Gasperini says Cristante adds versatility as Roma prepare for Napoli clash

Gian Piero Gasperini has spoken to the press ahead of Napoli v Roma, a big match in the eighth round of Serie A at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, saying that a victory in Naples would be a major boost for his side. Roma come into the game on the back of a week full of satisfaction, performances and results, and the coach has also had to deal with the loss of Lorenzo Pellegrini while welcoming back Bryan Cristante. Gasperini stressed the importance of Cristante's return to the squad. He explained that Roma have often had to field the same players in that department, so the midfielder's availability is significant both for his quality and for his form in this campaign. Gasperini also highlighted the tactical flexibility Cristante gives the team, as he can play in the deep midfield role but can also drop into the back two, allowing another player to push forward. The coach added that this gives Roma variations to use during the match. Asked how much a game like this could shape the season, Gasperini said: "It's a bit early for definitive judgements, but it's undoubtedly true that if we win today in Naples, it would be a further step in terms of awareness and strength, and in that respect it would be a great boost, undoubtedly." He also described the fixture as a high-level clash: "It's a match of quality, Napoli-Roma. A game with many important players on the pitch, two of the best teams in our league, so it's a very important match." Gasperini was speaking both before the game and after the final whistle.

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has spoken ahead of Napoli v Roma, a Serie A match in the eighth matchday, describing it as a fixture between two of the league's best sides with many important players on the pitch. He said that winning at Napoli would be a major boost and a further proof of his side's awareness and strength. Gasperini was asked how much the result could shape the season and answered that it is still too early to speak in definitive terms. He also addressed the value of Bryan Cristante, who joined Roma in July 2018, explaining that the team has often had to play with the same players in that area of the pitch. He added that Cristante's importance lies in the options he gives the side: playing him as the deep midfield pivot, or bringing him into the two-man midfield and advancing another player, allows the team to vary its shape. Gasperini said: "Oggi è una gara di livello, una partita con tanti giocatori importanti in campo, due tra le squadre migliori del campionato." On Cristante, he said: "Molto, in quel reparto abbiamo dovuto giocare spesso con gli stessi uomini, e poi è importante per il suo valore, giocare con lui con il vertice basso o entrare nei due e far avanzare un altro, ci dà possibilità di variare." On the wider season he said: "La stagione è un po' presto per parlarne in termini definitivi. Vincere a Napoli sarebbe una grande spinta, una ulteriore prova di consapevolezza e di forza."

Napoli defender Benoît Badiashile has spoken to Dazn ahead of the club's match against Roma, praising Roma forward Donyell Malen and saying Napoli will need to work as a unit to stop him. Asked how he is settling in, Badiashile said: "I'm happy to be here. At the start it was tough, but now I feel good." On how to deal with Malen, a player he knows well, Badiashile said: "I played against him when he was at Aston Villa, he is really strong. We will have to work as a team to stop him." The comments come before a meeting between Napoli and Roma, with Malen one of the attacking threats Napoli have identified ahead of kick-off. Badiashile's remarks focus on the collective defensive effort required rather than any individual plan.

Gian Piero Gasperini has spoken to the press ahead of Napoli v Roma, a big match in the eighth round of Serie A at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, saying that a victory in Naples would be a major boost for his side. Roma come into the game on the back of a week full of satisfaction, performances and results, and the coach has also had to deal with the loss of Lorenzo Pellegrini while welcoming back Bryan Cristante. Gasperini stressed the importance of Cristante's return to the squad. He explained that Roma have often had to field the same players in that department, so the midfielder's availability is significant both for his quality and for his form in this campaign. Gasperini also highlighted the tactical flexibility Cristante gives the team, as he can play in the deep midfield role but can also drop into the back two, allowing another player to push forward. The coach added that this gives Roma variations to use during the match. Asked how much a game like this could shape the season, Gasperini said: "It's a bit early for definitive judgements, but it's undoubtedly true that if we win today in Naples, it would be a further step in terms of awareness and strength, and in that respect it would be a great boost, undoubtedly." He also described the fixture as a high-level clash: "It's a match of quality, Napoli-Roma. A game with many important players on the pitch, two of the best teams in our league, so it's a very important match." Gasperini was speaking both before the game and after the final whistle.

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has spoken ahead of Napoli v Roma, a Serie A match in the eighth matchday, describing it as a fixture between two of the league's best sides with many important players on the pitch. He said that winning at Napoli would be a major boost and a further proof of his side's awareness and strength. Gasperini was asked how much the result could shape the season and answered that it is still too early to speak in definitive terms. He also addressed the value of Bryan Cristante, who joined Roma in July 2018, explaining that the team has often had to play with the same players in that area of the pitch. He added that Cristante's importance lies in the options he gives the side: playing him as the deep midfield pivot, or bringing him into the two-man midfield and advancing another player, allows the team to vary its shape. Gasperini said: "Oggi è una gara di livello, una partita con tanti giocatori importanti in campo, due tra le squadre migliori del campionato." On Cristante, he said: "Molto, in quel reparto abbiamo dovuto giocare spesso con gli stessi uomini, e poi è importante per il suo valore, giocare con lui con il vertice basso o entrare nei due e far avanzare un altro, ci dà possibilità di variare." On the wider season he said: "La stagione è un po' presto per parlarne in termini definitivi. Vincere a Napoli sarebbe una grande spinta, una ulteriore prova di consapevolezza e di forza."

Roma travel to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona to face Napoli, managed by Massimiliano Allegri, in a big-match clash on matchday 8 of Serie A. Bryan Cristante starts from the first minute alongside Matías Soulé, according to the official line-ups. Gian Piero Gasperini's side arrive on the back of a Champions League win but are missing key attacking midfielders, with Lorenzo Pellegrini and Paulo Dybala both out injured. The match is refereed by Andrea Colombo of the Como section. Roma are looking to keep pace with the summit of the table and need points from the fixture. The injury problems in the final third are a significant test for Gasperini, who must find a way to create chances without two of his key attacking options. Live coverage of the match is being provided by Romanews.eu with real-time updates throughout the game.

Gian Piero Gasperini has spoken to the press ahead of Napoli v Roma, a big match in the eighth round of Serie A at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, saying that a victory in Naples would be a major boost for his side. Roma come into the game on the back of a week full of satisfaction, performances and results, and the coach has also had to deal with the loss of Lorenzo Pellegrini while welcoming back Bryan Cristante. Gasperini stressed the importance of Cristante's return to the squad. He explained that Roma have often had to field the same players in that department, so the midfielder's availability is significant both for his quality and for his form in this campaign. Gasperini also highlighted the tactical flexibility Cristante gives the team, as he can play in the deep midfield role but can also drop into the back two, allowing another player to push forward. The coach added that this gives Roma variations to use during the match. Asked how much a game like this could shape the season, Gasperini said: "It's a bit early for definitive judgements, but it's undoubtedly true that if we win today in Naples, it would be a further step in terms of awareness and strength, and in that respect it would be a great boost, undoubtedly." He also described the fixture as a high-level clash: "It's a match of quality, Napoli-Roma. A game with many important players on the pitch, two of the best teams in our league, so it's a very important match." Gasperini was speaking both before the game and after the final whistle.

Roma travel to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona to face Napoli, managed by Massimiliano Allegri, in a big-match clash on matchday 8 of Serie A. Bryan Cristante starts from the first minute alongside Matías Soulé, according to the official line-ups. Gian Piero Gasperini's side arrive on the back of a Champions League win but are missing key attacking midfielders, with Lorenzo Pellegrini and Paulo Dybala both out injured. The match is refereed by Andrea Colombo of the Como section. Roma are looking to keep pace with the summit of the table and need points from the fixture. The injury problems in the final third are a significant test for Gasperini, who must find a way to create chances without two of his key attacking options. Live coverage of the match is being provided by Romanews.eu with real-time updates throughout the game.

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.