Gasperini pleased with Roma rotation, but Pellegrini injury raises concern

Roma responded straight away to their dramatic defeat to Real Madrid, beating Slovan Bratislava 4-0 at the Stadio Olimpico to move up to 4 points in the Champions League. Gian Piero Gasperini made six changes from the side that played Genoa, yet the team kept its identity, intensity and competitiveness. The night was spoiled by a fresh blow from the treatment room: Lorenzo Pellegrini suffered a muscular problem that rekindled concern ahead of the big match against Napoli. The 4-0 win over Slovan Bratislava brought Roma confidence and breathing space, confirming the soundness of Gasperini's choices and his ability to manage the squad's energy without changing the tactical set-up. After the match the coach stressed how vital it is to have a squad ready to respond at all times, especially with a calendar that allows no pause. Pellegrini's injury is a problem to the right thigh flexor, and he will undergo tests and be sidelined for about twenty days. It is a heavy setback that adds to the absences of Dybala, Svilar and Koné, further complicating the management of the attacking department. Roma face a Champions League that promises fascinating challenges against Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain, but the squad is thin for the delicate trip to the Maradona. The club will have to grit its teeth and make a virtue of necessity.

Roma secured their first win of the season in the Champions League, beating Slovan Bratislava 4-0 at the Stadio Olimpico, but Lorenzo Pellegrini had to be withdrawn with a problem to his hip flexor. Gian Piero Gasperini made changes to his starting eleven, with Ghilardi taking Mancini's place, Molina playing on the right and Mora and Pellegrini operating behind the striker. Roma dominated from the first minute, pinning Slovan back in their own half. Hermoso opened the scoring, rising to meet a Ghilardi header from a Pellegrini set piece. Pellegrini then slipped a perfect pass through to Malen, whose shot forced Takac into a short parry, and Molina followed up to make it 2-0. Roma controlled, created and pressed until the interval, and the gap between the sides was clear. The second half followed the same pattern, with Roma continuing to command possession. Pellegrini's injury, however, took some of the shine off the evening. Soulé came on and immediately made an impact, winning the ball on the byline and letting Malen tee up Pisilli for the 3-0. Minutes later Roma made it 4-0: Wesley won a penalty and Malen converted it coolly, his third goal of this Champions League campaign. With the result secure and rain falling on the Olimpico, Gasperini used his bench, bringing on Rensch, Castro, Koulierakis and Mancini, who finished the match in midfield in place of De Roon. Late on, Ghilardi struck a fine effort from outside the box, but it was ruled out for active offside. The win gives Roma a convincing, wide-margin result and plenty of positives. The concern is Pellegrini's hip flexor problem, a fresh setback on the physical front as the club prepares for an important Serie A clash in the coming days.

Lorenzo Pellegrini has been ruled out with a thigh injury just as Roma turn their attention to Napoli, the Giallorossi having eased to a 4-0 win over Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League. Pellegrini left the pitch in the 51st minute against Slovan with a problem in his right hamstring, and Gasperini has already indicated the layoff could last around twenty days, although the tests will determine the exact extent of the problem. The timing could hardly be worse, with Roma's Saturday trip to the Maradona coming against a Napoli side that were beaten 4-3 by Bodø/Glimt in Europe and then lost in Serie A at Venezia, and who will be keen to bounce back in front of their own fans. The absence adds to a growing list of concerns, as it comes on top of the loss of Paulo Dybala and further reduces Roma's attacking options. Gasperini must now find new solutions, particularly up front, and the squad is thin in midfield and attack. The coach will be relieved to welcome back Bryan Cristante, who has already returned to the bench in the Champions League, and his gradual return to full fitness will be key to managing a period when the squad is genuinely short. Roma reach the Maradona with enthusiasm but also with the need to dig in. Training at Trigoria is focused on preparing for another fundamental battle, with the Napoli match carrying significant weight for the Giallorossi's season.

Roma responded straight away to their dramatic defeat to Real Madrid, beating Slovan Bratislava 4-0 at the Stadio Olimpico to move up to 4 points in the Champions League. Gian Piero Gasperini made six changes from the side that played Genoa, yet the team kept its identity, intensity and competitiveness. The night was spoiled by a fresh blow from the treatment room: Lorenzo Pellegrini suffered a muscular problem that rekindled concern ahead of the big match against Napoli. The 4-0 win over Slovan Bratislava brought Roma confidence and breathing space, confirming the soundness of Gasperini's choices and his ability to manage the squad's energy without changing the tactical set-up. After the match the coach stressed how vital it is to have a squad ready to respond at all times, especially with a calendar that allows no pause. Pellegrini's injury is a problem to the right thigh flexor, and he will undergo tests and be sidelined for about twenty days. It is a heavy setback that adds to the absences of Dybala, Svilar and Koné, further complicating the management of the attacking department. Roma face a Champions League that promises fascinating challenges against Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain, but the squad is thin for the delicate trip to the Maradona. The club will have to grit its teeth and make a virtue of necessity.

Roma beat Slovan Bratislava 4-0, a result that partially eases the disappointment of the defeat to Real Madrid. The Giallorossi overwhelmed their opponents and, according to the Italian press, showed they intend to make their mark in Europe as well. Italian newspaper reviews single out another strong performance from Hermoso, the return to his best form from Wesley, and praise for Pisilli's goal, scored while wearing the captain's armband. The match also drew credit for head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who changed the players but not the way the team plays. He has repeatedly said there are no first-choice players and reserves, and the side keeps moving whoever takes the pitch. The Gazzetta dello Sport rated Roma as follows: Gollini 6, Ghilardi 7.5, Balerdi 7, Hermoso 7, Molina 7, De Roon 6.5, Pisilli 7, Wesley 7.5, Mora 5.5, Pellegrini 7.5, Malen 7.5, with Gasperini on 7.5. Hermoso was replaced by Koulierakis and De Roon by Mancini in the 77th minute. Wesley was replaced by Rensch in the 58th minute, Pellegrini by Soulé in the 52nd, and Malen by Castro in the 58th. Il Corriere dello Sport gave Pisilli 7.5, Hermoso 7.5 and Wesley 7.5, with Gasperini on 7.5. Il Corriere della Sera rated Pisilli 7.5 and Wesley 7, with Gasperini on 7. Across the Italian papers, Pisilli, Wesley and Hermoso were consistently among the highest-rated Roma players, while Mora received the lowest marks, ranging from 5.5 to 6. Gollini was rated 6 by every outlet.

Roma secured their first win of the season in the Champions League, beating Slovan Bratislava 4-0 at the Stadio Olimpico, but Lorenzo Pellegrini had to be withdrawn with a problem to his hip flexor. Gian Piero Gasperini made changes to his starting eleven, with Ghilardi taking Mancini's place, Molina playing on the right and Mora and Pellegrini operating behind the striker. Roma dominated from the first minute, pinning Slovan back in their own half. Hermoso opened the scoring, rising to meet a Ghilardi header from a Pellegrini set piece. Pellegrini then slipped a perfect pass through to Malen, whose shot forced Takac into a short parry, and Molina followed up to make it 2-0. Roma controlled, created and pressed until the interval, and the gap between the sides was clear. The second half followed the same pattern, with Roma continuing to command possession. Pellegrini's injury, however, took some of the shine off the evening. Soulé came on and immediately made an impact, winning the ball on the byline and letting Malen tee up Pisilli for the 3-0. Minutes later Roma made it 4-0: Wesley won a penalty and Malen converted it coolly, his third goal of this Champions League campaign. With the result secure and rain falling on the Olimpico, Gasperini used his bench, bringing on Rensch, Castro, Koulierakis and Mancini, who finished the match in midfield in place of De Roon. Late on, Ghilardi struck a fine effort from outside the box, but it was ruled out for active offside. The win gives Roma a convincing, wide-margin result and plenty of positives. The concern is Pellegrini's hip flexor problem, a fresh setback on the physical front as the club prepares for an important Serie A clash in the coming days.

Roma responded straight away to their dramatic defeat to Real Madrid, beating Slovan Bratislava 4-0 at the Stadio Olimpico to move up to 4 points in the Champions League. Gian Piero Gasperini made six changes from the side that played Genoa, yet the team kept its identity, intensity and competitiveness. The night was spoiled by a fresh blow from the treatment room: Lorenzo Pellegrini suffered a muscular problem that rekindled concern ahead of the big match against Napoli. The 4-0 win over Slovan Bratislava brought Roma confidence and breathing space, confirming the soundness of Gasperini's choices and his ability to manage the squad's energy without changing the tactical set-up. After the match the coach stressed how vital it is to have a squad ready to respond at all times, especially with a calendar that allows no pause. Pellegrini's injury is a problem to the right thigh flexor, and he will undergo tests and be sidelined for about twenty days. It is a heavy setback that adds to the absences of Dybala, Svilar and Koné, further complicating the management of the attacking department. Roma face a Champions League that promises fascinating challenges against Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain, but the squad is thin for the delicate trip to the Maradona. The club will have to grit its teeth and make a virtue of necessity.

Donyell Malen was again decisive in Roma's 4-0 win over Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League, and he is now one of the in-form forwards in Europe, second only to Harry Kane. Roma must quickly refocus on Serie A, with Napoli, coached by Allegri, visiting the Stadio Maradona on Saturday. Malen's display in Bratislava added to his growing impact since he joined Roma last January. He laid on a perfect assist for Niccolò Pisilli and converted a penalty coolly. With 24 goals and 4 assists since wearing the giallorosso, Malen has become the first Roma player ever to be involved in a goal in each of the first three matches of a single Champions League campaign. He remains the focal point of Gasperini's attack, even without Paulo Dybala alongside him. The Napoli trip is complicated, but it gives Malen the chance to return to Serie A action after his suspension. He has already left his mark at the Maradona, scoring a brace there last season. Roma head into the fixture with confidence and a forward in outstanding form, and Malen looks like the biggest threat to the Napoli defence.

Lorenzo Pellegrini has been ruled out with a thigh injury just as Roma turn their attention to Napoli, the Giallorossi having eased to a 4-0 win over Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League. Pellegrini left the pitch in the 51st minute against Slovan with a problem in his right hamstring, and Gasperini has already indicated the layoff could last around twenty days, although the tests will determine the exact extent of the problem. The timing could hardly be worse, with Roma's Saturday trip to the Maradona coming against a Napoli side that were beaten 4-3 by Bodø/Glimt in Europe and then lost in Serie A at Venezia, and who will be keen to bounce back in front of their own fans. The absence adds to a growing list of concerns, as it comes on top of the loss of Paulo Dybala and further reduces Roma's attacking options. Gasperini must now find new solutions, particularly up front, and the squad is thin in midfield and attack. The coach will be relieved to welcome back Bryan Cristante, who has already returned to the bench in the Champions League, and his gradual return to full fitness will be key to managing a period when the squad is genuinely short. Roma reach the Maradona with enthusiasm but also with the need to dig in. Training at Trigoria is focused on preparing for another fundamental battle, with the Napoli match carrying significant weight for the Giallorossi's season.

Lorenzo Pellegrini has been ruled out with a thigh injury just as Roma turn their attention to Napoli, the Giallorossi having eased to a 4-0 win over Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League. Pellegrini left the pitch in the 51st minute against Slovan with a problem in his right hamstring, and Gasperini has already indicated the layoff could last around twenty days, although the tests will determine the exact extent of the problem. The timing could hardly be worse, with Roma's Saturday trip to the Maradona coming against a Napoli side that were beaten 4-3 by Bodø/Glimt in Europe and then lost in Serie A at Venezia, and who will be keen to bounce back in front of their own fans. The absence adds to a growing list of concerns, as it comes on top of the loss of Paulo Dybala and further reduces Roma's attacking options. Gasperini must now find new solutions, particularly up front, and the squad is thin in midfield and attack. The coach will be relieved to welcome back Bryan Cristante, who has already returned to the bench in the Champions League, and his gradual return to full fitness will be key to managing a period when the squad is genuinely short. Roma reach the Maradona with enthusiasm but also with the need to dig in. Training at Trigoria is focused on preparing for another fundamental battle, with the Napoli match carrying significant weight for the Giallorossi's season.

Donyell Malen was once again the standout performer as Roma beat Slovan Bratislava in front of more than 64,000 fans at the Stadio Olimpico, Gian Piero Gasperini's side producing a superb display. The Dutch striker added another assist, for Niccolò Pisilli, and a coolly converted penalty, in the third match of the Champions League league phase. Malen has broken records that had stood for decades, overtaking the great Gabriel Batistuta, according to Alessio D'Urso of La Gazzetta dello Sport. He has six goals in Serie A and three in the Champions League. He is the first Roma player to take part in a goal in each of the first three matches of a single Champions League edition. Since his Serie A debut for Roma on 18 January, Malen has been involved in 28 goals (24 goals and 4 assists) in all competitions, at least 17 more than any other Roman player. He has scored 24 goals, behind only Harry Kane (38) among the top five European leagues. Earlier in the campaign Malen scored a brace against Real Madrid, although it was not enough to win the game, and provided the assist for Bryan Cristante in the defeat away to Fenerbahce in Istanbul. Malen returns to action this Saturday after serving a suspension in Roma's last Serie A match, and he will be back at the Maradona, where he scored a brace last season.

Lorenzo Pellegrini was forced off after 49 minutes of Roma's 4-0 win over Slovan Bratislava, having suffered a muscle problem in his right thigh. He will undergo instrumental tests tomorrow to determine the full extent of the injury and his recovery time. Gasperini announced in his post-match press conference that Pellegrini's recovery is expected to take around 20 days. The midfielder's injury adds a new name to Roma's injury list. There is better news elsewhere in the squad: Bryan Cristante is back available and could be in the squad for Saturday's trip to Napoli. Paulo Dybala, however, will take a few more days to return. The result in Bratislava was a convincing 4-0 win for the Giallorossi, and the focus now shifts to the test results that will set Pellegrini's timeline.