Gasperini backs Mora as Roma's young Portuguese winger dips in form

Roma's squad depth and the fitness of key players dominated the club's radio debate, after Lorenzo Pellegrini picked up a new injury that will keep him out for a long spell. Carina, speaking on Radio Radio, said Pellegrini had been back at a high level and that the injury was a real blow. "Gasperini had talked about 20 days for Pellegrini: this injury is a real setback. He had come on very well, he played a very good half hour at Como and also against Slovan. Now the problem is that Roma have a squad that is qualitatively important, but numerically it is missing something. Roma arrive in Napoli with 16 outfield players: 11 plus 5 substitutions, and they play every three days. And you know you have a coach like Gasperini who brings these muscle injury problems with him. If you know he is that type of coach, the squad must be 22, not 20." Pruzzo, speaking on Radio Radio, focused on the attack. He said Matías Soulé was improving but needed to step up his level, and asked what role Santiago Castro could play, as he could now be the alternative. He felt Rodrigo Mora was too far behind, and said Roma had to hope Donyell Malen did not catch a cold, otherwise things would become difficult. Pes, on Teleradio Stereo, said a wider debate had opened about the length of Pellegrini's contract and how fragile players could change the shape of the squad. He named Paulo Dybala, Pellegrini and Manu Koné as players who often stop, adding that Roma were going to Napoli with 17 outfield players, which he called very few. Mattioli, also on Radio Radio, questioned whether every club should turn to the market whenever a player is injured, asking what would happen when the regular starters returned. "Every club should take refuge in the market every time it has an injury? What happens when you recover the starters? They should have foreseen that Gasperini's training sessions were not what Roma were used to. Roma now train with a capital "A", before it was not like that." Di Giovambattista, also on Radio Radio, offered a comparison with the past: "Roma with Mourinho and Ranieri trained less: Ranieri trained the mind." Pes also said Gasperini had probably intended to skip some press conferences given the number of matches, and that the coach had wanted to keep the group together, believing it could improve this season. "On Dybala and Pellegrini he has strongly wanted to keep them." The immediate test is the trip to Napoli, where Roma will be short of outfield options. Pruzzo said the priority was to reach January still in the race, and then to sign players in the market.

Paulo Dybala could return to action sooner than planned, with the latest medical checks showing a clear improvement in his right calf and giving Gian Piero Gasperini a timely boost. The Argentine forward's calf discomfort is now almost a thing of the past, according to Il Corriere dello Sport, and the medical and technical staff can now speed up his return without taking unnecessary risks. Gasperini had stressed the need to get Dybala back as quickly as possible after the long absence of Lorenzo Pellegrini, which risked leaving Roma with a near-total shortage of attacking options. Dybala could be available as early as next Tuesday for the match against Cagliari, possibly coming on in the closing minutes, before aiming for a starting place in the following away trip to Udine. That would be ahead of the original timetable. The accelerated recovery reflects Dybala's determination to put his previous physical problems behind him, to rejoin his teammates and to regain the high level of athletic condition that had impressed the coach before he was sidelined against Real Madrid. To follow all the latest Roma news for free on your phone, join the club's Telegram and WhatsApp channels.

Lorenzo Pellegrini faces a much longer spell out of action, with reports suggesting his injury could end his season and cast doubt on his future at Roma. The midfielder's problem is now reported to require at least three months out, possibly longer, with a return to action not expected until 2027. This is a significant worsening on the initial prognosis, which had suggested around 20 days out, as well as the two months that had been circulating the previous day. The diagnosis is a high-grade lesion at the distal musculotendinous junction of the semitendinous muscle in his right thigh. Reports say the location is what causes most concern, as the injury sits where the muscle connects to the tendon near the knee. That area requires more caution than a standard muscle belly injury. Some outlets reported today that Roma are considering surgery, which would extend his absence to at least four to five months. That would mean the end of the season, and with his contract expiring in June, it would also leave no time for a renewal. The setback is a hard blow for the player, who had only recently returned to availability. The number 7 had already missed the summer preparation because of an earlier physical problem, and had only recently started to regain minutes and consistency in Gasperini's Roma.

Former Roma defender Antonio Carlos Zago has said Roma would have been certain winners against Napoli had the match been played at the Stadio Olimpico. Speaking to Il Tempo ahead of the trip to the Stadio Maradona, he said: "If the match had been at the Olimpico, I would have told you Roma would win 100%. At the Maradona it will be a bit more difficult, as Napoli will do everything to get out of this difficult situation. For them it could be the match that turns things around." Zago praised head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who he said has brought a winning mentality to the club. He said: "Gasperini works tremendously hard and bases his game on intensity and triangular passing. I consider him one of the three best coaches of recent years." Zago also judged Roma's summer transfer business to have been excellent. Asked whether Gasperini should keep trusting Mora even in Naples, Zago replied: "I believe Mora can be the ideal replacement for Dybala. He has started well, showing he is a strong player." On Endrick, Zago said: "He still has to fully prove his value and find his ideal role on the pitch. He would be useful to Roma, and I have no doubt he would grow a lot working with Gasperini."

Roma's squad depth and the fitness of key players dominated the club's radio debate, after Lorenzo Pellegrini picked up a new injury that will keep him out for a long spell. Carina, speaking on Radio Radio, said Pellegrini had been back at a high level and that the injury was a real blow. "Gasperini had talked about 20 days for Pellegrini: this injury is a real setback. He had come on very well, he played a very good half hour at Como and also against Slovan. Now the problem is that Roma have a squad that is qualitatively important, but numerically it is missing something. Roma arrive in Napoli with 16 outfield players: 11 plus 5 substitutions, and they play every three days. And you know you have a coach like Gasperini who brings these muscle injury problems with him. If you know he is that type of coach, the squad must be 22, not 20." Pruzzo, speaking on Radio Radio, focused on the attack. He said Matías Soulé was improving but needed to step up his level, and asked what role Santiago Castro could play, as he could now be the alternative. He felt Rodrigo Mora was too far behind, and said Roma had to hope Donyell Malen did not catch a cold, otherwise things would become difficult. Pes, on Teleradio Stereo, said a wider debate had opened about the length of Pellegrini's contract and how fragile players could change the shape of the squad. He named Paulo Dybala, Pellegrini and Manu Koné as players who often stop, adding that Roma were going to Napoli with 17 outfield players, which he called very few. Mattioli, also on Radio Radio, questioned whether every club should turn to the market whenever a player is injured, asking what would happen when the regular starters returned. "Every club should take refuge in the market every time it has an injury? What happens when you recover the starters? They should have foreseen that Gasperini's training sessions were not what Roma were used to. Roma now train with a capital "A", before it was not like that." Di Giovambattista, also on Radio Radio, offered a comparison with the past: "Roma with Mourinho and Ranieri trained less: Ranieri trained the mind." Pes also said Gasperini had probably intended to skip some press conferences given the number of matches, and that the coach had wanted to keep the group together, believing it could improve this season. "On Dybala and Pellegrini he has strongly wanted to keep them." The immediate test is the trip to Napoli, where Roma will be short of outfield options. Pruzzo said the priority was to reach January still in the race, and then to sign players in the market.

Roma are reportedly considering Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde as a January target, after agent Jorge Mendes proposed the 23-year-old to the Giallorossi. Il Messaggero reports the move would be an addition to Roma's interest in Jayden Oosterwolde, a name the club has pursued for some time. Mendes also represents Rodrigo Mora, who is on Roma's books. The approach reportedly stems from Balde's limited playing time under Hansi Flick at Barcelona. The numbers back up that picture. Balde, who turned 23 on 18 October, has made very few appearances in La Liga and the Champions League this season, after being one of Barcelona's key players in previous campaigns. In 2025-26 he made 42 official appearances, 31 of them as a starter, despite two muscle problems. The left-back is Masia-trained and left-footed, stands 177 centimetres tall, and relies mainly on pace, acceleration and the ability to carry the ball. He likes to attack space and create overloads down the flank. Rather than a conventional full-back who stays deep, Balde plays more like a full-width winger. He is explosive with the ball, gains ground quickly and often looks to reach the byline or the edge of the box. That profile could suit the aggressive, vertical football Gian Piero Gasperini demands from his side. The main obstacle is financial. Balde is under contract at Barcelona until 30 June 2028, and his deal includes a release clause of one billion euros. His market value is still very high, with current estimates ranging roughly between 40 and 50 million euros. Those figures make a permanent move in January difficult, barring particularly favourable terms. The format of any proposal is therefore central. A loan, perhaps with an option to buy or a more complex arrangement, would change the picture entirely, and the key questions are what structure Mendes has put forward and what Barcelona's position is.