Lulli set for start and contract extension to 2031 ahead of Napoli clash

Roma are expected to stick with their 3-4-2-1 formation for tonight's trip to the Maradona to face Napoli, kicking off at 18:00. Gian Piero Gasperini is likely to rely on players who featured in recent matches. Gollini is set to start in goal, with Mancini, Ndicka and Hermoso forming the back three. Emanuele Lulli is increasingly likely to be confirmed on the right flank, with Wesley on the opposite side. In midfield, the most probable pairing is De Roon and Pisilli. Further forward, Gasperini appears inclined to use Cristante in an advanced role alongside Soulé, leaving Donyell Malen to lead the line. Rodrigo Mora is the most important option among the substitutes. The indications all point to a starting eleven built above all to provide balance and physicality in midfield, as Roma look to contain a Napoli side at home. The probable Roma line-up (3-4-2-1) is: Gollini; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Lulli, De Roon, Pisilli, Wesley; Cristante, Soulé; Malen. Rodrigo Mora is expected to provide the main alternative from the bench, should Gasperini need an change during the match.

Manu Koné is getting closer to a return to action for Roma, with his recovery progressing well ahead of the club's trip to Napoli. The midfielder has been sidelined since the Champions League match against Real Madrid on 14 October, when he suffered a muscle injury. He was found to have a first-degree tear of the right hamstring. Roma are short on numbers for the difficult trip to the Maradona, and Gian Piero Gasperini's side are also dealing with a squad reduced to the bare minimum. In the infirmary, there is also encouraging news about Paulo Dybala, who is pushing to speed up his own timetable and is aiming to return already on Tuesday against Cagliari. Koné is expected to be available again between the Champions League match against Manchester United on 3 November and the Serie A fixture against Sassuolo the following weekend. That timeline points to his return coming at the start of November, when Roma face a demanding run of fixtures. Il Messaggero reports in today's edition that Koné is increasingly close to a comeback, and the French midfielder's return is now a step away. Roma will be hoping that the 3 November Champions League tie against Manchester United and the Sassuolo game give Gasperini a fully fit midfielder to call on once again.

Radio pundits on Radio Radio have weighed in on Roma's selection dilemmas ahead of their upcoming fixture against Napoli, with former player Pruzzo and commentator Carina among those offering views. Orsi said Napoli are a strong side despite appearing to struggle, and that Roma must take advantage while staying fully focused. He said he would not give up on Lulli and De Roon, and that De Roon should have a fixed place because he best interprets his role. If Cristante does not play today, he will play on Wednesday, because De Roon cannot play seven matches in a row. Orsi added that Cristante playing in attack raises some doubts about his mobility, though there are no problems with his tactical intelligence. Pruzzo said: "Lulli deserves the renewal. Mora is not ready: he should show important signs, given what was paid for him. However, the season deserves a lot of attention." Carina described a battle for a place between Cristante and Mora. He noted that Gasperini has kept Trigoria closed off and has not spoken publicly, which he attributed to the coach having already talked a lot, adding that Gasperini prefers to speak when the team loses rather than when it wins. Carina said Lulli is preferred to Molina on the flank and that Lulli will be tied down until 2031, having still been under a youth contract. He said: "I expect Castro close to Malen, and perhaps the 3-5-2, because you can't play with two strikers? However, it's my opinion." Sabatini said Napoli have withdrawn from the race for the top places, with their aim now a top-four finish, and that they face a side with more unavailable players than usual for the first time. He said that if Napoli were to lose, the situation would be very tense. For Roma, he added, a non-win would still be interesting given the emergency. He said there is more pressure on Napoli. Amterà said he was surprised that Gasperini did not hold his press conference, adding: "I don't know if there is a reason. But he is someone who has always spoken before the big matches."

Roma travel to Naples to face Napoli at the Maradona in a big-match clash, and coach Gian Piero Gasperini must still do without Mile Svilar, Manu Koné, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Paulo Dybala. Cristante and Donyell Malen are back, with Cristante pushing for a starting place in the three-quarter role, where he is locked in a battle with Rodrigo Mora. Malen is described as an undisputed fixture in the Giallorossi attack. Evan N'Dicka returns to the back line, and Emanuele Lulli is expected at right-back. The Italian newspapers largely agree on the shape Gasperini is likely to use. Corriere dello Sport and La Repubblica both predict a 3-4-2-1 with Soulé and Mora behind Malen, while Gazzetta dello Sport, Il Messaggero, Il Tempo and Corriere della Sera go with a 3-4-1-2 featuring Cristante in the hole. Tuttosport also backs a 3-4-2-1 but keeps Pisilli in midfield alongside de Roon. Across the predictions, Francesco Gollini is in goal, with Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso alongside N'Dicka in a back three, and Wesley and Lulli providing width. The four players ruled out are a significant absence for a side looking to secure a result in a fixture of this profile. Gasperini's selection options are shaped by the return of Cristante, Malen and N'Dicka, and by the continuing fight between Cristante and Mora for a central attacking berth.

Roma travel to face Napoli at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in an 8th-round Serie A fixture. Gian Piero Gasperini will be without Dybala, Koné, Pellegrini and Svilar. Bryan Cristante, however, is back from injury and is competing for a starting place, with Mora the alternative in the attacking midfield role behind the forwards. The predicted line-ups in the Italian press differ mainly in midfield. La Gazzetta dello Sport, Il Messaggero and Il Tempo all field a 3-4-1-2 with Gollini in goal; Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso in defence; Lulli, De Roon, Pisilli and Wesley in midfield; Cristante in the No.10 role; and Soulé and Malen up front. Il Romanista names Molina in place of Lulli at left wing-back, while the same shape keeps Cristante in the No.10 position. RomaNews.eu, also in a 3-4-1-2, picks Mora as the attacking midfielder instead of Cristante. Corriere dello Sport goes with a 3-4-2-1, with Cristante alongside Pisilli in midfield and Soulé and Mora behind Malen. The choice of Cristante or Mora in that advanced role is the main point of debate ahead of the match. The fixture is the 8th round of Serie A.

Roma travel to the Stadio Maradona for the 18:00 early kick-off against Napoli, coached by Massimiliano Allegri, in a match Gian Piero Gasperini's side need to win to prove they can compete with the league's big teams this season. Roma have yet to beat a top club in the 2026-27 campaign. Roma arrive with a heavy injury list that rules out key players Mile Svilar, Manu Koné, Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini. Even so, Gasperini's side carry a strong tactical identity and an intensity built entirely by the coach. Napoli are still working their way back to full fitness but are boosted by the return of Scott McTominay, and Allegri has plenty of quality alternatives he can rotate with his usual pragmatism. The tradition is not on Roma's side: they have not won at Napoli for eight years, since the days of Di Francesco. They also still carry the regret of last February's meeting, when Donyell Malen's brace was not enough to secure the three points. Malen will lead the attack alongside Matías Soulé, as Roma look to change their recent record against Napoli and show they can compete in direct clashes. The match is the early fixture of the day, with kick-off at 18:00 at the Maradona. Il Tempo notes that Gasperini's squad has been shaped entirely by his own tactical work, and a win on Napoli's ground would give Roma a significant statement result in the early part of the season.

Roma travel to Naples to face Napoli at the Maradona in a big-match clash, and coach Gian Piero Gasperini must still do without Mile Svilar, Manu Koné, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Paulo Dybala. Cristante and Donyell Malen are back, with Cristante pushing for a starting place in the three-quarter role, where he is locked in a battle with Rodrigo Mora. Malen is described as an undisputed fixture in the Giallorossi attack. Evan N'Dicka returns to the back line, and Emanuele Lulli is expected at right-back. The Italian newspapers largely agree on the shape Gasperini is likely to use. Corriere dello Sport and La Repubblica both predict a 3-4-2-1 with Soulé and Mora behind Malen, while Gazzetta dello Sport, Il Messaggero, Il Tempo and Corriere della Sera go with a 3-4-1-2 featuring Cristante in the hole. Tuttosport also backs a 3-4-2-1 but keeps Pisilli in midfield alongside de Roon. Across the predictions, Francesco Gollini is in goal, with Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso alongside N'Dicka in a back three, and Wesley and Lulli providing width. The four players ruled out are a significant absence for a side looking to secure a result in a fixture of this profile. Gasperini's selection options are shaped by the return of Cristante, Malen and N'Dicka, and by the continuing fight between Cristante and Mora for a central attacking berth.

Roma travel to face Napoli at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in an 8th-round Serie A fixture. Gian Piero Gasperini will be without Dybala, Koné, Pellegrini and Svilar. Bryan Cristante, however, is back from injury and is competing for a starting place, with Mora the alternative in the attacking midfield role behind the forwards. The predicted line-ups in the Italian press differ mainly in midfield. La Gazzetta dello Sport, Il Messaggero and Il Tempo all field a 3-4-1-2 with Gollini in goal; Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso in defence; Lulli, De Roon, Pisilli and Wesley in midfield; Cristante in the No.10 role; and Soulé and Malen up front. Il Romanista names Molina in place of Lulli at left wing-back, while the same shape keeps Cristante in the No.10 position. RomaNews.eu, also in a 3-4-1-2, picks Mora as the attacking midfielder instead of Cristante. Corriere dello Sport goes with a 3-4-2-1, with Cristante alongside Pisilli in midfield and Soulé and Mora behind Malen. The choice of Cristante or Mora in that advanced role is the main point of debate ahead of the match. The fixture is the 8th round of Serie A.

Roma travel to the Stadio Maradona for the 18:00 early kick-off against Napoli, coached by Massimiliano Allegri, in a match Gian Piero Gasperini's side need to win to prove they can compete with the league's big teams this season. Roma have yet to beat a top club in the 2026-27 campaign. Roma arrive with a heavy injury list that rules out key players Mile Svilar, Manu Koné, Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini. Even so, Gasperini's side carry a strong tactical identity and an intensity built entirely by the coach. Napoli are still working their way back to full fitness but are boosted by the return of Scott McTominay, and Allegri has plenty of quality alternatives he can rotate with his usual pragmatism. The tradition is not on Roma's side: they have not won at Napoli for eight years, since the days of Di Francesco. They also still carry the regret of last February's meeting, when Donyell Malen's brace was not enough to secure the three points. Malen will lead the attack alongside Matías Soulé, as Roma look to change their recent record against Napoli and show they can compete in direct clashes. The match is the early fixture of the day, with kick-off at 18:00 at the Maradona. Il Tempo notes that Gasperini's squad has been shaped entirely by his own tactical work, and a win on Napoli's ground would give Roma a significant statement result in the early part of the season.

Manu Koné is getting closer to a return to action for Roma, with his recovery progressing well ahead of the club's trip to Napoli. The midfielder has been sidelined since the Champions League match against Real Madrid on 14 October, when he suffered a muscle injury. He was found to have a first-degree tear of the right hamstring. Roma are short on numbers for the difficult trip to the Maradona, and Gian Piero Gasperini's side are also dealing with a squad reduced to the bare minimum. In the infirmary, there is also encouraging news about Paulo Dybala, who is pushing to speed up his own timetable and is aiming to return already on Tuesday against Cagliari. Koné is expected to be available again between the Champions League match against Manchester United on 3 November and the Serie A fixture against Sassuolo the following weekend. That timeline points to his return coming at the start of November, when Roma face a demanding run of fixtures. Il Messaggero reports in today's edition that Koné is increasingly close to a comeback, and the French midfielder's return is now a step away. Roma will be hoping that the 3 November Champions League tie against Manchester United and the Sassuolo game give Gasperini a fully fit midfielder to call on once again.

Roma will rely on Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora to supply creativity in the attacking third for the big match at the Maradona against Napoli, with Paulo Dybala still sidelined. Soulé has already scored two goals and provided an assist so far this season. Mora, a 19-year-old Portuguese midfielder who arrived for a significant investment, has shown flashes of quality interspersed with some quieter spells, and this fixture represents his first real test of maturity. Their main job will be to play in Donyell Malen, who returns from suspension and remains, in the words of the report, the true talisman of Gasperini's Roma. The Dutch forward goes back to the stadium where, a year ago, he scored a memorable double. Gasperini hopes to have Bryan Cristante available from the start. If he is fit, Cristante could partner Marten de Roon in midfield, allowing Niccolò Pisilli to push forward into the attacking third alongside Soulé. At the back, the starting trio of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso is set to reform. On the flanks, Wesley is confirmed at left-back, while Emanuele Lulli is the favourite to start ahead of Nahuel Molina on the right. The absence of Dybala and the return of Malen give Gasperini a clear shape to work with, but the match will also show how far Soulé and Mora can carry the attacking load on the road to one of the toughest venues in Serie A.

Roma travel to Naples to face Napoli at the Maradona in a big-match clash, and coach Gian Piero Gasperini must still do without Mile Svilar, Manu Koné, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Paulo Dybala. Cristante and Donyell Malen are back, with Cristante pushing for a starting place in the three-quarter role, where he is locked in a battle with Rodrigo Mora. Malen is described as an undisputed fixture in the Giallorossi attack. Evan N'Dicka returns to the back line, and Emanuele Lulli is expected at right-back. The Italian newspapers largely agree on the shape Gasperini is likely to use. Corriere dello Sport and La Repubblica both predict a 3-4-2-1 with Soulé and Mora behind Malen, while Gazzetta dello Sport, Il Messaggero, Il Tempo and Corriere della Sera go with a 3-4-1-2 featuring Cristante in the hole. Tuttosport also backs a 3-4-2-1 but keeps Pisilli in midfield alongside de Roon. Across the predictions, Francesco Gollini is in goal, with Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso alongside N'Dicka in a back three, and Wesley and Lulli providing width. The four players ruled out are a significant absence for a side looking to secure a result in a fixture of this profile. Gasperini's selection options are shaped by the return of Cristante, Malen and N'Dicka, and by the continuing fight between Cristante and Mora for a central attacking berth.