D'Amico: Champions League grows you as a player; I have total faith in the entire squad

Roma returned to Serie A action at the Stadio Olimpico against Genoa on 17 October 2026. Matías Soulé received the match's first yellow card in the 43rd minute for a clumsy challenge on Ostigard during a promising Roma attack. Genoa's squad included former Roma players Daniele De Rossi, Stephan El Shaarawy and Baldanzi. Rosario Abisso from Palermo's referee section took charge of the fixture, assisted by Alberto Tegoni of Milan and Thomas Miniutti of Maniago. Giuseppe Collu of Cagliari served as fourth official. Luca Pairetto of Nichelino managed the VAR, with Luca Massimi of Termoli as assistant VAR.

Roma hosted Genoa at Stadio Olimpico in a Serie A fixture on matchday seven, drawing a crowd of over 63,000 supporters. The Curva Sud paid tribute to Giuseppe De Vivo, known as Peppone, a long-standing figure in Roma's ultras who died ten years ago. A banner was unfurled reading: "From the stands to the sky forever in our hearts… In memory of Peppone!"

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.

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.