Gasperini praises squad depth after Roma beat Slovan Bratislava 4-0, but Pellegrini is out

Roma responded to their Champions League struggles with a comfortable 4-0 win over Slovan Bratislava at the Stadio Olimpico in the third matchday of the League Phase. Gian Piero Gasperini's side also made a statement in terms of goal difference. The fixture revived a meeting between the two clubs from 15 years ago. The result comes as Italian clubs in the competition have struggled overall. Napoli, coached by Allegri, also responded, winning 4-3 at the Maradona against Bodo/Glimt, who pushed the Neapolitans all the way to the final whistle. Inter and Como are set to play later tonight, and their results will complete the picture for Italian sides in Europe's top competition. The article sets out the full standings for the Italian clubs in the League Phase after the third matchday, with Roma's margin of victory now a useful asset in the table.

Niccolò Pisilli scored Roma's third goal and was named Man of the Match as the Giallorossi beat Slovan Bratislava 4-0 at the Stadio Olimpico in their Champions League league-phase third matchday. Pisilli also captained the side for the first time in his career after Lorenzo Pellegrini was forced off through injury, and he marked the occasion by scoring soon after taking the armband. The goal means Pisilli became the first Roma player to score in his first match as captain, a feat that the article notes only Francesco Totti had previously achieved. Totti first wore the armband on 17 October 1998, receiving it from Aldair, and he also scored in that match, a 2-1 win over Fiorentina in the final minutes. The result keeps Roma's Champions League campaign moving with a convincing home win, and Pisilli's double contribution as goalscorer and captain adds to a memorable evening for the academy product. Pellegrini's injury is a concern for the squad as the club continues its European and domestic programme.

Daniele Ghilardi made his first career start in the Champions League last night, delivering a very convincing performance for Roma. Ghilardi also provided the assist that unlocked the match. The defender's display comes as reports had suggested a possible January sale, although Roma have no intention of letting him go, according to the article's reporting on the situation. Roma have collected four points from nine so far this season. Asked whether that record feels short of what the team has shown, Ghilardi said: "If it feels short I don't know, because away from home we managed to get a point, which was not easy. Today we won, and last game unfortunately we know how it went, but the performance was there. We will keep trying to pick up points to position ourselves in the best place in the table." On whether the team has reached its definitive mental edge for the campaign or needs the Napoli game, he replied: "No, we approach the match the same way whether it is Real Madrid or Bratislava. We give our all and try to win because that is our aim. We hope to keep going like this." Asked about his Champions League debut, Ghilardi said: "I am happy, I was emotional at the end of the match, then I melted. I am happy it went that way, with the assist that unlocked the game. We hope to keep going like this." Asked what he is working on most compared with last year, he said: "Everything: heading, speed, one-on-one duels. We work on everything to improve because I can improve in so many areas. We do it in training and I hope it shows on the pitch."

Former Roma striker Roberto Pruzzo has called for the club to bring in Ademola Lookman on a six-month loan when the January window opens, arguing that Roma need a new forward. Speaking on Radio Radio (104.5 FM), Pruzzo said: "Poi dirò chi prendere a gennaio, perché serve prendere un attaccante a gennaio: la Roma deve prendere Lookman a gennaio. Fai un prestito di sei mesi." His view came in a round-up of opinions from Rome's radio stations, which also included comments on Gian Piero Gasperini's squad selection and on injuries to Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini. On Tele Radio Stereo (92.7 FM), Lorenzo Pes said Gasperini is keeping his selections very tight. For Napoli, he suggested, only Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora remain behind Donyell Malen. Pes said he saw no exaggeration in how Gasperini has used Dybala and Pellegrini, noting that Pellegrini has started twice rather than all four matches, which he described as gradual management. He added: "Pellegrini mi sembra un calciatore propenso agli infortuni, lui 2-3 a campionato ce li ha sempre. Ora ha 30 anni, comincia a entrare nella fase finale della carriera, e i problemi si acuiscono. Lui e Dybala sono molto predisposti a questo genere di infortuni." Pruzzo judged the two matches that followed the heavy defeat to Real Madrid as a necessary response, saying Roma had earned some satisfaction from them. He was critical of the forwards, however. He said Santiago Castro does not play when Malen is available, and that Mora did not take his opportunity. "Mora non è assolutamente pronto per questo palcoscenico," he said. Piero Torri, on Radio Manà Manà Sport Roma (90.9 FM), was more patient with Mora. He said Mora was less effective than the others the previous evening, but that he wanted to wait for him, as he is young and had only recently arrived. "Ieri sera ha avuto una bella occasione e non l'ha sfruttata," Torri said, adding: "La rosa è corta e questo si sapeva." He also praised Daniele Ghilardi, saying: "Bravo Ghilardi, ha una bella corsa resistente, veloce."

Roma's pundits on Rome's radio stations were largely positive about the club's recent results, but they were divided over Mora and the January market. Roberto Pruzzo, speaking on Radio Radio, said: 'Mora is absolutely not ready for this stage, and Roma must sign Lookman. Do a six-month loan.' He also said Castro does not play when Malen is fit and that Mora did not take advantage of his chance, adding that a striker is needed in January. Mario Corsi of Tele Radio Stereo was more worried: 'I said Mora had to play to get used to his teammates, but there is a Mora problem. Do you remember Bojan Krkic? I would not want him to suffer the same fate.' Corsi said Mora was an embarrassment in front of goal, had shot at a photographer and had got everything wrong on Sunday, including his passing. The debate followed a run of matches after the heavy defeat to Real Madrid. Mario Mattioli of Radio Radio said Roma were fortunate to face Genoa and Slovan Bratislava afterwards, as they could restore their mental focus, and that Roma had taken full advantage. He described Slovan as a side who do not belong in the Champions League, suggesting they were better suited to the Europa League or Conference League. Fabio Petruzzi of Rete Sport argued that Roma make their opponents look weak: 'Genoa were weak, Slovan are weak, they are all weak... even Real Madrid were weak until ten minutes from the end. I would start saying Roma are strong.' Alessio Nardo of Tele Radio Stereo said he could hardly recall a smaller side worse than Slovan Bratislava, adding that they could not keep the ball for more than three seconds. David Rossi of Rete Sport praised the defence under Gian Piero Gasperini: 'What impresses me is that the defenders have improved most with Gasperini. Ghilardi started two matches, against Lecce and against Slovan, and I remember him more for what he does in attack than in defence. Ghilardi is a starter now. Hermoso, we did not know who to pin it on, and now he is a leader. Balerdi arrived while Marseille fans were celebrating, and here he is dominant. N'Dicka has improved a lot... Roma have a back line that I believe is the strongest in Italy.' Gianluca Piacentini of Rete Sport noted that Roma had rotated five starters in defence over the last two matches while conceding no goals. He said the comparison between Malen and Castro and Ferguson and Dovbyk was harsh. Pes argued that Gasperini had not overused Pellegrini, who had started two matches, and said Pellegrini was prone to injury, which he had always been. Pellegrini is now 30, Pes said, and the problems are getting worse. Checco Oddo Casano said Roma should consider the futures of Dybala and Pellegrini in June, after seeing how many matches they had played. The radio hosts agreed that a striker is needed, and Pruzzo said he would name the player to be signed in January. Piero Torri of Manà Manà Sport said he was supporting Manchester United against Como that evening, because a defeat for the English side would leave Roma with a final chance. He also said Roma had regrets about Fenerbahce and Real Madrid, where a result was possible, and warned that Roma could arrive at the third-last match ranked behind others in the table.

Niccolò Pisilli scored Roma's third goal and was named Man of the Match as the Giallorossi beat Slovan Bratislava 4-0 at the Stadio Olimpico in their Champions League league-phase third matchday. Pisilli also captained the side for the first time in his career after Lorenzo Pellegrini was forced off through injury, and he marked the occasion by scoring soon after taking the armband. The goal means Pisilli became the first Roma player to score in his first match as captain, a feat that the article notes only Francesco Totti had previously achieved. Totti first wore the armband on 17 October 1998, receiving it from Aldair, and he also scored in that match, a 2-1 win over Fiorentina in the final minutes. The result keeps Roma's Champions League campaign moving with a convincing home win, and Pisilli's double contribution as goalscorer and captain adds to a memorable evening for the academy product. Pellegrini's injury is a concern for the squad as the club continues its European and domestic programme.

Lorenzo Pellegrini has been ruled out with a new muscle problem, while Bryan Cristante is back in the squad and aiming to be fully available for Saturday's trip to Napoli, coach Gian Piero Gasperini has said. Speaking after the 4-0 win over Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League, Gasperini said: "Now we have recovered Cristante but we lose Pellegrini. In certain areas we are a bit stretched." Roma regained their winning form in Europe and rotated their squad, but the injury list grew. Pellegrini was forced off early in the second half against Slovan with a muscle problem, interrupting a spell in which he had been steadily regaining continuity and condition. Gasperini played down the severity of the injury but indicated a recovery of some length: "I don't think it's a serious thing. However small it is, when it's muscular it takes 20 days, I think it's around that value." Further tests will clarify the situation, but Pellegrini is set to miss the Napoli match and several of the games that follow. His absence further complicates the selection in the attacking midfield, already affected by the absence of Paulo Dybala. Cristante had been out for recent weeks with a knee problem sustained after the Roma-Inter match. Against Slovan he was officially named back in the matchday squad, although he did not play, with Gasperini preferring not to rush his return. Being on the bench is still a significant step towards full recovery. The aim now is for him to be genuinely available against Napoli at the Maradona, a date Gasperini had earlier identified as a possible return. His availability could prove particularly valuable given the shortage in midfield. Dybala's situation has changed since the first indications after the Real Madrid match. Initially a simple calf strain was mentioned, but the latest checks revealed a small tear. Ahead of the Slovan game, Gasperini explained the Argentine must rest for at least a couple of weeks. After the European match the coach stressed how much his absence weighs on the attack: "If we don't recover Dybala quickly we will really be few in number." Dybala will therefore miss Napoli, and his recovery will be managed with caution. Manu Koné's rehabilitation continues. Tests carried out after the Roma-Real Madrid match showed a first-degree tear of the right hamstring. The Frenchman will not be available at the Maradona and is working towards a return in the coming weeks. Gasperini had pointed to the Sassuolo match as a possible reference point for his return: "Koné has had an MRI: it is a first-degree tear, not particularly significant. It needs the necessary time for recovery and we hope to have him available for Sassuolo." Whether he could be available sooner for the Champions League trip to Manchester United remains to be assessed. Mile Svilar is also still out, recovering from a stress fracture to a finger. The goalkeeper is continuing his programme and will not be available for the trip to the Maradona. The aim is to have him back after the next international break, once the necessary consolidation work is complete. In the meantime Pierluigi Gollini continues to inspire confidence in goal, having kept two consecutive clean sheets against Genoa and Slovan Bratislava. Until Svilar returns, Gollini will remain Roma's first choice in goal. The absences of Dybala, Pellegrini and Koné mainly reduce the options between midfield and the attacking midfield, but Gasperini can count on Malen's return and the possible recovery of Cristante. The most natural solution remains a 3-4-2-1, with Soulé and Mora behind the Dutchman, although a two-striker system with Malen and Castro, supported by one of the two attacking midfielders, is not ruled out. If Cristante is fully available, an alternative would be to pair him with De Roon in midfield, allowing Pisilli to push forward into the attacking midfield. As of 21 October, the probable Roma line-up is: Gollini; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Wesley, De Roon, Pisilli, Molina; Mora, Soulé; Malen. Coach: Gasperini.

Manu Koné is continuing his recovery and will try to return to Roma's squad for the match against Sassuolo, which takes place just before the international break, possibly with a place on the bench in the previous fixture against Manchester United to help him readjust. Gasperini hopes to have him back soon to strengthen a department that will also see the return of Bryan Cristante against Napoli. Paulo Dybala also has hopes of returning earlier than expected, but even in his case it will be very difficult to see him back before the trip to Old Trafford. Mile Svilar's rehabilitation continues after a fracture to his fifth toe, and he is likely to return after the international break. Lorenzo Pellegrini is due to undergo tests today.

Roma's goalscoring spread has become a major talking point after Nicolò Molina's goal against Slovan Bratislava made it 11 different scorers in just ten matches. Donyell Malen leads the way with nine goals, while Pisilli, Koné, Soulé and Hermoso have two each. Lulli, Mora, Cristante, De Roon, Castro and Molina have one apiece. In Serie A, counting cup matches too, Roma have scored from more players than Inter, who are stuck on 10. Gian Piero Gasperini's side are the only Italian club in the top bracket of the Sofascore ranking. Paulo Dybala is the notable absentee from the list and is hoping to return before the international break to add his name to the scoresheet. Every outfield player seems to be getting involved. Ghilardi, who could have been the twelfth man on Tuesday, had a goal ruled out for offside against Castro. Mancini, N'Dicka, Balerdi, Wesley, Rensch, Kouliarakis and Pellegrini are all also looking to get on the scoresheet. The key statistic, according to the article, is the number of chances created and Roma's far greater presence in the opposition box compared with last season. Apart from the match at Como, where Roma played with ten men for more than half an hour, the team have scored in every game in Serie A and the Champions League. They have almost always scored at least twice, the exception being the 1-1 draw with Fenerbahce. Across all European leagues, Brighton lead the way with 15 goals from different scorers, followed by Barcelona, Lyon, Brentford and Real Sociedad with 13. Manchester City, Leverkusen, Atletico Madrid and Freiburg have 12, while Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich are on 11.