Delvecchio backs Malen over Martínez ahead of Roma–Inter clash

Roma thrashed Udinese 5-0 and continued their remarkable scoring run, with 28 goals in the first ten rounds of the season, an average of 2.8 per match. The Corriere della Sera reports that it is the club's best return in a single-group league format, a record matched only in 1928-29, and Roma now boast the best attack in the division. The side have kept their attacking identity despite a long injury list. Svilar, Koné, Pellegrini and Dybala have all been sidelined, while Cristante has just returned from injury. Roma have not altered the way they play, and the team keeps pressing for goals even when the tempo drops. The goals have been spread across the squad rather than resting on one man. Malen is among the scorers, but the output is not down to him alone: 11 different players have scored in Serie A, rising to 14 once Champions League goals are included. Gasperini has highlighted that many of the goals come after well-constructed, attractive moves. The report places this side in a long Roman tradition of attacking football, from Liedholm's web-like passing and Eriksson's vertical play with Pruzzo, through Spalletti's team with Totti and Dzeko, to Zeman's offensive sides. The article argues that Gasperini's Roma now belongs in that gallery of teams that have made Roma fans dream.

Bryan Cristante has become one of the most reliable figures in the Roma side, a silent leader who keeps performing regardless of changes in coaches, teammates or executives. His 373 appearances place him close to legends such as Tancredi, Nela and Conti in the club's all-time list. Corriere dello Sport describes him as the embodiment of the valuable, often unseen work that makes the difference. Gasperini made him captain and has said he does not remember him playing this strongly. Cristante returned straight to the centre of the team after a knee problem. Roma are preparing for a Champions League clash at Old Trafford against Manchester United, and he is expected to lead the side in midfield alongside Marten de Roon. The pairing is described as solid, experienced and ready to guide the team. In the Udine match, Cristante played a huge game, scoring, providing an assist and maintaining a total presence in midfield. Gasperini has made him captain, and the coach's praise underlines how central his role remains as the club prepares for its Champions League fixture in Manchester.

Donyell Malen is having an extraordinary year and is scoring more prolifically than any other forward in Europe, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, which says he is now bracketed with the continent's most famous strikers. His 2026 has been a dream, taking his output to levels he has never reached before. La Gazzetta credits much of this surge to Gian Piero Gasperini, who has a long record of getting the best out of his centre-forwards. Zapata scored 28 goals under him, Muriel 19, Hojlund 10, Scamacca 19 after 8 at West Ham, and Retegui 28 after 9 at Genoa. Almost all of them scored far more than the year before, and the paper notes that the same jump was visible earlier with Gilardino, Pavoletti and Jeda. Malen is described as the strongest example of the trend. Before joining Roma, Malen scored much less: 55 goals in 116 matches for PSV, 39 in 132 for Borussia Dortmund, and only 10 in 46 appearances for Aston Villa. Since arriving in the capital, he has scored 22 goals in 28 matches, an extremely high rate that he had never achieved in his career. La Gazzetta concludes that the Giallorossi forward is now firmly among the elite of European football and embodies Gasperini's work: a rejuvenated striker who is stronger, more consistent and more decisive than ever before.

Roma thrashed Udinese 5-0 and continued their remarkable scoring run, with 28 goals in the first ten rounds of the season, an average of 2.8 per match. The Corriere della Sera reports that it is the club's best return in a single-group league format, a record matched only in 1928-29, and Roma now boast the best attack in the division. The side have kept their attacking identity despite a long injury list. Svilar, Koné, Pellegrini and Dybala have all been sidelined, while Cristante has just returned from injury. Roma have not altered the way they play, and the team keeps pressing for goals even when the tempo drops. The goals have been spread across the squad rather than resting on one man. Malen is among the scorers, but the output is not down to him alone: 11 different players have scored in Serie A, rising to 14 once Champions League goals are included. Gasperini has highlighted that many of the goals come after well-constructed, attractive moves. The report places this side in a long Roman tradition of attacking football, from Liedholm's web-like passing and Eriksson's vertical play with Pruzzo, through Spalletti's team with Totti and Dzeko, to Zeman's offensive sides. The article argues that Gasperini's Roma now belongs in that gallery of teams that have made Roma fans dream.

Donyell Malen is having an extraordinary year and is scoring more prolifically than any other forward in Europe, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, which says he is now bracketed with the continent's most famous strikers. His 2026 has been a dream, taking his output to levels he has never reached before. La Gazzetta credits much of this surge to Gian Piero Gasperini, who has a long record of getting the best out of his centre-forwards. Zapata scored 28 goals under him, Muriel 19, Hojlund 10, Scamacca 19 after 8 at West Ham, and Retegui 28 after 9 at Genoa. Almost all of them scored far more than the year before, and the paper notes that the same jump was visible earlier with Gilardino, Pavoletti and Jeda. Malen is described as the strongest example of the trend. Before joining Roma, Malen scored much less: 55 goals in 116 matches for PSV, 39 in 132 for Borussia Dortmund, and only 10 in 46 appearances for Aston Villa. Since arriving in the capital, he has scored 22 goals in 28 matches, an extremely high rate that he had never achieved in his career. La Gazzetta concludes that the Giallorossi forward is now firmly among the elite of European football and embodies Gasperini's work: a rejuvenated striker who is stronger, more consistent and more decisive than ever before.

Nine months after their last visit to Udine, Roma are a different side: authoritative, overwhelming and capable of playing at relentless tempo with an intensity that eventually overwhelms their opponents. Much of the transformation comes from the work done on the training ground, even though the squad, enriched in quality, is still missing a couple of key pieces. Gian Piero Gasperini has managed to deepen the squad over recent weeks, shaping and developing several players despite a run of injuries to Svilar, Koné, Cristante, Dybala and Pellegrini that would have halted any club in Serie A. Today, anyone who takes the pitch, writes Stefano Carina in Il Messaggero, does not leave fans longing for those on the bench. From Lulli to Ghilardi, passing through Mora, Rensch, Castro and Balerdi, each player who gets his chance is able to take a leading role in turn. The acceleration has come without Dybala, who was the team's guiding light before a calf problem sidelined him. That setback has allowed Soulé to shine again. Soulé is a paradox in himself. Over the summer, every effort was made to sell him. Today, alongside the "monster" Malen, who has scored 22 goals in 2026, the most of any striker in Europe this year, ahead of Yamal, Mbappé, Haaland, Raphinha and Ballon d'Or winner Kane, he is the extra man, the player capable of carrying the team on his shoulders. A leader, something he was long accused of not being. Another piece of Gasperini magic.