Lulli targets improvement as Roma prepare for Atalanta

Gian Piero Gasperini will not hold his usual press conference on the eve of Roma's Serie A trip to Napoli, the Giallorossi boss has confirmed through the club's routine. The match, the eighth round of Serie A, takes place at the Maradona on Saturday 24 October at 18:00. Gasperini took part in the press conferences ahead of the Genoa and Slovan Bratislava fixtures, but he will not attend the pre-match briefing for this league game. As he did last season, the Roma coach is skipping the conference because his side played in Europe during the week. Napoli's head coach Allegri, by contrast, will speak to the media as normal tomorrow at 12:30.

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will not attend the traditional pre-match press conference ahead of the big match against Napoli, which is scheduled for Saturday 24 October at 18:00 at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. According to Angelo Mangiante, speaking on Radio Mana Mana Sport, Gasperini will not take part in the press conference tomorrow, 23 October, where he would normally present the fixture against Napoli. The giallorossi are preparing for the high-profile encounter in Naples. Mangiante's report was broadcast on Radio Mana Mana Sport, and the news comes in the build-up to a Saturday evening fixture that will be played at the Maradona.

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has been named the winner of the 5th edition of the "Un cuore da leone" award, set up by Stelle nello Sport to honour the memory of sports journalist Gian Luigi Corti. Gasperini beat other prominent figures in Italian sport, including Arianna Fontana, Gregorio Paltrinieri, Ambra Sabatini and Nicolò Martinenghi. The award goes each year to a figure who refuses to give in to difficulties and who sees in every uphill climb a new chance to win. It is the latest recognition for Gasperini, who was appointed Roma head coach in 2025. Michele Corti, president of Stelle nello Sport, praised the coach: "Gian Piero Gasperini is not only a coach: he is the architect of a football dream that has become reality." The award will be presented on Sunday 8 November in Genoa, during Stelle nello Sport's traditional Charity Event in support of the Fondazione Gigi Ghirotti, at the Porto Antico.

Former Roma midfielder Angelo Di Livio, speaking to Retesport, said he likes the idea of playing Wesley further forward against Napoli, with Molina dropping deeper on the same flank. Di Livio believes Gasperini will be missing two important players, including Dybala, and he questioned Lorenzo Pellegrini's latest injury, asking what fault the player had for having to stop again. Di Livio said Cristante is not well and does not think he can start. He expects Gasperini to have prepared alternative plans in midfield to cover the absences. The attacking absences of Pellegrini and Dybala in the final third are what make the idea of Wesley further up the pitch appealing to him. Di Livio expects Evan Lulli...

Roma's injury crisis deepened as Lorenzo Pellegrini was lost against Slovan Bratislava, adding to a growing list of absentees ahead of the trip to Napoli. Gasperini is working through his options for the Maradona fixture, with Malen and Soulé almost certain to start, but the final place in the attacking midfield remains open. The Pellegrini injury is already the seventh muscular injury of the season, on top of a bone-related problem suffered by Svilar. Dybala and Koné are also on the treatment list. Rodrigo Mora has not convinced, particularly in terms of attitude, in the recent games against Genoa and Slovan Bratislava, which has opened the door for Bryan Cristante, who has just returned from a knee problem. Cristante has not played since 19 September against Inter, just over a month ago, and his availability will be decisive. If he is not fit to start, Mora would almost certainly be given the nod from the first minute, as the pairing of Castro and Malen is not part of Gasperini's plans for a game of this importance. Gasperini has emergency alternatives. He could push Mancini or Hermoso into midfield, or use Wesley as an attacking winger, a solution already seen during a match last season, with Lulli and Molina then occupying the flanks. Napoli, who appear to have found a new balance in recent outings with De Bruyne dropping into the holding role, are just two days away from the clash at the Maradona, and Gasperini still has plenty of selection questions to resolve.

Lorenzo Pellegrini has joined Roma's growing injury list after coming off against Slovan Bratislava. Initial checks suggest around a month on the sidelines, with an MRI scan due today to confirm the exact timescale. Pellegrini will not return until after the November international break. He follows Svilar, Koné and Dybala on the treatment table. Meanwhile, Malen continues his impressive form. He has 9 goals in 9 matches this season and 24 goals in 29 appearances since joining Roma. He scored again against Slovan Bratislava on Tuesday, confirming his status as Gasperini's main attacking reference. In Serie A, however, he has not scored since 14 September, a drought of 38 days. He will look to end it against Napoli. It has also been a good week for two graduates of the Roma academy. Emanuele Lulli scored his first Serie A goal on Saturday, while Niccolò Pisilli found the net on Tuesday in the Champions League while wearing the captain's armband. Both players are noted for their intensity. Lulli has impressed with his running and determination, while Pisilli continues to stand out for the distance he covers on the pitch.