Gasperini's transformation of Hermoso from defender to goalscorer as Roma near a contract renewal

Roma head into the November international break unbeaten in Serie A, and coach Gian Piero Gasperini is looking to strengthen the squad before the winter market opens. The Giallorossi sit two points behind leaders Lazio and one behind Inter, in third place. Gasperini is convinced the step up from third will come with new signings, and a meeting involving the various figures at the club in Trigoria is scheduled in the coming days to plan the moves. Roma have the league's best attack, with 31 goals scored, and the second-best defence, having conceded 10. The break gives the team a chance to recover the various absentees who have filled the infirmary. The January transfer window has been brought forward and opens on 28 December. Before then, Roma must keep their momentum going and also try to put right their Champions League campaign, after two dramatic comebacks conceded against Real Madrid and Manchester United. Including last season, Roma have gone eighteen consecutive league matches unbeaten, and the Olimpico remains an impregnable fortress. The article notes that on-pitch adjustments could help, such as improving precision in front of goal and greater concentration at key moments of matches. Gasperini's side has been given a 521-day mark since the announcement of his three-year project as coach. Reporter Filippo Biafora writes in Il Tempo that these numbers give Roma great confidence for the short-term future, with the market expected to provide the decisive push for the project.

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is pushing for reinforcements in the January transfer window, with a meeting between the club and the coach expected in the coming days to set the strategy. The November international break arrives at the right moment for Roma, who are enjoying an exciting start to the season, sitting third in Serie A and unbeaten in the league. Gasperini has now been in charge for 521 days, and the club and its management know that making the final leap in quality will require making the most of the January market. According to Il Tempo, Roma have not lost in Serie A for 18 matches, boast the league's best attack with 31 goals, and have the second-best defence. Gasperini sees the fruits of his work and the growth of a group that functions perfectly. He is aware, however, that there are still details to improve, such as finishing and handling decisive moments, if Roma are to close the gap on Lazio and Inter. That is why the winter window, which opens early on 28 December, is a key step. The top priority is clear: Roma need a fast winger capable of providing depth and unpredictability. Gasperini considers that profile fundamental, partly because players such as Dybala and Pellegrini do not offer constant physical guarantees. In other areas, Roma feel covered. The attack is working thanks to Soulé and Mora, and on the flanks the emergence of Lulli has reduced the urgency to act. Defence and midfield also offer good certainties.

Roma are reportedly preparing to strengthen their attack in January, with sporting director Tony D'Amico working on two signings to support Donyell Malen in the title race. Gian Piero Gasperini is not satisfied with second place, and after eleven league matchdays Roma have the numbers and performances to think bigger than a place in the Champions League. According to Francesco Balzani writing in Leggo, Roma have scored 31 goals, conceded only 10 and collected 27 points. What stands out is the variety of Roma's attacking options. The team no longer relies solely on Malen's goals: defenders Mario Hermoso and Leonardo Balerdi have scored, as have midfielders Bryan Cristante and Niccolò Pisilli, while Matías Soulé and the increasingly impressive Rodrigo Mora have contributed from the attacking midfield roles. This has come despite an emergency in recent weeks that deprived Gasperini of key players. Meanwhile, the progress of the young players is providing new resources. Lulli, Ghilardi and above all Mora are showing they can be much more than simple alternatives, a depth that was lacking until a few weeks ago. The bigger upgrade could come in the January transfer window. D'Amico has already confirmed his intention to give Gasperini the quick, space-attacking wide forward the team has lacked since last summer. The idea, according to Leggo, is to repeat the Malen model: a loan with an option to buy for a quality player who is finding little space at his current club. Endrick of Real Madrid and Jamie Gittens of Chelsea are under observation. The two profiles are very different but share a search for greater continuity. The operations remain complex and no agreements have been finalised. A midfield move is also not ruled out, and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg of Marseille, already assessed in the summer, has been linked with Roma again. Roma go into the international break third on 27 points, two behind capolista Lazio and one behind Inter. When action resumes, the fixtures are against Parma and Monza, before a derby that could take on even greater significance. Gasperini continues to preach caution but does not hide his ambition.

Former Roma striker Roberto Pruzzo has said Mora has around half an hour of energy in him and struggles when the level rises, speaking on Radio Radio Mattino (104.5). Pruzzo said: "Roma go for walks against the smaller teams, like Sassuolo. They could find something more from the market and from the recovery of Dybala, who hasn't played for months. Mora still has about half an hour of energy, and against teams like Sassuolo he goes to town. Then, when the level rises, he struggles more. In these games, however, he manages to excel and is sought out by his team-mates. He can carve out an important role." Pruzzo also revised his view of MATías Hermoso, admitting he had misjudged him. He said: "On Hermoso I have changed my mind: he has rebounded spectacularly, I had got my assessment of him wrong." Pruzzo's remarks came as Roma's form and squad options were being debated across the capital's radio stations, which he described as a phenomenon unmatched elsewhere in Italy. Fellow Radio Radio Mattino pundit Nando Orsi was equally bullish about Roma's title prospects. He said: "At the start of the season I had no doubts about Roma's chances in the Scudetto fight. They are simply confirming the predictions I made a few months ago."

Roma are reportedly preparing to strengthen their attack in January, with sporting director Tony D'Amico working on two signings to support Donyell Malen in the title race. Gian Piero Gasperini is not satisfied with second place, and after eleven league matchdays Roma have the numbers and performances to think bigger than a place in the Champions League. According to Francesco Balzani writing in Leggo, Roma have scored 31 goals, conceded only 10 and collected 27 points. What stands out is the variety of Roma's attacking options. The team no longer relies solely on Malen's goals: defenders Mario Hermoso and Leonardo Balerdi have scored, as have midfielders Bryan Cristante and Niccolò Pisilli, while Matías Soulé and the increasingly impressive Rodrigo Mora have contributed from the attacking midfield roles. This has come despite an emergency in recent weeks that deprived Gasperini of key players. Meanwhile, the progress of the young players is providing new resources. Lulli, Ghilardi and above all Mora are showing they can be much more than simple alternatives, a depth that was lacking until a few weeks ago. The bigger upgrade could come in the January transfer window. D'Amico has already confirmed his intention to give Gasperini the quick, space-attacking wide forward the team has lacked since last summer. The idea, according to Leggo, is to repeat the Malen model: a loan with an option to buy for a quality player who is finding little space at his current club. Endrick of Real Madrid and Jamie Gittens of Chelsea are under observation. The two profiles are very different but share a search for greater continuity. The operations remain complex and no agreements have been finalised. A midfield move is also not ruled out, and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg of Marseille, already assessed in the summer, has been linked with Roma again. Roma go into the international break third on 27 points, two behind capolista Lazio and one behind Inter. When action resumes, the fixtures are against Parma and Monza, before a derby that could take on even greater significance. Gasperini continues to preach caution but does not hide his ambition.

Gian Piero Gasperini's side are refusing to settle for second place after another dominant performance, with the coach's words on Saturday night seen as the clearest signal yet. Roma have scored 31 goals and conceded 10, numbers that match the best in Europe, and the atmosphere around the club is united, with fans, the club, the coach and the squad all pulling in the same direction. Roma are no longer reliant on Malen, with goals coming from across the team: defenders such as Hermoso and Balerdi, midfielders such as Cristante and Pisilli, and now also attacking midfielders such as Mora and Soulé. Gasperini has managed the recent demanding run before the international break without Svilar, Dybala, Koné and Pellegrini, the team's most representative players. Francesco Balzani, writing in Leggo, expects the first three to be back at their best when Serie A resumes, a further positive sign alongside a fixture schedule that, before the derby, favours Roma against Parma and Monza. The emergence of young players such as Lulli, Ghilardi and Mora is also giving the squad more depth. Roma's position is strengthened by the fact that the club are looking for a wide attacking player, with sporting director D'Amico admitting it yesterday. The move is expected to follow the Malen pattern: a loan with an option to buy for a player who is getting little game time elsewhere and who could flourish under Gasperini at Roma. The chase is closing in on Endrick and Gittens, who are increasingly on the fringes at Real Madrid and Chelsea. A midfield arrival is also considered likely, with Hojbjerg, who is leaving Marseille, a name to watch.

Former Roma midfielder Edoardo Bove has praised Gian Piero Gasperini's side, saying the team "has great potential" and plays an almost suffocating, man-to-man style. Now at Watford, Bove said he had faced Gasperini in Italy and knew well the problems his football creates. Looking at his own future, he added: "Being in England makes me happy, it was a dream. But I don't hide that I have one eye on Italy." Francesco Totti has again spoken about a possible return to Roma and left the door open. "For me Roma is everything, but certain things are done in two, not alone," the former captain said, adding that he did not want to stir controversy. He also recognised the club's good form: "They are doing well, everything works and the team is very strong." Remembering Trigoria, he said: "It was my home. I arrived there at twelve and stayed for over thirty-five years." Roma face the final international break of 2026 with 13 players called up by their national teams. Soulé, Balerdi and Castro will join Argentina and Wesley will link up with Brazil. Italy have called up Pisilli and Ghilardi, while Mancini has been ruled out by a strain to his hip flexor. Malen will rejoin the Netherlands and Mora returns to the Portugal senior squad. Koulierakis, Lulli, Vásquez and De Marzi will also depart on international duty. Koné, by contrast, has been spared by France.

Gian Piero Gasperini will be without thirteen Roma players when training resumes at Trigoria on Wednesday, after the club's squad scattered across the world for the November international break. Gasperini has dismissed the fixtures as "friendlies or little more", and the break contains no European Championship, World Cup or qualifying matches. Still, the number of players called up is a source of pride for the club, as it means several of Roma's squad are representing the strongest national teams. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has recalled Matías Soulé, Leonardo Balerdi and Santiago Castro for friendlies against Uruguay and Costa Rica. It is the first cycle for Argentina, the 2022 World Cup runners-up, without Lionel Messi. Wesley will join the Brazil camp in Singapore today and face the hosts and Japan, according to Daniele Aloisi of Il Messaggero. Roberto Mancini will also rely on Gasperini's players for the Nations League matches against France and Belgium. Italy are hoping to bounce back quickly after another disappointment, and the younger players are expected to lead the recovery. Bryan Cristante has stayed at home for that reason, while Niccolò Pisilli and Daniele Ghilardi will report to Coverciano. Donyell Malen will embrace new Netherlands coach Xavi for the first time. Marten de Roon is also in the Netherlands squad. Rodrigo Mora has been rewarded with a return to the senior Portugal side after a year away, and was part of the Nations League-winning group last time out.

Roma are set to welcome back key players after the international break, with Mile Svilar and Paulo Dybala both close to returning from injury, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. The break arrives at a convenient moment for the club, which has come through a difficult run of closely spaced matches and numerous injuries. In 27 days Roma played nine games with a limited number of players available, but the injury list is finally emptying and Gian Piero Gasperini will regain fundamental pieces for the second half of the season. The Roman side has managed to cope thanks to the depth of the squad and the early return of Manu Koné against Sassuolo. Svilar's influence is shown clearly by the numbers: with him in goal, Roma had conceded just four goals in six matches, a very low average that inevitably changed during his absence. Dybala's return, meanwhile, will bring back the special quality seen in the first part of the season, even as Roma appreciate the growth of Matías Soulé. Gasperini can also count on Gianluca Mancini and Devyne Rensch, both ready to return to availability, ahead of the trip to Parma on 21 November. Lorenzo Pellegrini will not return until January. Despite that, the overall picture is very positive, with Roma recovering all their players and preparing to become even more competitive.

Gian Piero Gasperini will be without thirteen Roma players when training resumes at Trigoria on Wednesday, after the club's squad scattered across the world for the November international break. Gasperini has dismissed the fixtures as "friendlies or little more", and the break contains no European Championship, World Cup or qualifying matches. Still, the number of players called up is a source of pride for the club, as it means several of Roma's squad are representing the strongest national teams. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has recalled Matías Soulé, Leonardo Balerdi and Santiago Castro for friendlies against Uruguay and Costa Rica. It is the first cycle for Argentina, the 2022 World Cup runners-up, without Lionel Messi. Wesley will join the Brazil camp in Singapore today and face the hosts and Japan, according to Daniele Aloisi of Il Messaggero. Roberto Mancini will also rely on Gasperini's players for the Nations League matches against France and Belgium. Italy are hoping to bounce back quickly after another disappointment, and the younger players are expected to lead the recovery. Bryan Cristante has stayed at home for that reason, while Niccolò Pisilli and Daniele Ghilardi will report to Coverciano. Donyell Malen will embrace new Netherlands coach Xavi for the first time. Marten de Roon is also in the Netherlands squad. Rodrigo Mora has been rewarded with a return to the senior Portugal side after a year away, and was part of the Nations League-winning group last time out.

Roma are reportedly preparing to strengthen their attack in January, with sporting director Tony D'Amico working on two signings to support Donyell Malen in the title race. Gian Piero Gasperini is not satisfied with second place, and after eleven league matchdays Roma have the numbers and performances to think bigger than a place in the Champions League. According to Francesco Balzani writing in Leggo, Roma have scored 31 goals, conceded only 10 and collected 27 points. What stands out is the variety of Roma's attacking options. The team no longer relies solely on Malen's goals: defenders Mario Hermoso and Leonardo Balerdi have scored, as have midfielders Bryan Cristante and Niccolò Pisilli, while Matías Soulé and the increasingly impressive Rodrigo Mora have contributed from the attacking midfield roles. This has come despite an emergency in recent weeks that deprived Gasperini of key players. Meanwhile, the progress of the young players is providing new resources. Lulli, Ghilardi and above all Mora are showing they can be much more than simple alternatives, a depth that was lacking until a few weeks ago. The bigger upgrade could come in the January transfer window. D'Amico has already confirmed his intention to give Gasperini the quick, space-attacking wide forward the team has lacked since last summer. The idea, according to Leggo, is to repeat the Malen model: a loan with an option to buy for a quality player who is finding little space at his current club. Endrick of Real Madrid and Jamie Gittens of Chelsea are under observation. The two profiles are very different but share a search for greater continuity. The operations remain complex and no agreements have been finalised. A midfield move is also not ruled out, and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg of Marseille, already assessed in the summer, has been linked with Roma again. Roma go into the international break third on 27 points, two behind capolista Lazio and one behind Inter. When action resumes, the fixtures are against Parma and Monza, before a derby that could take on even greater significance. Gasperini continues to preach caution but does not hide his ambition.

Gian Piero Gasperini's side are refusing to settle for second place after another dominant performance, with the coach's words on Saturday night seen as the clearest signal yet. Roma have scored 31 goals and conceded 10, numbers that match the best in Europe, and the atmosphere around the club is united, with fans, the club, the coach and the squad all pulling in the same direction. Roma are no longer reliant on Malen, with goals coming from across the team: defenders such as Hermoso and Balerdi, midfielders such as Cristante and Pisilli, and now also attacking midfielders such as Mora and Soulé. Gasperini has managed the recent demanding run before the international break without Svilar, Dybala, Koné and Pellegrini, the team's most representative players. Francesco Balzani, writing in Leggo, expects the first three to be back at their best when Serie A resumes, a further positive sign alongside a fixture schedule that, before the derby, favours Roma against Parma and Monza. The emergence of young players such as Lulli, Ghilardi and Mora is also giving the squad more depth. Roma's position is strengthened by the fact that the club are looking for a wide attacking player, with sporting director D'Amico admitting it yesterday. The move is expected to follow the Malen pattern: a loan with an option to buy for a player who is getting little game time elsewhere and who could flourish under Gasperini at Roma. The chase is closing in on Endrick and Gittens, who are increasingly on the fringes at Real Madrid and Chelsea. A midfield arrival is also considered likely, with Hojbjerg, who is leaving Marseille, a name to watch.