Cristante, the underrated success story who divides fans but wins over every coach

Gian Piero Gasperini is set to reshape Roma for tonight's Champions League clash away at Manchester United, with Bryan Cristante potentially moving into the attacking midfield role behind the front line. Il Messaggero's Daniele Aloisi reports that Niccolò Pisilli would take Cristante's place in midfield alongside Marten de Roon. The match marks the halfway point of the Champions League league phase. Cristante is expected to operate in the number ten area, although a start for Rodrigo Mora cannot be ruled out. Donyell Malen and Matías Soulé remain untouchable as the front pair. On the left, Wesley is set to play, while Devyne Rensch is pushing Emanuele Lulli on the right. At the back, Gasperini will rely on his best men, with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso ready to form the three-man defence. Leonardo Balerdi is at risk after training on Monday with a heavy bandage on his right knee. Gollini is expected in goal, returning to Manchester where he spent time in the youth ranks from 2012 to 2014. Mile Svilar, Manu Koné and Paulo Dybala are once again out. Koné and Dybala are hoping to be available for Saturday's match against Sassuolo, though their involvement is not guaranteed.

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini appears to have settled on most of his starting line-up for tonight's clash at Old Trafford against Manchester United. Gollini is set to start in goal, with Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso favoured in defence. In midfield the pair of Cristante and De Roon is confirmed, with Wesley on the left. The right-back berth is wide open, with the newspapers split between Molina, Rensch and Lulli. In the attacking midfield, Pisilli is named by almost all the dailies alongside Soulé, while Malen is expected to lead the line. N'Dicka faces a significant step up in difficulty tonight. The Roma centre-back will have to keep close tabs on Matheus Cunha, Manchester United's principal attacking reference. Reading the play in advance and managing the open space will be decisive, especially when Gasperini's side push up high. N'Dicka, however, has the qualities suited to the duel: strength in physical contests, timing of his interventions and reading of the game. The report is part of a flash round-up of Roma news and was published by La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Gian Piero Gasperini has heaped praise on Wesley ahead of Roma's trip to Manchester, saying the right-back has improved again this season after a good campaign last year. Speaking to a TntSport journalist on the eve of the match at Old Trafford, the coach confirmed the Brazilian will start tonight after a strong display in Udine. Wesley, who plays on both the right and left, has continued his development under Gasperini. The coach also spoke about the defender's international prospects, a point of interest for Brazilian reporters who are present in large numbers for the fixture. Gasperini said: "He is doing very well, this year he has grown again after the good season he had last year. I am sorry he did not play at the World Cup, he was unlucky. He can play on the right and on the left, and he will become a good player for Brazil too. Carletto Ancelotti knows him well, he will know how to get the best out of him, you'll see." The words were also aimed at reassuring Seleção supporters about the 27-year-old's future with the national side.

Gian Piero Gasperini is set to reshape Roma for tonight's Champions League clash away at Manchester United, with Bryan Cristante potentially moving into the attacking midfield role behind the front line. Il Messaggero's Daniele Aloisi reports that Niccolò Pisilli would take Cristante's place in midfield alongside Marten de Roon. The match marks the halfway point of the Champions League league phase. Cristante is expected to operate in the number ten area, although a start for Rodrigo Mora cannot be ruled out. Donyell Malen and Matías Soulé remain untouchable as the front pair. On the left, Wesley is set to play, while Devyne Rensch is pushing Emanuele Lulli on the right. At the back, Gasperini will rely on his best men, with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso ready to form the three-man defence. Leonardo Balerdi is at risk after training on Monday with a heavy bandage on his right knee. Gollini is expected in goal, returning to Manchester where he spent time in the youth ranks from 2012 to 2014. Mile Svilar, Manu Koné and Paulo Dybala are once again out. Koné and Dybala are hoping to be available for Saturday's match against Sassuolo, though their involvement is not guaranteed.

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini appears to have settled on most of his starting line-up for tonight's clash at Old Trafford against Manchester United. Gollini is set to start in goal, with Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso favoured in defence. In midfield the pair of Cristante and De Roon is confirmed, with Wesley on the left. The right-back berth is wide open, with the newspapers split between Molina, Rensch and Lulli. In the attacking midfield, Pisilli is named by almost all the dailies alongside Soulé, while Malen is expected to lead the line. N'Dicka faces a significant step up in difficulty tonight. The Roma centre-back will have to keep close tabs on Matheus Cunha, Manchester United's principal attacking reference. Reading the play in advance and managing the open space will be decisive, especially when Gasperini's side push up high. N'Dicka, however, has the qualities suited to the duel: strength in physical contests, timing of his interventions and reading of the game. The report is part of a flash round-up of Roma news and was published by La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Gian Piero Gasperini has warned his Roma side not to lower their guard against Manchester United tonight at Old Trafford, despite the Red Devils' poor results. The main threat is Matheus Cunha, the Brazilian forward who is United's principal attacking figure. Gasperini said: "Never trust him", as reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport. United are struggling, but the quality of their squad remains intact. Cunha has not shone as he did in the past, and like the rest of the team he has been below his best. In 13 matches so far this season he has scored only two goals, against Sabah in the Champions League and against Fulham in the Premier League. Gasperini has stressed that the threat should not be underestimated. The job of containing Cunha will fall mainly to Evan N'Dicka. The Ivorian defender must work well on anticipation and get his reading of the play right, but he must also avoid mistakes when stepping out early. Cunha has pace, and if he gets away from a defender he is hard to catch, especially in open space. Roma's two midfielders, De Roon and Cristante, will also be asked to create density in front of the central defender to stop Cunha from receiving playable balls. For N'Dicka, tonight's contest rises sharply in level. The challenge is demanding, and the Roma defence will need discipline and sharp timing to keep the United forward quiet.