Donadoni backs Roma's progress but backs Inter as title favourites

Paulo Dybala could return to Roma's starting line-up for the trip to Parma on 21 November at 18:00, with Gian Piero Gasperini reportedly considering the Argentine from the first minute. Eleven Roma players have been called up for the international break, more than any other club's squad in the article's account, and Argentina is the nation with the most Giallorossi on duty. Leonardo Balerdi, Santiago Castro and Matías Soulé are all with Argentina, which plays Uruguay on 14 November and Costa Rica on 18 November. The Costa Rica fixture is the problem for Gasperini. After that match, Soulé, Castro and Balerdi will not return to the capital until 19 November, leaving the head coach just two days to work with them and the rest of the group before the Parma trip. That is before allowing for the tiring long-haul journey. For this reason, Gasperini is reportedly weighing Dybala from the start against Parma, while Soulé could begin on the bench and be brought on during the game. The club's Telegram and WhatsApp channels offer free Roma news updates to fans on their phones.

Former Inter coach Andrea Stramaccioni has strongly backed Roma signing Endrick, saying the Brazilian is exactly what the club needs, speaking on Te la do io Tokyo. Stramaccioni said: "Endrick is a different player, one that Roma don't have in their striking group. He was born a centre-forward, and has done it with Brazil too, but he has shown he is a top player in every position in attack. He is different and has no weak points. He is a player who would take Roma to another level." He added that the lack of a left-sided wide player with pace is a separate issue and has nothing to do with Endrick. He also drew a comparison with Nico Paz's move to Como. Stramaccioni believes Roma still need more than one addition to take the squad up a level under Gian Piero Gasperini. He argued that the attacking options are not enough on their own, and that a left-footed full-back or winger would be a major boost. The former coach said that a left-footed player on the flank would be "impressive" for Gasperini, adding that Roma currently lack one. He also said that a full-back who attacks the depth of the pitch can create very interesting situations. On the title race, Stramaccioni said: "Roma can fight for the Scudetto. Inter, when they have all their players available, are a really strong side and have something extra. But Roma have cut the gap. Como are a little bit further behind." On Gasperini, he said: "Gasp takes the best qualities of a player, enhances them and minimises their flaws. Hermoso is an example of this, as is Ghilardi." He also spoke about José Mourinho and his time at Real Madrid, saying: "Mourinho put the dots on the i's in Madrid, and he has qualities that other coaches don't have."

Roma have three players capable of igniting matches in attacking midfield, and Gasperini now has a difficult but welcome choice to make. Dybala, Soulé and Mora form a trio described as a fairytale unit, ready to set up goals for Malen. The balance shifted when Dybala was injured: Soulé became the ace and Mora the joker Gasperini cannot do without. Dybala is now back and wants to start against Parma. The answer to who should make way lies in the data. Mora wins the ball in the opponent's final third, averaging 2.3 recoveries per match, a trait that neither Soulé nor Dybala matches in the same way, and no one else at Roma does it as he does. In Gasperini's high-pressing system, pressing is everything, and Mora keeps the team pushed up, pushing opponents away from his own half and creating chances in theirs. He is small in stature but has enormous talent, not only with the ball at his feet. Four goals and two assists count for something, but Gasperini is looking at more than goals: his system needs perfect interpreters, and Mora fits that description today, even though he is not the winger Gasperini had in mind. Mora has four goals and two assists, while Dybala's return gives the coach a dilemma that every manager would welcome. The question is whom to leave out, and the statistics point towards Mora being indispensable in the pressing game.