De Boer hails Malen's confidence at Roma

Former Atalanta forward Aleksandar Pesic, now at Fatih Karagumruk, has described Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini as the best coach he has ever worked under, calling him "unreachable". Pesic made the comments to the MeridianSport website. He played for Atalanta in the 2016-17 season, when Gasperini was in charge of the club. Pesic ranked Gasperini above every other coach he has played for. Asked to name the best, he said: "He is number one, with Farioli right after him." He has been coached by many leading managers, including Diaz, Slaven Bilic, Farioli and Casanova, but he said he still tells everyone that Gasperini is unreachable. Pesic also allowed for a rival to catch up. He said: "It is possible that Farioli will manage to surpass him in terms of results, but Gian Piero remains number one."

Roma's radio debate on the capital's stations centred on the coming Champions League clash with Slovan Bratislava, with several pundits questioning the coach's choices in defence and attack. David Rossi of Rete Sport wondered what Ghilardi had done to Gasperini, arguing that Roma bought Koulierakis for 18 million and then also signed Balerdi, the sixth centre-back, which suggested Gasperini had little faith in Ghilardi. Rossi said: "Domani contro lo Slovan devi vincere assolutamente, e per questo giocherà la squadra migliore possibile. Koulierakis mi sembra uno che deve giocare al centro, mi sembra uno alla Smalling, alto, grosso, che non sa impostare così bene. Fra l'altro non mi sembra nemmeno uno così freddo quando va sotto pressione. Mi chiedo: ma cosa gli ha fatto Ghilardi a Gasperini? Quando la Roma compra Koulierakis e lo paga 18 milioni, in quel momento era il quinto centrale. E non contenta prende anche il sesto, che è Balerdi, e ti viene da pensare "pensa quanto gli fa schifo Ghilardi se deve prendere il sesto centrale che fa il braccetto di destra"…" The defence was not the only talking point. Roberto Pruzzo of Radio Radio said Mora was too far behind in the pecking order and that Roma should look for a solution in January, adding: "Su Mora io a gennaio ci penserei a trovargli una soluzione, non mi sembra che sia il tempo per avere una prospettiva…secondo me è troppo indietro. Quando lo fa entrare, gioca un tempo, quando lo gioca. Magari trovi una soluzione più fisica. E a centrocampo andava fatto uno sforzo, perchè De Roon da solo non può bastare…" Pruzzo also backed Castro to play alongside Malen, saying: "Io a suo tempo dissi che Castro poteva essere il Muriel di Gasperini e sono stato bocciato totalmente perchè ha caratteristiche diverse. Io lo penso tutt'ora che possa interagire insieme a Malen, tenuto conto della necessità di avere una soluzione diversa." Gianluca Piacentini of Rete Sport liked the idea of a double centre-forward and suggested Lulli may have earned a starting place. He said the win over Genoa, where the reserves played, had reassured him, and that Roma had needed only 20-25 minutes to secure Saturday's result. Piacentini added: "Se giochi quei 70 minuti che hai fatto contro il Real Madrid, nel campionato italiano possono bastare per molte squadre…" Fabio Petruzzi of Rete Sport admitted he had initially thought Gasperini made too many changes, but then praised the decision, saying: "Inizialmente non ero d'accordo con tutti quei cambi fatti da Gasperini, per me erano troppi, ma poi invece applausi a scena aperta: hai portato a casa i tre punti e hai risparmiato 6-7 giocatori titolari." He also highlighted Soulé's ability to hold the ball near the touchline and said Koulierakis was still far behind in Gasperini's game. In the Champions League, Ilario Di Giovambattista of Radio Radio said the young Roma side had surprised him, adding that the team had recovered from the Champions League setback while missing seven players. He put forward the theory that Roma must leave the Champions League to fight for the title. Francesca Ferrazza of Tele Radio Stereo said the competition demands dignity, but that Roma must think about the league, adding: "Anche a costo di sacrificare la Champions…" Lorenzo Pes of Tele Radio Stereo said Pellegrini had done well against Genoa, that he could not go much further at 30, and that Wesley was expected back, with Ndicka possibly rested. Alessio Nardo of Tele Radio Stereo said Pellegrini, not yet at 100 per cent, could give a dignified display, noting that with only De Roon and Pisilli in midfield he could be useful as a substitute. On the league, Mario Corsi of Tele Radio Stereo predicted that Roma would finish first or second, three or four points behind Inter, crediting Gasperini as the key factor, and said he would be disappointed by anything less than second. Nando Orsi of Radio Radio said Roma had no excuses and must win at Napoli, while Mario Mattioli of Radio Radio said the club should think about January signings, pointing to the need for a midfielder and a left winger. Piero Torri of Manà Manà Sport expected Malen to start with Castro on the bench, and said the Slovan match would require goals as well as a win, since goal difference could decide qualification.

Piero Torri has said that managing De Roon's workload will not be a problem once Cristante returns before Roma's match against Napoli. Torri said: "I think the management of De Roon will not be a problem with Cristante's return before the match with Napoli. For a 35-year-old player, four matches in ten days are a question mark, and I think he deliberately played part of the first half with the awareness that he had to reach the ninetieth minute. He grew into the game." His comments were part of a round-up of views from Rome's radio stations. The pundits reviewed Roma's recent performances. Francesco Balzani said Roma's Saturday match against Genoa began with some anxiety and a period of adjustment. He said he had feared the fixture because Roma were missing several regular starters and because of a possible knock-on effect after the Real Madrid game. The positives, he said, were Lulli and Castro, and the fact that Roma have a clear game plan. He added that he expects Roma to rarely play badly this season and that he would be disappointed if they finished below second place. Balzani also gave his view on Mora: "Mora can do more, and this leaves me calm. What I see him do right now tells me he is a great player, but Saturday's match was not one for a great player. He reads the lines of the pitch well, and with the ball I see he always knows what to do. He needs to become more streetwise, and without the physique he must strengthen himself mentally in some movements." Roberto Pruzzo, on Radio Radio, said: "Earlier I said that Castro could be Gasperini's Muriel, and I was totally rejected because he has different characteristics. I still think he can work alongside Malen, given the need for a different solution." On Mora, Pruzzo said: "In January I would think about finding him a solution. I don't think it is the time to have a prospect... in my view he is too far behind. When he brings him on, he plays a half, when he plays him. Perhaps you find a more physical solution. And in midfield an effort had to be made, because De Roon alone cannot be enough." Simone Valdarchi reflected on Roma's resilience: "Roma have always been quite good at reacting to complicated evenings. The match against Inter at Easter remains Roma's last league defeat. After that game the Champions League chase began, which at that point seemed very distant. The team instead reacted. In this case Gasp has his reasons for saying he never had doubts about this aspect."

Roma's probable starting line-up for their meeting with Slovan has been published, with Gian Piero Gasperini reportedly bringing back the No. 23 and Mario Hermoso returning to the defence. Gianluca Mancini is expected to start, while Soulé and Pellegrini are set to operate behind Malen. The central defensive berth is a contest between Leonardo Balerdi and Evan N'Dicka. Molina is pushing Lulli for a place at right-back, and in midfield Marten de Roon and Niccolò Pisilli are expected to start. Beyond the selection, the wider build-up has also produced news on the injury front. Paulo Dybala has a small tear and is expected to be out for a period, while Gasperini has said Roma need 10 points to qualify for the playoffs and that Dybala's recovery will take longer.

Roma host Slovan Bratislava at the Stadio Olimpico tomorrow at 21:00, and Gian Piero Gasperini is expected to make several changes to the side that played Genoa in the last league match. Slovan Bratislava are coached by Yaya Toure, according to the report. According to Sky Sport, Mancini and Hermoso return to start in defence, with N'Dicka confirmed at centre-back. Molina and Wesley are set to return on the flanks, while De Roon and Pisilli are expected in midfield. Soulé and Pellegrini are likely to support Malen up front. The probable Roma line-up in a 3-4-2-1 formation is: Gollini; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Pisilli, De Roon, Wesley; Soulé, Pellegrini; Malen.

Slovan Bratislava head coach Yaya Touré and defender Kevin Wimmer spoke to reporters at the pre-match press conference ahead of their Champions League league-phase match against Roma, which takes place tomorrow, 20 October, at 21:00. The fixture is the third matchday of the league phase. Touré said he expected an interesting game and wanted to see his team's performance. "Roma are strong, with excellent players and an excellent coach. We have to give everything tomorrow evening." Asked whether the Stadio Olimpico is a special place for him, having already won the Champions League there, he said: "Yes, I hope it will be tomorrow too. Winning the Champions League is wonderful: the pitch will always be the same. I feel good, I am positive. We want to produce the best possible performance." On what he expects from the match, Touré said: "I expect a tough game after Real's comeback: they will want to get back on track. We want to play in the best way possible and give emotions to the 2000 fans who have travelled for us, always with respect for our opponents. Anything can happen in football." Asked for his view of Gian Piero Gasperini, Touré said: "You always learn. Gasperini has great experience and made an enormous contribution to Atalanta, improving every aspect of their game. The work he did there was incredible. For me it is complicated, but I want to think about things simply. We face a very strong team, with some absences, but they remain dangerous. They can hurt you. I focus on my own team." Touré also spoke of his emotions: "I am very excited. Roma are a huge club and having the chance to be here is an honour. It will be a fantastic experience for us. I hope to play an excellent game: we want to enjoy it." On how to stop Donyell Malen, Touré said: "Malen is in form, he is feeling great. He has always done well, including in the past. In recent matches he has scored several goals. It won't be easy: we will have to be aggressive from the start. Roma have quality. We need a great performance." Comparing with Roma's recent match against Milan, Touré said: "They are different games. Roma are strong defensively and press across the whole pitch: it is a very Italian style of play. They are tactically prepared, solid and also clinical. We must be aggressive and give them little space." When reminded that Roma lost to Slovan 15 years ago, he said: "I knew that: it was a great result for the club. We want to recreate the same atmosphere, although things have changed a lot. They are favourites, but we have not come here to watch. Let's see what we can do."