.

Gian Piero Gasperini has named his Roma squad for the match against Genoa, with five significant absences due to injury and suspension. Mile Svilar and Bryan Cristante remain sidelined through injury, while Paulo Dybala, Manu Koné and Donyell Malen are unavailable—Malen through suspension and the other two through injury. The fixture comes two days after Roma's defeat to Real Madrid in midweek. Gasperini has called up four academy players to bolster the squad list: Di Nunzio, Camara, Paratici and Arena. The 24-man squad includes goalkeepers Devis Vásquez, Giorgio De Marzi and Pierluigi Gollini; defenders Devyne Rensch, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Evan N'Dicka, Nahuel Molina, Mario Hermoso, Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Balerdi, Wesley, Emanuele Lulli and Daniele Ghilardi; midfielders Lorenzo Pellegrini, Marten de Roon, Niccolò Pisilli, Di Nunzio and Rodrigo Mora; and forwards Santiago Castro, Matías Soulé, Arena, Paratici and Camara.

Gian Piero Gasperini has announced his squad for Roma's Serie A fixture against Genoa on matchday seven, with four Primavera players called up to bolster a squad depleted by absences. Di Nunzio, Arena, Paratici and Camara have been aggregated to the first-team group, a decision that underlines the scale of Roma's injury crisis heading into the match. Gasperini signalled before the fixture that he would be prepared to draw on academy talent if needed, and the depth of rotation required for this encounter has now forced his hand. Arena provides a natural alternative in the centre-forward role behind Santiago Castro, while the inclusion of the other three academy prospects reflects an emergency situation rather than a developmental choice. The youth contingent is present out of immediate necessity rather than long-term planning. Gasperini had flagged the likelihood of such a move at the pre-match press conference, when he opened the door to calling upon younger players from the academy as the injury toll mounted. The full squad list reads as follows: Goalkeepers Vásquez, De Marzi and Gollini; defenders Rensch, Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Mancini, Balerdi, Wesley, Lulli and Ghilardi; midfielders Pellegrini, De Roon, Pisilli, Di Nunzio and Mora; forwards Castro, Soulé, Arena, Paratici and Camara.