Gasperini builds Roma's attacking width with Molina and rising star Lulli

Gian Piero Gasperini has made wing play central to Roma's football, and the club is working to maximise the impact of their flanks ahead of the league's resumption. Wesley, the Brazilian who has been the most brilliant performer in recent months, is recovering from an ankle distortion near the end of summer training and a subsequent muscle problem, and is using three weeks of focused work at Trigoria while sitting out national team duties to return to peak fitness for the match against Como. On the opposite flank, Nahuel Molina is asserting himself with force. The Argentine returned to Serie A with four years at Atlético Madrid and a World Cup winner's medal in his record, and has integrated quickly into Gasperini's system. He has played against both Torino and Inter, showing versatility as a left winger in the 3-4-2-1 formation, cutting infield onto his stronger foot and coming close to goals while already recording one assist. Beyond the summer transfers, a major surprise for Roma is nineteen-year-old Emanuele Lulli. Though he caught Gasperini's attention in the previous season without being a primary Primavera player, the young right-sided defender has carved out important space through pace and attacking boldness. The club is working to secure him with a meeting scheduled soon between the management and his representative to discuss a contract renewal that expires in June. With Devyne Rensch completing the full-back contingent, Gasperini has all the tools to unlock Roma's flanks.

Lorenzo Pellegrini is being considered as a new option on the left wing for Gasperini after regaining form over the past week. The midfielder is targeting a starting place against Como when training resumes, and will be trialled in the role that has lacked a settled incumbent. So far, Matías Soulé has been the primary choice with 353 minutes played, while Rodrigo Mora has featured for 187 minutes. Vincenzo Pincolini, the historic athletic trainer under Arrigo Sacchi at Milan, identified insufficient intensity as a key problem in Italian football. He cited Roma–Inter as a rare positive example of the standard required: "A match the likes of which you see only a couple of times in the entire season in our league. The intensity was extremely high." Pincolini referenced Paulo Dybala's performance with specific praise: "When did you last see him run like that? It is no accident that one of the two teams is coached by Gasperini." The trainer argued that narrowing the gap with foreign football depends above all on "training more". Francesco Totti received special tributes from friends, former teammates, supporters and sports figures. Roma released a video celebrating some of his greatest moments, while messages arrived from Roberto Gualtieri and Gianni Infantino. Former player Zago recalled an amusing detail: "In the middle of the night he started shouting, 'Give me the ball, give me the ball'. Then they explained to me that he often talked in his sleep."

Gian Piero Gasperini is working to revive Roma's attacking threat from the flanks, with Wesley, Nahuel Molina and Emanuele Lulli forming the core of his wide-play strategy as the club emerges from the international break. In Gasperini's system, fullbacks and wingers are consistently among the key elements, tasked with generating pace, width, numerical superiority and offensive presence. After an opening stretch of the season in which some of these players have struggled to reach their best form, the break provides an opportunity to reset this crucial area. Wesley was one of the most incisive performers in Gasperini's system last season, scoring five goals thanks to the freedom to attack from the flank opposite his stronger foot. This year, however, his start has been complicated. A muscle problem forced him to miss international duty, followed by an ankle injury sustained a week before the league campaign began. Those two setbacks prevented him from starting the season at full fitness. Missing out on national team selection due to fatigue has, though, gifted him three weeks of training at Trigoria that could prove invaluable. The goal is clear: to have Wesley at his best for the match against Como. When fit, his accelerations from either flank transform Roma's offensive structure and force opponents into deeper defensive positions. Gasperini is not reliant on Wesley alone. The transfer market has brought him Nahuel Molina, who has returned to Italy after four years with a wealth of additional experience and a World Cup winner's medal. After early substitute appearances, the Argentine has begun to secure regular playing time and was firmly established in the team hierarchy before the international break. Against Torino and Inter, Gasperini deployed him on the left in a 3-4-2-1 formation, exploiting his ability to cut onto his stronger foot and make an impact in the final third—a tactical solution already used with Wesley that could become one of the new Roma's most interesting variants. Molina has already provided an assist and come close to scoring multiple times, a sign that he is quickly absorbing the role's demands. Rather than a mere alternative, he has the potential to become another genuine starter in a zone of the pitch where Gasperini tolerates no passive interpreters. The biggest surprise has come from within. Emanuele Lulli, only nineteen years old, has been among the most-used players in this opening stretch on the right flank. His running ability, personality and willingness to attack space make him an almost natural fit for Gasperini's football. His performances have convinced the club to work on a contract renewal for terms expiring in June, with a meeting with his agent scheduled soon. Devyne Rensch completes the squad as a more balanced and reliable option. Roma has not closed the market with an additional winger the coach wanted, but now possesses a much deeper pool: Wesley, Molina, Lulli and Rensch. Not all have yet reached the same level of fitness or integration, but the principle is clear—Gasperini intends to inflict damage from the flanks once again as his side seeks to regain momentum after the break.

Gian Piero Gasperini has made wing play central to Roma's football, and the club is working to maximise the impact of their flanks ahead of the league's resumption. Wesley, the Brazilian who has been the most brilliant performer in recent months, is recovering from an ankle distortion near the end of summer training and a subsequent muscle problem, and is using three weeks of focused work at Trigoria while sitting out national team duties to return to peak fitness for the match against Como. On the opposite flank, Nahuel Molina is asserting himself with force. The Argentine returned to Serie A with four years at Atlético Madrid and a World Cup winner's medal in his record, and has integrated quickly into Gasperini's system. He has played against both Torino and Inter, showing versatility as a left winger in the 3-4-2-1 formation, cutting infield onto his stronger foot and coming close to goals while already recording one assist. Beyond the summer transfers, a major surprise for Roma is nineteen-year-old Emanuele Lulli. Though he caught Gasperini's attention in the previous season without being a primary Primavera player, the young right-sided defender has carved out important space through pace and attacking boldness. The club is working to secure him with a meeting scheduled soon between the management and his representative to discuss a contract renewal that expires in June. With Devyne Rensch completing the full-back contingent, Gasperini has all the tools to unlock Roma's flanks.

Gian Piero Gasperini has steered Roma to the top of Serie A after four wins and a draw in his opening matches, accumulating 13 points alongside Inter and Lazio. The coach, who guided Roma to third place and Champions League qualification in the 2025-26 season, has introduced three key innovations that have reshaped the squad's identity. The first centres on the fullback role. Despite having four right-sided options available in Molina, Rensch, Lulli and Wesley, Gasperini has stabilised Wesley on the left flank, instructing him not only to attack but to drift infield to link play with teammates. Gasperini explained the reasoning: "There was an idea to sign a left-footer, but not having one is no problem for me. Like in attack, we can have inverted wingers." The second innovation is Gasperini's ability to reshape the team mid-match without predetermined patterns, including reorganising the defence on tactical impulse. In Roma's clash against Atalanta, he changed two-thirds of the back line to overturn a deficit, saying: "When you go behind you rarely think about changing at the back, but we were struggling and fresh energy there put the ball back in our hands." Beyond the pitch, Gasperini has transformed the handling of the Roman environment—traditionally a source of complex pressure. He has repositioned supporters' enthusiasm as a motivational force, stating: "The city is everything, it motivates and stimulates you. The Olimpico always full is wonderful, it gives you positive pressure." At Trigoria training ground, he has fostered an atmosphere where players want to be: "There is an environment here where you have pleasure in coming. I am in love with this group."

Gian Piero Gasperini is working to revive Roma's attacking threat from the flanks, with Wesley, Nahuel Molina and Emanuele Lulli forming the core of his wide-play strategy as the club emerges from the international break. In Gasperini's system, fullbacks and wingers are consistently among the key elements, tasked with generating pace, width, numerical superiority and offensive presence. After an opening stretch of the season in which some of these players have struggled to reach their best form, the break provides an opportunity to reset this crucial area. Wesley was one of the most incisive performers in Gasperini's system last season, scoring five goals thanks to the freedom to attack from the flank opposite his stronger foot. This year, however, his start has been complicated. A muscle problem forced him to miss international duty, followed by an ankle injury sustained a week before the league campaign began. Those two setbacks prevented him from starting the season at full fitness. Missing out on national team selection due to fatigue has, though, gifted him three weeks of training at Trigoria that could prove invaluable. The goal is clear: to have Wesley at his best for the match against Como. When fit, his accelerations from either flank transform Roma's offensive structure and force opponents into deeper defensive positions. Gasperini is not reliant on Wesley alone. The transfer market has brought him Nahuel Molina, who has returned to Italy after four years with a wealth of additional experience and a World Cup winner's medal. After early substitute appearances, the Argentine has begun to secure regular playing time and was firmly established in the team hierarchy before the international break. Against Torino and Inter, Gasperini deployed him on the left in a 3-4-2-1 formation, exploiting his ability to cut onto his stronger foot and make an impact in the final third—a tactical solution already used with Wesley that could become one of the new Roma's most interesting variants. Molina has already provided an assist and come close to scoring multiple times, a sign that he is quickly absorbing the role's demands. Rather than a mere alternative, he has the potential to become another genuine starter in a zone of the pitch where Gasperini tolerates no passive interpreters. The biggest surprise has come from within. Emanuele Lulli, only nineteen years old, has been among the most-used players in this opening stretch on the right flank. His running ability, personality and willingness to attack space make him an almost natural fit for Gasperini's football. His performances have convinced the club to work on a contract renewal for terms expiring in June, with a meeting with his agent scheduled soon. Devyne Rensch completes the squad as a more balanced and reliable option. Roma has not closed the market with an additional winger the coach wanted, but now possesses a much deeper pool: Wesley, Molina, Lulli and Rensch. Not all have yet reached the same level of fitness or integration, but the principle is clear—Gasperini intends to inflict damage from the flanks once again as his side seeks to regain momentum after the break.

Gian Piero Gasperini has made wing play central to Roma's football, and the club is working to maximise the impact of their flanks ahead of the league's resumption. Wesley, the Brazilian who has been the most brilliant performer in recent months, is recovering from an ankle distortion near the end of summer training and a subsequent muscle problem, and is using three weeks of focused work at Trigoria while sitting out national team duties to return to peak fitness for the match against Como. On the opposite flank, Nahuel Molina is asserting himself with force. The Argentine returned to Serie A with four years at Atlético Madrid and a World Cup winner's medal in his record, and has integrated quickly into Gasperini's system. He has played against both Torino and Inter, showing versatility as a left winger in the 3-4-2-1 formation, cutting infield onto his stronger foot and coming close to goals while already recording one assist. Beyond the summer transfers, a major surprise for Roma is nineteen-year-old Emanuele Lulli. Though he caught Gasperini's attention in the previous season without being a primary Primavera player, the young right-sided defender has carved out important space through pace and attacking boldness. The club is working to secure him with a meeting scheduled soon between the management and his representative to discuss a contract renewal that expires in June. With Devyne Rensch completing the full-back contingent, Gasperini has all the tools to unlock Roma's flanks.

Gian Piero Gasperini has steered Roma to the top of Serie A after four wins and a draw in his opening matches, accumulating 13 points alongside Inter and Lazio. The coach, who guided Roma to third place and Champions League qualification in the 2025-26 season, has introduced three key innovations that have reshaped the squad's identity. The first centres on the fullback role. Despite having four right-sided options available in Molina, Rensch, Lulli and Wesley, Gasperini has stabilised Wesley on the left flank, instructing him not only to attack but to drift infield to link play with teammates. Gasperini explained the reasoning: "There was an idea to sign a left-footer, but not having one is no problem for me. Like in attack, we can have inverted wingers." The second innovation is Gasperini's ability to reshape the team mid-match without predetermined patterns, including reorganising the defence on tactical impulse. In Roma's clash against Atalanta, he changed two-thirds of the back line to overturn a deficit, saying: "When you go behind you rarely think about changing at the back, but we were struggling and fresh energy there put the ball back in our hands." Beyond the pitch, Gasperini has transformed the handling of the Roman environment—traditionally a source of complex pressure. He has repositioned supporters' enthusiasm as a motivational force, stating: "The city is everything, it motivates and stimulates you. The Olimpico always full is wonderful, it gives you positive pressure." At Trigoria training ground, he has fostered an atmosphere where players want to be: "There is an environment here where you have pleasure in coming. I am in love with this group."

Gian Piero Gasperini is working to revive Roma's attacking threat from the flanks, with Wesley, Nahuel Molina and Emanuele Lulli forming the core of his wide-play strategy as the club emerges from the international break. In Gasperini's system, fullbacks and wingers are consistently among the key elements, tasked with generating pace, width, numerical superiority and offensive presence. After an opening stretch of the season in which some of these players have struggled to reach their best form, the break provides an opportunity to reset this crucial area. Wesley was one of the most incisive performers in Gasperini's system last season, scoring five goals thanks to the freedom to attack from the flank opposite his stronger foot. This year, however, his start has been complicated. A muscle problem forced him to miss international duty, followed by an ankle injury sustained a week before the league campaign began. Those two setbacks prevented him from starting the season at full fitness. Missing out on national team selection due to fatigue has, though, gifted him three weeks of training at Trigoria that could prove invaluable. The goal is clear: to have Wesley at his best for the match against Como. When fit, his accelerations from either flank transform Roma's offensive structure and force opponents into deeper defensive positions. Gasperini is not reliant on Wesley alone. The transfer market has brought him Nahuel Molina, who has returned to Italy after four years with a wealth of additional experience and a World Cup winner's medal. After early substitute appearances, the Argentine has begun to secure regular playing time and was firmly established in the team hierarchy before the international break. Against Torino and Inter, Gasperini deployed him on the left in a 3-4-2-1 formation, exploiting his ability to cut onto his stronger foot and make an impact in the final third—a tactical solution already used with Wesley that could become one of the new Roma's most interesting variants. Molina has already provided an assist and come close to scoring multiple times, a sign that he is quickly absorbing the role's demands. Rather than a mere alternative, he has the potential to become another genuine starter in a zone of the pitch where Gasperini tolerates no passive interpreters. The biggest surprise has come from within. Emanuele Lulli, only nineteen years old, has been among the most-used players in this opening stretch on the right flank. His running ability, personality and willingness to attack space make him an almost natural fit for Gasperini's football. His performances have convinced the club to work on a contract renewal for terms expiring in June, with a meeting with his agent scheduled soon. Devyne Rensch completes the squad as a more balanced and reliable option. Roma has not closed the market with an additional winger the coach wanted, but now possesses a much deeper pool: Wesley, Molina, Lulli and Rensch. Not all have yet reached the same level of fitness or integration, but the principle is clear—Gasperini intends to inflict damage from the flanks once again as his side seeks to regain momentum after the break.

Gian Piero Gasperini has made wing play central to Roma's football, and the club is working to maximise the impact of their flanks ahead of the league's resumption. Wesley, the Brazilian who has been the most brilliant performer in recent months, is recovering from an ankle distortion near the end of summer training and a subsequent muscle problem, and is using three weeks of focused work at Trigoria while sitting out national team duties to return to peak fitness for the match against Como. On the opposite flank, Nahuel Molina is asserting himself with force. The Argentine returned to Serie A with four years at Atlético Madrid and a World Cup winner's medal in his record, and has integrated quickly into Gasperini's system. He has played against both Torino and Inter, showing versatility as a left winger in the 3-4-2-1 formation, cutting infield onto his stronger foot and coming close to goals while already recording one assist. Beyond the summer transfers, a major surprise for Roma is nineteen-year-old Emanuele Lulli. Though he caught Gasperini's attention in the previous season without being a primary Primavera player, the young right-sided defender has carved out important space through pace and attacking boldness. The club is working to secure him with a meeting scheduled soon between the management and his representative to discuss a contract renewal that expires in June. With Devyne Rensch completing the full-back contingent, Gasperini has all the tools to unlock Roma's flanks.

Gian Piero Gasperini has steered Roma to the top of Serie A after four wins and a draw in his opening matches, accumulating 13 points alongside Inter and Lazio. The coach, who guided Roma to third place and Champions League qualification in the 2025-26 season, has introduced three key innovations that have reshaped the squad's identity. The first centres on the fullback role. Despite having four right-sided options available in Molina, Rensch, Lulli and Wesley, Gasperini has stabilised Wesley on the left flank, instructing him not only to attack but to drift infield to link play with teammates. Gasperini explained the reasoning: "There was an idea to sign a left-footer, but not having one is no problem for me. Like in attack, we can have inverted wingers." The second innovation is Gasperini's ability to reshape the team mid-match without predetermined patterns, including reorganising the defence on tactical impulse. In Roma's clash against Atalanta, he changed two-thirds of the back line to overturn a deficit, saying: "When you go behind you rarely think about changing at the back, but we were struggling and fresh energy there put the ball back in our hands." Beyond the pitch, Gasperini has transformed the handling of the Roman environment—traditionally a source of complex pressure. He has repositioned supporters' enthusiasm as a motivational force, stating: "The city is everything, it motivates and stimulates you. The Olimpico always full is wonderful, it gives you positive pressure." At Trigoria training ground, he has fostered an atmosphere where players want to be: "There is an environment here where you have pleasure in coming. I am in love with this group."

Gian Piero Gasperini is working to revive Roma's attacking threat from the flanks, with Wesley, Nahuel Molina and Emanuele Lulli forming the core of his wide-play strategy as the club emerges from the international break. In Gasperini's system, fullbacks and wingers are consistently among the key elements, tasked with generating pace, width, numerical superiority and offensive presence. After an opening stretch of the season in which some of these players have struggled to reach their best form, the break provides an opportunity to reset this crucial area. Wesley was one of the most incisive performers in Gasperini's system last season, scoring five goals thanks to the freedom to attack from the flank opposite his stronger foot. This year, however, his start has been complicated. A muscle problem forced him to miss international duty, followed by an ankle injury sustained a week before the league campaign began. Those two setbacks prevented him from starting the season at full fitness. Missing out on national team selection due to fatigue has, though, gifted him three weeks of training at Trigoria that could prove invaluable. The goal is clear: to have Wesley at his best for the match against Como. When fit, his accelerations from either flank transform Roma's offensive structure and force opponents into deeper defensive positions. Gasperini is not reliant on Wesley alone. The transfer market has brought him Nahuel Molina, who has returned to Italy after four years with a wealth of additional experience and a World Cup winner's medal. After early substitute appearances, the Argentine has begun to secure regular playing time and was firmly established in the team hierarchy before the international break. Against Torino and Inter, Gasperini deployed him on the left in a 3-4-2-1 formation, exploiting his ability to cut onto his stronger foot and make an impact in the final third—a tactical solution already used with Wesley that could become one of the new Roma's most interesting variants. Molina has already provided an assist and come close to scoring multiple times, a sign that he is quickly absorbing the role's demands. Rather than a mere alternative, he has the potential to become another genuine starter in a zone of the pitch where Gasperini tolerates no passive interpreters. The biggest surprise has come from within. Emanuele Lulli, only nineteen years old, has been among the most-used players in this opening stretch on the right flank. His running ability, personality and willingness to attack space make him an almost natural fit for Gasperini's football. His performances have convinced the club to work on a contract renewal for terms expiring in June, with a meeting with his agent scheduled soon. Devyne Rensch completes the squad as a more balanced and reliable option. Roma has not closed the market with an additional winger the coach wanted, but now possesses a much deeper pool: Wesley, Molina, Lulli and Rensch. Not all have yet reached the same level of fitness or integration, but the principle is clear—Gasperini intends to inflict damage from the flanks once again as his side seeks to regain momentum after the break.