Gasperini on showing serious work ethic; Roma track Kvernadze

Paulo Dybala has posed in front of a superhero-style mural of himself painted by street artist Drugi, after the Argentine forward was celebrated on the wall in a pose with a child. The artwork was created in recent weeks, and in the final minutes Dybala had a photograph taken in front of it. The mural shows Dybala as a superhero in the hands of a young boy. Dybala is a hero to supporters on and off the pitch, particularly to younger fans, and the image reflects that bond with the club's followers. The Roma forward's visit to the artwork kept him in the spotlight away from the training ground. Dybala shared the photograph on social media with the caption: "Il calcio mi ha regalato tanto. Poter ricambiare facendo sorridere un bambino per le strade è una delle cose più belle!" In English: "Football has given me so much. Being able to give back by making a child smile on the streets is one of the most beautiful things!"

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini was in Genoa today, 8 November 2026, to receive the 5th edition of the "Un Cuore da Leone" award, set up by Stelle nello Sport to honour Gian Luigi Corti, a sports journalist and administrator and Stella d'Oro al merito sportivo recipient. He was recognised alongside Arianna Fontana, Gregorio Paltrinieri, Ambra Sabatini and Nicolò Martinenghi. Speaking on the evening, Gasperini said: "Occasione fantastica di tornare a Genova e ritrovare tanti amici. Questo riconoscimento è un orgoglio, è una bellissima serata." He said the award reflected the courage and generosity he has always shown as a coach. "Anche un po' di pazzia (ride, ndr)... sicuramente il coraggio è una componente importante dello sport, è stato così per me anche a Genova e credo che anche oggi la Roma lo sia." On his time in Genoa, he added: "Il fatto che sia rimasto un ricordo vivo nonostante sia passato del tempo significa che abbiamo fatto qualcosa di bello. La tifoseria ha vissuto anni di entusiasmo." Asked about Stephan El Shaarawy, who has returned to Genoa, Gasperini said: "Il tempo passa... quando ha esordito con me era il più giovane nella storia del Genoa. Ci siamo ritrovati a Roma e ha segnato il gol decisivo per la Champions a maggio. Ora è tornato qui a Genova e darà un grande contributo." Gasperini also reflected on his spells at Atalanta, where he has worked in two periods. "Tutte le tappe sono fondamentali... Difficile fare una classifica, sicuramente è stata fondamentale. Bergamo ancora più recente, meravigliosa e figlia del mio percorso." On his Roma project, he said: "Una storia iniziata da un anno e mezzo ma meravigliosa, speriamo di continuare su questa strada. Roma ha dei numeri più grandi, se riesci a fare bene in questa città il risalto è maggiore." On Lazio's position near the top of the table, he said: "È una sorpresa per tutti ma è anche un grande valore per la città che ha due squadre lì in alto. È straordinaria, la Roma ha sempre lo stadio pieno, la Lazio magari ha altri problemi. È una città che vive per il calcio." Asked whether he expected Roma to be this strong, he replied: "Sono mesi che riusciamo a essere competitivi in Italia. Siamo cresciuti, il girone di ritorno dello scorso anno è stato di livello. Quest'anno è ancora presto, 11 partite sono poche ma sono significative del comportamento e dell'atteggiamento della squadra. Abbiamo creato un ambiente che ci dà tanta benzina per continuare a fare bene." Looking ahead, he said: "L'ambizione è guardare sempre avanti, a volte come questa sera ti volti indietro. Ma ho ancora voglia di guardare avanti alle prossime partite. Ora la sosta ci aiuterà ma dopo bisogna continuare così." On Inter's game against Como, he said: "Sapevo che fossero sul 2-0... l'Inter che sia la grande squadra si sa. Anche il Como lo è. È un campionato equilibrato e straordinario."

Francesco Totti stars in a new, comical short film for Amaro Montenegro, in which Roma legend Totti is guided by head coach Spalletti towards his tree-house bar, reached after overcoming a series of obstacles. The advert, published on 8 November 2026, shows the pair navigating tunnels, bulls and black donkeys on the way to the hidden bar. The spot is a light-hearted piece of content built around the club's most celebrated former player, who spent his entire career at Roma from 1992 to 2017 and scored 307 goals in total. Its appearance keeps the 10 shirt's legacy in the public eye as talk of a possible return for the club's 2027 centenary continues. The article's headline lists the obstacles Totti faces in the film, including a tunnel, bulls and black donkeys, before the pair reach the secret bar. The short is presented as a humorous take on the familiar Roma figures, with the former captain and the current coach sharing the screen.

Paulo Dybala has posed in front of a superhero-style mural of himself painted by street artist Drugi, after the Argentine forward was celebrated on the wall in a pose with a child. The artwork was created in recent weeks, and in the final minutes Dybala had a photograph taken in front of it. The mural shows Dybala as a superhero in the hands of a young boy. Dybala is a hero to supporters on and off the pitch, particularly to younger fans, and the image reflects that bond with the club's followers. The Roma forward's visit to the artwork kept him in the spotlight away from the training ground. Dybala shared the photograph on social media with the caption: "Il calcio mi ha regalato tanto. Poter ricambiare facendo sorridere un bambino per le strade è una delle cose più belle!" In English: "Football has given me so much. Being able to give back by making a child smile on the streets is one of the most beautiful things!"

Gianluca Mancini will miss Italy's international fixtures after suffering a fresh pain in his right hamstring that forced him out of Roma's clash with Sassuolo. The defender will stay at Trigoria during the two-week break to continue his recovery, with the aim of returning for the league match against Parma. Thirteen Roma first-team players have been called up by their national teams. With Mancini out, only Ghilardi and Pisilli will travel to Italy's senior squad, while young Lulli is set to feature for Baldini's Italy Under-21 side. Mancini had already reported a muscle problem in the days before the Sassuolo game. Gasperini will use the break to recharge and take stock of the injury list. He has welcomed back Koné for the Sassuolo match and is optimistic about players returning for the resumption of competitions. The international picture is wide-ranging. Vásquez returns to the Colombia squad for the first time in three years, a welcome note after a special week that saw the goalkeeper make his Champions League and Serie A debuts for Roma. Young De Marzi has been called up by the USA Under-20s. Balerdi, Castro and Soulé will answer Argentina coach Scaloni's call. Wesley joins Brazil under Ancelotti, while Malen will play under Xavi for the Netherlands for the first time. N'Dicka (Ivory Coast) and Koulierakis (Greece) have also been named. Nineteen-year-old Rodrigo Mora is ready to make his senior debut for Portugal. On the injury front, Dybala's condition is improving markedly, and the break offers him the ideal chance to regain his best form. Mile Svilar is set to return between the posts in Parma, having put his right foot fracture firmly behind him.

Roma bounced back from their defeats to Real Madrid and Manchester United with a 3-0 win over Sassuolo, a result that briefly left them one point behind the Serie A leaders. The match was effectively decided in just over twenty minutes. Sassuolo coach Alberto Aquilani set his side out with almost everyone behind the ball, looking to crowd the midfield and close off space on the edge of the box, and for a while the plan worked, even though Roma had already begun to create danger. Then Mario Hermoso, who for one evening played as a centre-forward, controlled the ball in the area and drove a powerful left-foot shot under the crossbar. From that moment the game changed. Roma grew in confidence while Sassuolo lost their shape and belief. Three minutes later, Donyell Malen's shot was deflected into his own net by Walukiewicz, which effectively settled the contest. Roma kept attacking, building and looking for goals, and early in the second half Rodrigo Mora added his name to the scoresheet, another step forward for the 19-year-old, who is growing visibly. The rest was a Roma monologue, with Sassuolo unable to trouble Vásquez. The result is significant because of the way Roma won it. Gasperini's side were not overwhelmed by a stronger opponent. They were patient, ruthless when the opening came and mature in their response to disappointment. The Champions League defeats to Real Madrid and Manchester United showed that there is still progress to make against the very best, but in Serie A Roma have answered each setback immediately. After the Real Madrid defeat they won, and after Manchester they did the same. Roma have now collected 27 points from eleven matches, have won three league games in a row and sat second in the table, one point off the top, for a night. The result came after a punishing run of nine matches in 27 days, a schedule Gasperini himself pointed out. Malen had one of his less productive evenings in front of goal, wasting chances he would normally convert, even though team-mates tried everything to set him up. He still played a part in Hermoso's goal, caused the own goal that doubled the lead and provided the assist for Mora. Roma won 3-0 without a goal from their centre-forward and even wasted others. Defensively, another clean sheet restored calm to a back line that had suffered some lapses recently. Manu Koné also returned, and his presence in midfield was clearly felt, bringing dynamism, aggression and balance to a area that had been badly missed in recent weeks. Mora said: "Sono sulla strada giusta. La Roma è forte, si vede anche in allenamento." Gasperini, asked whether he would be satisfied with second place, replied: "È bello giocarlo questo campionato. Noi ce lo stiamo veramente giocando." Roma reach the international break in strong form. Gasperini is expected to regain Svilar and, hopefully, Dybala after the break, two key players who could add quality and options to a squad already performing well. Injuries have been the main obstacle to the coach's selection choices so far. Tomorrow, Inter host Como and Lazio travel to Napoli, and Roma will watch the results from the sidelines, with a chance that their position could improve. Sporting director D'Amico confirmed before the match that the team lacks a quick, attacking winger and promised that the club will try to fill that gap in January.