Cruciani says only Roma can lose the Scudetto, calling a title win almost certain

Giuseppe Cruciani, the Lazio-supporting journalist and host of La Zanzara on Radio24, has declared that Roma are the real favourites for the Scudetto and that only Roma could throw the title away. Speaking on the Numer1 podcast, he said the claim was not superstition but based on the team's performances so far. Cruciani said: "Non lo dico per scaramanzia, ma per valutazione di quello visto finora. Non ha mai sbagliato una partita, forse un tempo. L'unica partita che ha perso era in vantaggio a 5' dalla fine contro il Real Madrid. Per il resto ha dominato sempre. Gli mancano 3 giocatori fondamentali come Svilar, Koné e Dybala. La Roma è la vera favorita allo scudetto, se non lo vince è perché succede qualcosa di strano. È quasi impossibile che non lo vinca." In English, his remarks read: "I'm not saying it out of superstition, but based on what we've seen so far. They have never lost a match, maybe apart from one half. The only game they lost was when they were ahead with 5 minutes left against Real Madrid. Otherwise they have always dominated. They are missing three key players, such as Svilar, Koné and Dybala. Roma are the real favourites for the Scudetto; if they don't win it, something strange would have to happen. It is almost impossible that they don't win it." His comments come with Roma sweating on the fitness of three key men. Cruciani named goalkeeper Mile Svilar, midfielder Manu Koné and forward Paulo Dybala as fundamental absences, and he framed the Real Madrid defeat, where Roma led with five minutes to play, as the only blemish on an otherwise dominant campaign.

An analysis piece asks whether Roma can genuinely challenge for the Scudetto, arguing that after ten Serie A matchdays Inter are slipping often while Roma are the side offering the most guarantees. The column, written by Francesco Balzani and published on 2 November 2026, invites readers to consider whether the title is a realistic target, perhaps with a helping hand from the Friedkin Group. The piece frames the title race around Inter's inconsistency and Roma's steadiness over the first ten rounds of the 2026-27 campaign. The argument is that Roma have shown the most reliability of the leading contenders, which is why the question of believing in the Scudetto is being put to supporters directly. The article is a short opinion column, and it closes with a call for readers to give their view on whether Roma can win the championship. Related headlines on the same page cover Gasperini managing his energy ahead of a Manchester trip, and Gollini returning to face Manchester, with Balerdi tipped to start against United by a radio pundit.

Roma are now the bookmakers' second favourites to win the Serie A title, behind Inter, according to odds analysed by agipronews. Inter remain overwhelming favourites at 1.70, while Roma are priced at 5.00. The title race could therefore extend beyond two teams this season. Como are third at 9.00, level with AC Milan, while Lazio have drifted out to 10.00, having been at double that price previously. Juventus are further back at 30.00, and Napoli are priced at 66.00.

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.

Giuseppe Cruciani, the Lazio-supporting journalist and host of La Zanzara on Radio24, has declared that Roma are the real favourites for the Scudetto and that only Roma could throw the title away. Speaking on the Numer1 podcast, he said the claim was not superstition but based on the team's performances so far. Cruciani said: "Non lo dico per scaramanzia, ma per valutazione di quello visto finora. Non ha mai sbagliato una partita, forse un tempo. L'unica partita che ha perso era in vantaggio a 5' dalla fine contro il Real Madrid. Per il resto ha dominato sempre. Gli mancano 3 giocatori fondamentali come Svilar, Koné e Dybala. La Roma è la vera favorita allo scudetto, se non lo vince è perché succede qualcosa di strano. È quasi impossibile che non lo vinca." In English, his remarks read: "I'm not saying it out of superstition, but based on what we've seen so far. They have never lost a match, maybe apart from one half. The only game they lost was when they were ahead with 5 minutes left against Real Madrid. Otherwise they have always dominated. They are missing three key players, such as Svilar, Koné and Dybala. Roma are the real favourites for the Scudetto; if they don't win it, something strange would have to happen. It is almost impossible that they don't win it." His comments come with Roma sweating on the fitness of three key men. Cruciani named goalkeeper Mile Svilar, midfielder Manu Koné and forward Paulo Dybala as fundamental absences, and he framed the Real Madrid defeat, where Roma led with five minutes to play, as the only blemish on an otherwise dominant campaign.

Roma's probable line-up for tonight's Champions League league-phase midpoint has been mapped out, with Niccolò Pisilli alongside Marten de Roon in midfield and Bryan Cristante ahead of Rodrigo Mora in the attacking midfield role, according to Daniele Aloisi in Il Messaggero. Mora's inclusion is not ruled out. Donyell Malen and Matías Soulé are considered untouchable up front. Wesley is expected on the left, with Devyne Rensch pushing Luca Lulli for the right-back spot. Gian Piero Gasperini is set to rely on his strongest players at the back, with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso ready to form the back three. Leonardo Balerdi is at risk after training yesterday with a prominent bandage on his right knee. Pierluigi Gollini starts in goal, a player who returns to Manchester after his spell in the youth ranks from 2012 to 2014. Mile Svilar, Manu Koné and Paulo Dybala are again out. Koné and Dybala hope to be available for Saturday's match against Sassuolo, though their involvement is not a given.

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.

Giuseppe Cruciani, the Lazio-supporting journalist and host of La Zanzara on Radio24, has declared that Roma are the real favourites for the Scudetto and that only Roma could throw the title away. Speaking on the Numer1 podcast, he said the claim was not superstition but based on the team's performances so far. Cruciani said: "Non lo dico per scaramanzia, ma per valutazione di quello visto finora. Non ha mai sbagliato una partita, forse un tempo. L'unica partita che ha perso era in vantaggio a 5' dalla fine contro il Real Madrid. Per il resto ha dominato sempre. Gli mancano 3 giocatori fondamentali come Svilar, Koné e Dybala. La Roma è la vera favorita allo scudetto, se non lo vince è perché succede qualcosa di strano. È quasi impossibile che non lo vinca." In English, his remarks read: "I'm not saying it out of superstition, but based on what we've seen so far. They have never lost a match, maybe apart from one half. The only game they lost was when they were ahead with 5 minutes left against Real Madrid. Otherwise they have always dominated. They are missing three key players, such as Svilar, Koné and Dybala. Roma are the real favourites for the Scudetto; if they don't win it, something strange would have to happen. It is almost impossible that they don't win it." His comments come with Roma sweating on the fitness of three key men. Cruciani named goalkeeper Mile Svilar, midfielder Manu Koné and forward Paulo Dybala as fundamental absences, and he framed the Real Madrid defeat, where Roma led with five minutes to play, as the only blemish on an otherwise dominant campaign.

Matías Soulé, who looked set to leave Roma in the summer, has become one of the most important players in Gian Piero Gasperini's side and, alongside Malen, one of the team's technical leaders. The Argentine was for a long time at the centre of transfer talk, with a €35 million valuation considered excessive by potential suitors and loan-with-option hypotheses also floated. In the end he stayed. According to Il Messaggero, Soulé's growth has coincided, almost paradoxically, with the absence of Paulo Dybala. A similar situation arose last season, when the Argentine carried Roma through the first half of the campaign, scoring seven goals before being halted by a groin problem (pubalgia). This time, Soulé appears to have taken a further step forward, particularly in personality and consistency of performances. His position helps him. Starting from the right, he can move inside onto his left foot and make the most of his qualities. It is not only a tactical matter, though. With Dybala sidelined, Soulé has taken on more responsibility, and team-mates have begun looking for him more often, recognising him as the main creative reference behind Malen. The result is a more confident, involved and decisive player. The leadership that once seemed to be missing has become one of his most evident qualities. Only a few months ago Roma were ready to seriously consider selling him; today, it would be hard to imagine Gasperini's side without the Argentine talent. The transformation is also a success for Gasperini, who has got the best out of a player who seemed to have a future away from the capital. Perhaps the real signing of the summer market, at least as far as Soulé is concerned, was simply not selling him.