De Rossi Turns 43: A Roma Legend Beyond Statistics

Former Roma midfielder Angelo Di Livio, speaking to Retesport, said he likes the idea of playing Wesley further forward against Napoli, with Molina dropping deeper on the same flank. Di Livio believes Gasperini will be missing two important players, including Dybala, and he questioned Lorenzo Pellegrini's latest injury, asking what fault the player had for having to stop again. Di Livio said Cristante is not well and does not think he can start. He expects Gasperini to have prepared alternative plans in midfield to cover the absences. The attacking absences of Pellegrini and Dybala in the final third are what make the idea of Wesley further up the pitch appealing to him. Di Livio expects Evan Lulli...

Roma's radio pundits are debating how Gian Piero Gasperini should line up against Napoli, with Mora, Soulé, Malen and Castro at the centre of the discussion. Rete Sport's David Rossi backed keeping Mora in the side alongside Soulé and Malen, arguing that Mora deserves more consecutive games to gain confidence and to win over the Roma crowd, and that playing away from home would ease the pressure on him. He also suggested a more natural role for Mora than the one Gasperini gave Pellegrini against Slovan, when Pellegrini was deployed on the right, a position that is not his. Rossi said: "Contro il Napoli o metti dentro tutti i centrocampisti, con uno tra Pisilli e Cristante alto sulla trequarti, oppure confermi Mora con Soulè e Malen, che è la cosa che farei io." Fabio Petruzzi, also on Rete Sport, proposed Rensch in front of Spinazzola with Wesley on the left, and expected Gasperini to keep faith with Mora but not to rule out Malen and Castro up front together. Tiziano Moroni was more critical, saying Mora had been insufficient in the last match and had created nothing, while noting he is only 19 and urging patience with Gasperini. Gianluca Piacentini raised the idea of Wesley pushed forward in the emergency, but said he would go for the classic line-up against Napoli, with Mora and Soulé behind Malen. He said: "Mora è arrivato da due mesi e per questo gli darei un po' di tempo. Facciamogli fare dieci partite consecutive." He added: "Però se ogni volta deve giocare con questo mattone addosso, che al primo errore viene fustigato, diventa dura…" On Tele Radio Stereo, Mario Corsi said Mora should be given time despite criticism, pointing out that Diomande is also 19. Francesca Ferrazza argued that Roma are not a side in difficulty, that the atmosphere in the stadium is the best it has been, and that Champions League matches drain energy but are tests of strength. Lorenzo Pes reported that Pellegrini, even with a mild injury, will not return before the break, and that what had filtered out suggested a month out with a more significant tear in the same spot where he had surgery. He said Gasperini must hope to recover Dybala soon, with recent reports pointing to an attempt for Udinese, and suggested Cristante move forward with Pisilli in midfield. Alessio Nardo joked: "Il giorno in cui la Roma acquisterà l'esterno sinistro titolare di piede destro faremo una festa in città, perchè finalmente sfateremo un tabù. Sono due anni che cerchiamo questo giocatore senza riuscire a trovarlo…" Piero Torri said Saturday's match against Napoli would be far from easy, and that Cristante was unlikely to start, though he could come on during the game in either the No.10 role or midfield. Roberto Pruzzo said he did not expect Mora to play against Napoli, suggested Castro could partner Malen, and believed Pisilli could operate in a dual role. Nando Orsi argued that Mora must play whenever he has the chance, otherwise he never gets the opportunity to settle in and understand the system. He said: "L'esborso economico deve essere confermato, e quando c'è la possibilità deve giocare." On Castro, he said: "Pensavo a Castro: poverino, non giocherà mai." He noted that Castro has been a starter for three or four matches this season, since Malen usually starts, and that coming on from the bench is very different from starting from the first minute.

Roma radio pundits have offered their views on the Giallorossi's selection for the upcoming match against Napoli, with several doubting that Bryan Cristante will start. Piero Torri of Radio Manà Manà Sport Roma (90.9) said: "Cristante starting? I'm not convinced. I have the feeling he won't start from the beginning. He could be an alternative during the game, both for the trequarti and for midfield." The debate covered the make-up of the attack and midfield. Francesco Balzani of Teleradiostereo (92.7) said Endrick could play in every attacking position and would fix the entire Roma attack, but added that his arrival in January depends on how much he plays in the coming months, noting he played only three minutes on Tuesday. Balzani also said Rodrigo Mora could start against Napoli, with Cristante ready to come on during the match. Lorenzo Pes of Tele Radio Stereo (92.7) warned that Lorenzo Pellegrini's injury is a concern. He said that even if the problem is a mild tear, Pellegrini will certainly not return before the international break. He added that, from what has emerged, the stoppage should last a month, with a more significant tear in the same spot where he has previously had surgery, pointing to a structural muscular difficulty. Pes said Gasperini must hope to get Paulo Dybala back soon, as the latest reports suggest an attempt for Udinese. He said Roma will certainly line up with few forwards against Napoli and Cagliari, and that the best combination would be to push Cristante forward with Niccolò Pisilli in midfield, otherwise the midfield risks being flattened by the pairing of Cristante and Marten de Roon. Roberto Pruzzo of Radio Radio (104.5) said he does not expect Mora to play against Napoli, and suggested seeing Santiago Castro, who may build a partnership with Donyell Malen. He said he believes the coach is considering this, and that Pisilli deserves his place for what he gives, adding that he does not rule out Pisilli being deployed in a split role because there are no other alternatives. Nando Orsi of Radio Radio (104.5) argued that Mora must play whenever he has the chance, otherwise he never gets the opportunity to settle in and understand the system. He said: "The financial outlay must be confirmed, and when there is the chance he must play. I would be in favour of playing Mora, but perhaps Gasperini does not agree and does not see the things we see." He added: "I was thinking about Castro: poor thing, he will never play."