Heavy legs and heavy defeats: August results are routine under Gasperini

Radio pundits Fabrizio Aspri and Andrea Pugliese have praised Gian Piero Gasperini's handling of Mora, with Aspri calling the coach very intelligent for the way he has used the player. Aspri said: "The situation with Mora tells us that Gasperini is very intelligent. Mora was not a useful player for the coach. The player is moving very well, that goal is a number 10's goal. Not everyone makes that diagonal run, and it is important players who score those goals. Gasperini is wise and has re-evaluated the player. Well done Gasperini first and foremost, and a little further on, well done Mora." Aspri said Roma have found the right way to make their chances count, though there is always room for improvement. He added: "Roma are the team with the best football." He praised the defensive unit, which he said gives the side more and more security. Turning to Donyell Malen, Aspri said the forward is useful and valuable but is sometimes seen struggling. He said: "I don't rate him as a normal player, he has something extra. I would like him more as a centre-forward, occupying the box more often. He drops too deep to link play too often." He added: "Roma must change, they must not fail in the big head-to-head games." Pugliese was more critical of Mora's role. He said: "Mora is an attacking midfielder, he doesn't have the pace to play on the flank. In January D'Amico will find a winger with legs. Mora was not used to defending at Porto. Last year he had different numbers." On Malen, Pugliese said the forward did not expect the assist from Matías Soulé when he missed a chance. Looking ahead, he said Bologna are a side in form and that the giallorossi must arrive there with six points. He noted that Roma have drawn with Inter, Como and Napoli this season, adding: "If you want to make the real leap you have to win the head-to-head games."

Mario Hermoso is enjoying an outstanding start to the season with Roma, yet Spain coach Luis de la Fuente continues to leave him out of the national team. Hermoso scored in Roma's latest win over Sassuolo, his third goal of the season so far, and has been one of the stand-out performers in the squad under Gian Piero Gasperini. The article argues that age is not the reason. Laporte, who is 32, remains in the Spain squad despite a difficult start to his season. Hermoso's exclusion dates back to 2023, when De la Fuente took charge of Spain and left him out of the squad, despite a strong season with Atletico Madrid. Hermoso was surprised by the decision on several occasions, and a second omission followed a few months later. He then understood that he was not part of the coach's plans. De la Fuente has repeatedly said: "Gioca chi merita", meaning that the player who deserves to play is the one who plays, and that performance counts, not age. The article points to two main factors. The first is the system: Spain play with a back four, and Hermoso may not be the ideal profile for it. The second is continuity. De la Fuente has kept the 'Mondiale' defensive group together, with the exception of Jacobo Ramon of Como, a young talent whose call-up looks to the future. Hermoso remains out. The article also highlights a difference in playing styles. Hermoso is a technical defender who is good at building play, reading the game, breaking lines and contributing in the opposition half. Gasperini is making the most of these qualities at Roma. De la Fuente, however, looks for fast, aggressive centre-backs who can defend in open space and win one-on-one duels, and who can cover a lot of ground behind a high defensive line. Hermoso's qualities are a plus for Gasperini but may not be a priority for De la Fuente. For Roma, the impact is clear. Gasperini trusts Hermoso completely and only rests him when forced to. He is one of the leaders in the dressing room and a fixture in every area of the pitch. Roma lost their balance after his absences against Manchester United and Real Madrid. The article also says that talks over a contract renewal are continuing, that there are no doubts at Trigoria about wanting to continue together, and that the signing could come soon. A call-up from Spain would be the icing on the cake, but for now Hermoso has already found his own 'national team' in Rome.

Roma have moved up to 27 points after 11 matchdays following a 3-0 win over Sassuolo, with eight victories and three draws and no defeats. Gian Piero Gasperini's side have not started a Serie A season this well since 2016. The only better start in the period cited came in 2013/14, when Garcia's team reached 31 points thanks to a run of ten consecutive wins at the start of the campaign. Donyell Malen was involved against Sassuolo, providing the assist for Rodrigo Mora despite failing to score. Former striker Luca Toni praised the Dutchman but was keen to make a comparison of his own. Toni said: "Malen sta facendo un exploit, fin da subito ha dimostrato personalità. Ma io ero più bomber di lui: una volta la Serie A era un'altra cosa." In English: "Malen is having an exploit, from the very start he has shown personality. But I was more of a goalscorer than him: Serie A used to be a different thing." Toni also said he does not believe strikers necessarily score more under certain coaches. Marco Di Bello refereed the Roma-Sassuolo match and was given an average rating of 5.75. He was right not to award a penalty for a suspected handball by Van der Brempt, and he also allowed Mora's goal for 3-0 to stand. His handling of the game was judged too fragmented, and a few clear fouls went unpunished, including a holding offence by Caleta-Car on Malen. The scuffle between Hermoso and Esposito was considered risky but drew no disciplinary action. In the player ratings from the main newspapers, Mario Hermoso was Roma's best performer with an average of 7.4. Rodrigo Mora followed on 7.1 and Bryan Cristante on 7.0, while Soulé finished on 6.9 and Balerdi and N'Dicka on 6.7. Vásquez (6.0) and Wesley (6.2) received the lowest marks among the starters. Gasperini himself was rated 7.2. Gasperini said: "Non firmerei per il secondo posto. Anche la Lazio in lotta per lo scudetto." In English: "I would not sign up for second place. Lazio are also in the title race." Mora said: "Sono sulla strada giusta. La Roma è forte, si vede anche in allenamento." In English: "I am on the right path. Roma are strong, you can see it in training too."