Cruciani: 'I fear Roma will win the title'

FIGC commissioner Giovanni Malagò has openly declared his allegiance to Roma, telling Il Messaggero that he will not hide his love for the club and that he has never been asked to take over the presidency by any shareholder or owner. Asked whether he would accept the Roma presidency given his family's ties to the club, he said: "Nessun azionista o proprietario me l'ha mai proposto. Me lo hanno chiesto spesso per strada, i giornalisti e gli amici. Apprezzo il nuovo corso della Roma. Ma ho sempre risposto di essere felice del mio percorso: prima al Coni, oggi in Federazione." Translated: no shareholder or owner has ever proposed it to him, though journalists and friends have often asked him in the street. He said he appreciates the new direction at Roma, but has always said he is happy with his own path, first at the Coni and today at the Federation. Malagò was also asked whether a call from Roma would make him leave the FIGC. He answered: "Assolutamente no. Per me c'è un principio sacro: portare a termine gli impegni assunti e mantenere la parola data." In English: absolutely not, for him there is a sacred principle, to see through the commitments undertaken and keep his word. The answer closes off any prospect of a move to Trigoria while he remains at the head of Italian football's governing body. On Francesco Totti, Malagò described him as one of the people he is most attached to, almost a relative. He declined to comment on Totti's relationship with Roma, but said he understands how difficult it is to accept a purely symbolic role. "In FIGC bisognerebbe proporgli qualcosa che rispecchi le sue capacità. Ci penso, mai dire mai." Translated: the FIGC would need to offer him something that reflects his abilities. I am thinking about it, never say never. Asked why, as a declared Roma supporter, he chose two Lazio icons, Ciro Immobile and Beppe Signori, for the national youth teams, Malagò defended his family history. His father sat on Roma's board and was vice-president three times, contributing to two Scudetti under Dino Viola and Franco Sensi. As a child he followed the team at the stadium. "Non rinnego la storia della mia famiglia... Trovo ipocrita farlo." He pointed to Prince William supporting Aston Villa and Barack Obama openly backing the Chicago Bulls. Many of his closest friends are Lazio fans, as is his partner Elena, but in an institutional role, he said, allegiances give way to impartiality. He called Immobile after he retired, calling him the greatest Italian striker of recent years, and said Signori had gone through a painful and unjust ordeal. "Tutte le grandi bandiere sono un patrimonio del nostro calcio."

Radio pundits on Radio Radio have weighed in on Roma's selection dilemmas ahead of their upcoming fixture against Napoli, with former player Pruzzo and commentator Carina among those offering views. Orsi said Napoli are a strong side despite appearing to struggle, and that Roma must take advantage while staying fully focused. He said he would not give up on Lulli and De Roon, and that De Roon should have a fixed place because he best interprets his role. If Cristante does not play today, he will play on Wednesday, because De Roon cannot play seven matches in a row. Orsi added that Cristante playing in attack raises some doubts about his mobility, though there are no problems with his tactical intelligence. Pruzzo said: "Lulli deserves the renewal. Mora is not ready: he should show important signs, given what was paid for him. However, the season deserves a lot of attention." Carina described a battle for a place between Cristante and Mora. He noted that Gasperini has kept Trigoria closed off and has not spoken publicly, which he attributed to the coach having already talked a lot, adding that Gasperini prefers to speak when the team loses rather than when it wins. Carina said Lulli is preferred to Molina on the flank and that Lulli will be tied down until 2031, having still been under a youth contract. He said: "I expect Castro close to Malen, and perhaps the 3-5-2, because you can't play with two strikers? However, it's my opinion." Sabatini said Napoli have withdrawn from the race for the top places, with their aim now a top-four finish, and that they face a side with more unavailable players than usual for the first time. He said that if Napoli were to lose, the situation would be very tense. For Roma, he added, a non-win would still be interesting given the emergency. He said there is more pressure on Napoli. Amterà said he was surprised that Gasperini did not hold his press conference, adding: "I don't know if there is a reason. But he is someone who has always spoken before the big matches."

Roma's visit to Napoli dominated the Roman radio debate, with several pundits giving their views ahead of the match. Sandro Sabatini said: "Penso che la corsa all'alta classifica il Napoli se la sia già tolta dalla testa, mentre se parliamo di quarto posto è diverso." He added that a draw would be an interesting result for Roma. Sabatini said: "Per la Roma una non vittoria, un bel pareggio, sarebbe un risultato molto interessante, considerata anche l'emergenza. Sul Napoli c'è molta più pressione che sulla Roma." He pointed out that Roma have more injuries, leaving Gasperini with more difficulties. Giancarlo Padovan was the most confident Roma backer. He said Napoli need a big performance and to make up ground, while Roma are "sta bene, benissimo". He added: "Oggi gli equilibri sono cambiati, la Roma è una squadra da scudetto e il Napoli no, almeno non quest'anno." Padovan said Roma are favourites. Roberto Pruzzo took a different view, saying Napoli must win today and that he saw no favourite between the two sides. He noted that matches played so close together are far harder to call. Ugo Trani focused on selection, arguing that Cristante should play in midfield alongside Pisilli and De Roon, and that Anguissa should be left out. Trani also praised Lulli, noting he was signed for €60 million after one season at Cagliari, and questioned whether the club should have focused on the risk of letting Lulli leave on a free transfer rather than on the sale of Romano. Paolo Marcacci said he was open to the idea of Cristante playing a role similar to Perrotta, and suggested Castro and Malen could partner up front. He was less convinced by Mora, whom he criticised after two clear errors against Slovan Bratislava. Stefano Agresti said Gasperini achieved great things at Atalanta but that Roma is a different challenge in a big city, adding that his spell at Milan had not been significant. He argued the match matters more to Napoli but still matters to Roma, who can exploit their attacking resources. Nando Orsi said Napoli's situation is partly down to their own coach, and that he would not give up Lulli, de Roon or Malen, while suggesting some rotation is needed with so many matches close together. He had doubts about Cristante's mobility in a wide-attacking role, though not his tactical intelligence.