Malen leaves for Netherlands duty after Sassuolo win, sends message to Roma fans

Rodrigo Mora says everything has changed for him, after scoring three goals in a row for Roma and earning a growing level of trust from Gian Piero Gasperini. The Portugal midfielder admitted his start to the season had not gone smoothly, but he has now become someone Gasperini cannot do without. The coach never doubted him, always considering him a "superior" player, and the time he needed proved to be less than expected. His latest goal came against Sassuolo, his first at the Olimpico, and it was the fourth of his season in Serie A. That is one more than Nico Paz, who has three. His form has also moved him into second place in Roma's scoring charts, behind Donyell Malen on eight. Those who doubted he was ready for the biggest stages have had to think again, and he was applauded in the first half at Old Trafford. Mora credits hard work for his rise. "I am improving in everything, every day," he said. He has understood Gasperini's methods and thrown himself into the work, day after day, a commitment that has also earned him a call-up to the Portugal squad. "It is a good moment for me and my family." Portuguese fans will now get to enjoy his talent, just as the country prepares to say farewell to their idol Cristiano Ronaldo. Mora is not thinking about rewriting his country's history, however. He takes things one small step at a time, and Roma are enjoying those steps as Gasperini puts them in front of the whole world.

Mario Hermoso scored the opening goal in Roma's 3-0 win over Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico, a strike that came almost as if from a midfielder and underlines the freedom Gasperini gives the Spaniard within the Giallorossi system. Hermoso has become one of the symbols of Gasperini's Roma, operating as a centre-back, full-back, ball-playing presence and, when needed, an attacking threat. Gasperini has repeatedly described him as "the perfect example". According to Niccolò Maurelli of La Repubblica, the coach is pushing for Hermoso's contract to be renewed. The Spaniard's deal currently runs until 2027, and dialogue over an extension is reportedly already well advanced. Hermoso is now one of the players the coach regularly calls part of the "nucleo portante", the core of the squad, and is a reference point in the dressing room for his attitude, availability and performances. Hermoso's importance is also reflected in his numbers. Across Serie A and the Champions League, he has missed only the match against Cagliari and has scored three goals, against Atalanta, Slovan Bratislava and Sassuolo. Gasperini had wanted to keep him at Trigoria a year ago, and Roma are now working to secure him for even longer. Hermoso is 31.

Gianluca Mancini will miss Italy's international fixtures after suffering a fresh pain in his right hamstring that forced him out of Roma's clash with Sassuolo. The defender will stay at Trigoria during the two-week break to continue his recovery, with the aim of returning for the league match against Parma. Thirteen Roma first-team players have been called up by their national teams. With Mancini out, only Ghilardi and Pisilli will travel to Italy's senior squad, while young Lulli is set to feature for Baldini's Italy Under-21 side. Mancini had already reported a muscle problem in the days before the Sassuolo game. Gasperini will use the break to recharge and take stock of the injury list. He has welcomed back Koné for the Sassuolo match and is optimistic about players returning for the resumption of competitions. The international picture is wide-ranging. Vásquez returns to the Colombia squad for the first time in three years, a welcome note after a special week that saw the goalkeeper make his Champions League and Serie A debuts for Roma. Young De Marzi has been called up by the USA Under-20s. Balerdi, Castro and Soulé will answer Argentina coach Scaloni's call. Wesley joins Brazil under Ancelotti, while Malen will play under Xavi for the Netherlands for the first time. N'Dicka (Ivory Coast) and Koulierakis (Greece) have also been named. Nineteen-year-old Rodrigo Mora is ready to make his senior debut for Portugal. On the injury front, Dybala's condition is improving markedly, and the break offers him the ideal chance to regain his best form. Mile Svilar is set to return between the posts in Parma, having put his right foot fracture firmly behind him.

Rodrigo Mora says everything has changed for him, after scoring three goals in a row for Roma and earning a growing level of trust from Gian Piero Gasperini. The Portugal midfielder admitted his start to the season had not gone smoothly, but he has now become someone Gasperini cannot do without. The coach never doubted him, always considering him a "superior" player, and the time he needed proved to be less than expected. His latest goal came against Sassuolo, his first at the Olimpico, and it was the fourth of his season in Serie A. That is one more than Nico Paz, who has three. His form has also moved him into second place in Roma's scoring charts, behind Donyell Malen on eight. Those who doubted he was ready for the biggest stages have had to think again, and he was applauded in the first half at Old Trafford. Mora credits hard work for his rise. "I am improving in everything, every day," he said. He has understood Gasperini's methods and thrown himself into the work, day after day, a commitment that has also earned him a call-up to the Portugal squad. "It is a good moment for me and my family." Portuguese fans will now get to enjoy his talent, just as the country prepares to say farewell to their idol Cristiano Ronaldo. Mora is not thinking about rewriting his country's history, however. He takes things one small step at a time, and Roma are enjoying those steps as Gasperini puts them in front of the whole world.

Roma bounced back from their heavy defeat at Old Trafford with a convincing 3-0 win over Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico, and Mario Hermoso was named the best player on the pitch in the newspaper ratings. His goal broke the deadlock at the Olimpico, a striker's finish that set the tone for the afternoon. Mora was also impressive. He scored his third consecutive Serie A goal, and the Italian press described him as an important piece in Gasperini's plans. The win was Roma's fourth goal in giallorossi colours for the midfielder. Balerdi also drew praise after recovering from his error in Manchester, with a performance the papers described as showing great personality. The ratings across the papers varied. Vásquez received a 6 in every report. Hermoso was rated between 7 and 8, Mora between 7 and 7.5, and Soulé between 6.5 and 7.5. Balerdi ranged from 6 to 7 and Ndicka from 6.5 to 7. Koné earned between 6 and 7, Cristante between 6.5 and 7, and Malen between 6 and 7. Molina and Wesley were rated 6 to 6.5. Gasperini's performance was scored between 6.5 and 7.5. Substitutes were Koulierakis, who replaced Hermoso in the 77th minute, Castro, who replaced Malen at the same time, De Roon, who came on for Koné in the 66th minute, Pisilli, who replaced Mora in the same change, and Ghilardi, who replaced Balerdi in the 85th minute. Roma lined up in a 3-4-2-1 formation.

Gianluca Mancini will miss Italy's international fixtures after suffering a fresh pain in his right hamstring that forced him out of Roma's clash with Sassuolo. The defender will stay at Trigoria during the two-week break to continue his recovery, with the aim of returning for the league match against Parma. Thirteen Roma first-team players have been called up by their national teams. With Mancini out, only Ghilardi and Pisilli will travel to Italy's senior squad, while young Lulli is set to feature for Baldini's Italy Under-21 side. Mancini had already reported a muscle problem in the days before the Sassuolo game. Gasperini will use the break to recharge and take stock of the injury list. He has welcomed back Koné for the Sassuolo match and is optimistic about players returning for the resumption of competitions. The international picture is wide-ranging. Vásquez returns to the Colombia squad for the first time in three years, a welcome note after a special week that saw the goalkeeper make his Champions League and Serie A debuts for Roma. Young De Marzi has been called up by the USA Under-20s. Balerdi, Castro and Soulé will answer Argentina coach Scaloni's call. Wesley joins Brazil under Ancelotti, while Malen will play under Xavi for the Netherlands for the first time. N'Dicka (Ivory Coast) and Koulierakis (Greece) have also been named. Nineteen-year-old Rodrigo Mora is ready to make his senior debut for Portugal. On the injury front, Dybala's condition is improving markedly, and the break offers him the ideal chance to regain his best form. Mile Svilar is set to return between the posts in Parma, having put his right foot fracture firmly behind him.

Rodrigo Mora says everything has changed for him, after scoring three goals in a row for Roma and earning a growing level of trust from Gian Piero Gasperini. The Portugal midfielder admitted his start to the season had not gone smoothly, but he has now become someone Gasperini cannot do without. The coach never doubted him, always considering him a "superior" player, and the time he needed proved to be less than expected. His latest goal came against Sassuolo, his first at the Olimpico, and it was the fourth of his season in Serie A. That is one more than Nico Paz, who has three. His form has also moved him into second place in Roma's scoring charts, behind Donyell Malen on eight. Those who doubted he was ready for the biggest stages have had to think again, and he was applauded in the first half at Old Trafford. Mora credits hard work for his rise. "I am improving in everything, every day," he said. He has understood Gasperini's methods and thrown himself into the work, day after day, a commitment that has also earned him a call-up to the Portugal squad. "It is a good moment for me and my family." Portuguese fans will now get to enjoy his talent, just as the country prepares to say farewell to their idol Cristiano Ronaldo. Mora is not thinking about rewriting his country's history, however. He takes things one small step at a time, and Roma are enjoying those steps as Gasperini puts them in front of the whole world.

Roma bounced back from their heavy defeat at Old Trafford with a convincing 3-0 win over Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico, and Mario Hermoso was named the best player on the pitch in the newspaper ratings. His goal broke the deadlock at the Olimpico, a striker's finish that set the tone for the afternoon. Mora was also impressive. He scored his third consecutive Serie A goal, and the Italian press described him as an important piece in Gasperini's plans. The win was Roma's fourth goal in giallorossi colours for the midfielder. Balerdi also drew praise after recovering from his error in Manchester, with a performance the papers described as showing great personality. The ratings across the papers varied. Vásquez received a 6 in every report. Hermoso was rated between 7 and 8, Mora between 7 and 7.5, and Soulé between 6.5 and 7.5. Balerdi ranged from 6 to 7 and Ndicka from 6.5 to 7. Koné earned between 6 and 7, Cristante between 6.5 and 7, and Malen between 6 and 7. Molina and Wesley were rated 6 to 6.5. Gasperini's performance was scored between 6.5 and 7.5. Substitutes were Koulierakis, who replaced Hermoso in the 77th minute, Castro, who replaced Malen at the same time, De Roon, who came on for Koné in the 66th minute, Pisilli, who replaced Mora in the same change, and Ghilardi, who replaced Balerdi in the 85th minute. Roma lined up in a 3-4-2-1 formation.

Gianluca Mancini will miss Italy's international fixtures after suffering a fresh pain in his right hamstring that forced him out of Roma's clash with Sassuolo. The defender will stay at Trigoria during the two-week break to continue his recovery, with the aim of returning for the league match against Parma. Thirteen Roma first-team players have been called up by their national teams. With Mancini out, only Ghilardi and Pisilli will travel to Italy's senior squad, while young Lulli is set to feature for Baldini's Italy Under-21 side. Mancini had already reported a muscle problem in the days before the Sassuolo game. Gasperini will use the break to recharge and take stock of the injury list. He has welcomed back Koné for the Sassuolo match and is optimistic about players returning for the resumption of competitions. The international picture is wide-ranging. Vásquez returns to the Colombia squad for the first time in three years, a welcome note after a special week that saw the goalkeeper make his Champions League and Serie A debuts for Roma. Young De Marzi has been called up by the USA Under-20s. Balerdi, Castro and Soulé will answer Argentina coach Scaloni's call. Wesley joins Brazil under Ancelotti, while Malen will play under Xavi for the Netherlands for the first time. N'Dicka (Ivory Coast) and Koulierakis (Greece) have also been named. Nineteen-year-old Rodrigo Mora is ready to make his senior debut for Portugal. On the injury front, Dybala's condition is improving markedly, and the break offers him the ideal chance to regain his best form. Mile Svilar is set to return between the posts in Parma, having put his right foot fracture firmly behind him.