Fenerbahce boss Kartal outlines tactical approach ahead of Roma clash

Roma scouts were among those watching Porto against PSV Eindhoven at the Estádio do Dragão in the Champions League, as the club keeps working ahead of the January transfer window to strengthen Gian Piero Gasperini's squad. Sporting director D'Amico is looking for talent to complete the attack and the wide areas, where a left-sided midfield winger is still missing. Scouts from Everton, Manchester United, Brentford and Nottingham Forest were also present, according to English outlet Sport Witness. Many talents featured for PSV as well as for Porto, who are coached by Farioli. Among the possible targets Roma are monitoring is Sven Mijnans, an attacking midfielder born in 2000 who had already been followed in the summer. Also on the list is Bajraktarević, a Bosnian left-sided winger born in 2005. Roma will keep working on these ideas in the coming weeks, as a side that has made a top start still needs reinforcements. Porto's young standouts also drew attention. Oscar Pietuszewski, a right-footed winger born in 2008, is very young. Alberto Costa, a 23-year-old full-back, was close to joining Roma in January 2025.

Roma's defence has been named in the Sofascore Team of the Week for the latest Champions League round, with Mario Hermoso, Leonardo Balerdi and Daniele Ghilardi all selected and dominating the back line of the ideal side. The trio's performance earned the recognition after they kept a clean sheet against Slovan Bratislava, the club's first clean sheet in Europe this season, and gave nothing away to Yaya Touré's side. The spotlight on the defence comes as Roma prepare for a big match against Napoli, with the squad continuing its work at Trigoria. The back line has been one of the strengths of the start to the campaign, conceding just three goals in the first seven Serie A matches. The Italian report adds that the award reflects the solid form of a unit that has been central to Roma's strong start, with the three defenders combining for a shutout that underlined the club's improved resilience at the back. Roma are next in action against Napoli, with the squad focused on maintaining that defensive record.

Roma's central defenders Hermoso, Balerdi and Ghilardi have been named in Sofascore's Team of the Week for the latest Champions League round, after a performance that kept Slovan Bratislava out completely. The three Roma defenders gave away nothing to the side coached by Yaya Touré. Roma have conceded only three goals in their first seven Serie A matches, a record built on a back line that is growing more solid despite the absence of several players who were fundamental in recent years. The arrivals of Balerdi and Koulierakis, and the continued development of Ghilardi, have given Gasperini the option to rest two first-team regulars, Ndicka and Mancini. Sofascore's selection was described as deserved. The Team of the Week's defence, drawn from the best side in the League Phase, was dominated by Gasperini's Roma backline. The selection also includes attackers Doué, Nico Paz, Foden and Ngumoha from the wider group of top clubs in the competition.

Leonardo Balerdi scored twice off the bench as Roma came back to draw 3-3 at Napoli's Stadio Maradona on Saturday afternoon, the last day of daylight saving time in 2026. The defender's second goal came in the 89th minute and salvaged a result that looked lost. The match was a six-goal, end-to-end contest that the Italian commentary describes as chaotic yet disciplined, and it left Roma with a sense of growing maturity. The brace is notable beyond the scoreline. The article recalls that the last Roma player to score two goals in a match at Napoli was Agostino Di Bartolomei, who netted a double in a 5-2 win on 20 February 1983, when Roma were chasing the Scudetto. The statistic has been dormant for more than four decades. The Italian writer frames the result as a test of character for Gasperini's side, which played without Paulo Dybala, a significant absence on the day. Roma were two goals down early on, struggling with a poor start in which clarity seemed to be missing. Roma's response after going 3-2 down was the key point of the article. McTominay scored the goal that appeared to settle the match, and the writer argues that this was the moment Roma should have collapsed. Instead, the players kept their shape and their patience, and the bench provided energy. The article says neither side can feel entirely satisfied. Napoli could regret failing to protect their lead twice, while Roma could look back on the opening hour as poor. Still, the writer says Roma left with the lesson that the team can absorb blows without losing its balance. The piece closes with the image of a team that looked into the abyss, remembered who it was, and chose to rewrite the story, with the feet of a defender and the head of a great side.

Napoli beat Roma 2-1 at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Serie A's eighth round, with Anguissa and McTominay scoring for the hosts and Matías Soulé pulling one back for Roma. Gian Piero Gasperini's side were without Mile Svilar, Manu Koné, Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini. Gasperini did, however, have Bryan Cristante back in the starting XI and Donyell Malen available again after serving a one-match suspension. Massimiliano Allegri started Højlund, supported by Politano and Lang, while Rrahmani was ruled out by flu and did not make the bench. Roma's starting line-up was Gollini; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Rensch, De Roon, Pisilli, Wesley; Cristante; Soulé, Malen. Rensch lined up at right-back, and Cristante was pushed further forward, with Pisilli alongside him in midfield. Napoli: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rafa Marin, Badiashile, Olivera; Anguissa, De Bruyne, McTominay; Politano, Højlund, Lang. Colombo of Como refereed, with Bindoni-Rossi M. and Sacchi J.L. as assistants, Aureliano on VAR and Meraviglia as VAR assistant. Rafa Marin was booked after three minutes for a heavy challenge on Wesley, and Cristante and Rensch were also cautioned, in the 28th and 45th minutes. Roma had early chances through Soulé, who fired a left-footed effort wide in the 8th minute, and Cristante, whose powerful right foot struck the outside of the net in the 20th minute. Malen went close from the edge of the box in the 24th minute, when Meret saved with his foot. Gollini kept Roma in the game with a pair of saves, first rushing out to deny De Bruyne in the 34th minute and then stopping Olivera at close range in the 43rd. Cristante hit the left-hand post with a header in the 44th minute. Hermoso had a shooting chance in the 37th minute that was deflected wide. Napoli took the lead in the 27th minute when Anguissa scored with an overhead kick in the Roma area, although Gollini was unable to do anything. The move had started from a free kick that appeared to have no foul on De Bruyne. Before half-time Malen wasted a good opening for Roma. Napoli doubled their lead in the 47th minute, when Politano's right-wing cross was headed in by McTominay, who got ahead of Rensch. Gollini then made a save to deny Politano in the 56th minute, after Wesley had lost possession. Badiashile limped off with an injury in the 51st minute and was replaced by Beukema. Roma made three changes in the 58th minute, bringing on Molina, Balerdi and Castro for Rensch, Pisilli and Hermoso. Napoli also made a substitution in the 65th minute, with Giovane replacing Politano. Soulé reduced the deficit in the 69th minute with a left-footed strike from a tight angle, set up by Malen, to make it 2-1. Napoli held on to take the three points.

Roma face Napoli at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in the eighth round of Serie A, with the official line-ups now confirmed and Bryan Cristante starting from the first minute alongside Matías Soulé. Gian Piero Gasperini's side are up against a Napoli team coached by Massimiliano Allegri. The match is refereed by Andrea Colombo of the Como section. Roma arrive fresh from a Champions League win, but they are dealing with injury problems in the attacking midfield zone, with Lorenzo Pellegrini and Paulo Dybala both ruled out. The giallorossi are looking to take important points as they continue their push towards the top of the table. Romanews.eu is providing live coverage of the match with real-time updates throughout the game.

Napoli and Roma drew 3-3 at the Maradona in a wild game that Roma will see as a useful point, given how the match had gone, while Napoli feel they have been robbed. Anguissa put the hosts ahead in the first half with a spectacular acrobatic finish that left Gollini helpless. McTominay doubled the lead with a header early in the second half and Napoli pressed Roma hard. Roma responded after their substitutions. Malen and Soulé combined for the equaliser, and Soulé's curling shot made it 2-1. Five minutes later, substitute Balerdi headed Roma level. Napoli kept pushing and regained the lead in the 83rd minute, when McTominay struck a sharp shot for another brace. That was his second double after the one he scored in the Champions League against Bodo Glimt. Gasperini's side refused to give up, and in the dying seconds Balerdi rose highest to head in again. Napoli then complained about a foul, and Allegri was sent off for protesting. The result means Lazio and Inter can extend their lead at the top of the table. For Roma, the draw ends a match that looked lost at 3-2. Balerdi was the decisive figure, scoring both of Roma's late equalisers, and the team's response after the changes was the difference between defeat and a point. Soulé was also praised for another strong performance. In the match ratings, Balerdi and McTominay each received an 8, and Soulé a 7.5. The match ratings also carried the reactions from the pitch. McTominay's goals meant he now has two doubles in recent outings, and Napoli will feel the late equaliser deeply. Roma's ability to score three times away from home, and to level twice after falling behind, showed the spirit that Gasperini has asked for all season.

Napoli and Roma drew 3-3 in a chaotic Serie A match at the Maradona, a result that felt more like a reprieve for Roma than a setback. Anguissa gave the hosts the lead in the first half with an acrobatic finish that left Gollini motionless. Early in the second half McTominay headed Napoli 2-0 up, and the hosts looked in control. Roma came back after their substitutions. Malen and Soulé combined for the 2-1, with Soulé finishing with a curling shot. Five minutes later, substitute Balerdi levelled the score. Napoli kept pushing and regained the lead in the 83rd minute through a sharp strike from McTominay, his second goal of the match and another brace after the one he scored in the Champions League against Bodo/Glimt. Roma refused to give up. Almost on the stroke of 90 minutes, Balerdi rose higher than anyone to head home an equaliser again. Napoli protested that they had been fouled, and Allegri was sent off for dissent. The game ended 3-3, with each side taking a point. Gasperini's side can take some credit for a comeback, since Balerdi twice rescued them when defeat looked likely. Lazio and Inter, however, can both move further clear at the top of the table thanks to the dropped points.

Roma came from behind twice to draw 3-3 with Napoli at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Serie A matchday eight, and Gian Piero Gasperini's side were rescued by Leonardo Balerdi, who came off the bench and scored a brilliant brace. Giallorossi.net's player ratings, written by Andrea Fiorini, gave Balerdi an 8 and Gasperini a 7 for a difficult away trip made without several important players. Gollini was rated 6, with a superb save from Olivera standing out, though he was uncertain with crosses into the box and could have done more on McTominay's shot. Ndicka was rated 6.5 for winning a physical duel with Hojlund, who had little impact. Hermoso, also 6.5, attacked often and tried several times to shoot, but his efforts were always deflected for corners, and Politano often took him on. Mancini was rated 5.5, lacking quality in attack and pace in defence, improving slightly after the break. Rensch, rated 6, made a crucial intervention on Lang but was rated as playing with the handbrake on, offering little going forward. Molina, who replaced him at 58', was rated 6.5 after Gasperini deployed him on the left, where his runs brought energy to the flank. De Roon, rated 6.5, grew into the game and was a wall in the second half. Pisilli was rated 5.5 and was not especially bright, with disappointing set-piece deliveries. Castro, who came on for him at 58', was rated 6 and gave the team a jolt, unsettling the Napoli defence. Wesley was rated 6, described as confused but running tirelessly, with a fine cross for Cristante that hit the post, and an assist for Balerdi's equaliser late on. Cristante was rated 6.5 for his physicality and a few good chances, though he lacked quality with the final pass. Soule was rated 7.5, a constant threat who troubled Napoli and set up Malen inside the area, though Malen wasted the chance. In the second half Soule struck a stunning left-foot shot that revitalised Roma and changed the momentum of the match. Malen was rated 6, wasting a penalty by hitting a weak effort in the area, and was saved only by his assist for Soule. Mora came on late without a rating. Gasperini was praised for his substitutions, which proved decisive in the final 3-3.