Gian Piero Gasperini is looking to his youth ranks to widen his options, with two Primavera players set to be called up to the first-team squad for Roma's Serie A match against Sassuolo, the eleventh matchday fixture. Injuries and a congested fixture schedule have pushed the coach to draw on the Primavera squad, giving some of its most promising players a chance to step closer to the first team.
Among the new names on the matchday squad list is Valerio Maccaroni, a midfielder born in Rome on 3 June 2008. The 1.74-metre player is one of the most versatile members of the Primavera. His natural role is attacking midfielder, but he has also been used as a box-to-box midfielder and an offensive winger as he has developed. His main qualities are technique, vision and the ability to move between the lines, which allow him to adapt to different tactical systems.
Maccaroni progressively earned space in the Primavera after his time in the lower youth categories. In the 2025/26 season he stood out for his ability to help build play, winning consistent starts. He has also worn the shirts of Italy's youth national teams up to the Under-19 level, taking part in the Under-17 European Championship and the 2025 Under-17 World Cup, which Italy finished in third place. This season he has continued his development, and was deployed in midfield in the recent Youth League clash with Manchester United, which ended 1-1. The Sassuolo fixture marks his first call-up to the first-team squad.
The other new face is Levente Kilvinger, a Hungarian goalkeeper born on 20 March 2009. At 17 he is part of the Roma Primavera, where he is gaining experience both in the league for his age group and in European competition. For the 2026/27 season he has been included in Roma's list for the UEFA Youth League, in which he has already played in goal. Kilvinger defended the Roma goal in the away game against Manchester United on 3 November in the Youth League, which finished 1-1. It is an important international experience for a player who is still very young and continuing his development.
Story Coverage2 sources on this story
Gian Piero Gasperini has called up two Primavera players, Valerio Maccaroni and Levente Kilvinger, for Roma's Serie A match against Sassuolo, the eleventh matchday fixture, as injuries have stretched the squad. Forza Roma adds that Arena will also be on the bench at the Olimpico, having scored for the Primavera against Manchester United in the Youth League. Goalkeeping has been hit hardest. Forza Roma reports that Svilar has been out for several weeks and that Gollini has not recovered from a back problem picked up before the Manchester United game, so Vasquez starts in goal, with De Marzi and Kilvinger among the substitutes.
Roma News describes Maccaroni as a 1.74-metre midfielder born in Rome on 3 June 2008. Its account says his natural role is attacking midfielder, though he has also played as a box-to-box midfielder and an offensive winger, with technique and vision as his main strengths. He has worn Italy's youth shirts up to Under-19 level, including the Under-17 European Championship and the 2025 Under-17 World Cup, where Italy finished third. He played in midfield in the 1-1 Youth League draw with Manchester United, and Sassuolo marks his first first-team call-up.
Kilvinger, a Hungarian goalkeeper, is described by Roma News as born on 20 March 2009 and currently 17. Forza Roma says he arrived in the capital in 2025 and is the Primavera's first-choice goalkeeper under Mattia Scala, and that he made five appearances for Pécsi MFC in the Hungarian third division before joining Roma. Roma News adds that he has already played in goal in the Youth League, including the away game at Manchester United on 3 November.
AI synthesis of all sources below — always check the originals.
Testo Originale / Source Text
“La Roma continua a guardare al proprio settore giovanile per ampliare le soluzioni a disposizione di Gian Piero Gasperini. Gli impegni ravvicinati e le assenze hanno portato il tecnico giallorosso ad attingere anche alla formazione Primavera, offrendo ad alcuni dei suoi elementi più interessanti…”
Read the full article in Italian at Roma News.