Ghilardi says Roma's defensive record is a source of pride and hopes for more regular game time

Gian Piero Gasperini and Massimiliano Allegri shared a light-hearted exchange on Sky Sport after both sides won their Champions League matches, setting up Napoli against Roma. Roma beat Slovan Bratislava 4-0, while Napoli beat Bodø/Glimt 4-3. The fixture is at the Maradona on Saturday. The pair's on-air banter was a playful preview of the weekend's clash. Gasperini opened by telling Allegri, "Ciao Max, arrivo arrivo. Ci vediamo sabato" ("Hi Max, I'm coming, I'm coming. See you Saturday"). Allegri replied that both teams had won and were arriving in good spirits, adding: "Non avevate nemmeno bisogno, noi un po' di più di voi" ("You didn't even need to, we needed it a bit more than you"). Gasperini had the final word, laughing as he said: "Adesso basta però, non esageriamo" ("That's enough now, let's not overdo it"). The exchange was a lighthearted moment as both coaches looked ahead to Saturday's Serie A encounter at the Maradona, with Roma arriving on a strong European result.

Niccolò Pisilli has described his time as captain as a great honour, saying every minute he played wearing the armband was an honour, with many players absent and the responsibility falling to him. Pisilli is a Roma academy product who has been at the club since the youth ranks, and he is now leading the side. Asked what has changed for him and the team, Pisilli said: "We are growing a lot. Last year we had to absorb the concepts well. This year we start with one more year behind us and we know what is asked of us. I put myself at the disposal of the team and the coach. When there is defending to do I defend, and when there is attacking to do I attack." Florenzi put it to him that he carries on the tradition of Roman and Roma captains, and offered him his compliments. Pisilli replied: "Thank you very much."

Daniele Ghilardi spoke to reporters after Roma's 3-0 win...

Roma defender Daniele Ghilardi said his Champions League debut was a huge emotional moment and that the squad also wants to win against Napoli. Ghilardi said: "Tanta emozione per l'esordio in Champions. Vogliamo vincere anche col Napoli", which translates as: "A lot of emotion for the Champions League debut. We want to win against Napoli too." The comments follow Roma's 4-0 win over Slovan Bratislava, which the Italian coverage rated in player ratings that picked out Ghilardi and Hermoso, with Malen also singled out. Roma's Champions League campaign has begun with that result, and the club now turns its attention to Napoli. Elsewhere in the club's news, Gian Piero Gasperini said of team selection: "Chi gioca deve essere all'altezza della Roma. Spero di riavere presto Dybala, davanti siamo pochi", meaning those who play must be up to the standard of Roma, and he hopes to have Dybala back soon as the attack is thin. Lorenzo Pellegrini has a muscle injury, and Gasperini said: "Nulla di grave, ma rischia di stare out 20 giorni", meaning it is nothing serious but he could be out for 20 days. Niccolò Pisilli said wearing the Roma captain's armband is an honour and that he has grown a lot under Gasperini.

Daniele Ghilardi spoke to reporters after Roma's 3-0 win...

Roma defender Daniele Ghilardi has said the club's solid defensive record belongs to the whole team, not just the back line, as Roma prepare for their Champions League third-matchday fixture against Slovan Bratislava. Roma are the least-beaten defence in Europe's top league, and have conceded no goals in their two matches since the Real Madrid game. Ghilardi said: "Yes, it is a source of pride for all of us in the defensive unit, but also for the whole team, because the defensive phase is not made only by the defenders but by everyone. Not conceding a goal is a very important thing. We are happy that it is going this way and we want to continue." Asked about his experience under Gasperini, Ghilardi said: "There are many giants with me, both at Roma and in the national team. The call-up to the Azzurri was a source of pride, even though I was not able to play. I hope to return there as soon as possible." On playing man-to-man across the pitch, he said: "I really like playing this way, even against fast players like the ones I faced today. These are challenges I enjoy. I like playing man-to-man all over the pitch, it is a good duel. Honestly, I enjoy it a lot."

Roma recorded their first four-goal haul of the Champions League season, routing Slovan Bratislava, who never got into the game. Hermoso opened the scoring, before Molina, Pisilli and Malen, from the penalty spot, completed the rout. The player ratings praised the whole side for being in good form and entering the match with the right mindset. The defence was the standout area. Ghilardi started strongly and got forward often, leaving the Gollini's penalty area regularly, and he won a fortunate deflection to set up Hermoso. Ghilardi also had a goal disallowed for an active offside by Castro, which the ratings described as a pity given how well he had played. Balerdi was rated calm, elegant and attentive, covering large areas of the pitch. Hermoso, rated 7.5, was described as the most accurate passer in the first half with a 90% pass accuracy, and he went on to score the opener with a header from a free kick. Wesley was rated 7, with the ratings saying he left a trail of scorched grass down his flank and that Slovan players barely saw him. Pellegrini was rated 6.5 but had to ask to be substituted, and the ratings expressed hope the problem was nothing serious. Mora, rated 6, struck the advertising boards near the net and was unlucky when his effort was ruled out for offside, while the ratings noted he had been running hard from both flanks. Gollini, rated 6, had little to do beyond a couple of catches. The ratings for Gasperini's side included several verdicts on the individual performances. Pisilli, who scored wearing the captain's armband, said: "Un sogno" ("A dream"). Molina, rated 6.5, pounced on a poor rebound from Takac to make it 2-0 and was applauded for sprinting to win a late corner. Malen, rated 7.5, was involved in the build-up to Molina's goal and Pisilli's, and finished the rout from the spot. Soulé, who came on for Pellegrini in the 51st minute, was rated 6.5 for an immediate steal in the box that set up Malen. Castro, who replaced Malen in the 58th minute, was rated 6. Gasperini was quoted in the ratings on Mora, saying he "deve strutturarsi" ("needs to find his structure"). The ratings noted Gasperini had a short squad again and rotated it, asking his players to focus on every detail, and that the side needed to score as many goals as possible, which he addressed with his usual rotations. Koulierakis replaced Hermoso in the 77th minute, and Mancini came on for De Roon at the same time.

Roma beat Slovan Bratislava 4-0 at the Stadio Olimpico in the third matchday of the Champions League League Phase, scoring twice in each half. Giallorossi.net's player ratings single out Ghilardi, Wesley and Malen as the standout performers, with Gasperini receiving a 7 for his rotation of the squad. Slovan Bratislava barely troubled Gollini, who was rated sv (without a rating) after the Slovak side failed to register a shot on target all match. Hermoso opened the scoring with a header, positioned sharply on the far post. Ghilardi, rated 7.5 and among the best players on the pitch, was calm in defence and timely in his attacking runs. He provided the aerial assist for Hermoso's opener and later scored a fine goal in the closing stages, which was ruled out for offside. Balerdi (6.5) controlled the defence with class and had a quiet evening. Molina (7) provided constant width on the right, going close twice and scoring once. Pisilli (7) produced a performance of substance and quality, enhanced by a good goal. De Roon (6) did the unglamorous work that the team valued. Wesley (7.5) was described as an arrow that wounded the Slovak rearguard, running tirelessly, delivering several good crosses and winning a penalty. Rensch (6.5) came on for him in the 57th minute and was judged to have made a positive impact, limiting the loss of the Brazilian. Mora (6) was described as raw. Gasperini deployed him on the right for the entire match, even after Soulé came on, and he kept searching for a goal without finding it. He missed an open-goal chance, although it was fortunately offside. Pellegrini (6.5) enjoyed a good first half, always involved in the attacking play and providing valuable assists, but had to be replaced early in the second half after picking up a knock. Soulé (6), who came on at 51 minutes, could not make an impact. Malen (7.5) was rated among the best, with some good touches, a goal won, a penalty converted and an assist. Castro (6), on for Malen in the 57th minute, set up a chance for Mora with unselfish play but did not find the net. Gasperini was rated 7. The match was not especially demanding, but he deserved credit for continuing to rotate the squad without fear. The 4-0 scoreline flattered a Roma side that has regained winning form in the Champions League.

Roma beat Slovan Bratislava 4-0 in the Champions League, with Mario Hermoso heading the opener and Donyell Malen starring in attack. Ghilardi laid the ball off for Hermoso's header, and Ghilardi also had a goal disallowed late on for offside. Molina scored the 2-0 with a tap-in from a Malen shot, and Pisilli added the third after Soulé was involved in the build-up. Malen then set up Pisilli again, and Pisilli took his chance under the Curva Sud to close out a match that was effectively over early on. The game was a comfortable outing for a rotated Roma side, which gave Gasperini plenty of options in defence. Slovan Bratislava registered no shots on target in a first half where Roma dominated. Gollini had little to do, and Balerdi was solid, shutting out the opposition with the job of marking as his main priority. Hermoso's aggressive but clean tackling earned him praise, and the ratings noted he is one of the three or four players Gasperini would take on holiday. Molina rated 6.5 after a shaky start, and he tried a volley late on. Pellegrini earned 6.5, wearing the captain's armband in a Champions League night nearly three thousand days after his last. He operated on the left alongside Wesley, looking to supply Malen, and his performance was rated as serious, hardworking and full of sacrifice. Malen was rated 7.5. He was quiet for half an hour before removing his tie and producing a strong move in the box that his team-mates failed to exploit, after which he returned to his trademark form as "Super Bobby". Pisilli was rated 7 for his pressing and his second-half goals. De Roon earned 6, working on the yellow mark with an experienced approach, and Mancini was given a 6 after a midfield experiment. Substitutes included Soulé, who came on at 51' and was rated 6.5, Koulierakis at 77' rated 6, and Castro at 58' rated 6, who looked for a goal in Europe and tried on a couple of occasions. Mancini came on at 77' and was rated 6, with the question of whether the midfield experiment could continue in the future left open.