Gasperini addresses Roma's opening Champions League draw with Fenerbahce

Roma have not lost a Serie A match in 15 games, a run that continued after a crazy 3-3 draw at Napoli's Maradona stadium. Gian Piero Gasperini analysed the result on the night, saying: "We are in a great moment, we have great conviction, we play good football, we try to carry it forward, the morale is high. We have more the feeling of having lost two points, but it went well even like this." In the hours after the match, fans were divided on social media and in bars between regret at not taking all three points and the belief that Roma are a strong side able to overcome any difficulty and give everything even in the toughest games. The statistic underlines the progress of Gasperini's project. Roma's last league defeat, counting back into the previous season, came on 5 April, when Inter beat Gasperini's side 5-2 at San Siro. Since then, the chase for Champions League qualification has produced only wins against Pisa, Bologna, Fiorentina, Parma, Lazio and Verona, plus a home draw with Atalanta. This season's record is similar: five wins and three draws against the other three Champions League sides, Inter, Como and, most recently, Napoli. The run also helped Gasperini reach 300 Serie A wins, achieved against Genoa last week. The Napoli match ended 3-3, a result that left the supporters torn between frustration and pride in a team that refuses to fold under pressure.

Cagliari are preparing for their Serie A clash with Roma after losing 2-0 to Bologna the previous day. The players gathered at the CRAI Sport Center on Sunday morning to begin preparations for the match, which is the midweek fixture for Matchday 9 and is scheduled for the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday 27 October with a 20:45 kickoff. Cagliari coach Pisacane split the squad into two work groups. Players who featured most heavily against Bologna carried out recovery sessions between the pitch and the gym, while the others took part in technical and possession drills. The squad trains again on Monday 26 October in the morning before travelling to Rome in the afternoon. Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is scheduled to speak to the media at Trigoria at 13:30, one hour after Pisacane's press conference at 12:30. Pisacane's press conference is set for 12:30 on Monday, giving Cagliari's view of the trip to the capital ahead of the Roma match. Gasperini's session follows an hour later at 13:30 at Trigoria, bringing both coaches before the cameras on the same afternoon.

Napoli 1-1 Roma ended in a point for Roma in the Capital, but the match also brought controversy and standout performances. Max Allegri has come under fire after his comments in the press room at the Maradona, and the Giudice Sportivo is expected to rule on Monday, with a possible file opened by the Procura Federale. Fans are looking to Trigoria for a response, with the Friedkins expected to defend Roma. On the pitch, two Argentines shone. Matías Soulé, wearing the number 18, carried the team on his shoulders in the Maradona, scoring his third goal of the season and posting top-level numbers, and earning praise from Giaccherini. Leonardo Balerdi became the 12th different scorer in Gasperini's total football, and the centre-back has entered the history books at the Maradona. Balerdi's fiancée dedicated a sweet message to the defender. Mancini's impression of Allegri was also widely shared and very funny. Dybala is returning from injury ahead of the Roma-Cagliari fixture.

Roma host Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday 27 October at 20:45 in the ninth round of Serie A, with the game broadcast live on DAZN. Gian Piero Gasperini's side come into the fixture straight after a 3-3 draw at Napoli's Maradona, while Fabio Pisacane's Cagliari are looking to end a losing run after a 2-0 home defeat to Bologna. With only a short turnaround between matches, Gasperini may rotate several players. Svilar is still sidelined, so Gollini keeps goal. The main decisions are in defence: Mancini and Hermoso returned to the starting line-up against Napoli after both began the match on the bench against Slovan Bratislava, while N'Dicka has been one of the most used players in recent weeks. The Ivorian could be rested, opening a place for Balerdi, who is coming off a particularly positive run. Ghilardi and Koulierakis remain in contention. Wesley may start on the bench with Molina ready to return, while Lulli is gaining ground on the other flank. In midfield Gasperini must pick two from Cristante, de Roon and Pisilli, with the young midfielder able to find space during the game. Up front, the picture is clearer: Malen remains the central reference point, Soulé should keep his place after an excellent display at Napoli, and Mora may play alongside the Argentine, with Castro initially on the bench. Roma's injury list is significant. Svilar is still out with a fractured toe, Koné is sidelined with a first-degree tear of the hamstring, Dybala is out with a small calf injury, and Pellegrini continues his recovery from a high-grade lesion at the distal musculotendinous junction of the semitendinosus in his right thigh. Roma's probable line-up is Gollini; Mancini, Balerdi, Hermoso; Lulli, Cristante, de Roon, Molina; Soulé, Mora; Malen. Available substitutes: Vásquez, De Marzi, Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Wesley, Rensch, Ghilardi, Pisilli, Castro. Gasperini has no suspended or cautioned players. The competing selections are Mancini-Ghilardi, Hermoso-Koulierakis, Balerdi-N'Dicka and de Roon-Pisilli. Cagliari are expected to line up in a 4-3-2-1 with Caprile in goal, Mina partnering J. Rodriguez in the centre of defence, and Zé Pedro and Obert completing the back line. The main doubt is in midfield, where Winks injured his back against Bologna and his fitness will be assessed up to the last hours. If he is ruled out, Gagliardini starts, with Romano and Adopo completing the unit. Maldini should start from the first minute, Fazzini is ahead of Massolin, and Kevin Carlos is ahead of Mendy as the centre-forward, with Nzola deeper. Idrissi and Felici are out with cruciate ligament ruptures. Cagliari's probable line-up is Caprile; Zé Pedro, Mina, J. Rodriguez, Obert; Romano, Gagliardini, Adopo; Fazzini, Maldini; Kevin Carlos. Cagliari have lost their last two league games, 4-0 to Monza and 2-0 to Bologna. Roma have the clear head-to-head advantage in Rome. There have been 49 official meetings at the Olimpico, with 26 Roma wins, 17 draws and six Cagliari victories. The most recent meeting in the capital came on 9 February 2026, when Roma won 2-0. Cagliari's last win in Rome was a 4-2 victory on 1 February 2013. The official line-ups will be announced about an hour before kick-off and will be updated live on the match page.

Leonardo Balerdi earned the top rating in the Italian newspapers after scoring a brace that rescued Roma in their 3-3 draw at the Maradona. Matías Soulé was next best, with his goal starting the comeback and a performance full of quality. Molina also received a solid mark of 6.50. Among the players rated below par, Pisilli had the lowest average at 5.25, followed by Rensch on 5.50 and Hermoso and Malen on 5.58. Gasperini finished with an average of 6.60. The newspapers largely agreed on the key refereeing decisions in the Napoli 3-3 Roma match. Balerdi's first equaliser for the 2-2 was ruled valid, with Castro striking the ball with his face in the build-up. The final 3-3 also stood, as the contact between the Argentine and Beukema was judged too light to justify a penalty. Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere dello Sport both gave Colombo 6.5, Il Messaggero awarded him a 6, and Il Romanista was harsher with a 5.5. Il Romanista's verdict on Colombo read: "He irritates everyone, but in the end he does not directly affect the result."

Roma came from behind to draw 3-3 at Napoli's Maradona stadium, their third consecutive draw in a big Serie A match after a goalless game at Como. Leonardo Balerdi, who came off the bench, scored a brace, while Matías Soulé was the standout performer in attack. The evening began badly for Roma, but the team refused to give up and fought back to level the match. Italian newspapers gave Soulé between 7 and 8 out of 10, and Balerdi between 7.5 and 8. Evan Ndicka was the only member of the starting defence to come out with credit, rated 6 to 7. Gollini earned 6 to 7, Cristante 6 to 7, and de Roon 5.5 to 6.5. Malen was below par and was rated between 5 and 6. Hermoso's marks ranged from 4.5 to 6.5. Wesley was rated between 5 and 6.5, and Mancini between 5.5 and 6. Gasperini was given between 6.5 and 7 for his handling of the game. Roma made several changes during the match. At the 58th minute, Balerdi replaced Hermoso, Molina came on for Rensch, and Castro replaced Pisilli. Ghilardi entered for Mancini in the 83rd minute, and Mora came on for Malen at the same point. Molina was rated 6 to 6.5, Castro between 5 and 6.5, and Balerdi, as a substitute, was rated 7.5 to 8.

Napoli 1-1 Roma ended in a point for Roma in the Capital, but the match also brought controversy and standout performances. Max Allegri has come under fire after his comments in the press room at the Maradona, and the Giudice Sportivo is expected to rule on Monday, with a possible file opened by the Procura Federale. Fans are looking to Trigoria for a response, with the Friedkins expected to defend Roma. On the pitch, two Argentines shone. Matías Soulé, wearing the number 18, carried the team on his shoulders in the Maradona, scoring his third goal of the season and posting top-level numbers, and earning praise from Giaccherini. Leonardo Balerdi became the 12th different scorer in Gasperini's total football, and the centre-back has entered the history books at the Maradona. Balerdi's fiancée dedicated a sweet message to the defender. Mancini's impression of Allegri was also widely shared and very funny. Dybala is returning from injury ahead of the Roma-Cagliari fixture.

Massimiliano Allegri could face disciplinary action after his comments following Napoli's 3-3 draw with Roma at the Maradona. His remark to Roma, “Last year they put the Champions League in their pocket. Always them…”, has been included in the report from the Federal Prosecutor's inspectors sent to the Giudice Sportivo. The report also recounts the Napoli coach's reaction after Roma's third goal, which led to his expulsion by referee Colombo. Allegri now risks a sanction, which could be a fine or a suspension of one or more matches. According to Nicolò Schira, Allegri's comments on alleged refereeing favours in the race for the Champions League were not welcomed at Trigoria. Roma are convinced they secured qualification last season purely through their results on the pitch. Milan were also drawn into the row, having lost to Cagliari in the final round of last season's Serie A, a result that forms part of the account of the battle for a Champions League place. In better news for Roma, Paulo Dybala trained with the group for part of Tuesday's session at Trigoria, moving closer to recovering from the calf injury that has kept him out of the games against Genoa, Slovan Bratislava and Napoli. La Joya is aiming to return to the matchday squad for Tuesday's game against Cagliari, possibly starting on the bench. Mile Svilar also shows encouraging signs and could be fit in time for the Champions League trip to Manchester United on 3 November. Speaking on Radio Radio, Aspri said: “I haven't seen such a negative game. I saw a lot of competitive fire and a lot of desire from both teams. Molina came on and gave quality and sparkle on the flank. I would have also brought on Lulli, who is in great form and could have been useful with the energy he has. Perhaps Gasperini preferred to rely on experienced players. Soulé is completing a maturation that was struggling to arrive, also because of the pubalgia, which the medical staff is working on very seriously. Without Dybala, it is he who has taken Roma by the hand.” On Radio Manà Manà Sport, Trevisani said: “Svilar returns before the break, perhaps in Manchester and almost certainly for Sassuolo. Dybala will also return before the break, probably in Udine.”

Roma host Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday 27 October at 20:45 in the ninth round of Serie A, with the game broadcast live on DAZN. Gian Piero Gasperini's side come into the fixture straight after a 3-3 draw at Napoli's Maradona, while Fabio Pisacane's Cagliari are looking to end a losing run after a 2-0 home defeat to Bologna. With only a short turnaround between matches, Gasperini may rotate several players. Svilar is still sidelined, so Gollini keeps goal. The main decisions are in defence: Mancini and Hermoso returned to the starting line-up against Napoli after both began the match on the bench against Slovan Bratislava, while N'Dicka has been one of the most used players in recent weeks. The Ivorian could be rested, opening a place for Balerdi, who is coming off a particularly positive run. Ghilardi and Koulierakis remain in contention. Wesley may start on the bench with Molina ready to return, while Lulli is gaining ground on the other flank. In midfield Gasperini must pick two from Cristante, de Roon and Pisilli, with the young midfielder able to find space during the game. Up front, the picture is clearer: Malen remains the central reference point, Soulé should keep his place after an excellent display at Napoli, and Mora may play alongside the Argentine, with Castro initially on the bench. Roma's injury list is significant. Svilar is still out with a fractured toe, Koné is sidelined with a first-degree tear of the hamstring, Dybala is out with a small calf injury, and Pellegrini continues his recovery from a high-grade lesion at the distal musculotendinous junction of the semitendinosus in his right thigh. Roma's probable line-up is Gollini; Mancini, Balerdi, Hermoso; Lulli, Cristante, de Roon, Molina; Soulé, Mora; Malen. Available substitutes: Vásquez, De Marzi, Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Wesley, Rensch, Ghilardi, Pisilli, Castro. Gasperini has no suspended or cautioned players. The competing selections are Mancini-Ghilardi, Hermoso-Koulierakis, Balerdi-N'Dicka and de Roon-Pisilli. Cagliari are expected to line up in a 4-3-2-1 with Caprile in goal, Mina partnering J. Rodriguez in the centre of defence, and Zé Pedro and Obert completing the back line. The main doubt is in midfield, where Winks injured his back against Bologna and his fitness will be assessed up to the last hours. If he is ruled out, Gagliardini starts, with Romano and Adopo completing the unit. Maldini should start from the first minute, Fazzini is ahead of Massolin, and Kevin Carlos is ahead of Mendy as the centre-forward, with Nzola deeper. Idrissi and Felici are out with cruciate ligament ruptures. Cagliari's probable line-up is Caprile; Zé Pedro, Mina, J. Rodriguez, Obert; Romano, Gagliardini, Adopo; Fazzini, Maldini; Kevin Carlos. Cagliari have lost their last two league games, 4-0 to Monza and 2-0 to Bologna. Roma have the clear head-to-head advantage in Rome. There have been 49 official meetings at the Olimpico, with 26 Roma wins, 17 draws and six Cagliari victories. The most recent meeting in the capital came on 9 February 2026, when Roma won 2-0. Cagliari's last win in Rome was a 4-2 victory on 1 February 2013. The official line-ups will be announced about an hour before kick-off and will be updated live on the match page.

Roma are visibly irritated by comments Massimiliano Allegri made after Napoli's match at the Maradona, which questioned how the club secured its Champions League place last season. Speaking between television interviews and his press conference, the Napoli coach said: "Last season they put the Champions League in their pocket. It's always them…" Those words have caused deep annoyance within the Roma camp, where the club's management and entourage consider it disrespectful to question a qualification earned on the pitch. At Trigoria, the reaction is that Allegri's insinuations have no foundation. Roma point to the finish of last season, when the side then coached by Gian Piero Gasperini collected 19 points from the last seven matchdays. They secured fourth place with six wins, against Pisa, Bologna, Fiorentina, Parma, Lazio and Salernitana, and a draw at Atalanta, clinching the Champions League spot on the penultimate matchday. The club insists the route was a straight run with no favours or preferential treatment. Allegri's anger was also directed at the refereeing of the match, particularly the 3-3 equaliser scored by Leonardo Balerdi. He was sent off after the final whistle for protesting and reacting vehemently against the referee. Sporting Judge Gerardo Mastrandrea is expected to rule on that dismissal today, 26 October 2026. If match officials' reports and the referee's VAR team recorded the remarks made in the tunnel or dressing room, federal prosecutor Giuseppe Chinè could open an investigation into whether the comments breached sporting rules by casting doubt on the impartiality of the referees and the integrity of the competitions.

Napoli 1-1 Roma ended in a point for Roma in the Capital, but the match also brought controversy and standout performances. Max Allegri has come under fire after his comments in the press room at the Maradona, and the Giudice Sportivo is expected to rule on Monday, with a possible file opened by the Procura Federale. Fans are looking to Trigoria for a response, with the Friedkins expected to defend Roma. On the pitch, two Argentines shone. Matías Soulé, wearing the number 18, carried the team on his shoulders in the Maradona, scoring his third goal of the season and posting top-level numbers, and earning praise from Giaccherini. Leonardo Balerdi became the 12th different scorer in Gasperini's total football, and the centre-back has entered the history books at the Maradona. Balerdi's fiancée dedicated a sweet message to the defender. Mancini's impression of Allegri was also widely shared and very funny. Dybala is returning from injury ahead of the Roma-Cagliari fixture.

Reader Michele dall'Oman has turned the Napoli-Roma match into a cartoon in the style of an Oscars ceremony, mocking Napoli defender Sam Beukema over the controversial incident late in the game at the Maradona. In the cartoon, Beukema wins the award for best supporting actor for his performance as a «falling star», a reference to his fall in the build-up to the 3-3 equaliser scored by Balerdi, the moment that sparked Napoli's protests. The poster in the background is for the film «Napoli-Roma 3-3», directed ironically by «Allegra», a play on the surname of Massimiliano Allegri. The drawing is the latest work from Michele dall'Oman, who has taken the high-tension, twist-filled encounter and presented it as a Hollywood-style awards night, complete with golden statuettes, a stage and the announcement of a winner. The piece reflects how the late incident dominated talk around the fixture, with Napoli's players and staff unhappy with the decision that led to Roma's goal. The cartoon is a light-hearted take on a match that Roma are likely to remember for its finish, with Balerdi's goal salvaging a point in a game full of drama and controversy.