Roma vs Genoa, 20:45: Rodrigo Mora in the starting XI with Soulé and Castro

Daniele De Rossi and Stephan El Shaarawy were both given standing ovations by the Stadio Olimpico crowd during the team-sheet reading before Roma's match against Genoa on 17 October. De Rossi, now Genoa's head coach, and El Shaarawy, returning to face his former club for the first time as an opponent, were applauded as their names were announced. El Shaarawy scored a crucial goal in May that secured Roma's place in the Champions League, and started in the match against the Giallorossi. Both men remain important figures in Roma's history. De Rossi managed the club until 2025, while El Shaarawy departed after six years in his second spell at the club. The reception underlined the affection Roma supporters hold for both players despite their current positions on opposing benches.

D'Amico spoke to DAZN minutes before Roma's match against Genoa, reflecting on the squad's recent Champions League campaign and their preparations for the fixture ahead. On Roma's performance against Real Madrid, D'Amico said: "It left us with the awareness of having played a really great match for 82 minutes, of having expressed good football, we were truly proud. The last ten minutes teach you lessons, because the Champions League does this — it makes you stronger even in defeat." Regarding Santiago Castro's arrival at the club, he added: "Santi came with great enthusiasm. We wanted him strongly for these moments. As the manager says, opportunities come, and we are convinced he will do well because he has everyone's confidence." D'Amico emphasized that squad depth remains a priority as Roma balance multiple competitions. "We expect something beautiful from the whole squad," he explained. "For us, the group is the driving element of the work. We are coming from a particular evening and tonight's will be even more difficult. The theme of squad depth exists when you face these competitions, but it is a step to reach if we want to maintain and play in the Champions League."

Rodrigo Mora expressed Roma's determination to bounce back from their Champions League defeat to Real Madrid, ahead of the Serie A fixture against Genoa on matchday seven. Speaking ahead of tonight's match, the midfielder emphasised that despite the disappointing result in Europe, the team's performance merited praise. "A part from the result, which clearly wasn't positive, I think the squad did really excellent work. I believe we played an excellent match against a team of Real's level. Then in 10 minutes we conceded three goals, but we did good work," Mora said. "Tonight we want to continue like that to get three points." Mora will line up in attack alongside Matías Soulé and Santiago Castro, a first-time pairing for the midfielder with Castro. He has already played alongside Soulé and expressed enthusiasm about the attacking unit. Mora stressed that Roma's confidence has not wavered despite the European setback. "Today what matters is winning. Our self-belief doesn't change—it stays high: we know our capabilities," he said. He added that the younger players in the squad are determined to raise their level, noting that head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has faith in them and that they are convinced they can perform at Roma's high standard.

Tony D'Amico has signalled Roma's intention to strengthen the squad in the January transfer window, acknowledging that the current roster requires reinforcement to compete at the highest level. Speaking to Sky Sport ahead of the Genoa match, D'Amico addressed the gap between Gasperini's ambition and the squad's current capacity. "To face certain competitions and compete in matches like Wednesday's and hold our position in the league, we will need another step, to add something," he said. "We tried in summer and didn't manage it, but we work every day to improve ourselves." D'Amico defended Roma's summer recruitment strategy despite the failed attempts to strengthen further. The club pursued a youth-led overhaul while retaining an important core group, a balance D'Amico described as the intended formula. He praised the young players set to feature against Genoa—specifically Mora and Castro—as quality signings on whom the club invested heavily. "We expect them to confirm what we've seen in training. They are quality lads we invested a lot in over summer. The green line began in summer while maintaining an important historic group—it's the mix we wanted at the start of the market and we got it." When asked about loan moves for surplus stars from larger clubs, D'Amico outlined Roma's transfer philosophy: "Our policy is to take strong players, that comes first. Then, when you take players on loan there are options you can insert. We as Roma would always want the possibility of keeping whoever we take on loan—that's the line." The comments suggest Roma will pursue permanent options or loans with purchase clauses rather than simple temporary deals in January.

Rodrigo Mora spoke ahead of Roma's match against Genoa, emphasising that the team's morale has not been shaken by the recent fixture against Real Madrid. Asked whether a performance of that calibre had lifted or disappointed the squad, Mora said: "One match doesn't change anything, we played a really good match. Today the objective is to win, as always. Confidence doesn't change because of one match, it stays very high. We are aware of our responsibilities and capabilities and today we will show that against Genoa." Roma are without several players for the Genoa fixture, creating opportunities for younger squad members to step up. Mora acknowledged this dynamic, stating that while the absences present a challenge, the manager and the group have faith in everyone available. He added: "Today we will all be at our best, we are here to prove ourselves. We are convinced we can do very well and demonstrate this level." Mora also discussed his attacking partnership for the match. Speaking to Sky Sport, he reflected on Roma's performance against Real Madrid, saying: "Apart from the result not being positive, the squad did excellent work, we played a great match against a very high level team in Real. Tonight we want to do the same for the three points." On playing alongside Matías Soulé and Santiago Castro, Mora remarked: "We are three excellent players, I've already played with Soulé while with Castro it's the first time, I can't wait, it will be a fantastic match."

Rodrigo Mora expressed Roma's determination to bounce back from their Champions League defeat to Real Madrid, ahead of the Serie A fixture against Genoa on matchday seven. Speaking ahead of tonight's match, the midfielder emphasised that despite the disappointing result in Europe, the team's performance merited praise. "A part from the result, which clearly wasn't positive, I think the squad did really excellent work. I believe we played an excellent match against a team of Real's level. Then in 10 minutes we conceded three goals, but we did good work," Mora said. "Tonight we want to continue like that to get three points." Mora will line up in attack alongside Matías Soulé and Santiago Castro, a first-time pairing for the midfielder with Castro. He has already played alongside Soulé and expressed enthusiasm about the attacking unit. Mora stressed that Roma's confidence has not wavered despite the European setback. "Today what matters is winning. Our self-belief doesn't change—it stays high: we know our capabilities," he said. He added that the younger players in the squad are determined to raise their level, noting that head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has faith in them and that they are convinced they can perform at Roma's high standard.

D'Amico spoke to DAZN minutes before Roma's match against Genoa, reflecting on the squad's recent Champions League campaign and their preparations for the fixture ahead. On Roma's performance against Real Madrid, D'Amico said: "It left us with the awareness of having played a really great match for 82 minutes, of having expressed good football, we were truly proud. The last ten minutes teach you lessons, because the Champions League does this — it makes you stronger even in defeat." Regarding Santiago Castro's arrival at the club, he added: "Santi came with great enthusiasm. We wanted him strongly for these moments. As the manager says, opportunities come, and we are convinced he will do well because he has everyone's confidence." D'Amico emphasized that squad depth remains a priority as Roma balance multiple competitions. "We expect something beautiful from the whole squad," he explained. "For us, the group is the driving element of the work. We are coming from a particular evening and tonight's will be even more difficult. The theme of squad depth exists when you face these competitions, but it is a step to reach if we want to maintain and play in the Champions League."

Tony D'Amico has signalled Roma's intention to strengthen the squad in the January transfer window, acknowledging that the current roster requires reinforcement to compete at the highest level. Speaking to Sky Sport ahead of the Genoa match, D'Amico addressed the gap between Gasperini's ambition and the squad's current capacity. "To face certain competitions and compete in matches like Wednesday's and hold our position in the league, we will need another step, to add something," he said. "We tried in summer and didn't manage it, but we work every day to improve ourselves." D'Amico defended Roma's summer recruitment strategy despite the failed attempts to strengthen further. The club pursued a youth-led overhaul while retaining an important core group, a balance D'Amico described as the intended formula. He praised the young players set to feature against Genoa—specifically Mora and Castro—as quality signings on whom the club invested heavily. "We expect them to confirm what we've seen in training. They are quality lads we invested a lot in over summer. The green line began in summer while maintaining an important historic group—it's the mix we wanted at the start of the market and we got it." When asked about loan moves for surplus stars from larger clubs, D'Amico outlined Roma's transfer philosophy: "Our policy is to take strong players, that comes first. Then, when you take players on loan there are options you can insert. We as Roma would always want the possibility of keeping whoever we take on loan—that's the line." The comments suggest Roma will pursue permanent options or loans with purchase clauses rather than simple temporary deals in January.

Rodrigo Mora spoke ahead of Roma's match against Genoa, emphasising that the team's morale has not been shaken by the recent fixture against Real Madrid. Asked whether a performance of that calibre had lifted or disappointed the squad, Mora said: "One match doesn't change anything, we played a really good match. Today the objective is to win, as always. Confidence doesn't change because of one match, it stays very high. We are aware of our responsibilities and capabilities and today we will show that against Genoa." Roma are without several players for the Genoa fixture, creating opportunities for younger squad members to step up. Mora acknowledged this dynamic, stating that while the absences present a challenge, the manager and the group have faith in everyone available. He added: "Today we will all be at our best, we are here to prove ourselves. We are convinced we can do very well and demonstrate this level." Mora also discussed his attacking partnership for the match. Speaking to Sky Sport, he reflected on Roma's performance against Real Madrid, saying: "Apart from the result not being positive, the squad did excellent work, we played a great match against a very high level team in Real. Tonight we want to do the same for the three points." On playing alongside Matías Soulé and Santiago Castro, Mora remarked: "We are three excellent players, I've already played with Soulé while with Castro it's the first time, I can't wait, it will be a fantastic match."

Roma host Genoa at Stadio Olimpico this evening in Serie A's seventh matchday, seeking to end a run without a league win stretching back to their trip to Turin. The match carries extra weight with Daniele De Rossi returning to the stadium as Genoa's manager, having previously led Roma. Genoa arrive in Rome boosted by their recent victory over Fiorentina. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini faces significant absences: Svilar, Cristante, Koné and Dybala are all unavailable, while Malen is suspended. These enforced changes have prompted a reshuffle across the side. Leonardo Balerdi replaces Gianluca Mancini in defence, while Rodrigo Mora starts in attack alongside Matías Soulé and Santiago Castro. Marten de Roon and Niccolò Pisilli form the midfield pairing, with Emanuele Lulli deployed at full-back and Wesley in the backline. Roma line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation: Pierluigi Gollini; Balerdi, Evan N'Dicka, Mario Hermoso; Lulli, Pisilli, De Roon, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Castro. Substitutes include Mancini. Genoa field a 4-4-1-1 under De Rossi: Bijlow; Ehizibue, Otoa, Ostigard, Vasquez; Ellertsson, Traoré, Frendrup, El Shaarawy; Messias; Osmajic. Referee: Abisso.

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.