D'Amico: Roma need another step forward, must add in January

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."

Roma's sporting director D'Amico has confirmed the club will look to strengthen the squad in the January transfer window. Speaking on the occasion of Roma's seventh Serie A match against Genia, D'Amico acknowledged the need for additions to compete across multiple competitions. He stated: "Certainly, as the manager said yesterday, to face certain competitions, to compete as we do on Wednesday and to have an excellent league campaign, we will need to add something. We tried this summer, we didn't succeed for various reasons, but we work every day, we know what our objectives are and we will do everything we can to improve ourselves." D'Amico's comments reflect Roma's pursuit of reinforcements during the 2026 summer window, which did not yield the desired signings. The club remains committed to identifying targets ahead of the winter transfer market to bolster their chances in the Champions League and Serie A title race.

Roma director of sport Tony D'Amico spoke to journalists before kick-off in the Serie A match against Genoa on matchday seven, addressing the club's transfer strategy and squad composition. When asked about expanding the squad in January, D'Amico said: "To face certain competitions like those on Wednesday we will certainly need to reach a step and add something. We didn't manage it this summer, we work every day, we will do everything we can to improve." D'Amico was commenting ahead of a match that would see a blend of young and established players deployed. He acknowledged the club's investment in squad players and outlined Roma's approach to recruitment over the coming window. The director stressed the balance between youth development and maintaining an experienced core as central to the club's philosophy. On the question of whether Roma would consider loan signings from elite clubs or preferred permanent acquisitions, D'Amico stated: "Our policy is to sign strong players, and secondly when a player is acquired there are various options. As Roma we would always like to have the possibility of converting loans into permanent deals." He described the squad as comprising "players of quality on whom we have invested a lot", framing tonight's lineup—which combined youth with established figures—as "the mix that we wanted."

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.

Roma face a mounting injury crisis ahead of their match against Genoa, with Paulo Dybala, Donyell Malen, Bryan Cristante, Mile Svilar and Manu Koné all unavailable. In midfield, Niccolò Pisilli starts alongside Marten de Roon. Gasperini has made significant changes in defence, dropping Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso for Leonardo Balerdi and Konstantinos Koulierakis. Santiago Castro makes his first start for the club up front. Roma line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation: Pierluigi Gollini in goal; Balerdi, Evan N'Dicka and Koulierakis in defence; Emanuele Lulli, de Roon, Pisilli and Devyne Rensch across the midfield; Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora behind Castro. Genoa, managed by former Roma manager Claudio Ranieri, counter with a 4-4-1-1 setup. Roma's bench includes Wesley, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Antonio Arena and several others available for deployment.

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 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.