Gasperini returns to double sessions as Roma step up pre-season

Roma line up at Napoli this afternoon in a Serie A eighth-round clash at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, with the turnstiles opening at 15:30. Gian Piero Gasperini's side are without Svilar, Koné, Dybala and Pellegrini, but Cristante returns to the starting XI and Malen is back in the attack after serving a suspension. Devyne Rensch is the surprise pick in the Roma line-up. Roma's confirmed starting XI is Gollini; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Rensch, De Roon, Pisilli, Wesley; Cristante; Soulé, Malen, set up in a 3-4-1-2. Massimiliano Allegri's Napoli line up in a 4-3-3: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rafa Marin, Badiashile, Olivera; Anguissa, De Bruyne, McTominay; Politano, Hojlund, Lang. Napoli's attack is built around Hojlund, supported by Politano and Lang. The Roma bench contains Vasquez, De Marzi, Lulli, Koulierakis, Molina, Balerdi, Ghilardi, Di Nunzio, Mora, Castro and Camara. The Napoli bench features Contini, Beukema, Marianucci, Spinazzola, Gilmour, Lobotka, Vergara, Giovane and Lucca. Colombo of Como is the referee, assisted by Bindoni-Rossi M. and Rossi, with Sacchi J.L. as fourth official. Aureliano is the VAR, with Meraviglia as the assistant VAR. The absences of Svilar, Koné, Dybala and Pellegrini are the main concerns for Gasperini, who has used the selection to pair Cristante further forward and give Soulé and Malen the attacking roles alongside him. Two of the club's most important players are missing from the match-day squad, making the Maradona fixture a test of the depth in the Roma squad.

Roma line up for their Serie A Matchday 8 trip to Napoli's Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, with Bryan Cristante starting from the first minute alongside Matías Soulé. Gian Piero Gasperini's side face Napoli, coached by Massimiliano Allegri, in a live-blogged fixture that is one of the big games of the round. Roma arrive after a Champions League win but have injury problems in the attacking midfield zone, with Lorenzo Pellegrini and Paulo Dybala both ruled out. The club are chasing points to keep pace with the top of the Serie A table, making a result at the Maradona important in the race for the leading positions. The official line-ups confirmed Cristante in the starting XI with Soulé, a sign of how Gasperini has reshaped his options without two of his key attacking players. Romanews.eu is providing live coverage with real-time updates throughout the match.

Roma head to Napoli with their unbeaten Serie A run intact and aim to keep it going today. Gian Piero Gasperini has settled on his line-up for the clash with Antonio Allegri's side, who need a response after a heavy defeat at Venezia. Roma's starting XI is Gollini; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Rensch, de Roon, Pisilli, Wesley; Cristante; Soulé, Malen. Cristante plays further forward, alongside Soulé behind Malen. Napoli line up Milinkovic-Savic; Di Lorenzo, Badiashile, Marín, Olivera; Anguissa, De Bruyne, McTominay; Politano, Hojlund, Lang, in a 4-3-3. Roma's bench includes Vasquez, De Marzi, Lulli, Koulierakis, Molina, Balerdi, Ghilardi, Di Nunzio, Mora, Castro and Camara. Napoli's bench features Meret, Contini, Beukema, Gilmour, Giovane, Lobotka, Lucca, Marianucci, Rrahmani, Spinazzola and Vergara.

Robinio Vaz's injury scare has eased, with the Roma loanee back in training after tests ruled out significant damage, while Neil El Aynaoui endured a bruising week in Europe and Bundesliga. Vaz, on loan at Hull City, came on in the 68th minute of their Premier League trip to Fulham, a 1-0 defeat decided by a goal from Iwobi. In stoppage time, at the 94th minute, he was hit hard by Ryan Sessegnon in the Achilles area. Sessegnon was sent off with a straight red card, and Vaz had to leave the pitch accompanied by medical staff. Initial impressions were worrying, but the subsequent checks were far more reassuring: the MRI scan showed no significant injury and Vaz returned to training on Tuesday 20 October. He recorded no goals or assists in the minutes he played against Fulham. Whether he will be available for the next game against Brentford remains to be confirmed. El Aynaoui, on loan at RB Leipzig, played three matches in a few days with mixed results. Leipzig beat PSV Eindhoven 1-0 in the Champions League thanks to a goal from Gruda, and El Aynaoui started and played the full 90 minutes. The Moroccan midfielder then started the Bundesliga trip to Bayern Munich, who thrashed Leipzig 6-1. He stayed on the pitch from start to finish but could not turn the game, which Bayern dominated. On 21 October Leipzig suffered another European defeat, losing 4-1 at the Bernabéu to Real Madrid. El Aynaoui again started alongside Seiwald but was replaced in the 63rd minute by Rocco Reitz, with Leipzig already two goals down. He recorded no goals or assists across the three matches, but he logged significant minutes that confirm his place in Demichelis's rotation. The heavy defeats to Bayern and Real Madrid left the team with a very negative overall record. Anass Salah-Eddine, on loan at Panathinaikos, is showing encouraging signs as the Moroccan wing-back fights for a place in the Greek side. He was not in the squad for the 2-1 win over Borac Banja Luka in the first matchday of the Conference League League Phase on 15 October. Three days later he started and played all 90 minutes of a comprehensive 5-1 league win over Asteras Tripolis. In the 47th minute he surged down the left flank and delivered a precise ball to Taborda, whose header was cleared off the line by Papakanellos. It was a good move that could have brought an assist but did not appear on the scoresheet. Salah-Eddine recorded no goal, official assist or card, but gave positive indications of his ability to support the attack. Panathinaikos return to Conference League action today against Kairat Almaty. Filippo Reale continues his good form at Carrarese, where he is increasingly picked by Guido Pagliuca. The centre-back, born in 2006, started and played the full 90 minutes in Carrarese's 2-1 home win over Modena, with goals from Abiuso and Rubino before Belotti replied for the visitors. He helped protect the lead in the closing stages as part of the back three. The most unusual moment came in the 96th minute, when Reale embarked on a long run from his own half, covered the entire left flank and shot into the box, only to send his diagonal effort wide. Carrarese have now won consecutive matches. Radoslaw Zelezny was also impressive for Perugia, starting in their 5-1 win at Campobasso. He played the entire game and conceded only Stoppa's equaliser in the 35th minute, before Perugia pulled clear in the second half. He was not held responsible for the goal, and SportPerugia gave him a 6 for his precise handling and his lack of blame. Marco Litti came off the bench for Lecco in their 5-0 win over Pro Vercelli, replacing Manetti in the 59th minute, when Manetti had scored the goal that made it 3-0. Litti took up position on the flank and helped manage the lead over the final half hour. He recorded no goal, assist or booking. Mohamed Seck, meanwhile, remains in a difficult spell with Foggia, who lost 3-1 at Giugliano in the Monday 19 October fixture. Seck was named in the back three by Gaetano Auteri and played the full game. Ravasio gave Foggia the lead in the 16th minute, but Baldé and De Rosa turned the match around before the break, and Esposito added the final goal after the restart. Seck was booked in the 21st minute. Foggia have conceded six goals in their last two league games. Luigi Cherubini, on loan at Benevento, was on the bench for their 2-2 home draw with Vicenza, having scored against Cesena. He came on for Lamesta in the 65th minute, with Benevento ahead 2-0 through Siatounis and Kouan. In the second half Benevento gradually lost control and were pegged back by goals from Corazza and Caferri.

Robinio Vaz has failed to take off since his move to Rome, and his spell at Hull City has started badly too. Roma invested 25 million to bring the Frenchman to the capital, but he has not justified the outlay. His attempts to fit into Gian Piero Gasperini's system proved more difficult than expected, with little playing time, plenty of time on the bench and a single goal, against Lecce. That was not enough to convince Gasperini, who did not change his mind even during the summer training camp, and so the club opted to send him out on loan. Hull City were meant to be the chance to restart his career. Instead, the story is repeating itself. In England Vaz is also finding minutes hard to come by: he started only once in the cup, followed by cameo appearances and spells on the bench. To make matters worse, he was injured against Fulham, leaving the pitch limping. It is not a good omen. It is a blow for Hull, who must now do without the Frenchman. No recovery timeframe has yet been set. Hull hold a buy-option fixed at 30 million, but confirming it is far from guaranteed. If his performances stay at this level, it will be hard to see the English club deciding to keep backing him. Roma are watching and waiting. The 25 million invested by Massara is still in search of an answer.

Roma's loan contingent produced mixed results across European and domestic competitions this week, with midfielder Luigi Cherubini and midfielder Neil El Aynaoui delivering attacking contributions while others awaited their chance. Cherubini, on loan at Benevento with a right of option and obligation to buy, scored in the 93rd minute of Benevento's 2–0 win over Cesena. Introduced from the bench in the 79th minute, the 2004-born winger capitalized on a defensive error by Ilic, rounded the goalkeeper and finished to seal victory. He was booked in the 81st minute and initially had a goal ruled out for offside before his late winner. The performance earned him a rating of 7 from BeneventoNews24 and PianetaSerieB as Benevento secured a third consecutive victory. El Aynaoui, a midfielder on loan at RB Lipsia with a right of rescission, provided the assist for Banzuzi's opening goal after just one minute in a 6–0 Bundesliga demolition of Eintracht Frankfurt. Deployed in the starting lineup by Demichelis, El Aynaoui contributed to a dominant first half that saw Lipsia lead 4–0 at the interval, including a hat-trick from Nkunku. He was booked in the 27th minute and substituted in the 58th when the scoreline already stood at 5–0. Elsewhere, defender Filippo Reale (Carrarese, on loan with option and counter-option) played the full 90 minutes in a 2–0 away win over Padova, maintaining a clean sheet. Young defender Mohamed Seck (Foggia, on loan) completed all 90 minutes in a 3–1 home defeat to Potenza and received a rating of 5, criticized for poor positioning during the opposition's counter-attacks. Forward Artem Dovbyk (Bologna, on loan with right of rescission) returned to the squad after a muscular injury to his flexors but remained unused on the bench in Bologna's 2–1 away win at Lecce. Forward Robinio Vaz (Hull City) was named in the squad for a 2–2 Premier League draw against Everton but played no part, remaining on the bench for the full 90 minutes.

Roma line up at Napoli this afternoon in a Serie A eighth-round clash at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, with the turnstiles opening at 15:30. Gian Piero Gasperini's side are without Svilar, Koné, Dybala and Pellegrini, but Cristante returns to the starting XI and Malen is back in the attack after serving a suspension. Devyne Rensch is the surprise pick in the Roma line-up. Roma's confirmed starting XI is Gollini; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Rensch, De Roon, Pisilli, Wesley; Cristante; Soulé, Malen, set up in a 3-4-1-2. Massimiliano Allegri's Napoli line up in a 4-3-3: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rafa Marin, Badiashile, Olivera; Anguissa, De Bruyne, McTominay; Politano, Hojlund, Lang. Napoli's attack is built around Hojlund, supported by Politano and Lang. The Roma bench contains Vasquez, De Marzi, Lulli, Koulierakis, Molina, Balerdi, Ghilardi, Di Nunzio, Mora, Castro and Camara. The Napoli bench features Contini, Beukema, Marianucci, Spinazzola, Gilmour, Lobotka, Vergara, Giovane and Lucca. Colombo of Como is the referee, assisted by Bindoni-Rossi M. and Rossi, with Sacchi J.L. as fourth official. Aureliano is the VAR, with Meraviglia as the assistant VAR. The absences of Svilar, Koné, Dybala and Pellegrini are the main concerns for Gasperini, who has used the selection to pair Cristante further forward and give Soulé and Malen the attacking roles alongside him. Two of the club's most important players are missing from the match-day squad, making the Maradona fixture a test of the depth in the Roma squad.

Roma head to Napoli with their unbeaten Serie A run intact and aim to keep it going today. Gian Piero Gasperini has settled on his line-up for the clash with Antonio Allegri's side, who need a response after a heavy defeat at Venezia. Roma's starting XI is Gollini; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Rensch, de Roon, Pisilli, Wesley; Cristante; Soulé, Malen. Cristante plays further forward, alongside Soulé behind Malen. Napoli line up Milinkovic-Savic; Di Lorenzo, Badiashile, Marín, Olivera; Anguissa, De Bruyne, McTominay; Politano, Hojlund, Lang, in a 4-3-3. Roma's bench includes Vasquez, De Marzi, Lulli, Koulierakis, Molina, Balerdi, Ghilardi, Di Nunzio, Mora, Castro and Camara. Napoli's bench features Meret, Contini, Beukema, Gilmour, Giovane, Lobotka, Lucca, Marianucci, Rrahmani, Spinazzola and Vergara.

Gasperini's Roma face Massimiliano Allegri's Napoli in Serie A's eighth round this afternoon at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Kickoff is at 18:00, with the turnstiles open from 15:30. Roma travel without Svilar, Koné, Dybala and Pellegrini. Gasperini does have Cristante available again, and Malen is back in the starting frame after serving a one-match suspension. Cristante is the favourite to start in a more advanced role ahead of Mora. Napoli are expected to rely on Højlund, supported by Politano and Lang. In Roma's expected line-up, Lulli is favoured over Molina on the right flank. Cristante is set to play further forward, with Soulé and Malen completing the attack. The choice over Cristante's role is the main open question before the team sheets are released. Napoli (4-3-3): Milinkovic-Savic; Di Lorenzo, Badiashile, Rafa Marin, Olivera; Anguissa, De Bruyne, McTominay; Politano, Højlund, Lang. Substitutes: Meret, Contini, Beukema, Marianucci, Rrahmani, Spinazzola, Gilmour, Lobotka, Vergara, Giovane, Lucca. Coach: Massimiliano Allegri. Roma (3-4-1-2): Gollini; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Lulli, De Roon, Pisilli, Wesley; Cristante; Soulé, Malen. Substitutes: Vasquez, De Marzi, Rensch, Koulierakis, Molina, Balerdi, Ghilardi, Di Nunzio, Mora, Castro, Camara. Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini. The referee is Colombo of Como, with assistants Bindoni and Rossi M. Fourth official: Sacchi J.L. VAR: Aureliano. Assistant VAR: Meraviglia.

Roma line up at Napoli this afternoon in a Serie A eighth-round clash at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, with the turnstiles opening at 15:30. Gian Piero Gasperini's side are without Svilar, Koné, Dybala and Pellegrini, but Cristante returns to the starting XI and Malen is back in the attack after serving a suspension. Devyne Rensch is the surprise pick in the Roma line-up. Roma's confirmed starting XI is Gollini; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Rensch, De Roon, Pisilli, Wesley; Cristante; Soulé, Malen, set up in a 3-4-1-2. Massimiliano Allegri's Napoli line up in a 4-3-3: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rafa Marin, Badiashile, Olivera; Anguissa, De Bruyne, McTominay; Politano, Hojlund, Lang. Napoli's attack is built around Hojlund, supported by Politano and Lang. The Roma bench contains Vasquez, De Marzi, Lulli, Koulierakis, Molina, Balerdi, Ghilardi, Di Nunzio, Mora, Castro and Camara. The Napoli bench features Contini, Beukema, Marianucci, Spinazzola, Gilmour, Lobotka, Vergara, Giovane and Lucca. Colombo of Como is the referee, assisted by Bindoni-Rossi M. and Rossi, with Sacchi J.L. as fourth official. Aureliano is the VAR, with Meraviglia as the assistant VAR. The absences of Svilar, Koné, Dybala and Pellegrini are the main concerns for Gasperini, who has used the selection to pair Cristante further forward and give Soulé and Malen the attacking roles alongside him. Two of the club's most important players are missing from the match-day squad, making the Maradona fixture a test of the depth in the Roma squad.

Roma will rely on Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora to supply creativity in the attacking third for the big match at the Maradona against Napoli, with Paulo Dybala still sidelined. Soulé has already scored two goals and provided an assist so far this season. Mora, a 19-year-old Portuguese midfielder who arrived for a significant investment, has shown flashes of quality interspersed with some quieter spells, and this fixture represents his first real test of maturity. Their main job will be to play in Donyell Malen, who returns from suspension and remains, in the words of the report, the true talisman of Gasperini's Roma. The Dutch forward goes back to the stadium where, a year ago, he scored a memorable double. Gasperini hopes to have Bryan Cristante available from the start. If he is fit, Cristante could partner Marten de Roon in midfield, allowing Niccolò Pisilli to push forward into the attacking third alongside Soulé. At the back, the starting trio of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso is set to reform. On the flanks, Wesley is confirmed at left-back, while Emanuele Lulli is the favourite to start ahead of Nahuel Molina on the right. The absence of Dybala and the return of Malen give Gasperini a clear shape to work with, but the match will also show how far Soulé and Mora can carry the attacking load on the road to one of the toughest venues in Serie A.

Roma head to Napoli's Stadio Maradona today, 24 October, for a difficult big match with a kickoff at 18:00, and they must do without Svilar, Koné, Pellegrini and Dybala through injury. The club's mood has been lifted by recent contract renewals, and Il Messaggero reports that the eve of the game was marked by the renewal of Emanuele Lulli until 2031. The 19-year-old is preparing for his sixth start, a milestone that at that age only Marquinhos had reached in the giallorosso shirt. Cristante and Malen return as key figures for Roma, and both are expected to lead the team on what promises to be a hot night in Naples. Malen will lead the attack and dreams of repeating the brace he scored at the Maradona a year ago, with Soulé alongside him. Molina will rest ahead of Tuesday's match against Cagliari. The final selection question is the attacking midfield, where Mora is pushing for a place but could make way for the experience and energy of Cristante. Cristante would also be valuable in covering Lobotka, McTominay and Anguissa. At the back, the starting trio of Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso is reassembled. Lulli's rise is the standout detail of the build-up, with his contract running until 2031 and his sixth start coming in the space of a few months. Roma will be relying on Cristante's and Malen's experience to offset a long list of absentees against a Napoli side featuring Lobotka, McTominay and Anguissa.