Malen set for defining duel with Skriniar in Champions League return

Roma scouts were among those watching Porto against PSV Eindhoven at the Estádio do Dragão in the Champions League, as the club keeps working ahead of the January transfer window to strengthen Gian Piero Gasperini's squad. Sporting director D'Amico is looking for talent to complete the attack and the wide areas, where a left-sided midfield winger is still missing. Scouts from Everton, Manchester United, Brentford and Nottingham Forest were also present, according to English outlet Sport Witness. Many talents featured for PSV as well as for Porto, who are coached by Farioli. Among the possible targets Roma are monitoring is Sven Mijnans, an attacking midfielder born in 2000 who had already been followed in the summer. Also on the list is Bajraktarević, a Bosnian left-sided winger born in 2005. Roma will keep working on these ideas in the coming weeks, as a side that has made a top start still needs reinforcements. Porto's young standouts also drew attention. Oscar Pietuszewski, a right-footed winger born in 2008, is very young. Alberto Costa, a 23-year-old full-back, was close to joining Roma in January 2025.

Roma's defence has been named in the Sofascore Team of the Week for the latest Champions League round, with Mario Hermoso, Leonardo Balerdi and Daniele Ghilardi all selected and dominating the back line of the ideal side. The trio's performance earned the recognition after they kept a clean sheet against Slovan Bratislava, the club's first clean sheet in Europe this season, and gave nothing away to Yaya Touré's side. The spotlight on the defence comes as Roma prepare for a big match against Napoli, with the squad continuing its work at Trigoria. The back line has been one of the strengths of the start to the campaign, conceding just three goals in the first seven Serie A matches. The Italian report adds that the award reflects the solid form of a unit that has been central to Roma's strong start, with the three defenders combining for a shutout that underlined the club's improved resilience at the back. Roma are next in action against Napoli, with the squad focused on maintaining that defensive record.

Roma's central defenders Hermoso, Balerdi and Ghilardi have been named in Sofascore's Team of the Week for the latest Champions League round, after a performance that kept Slovan Bratislava out completely. The three Roma defenders gave away nothing to the side coached by Yaya Touré. Roma have conceded only three goals in their first seven Serie A matches, a record built on a back line that is growing more solid despite the absence of several players who were fundamental in recent years. The arrivals of Balerdi and Koulierakis, and the continued development of Ghilardi, have given Gasperini the option to rest two first-team regulars, Ndicka and Mancini. Sofascore's selection was described as deserved. The Team of the Week's defence, drawn from the best side in the League Phase, was dominated by Gasperini's Roma backline. The selection also includes attackers Doué, Nico Paz, Foden and Ngumoha from the wider group of top clubs in the competition.

Matías Soulé continued his outstanding form in Roma's clash with Napoli, scoring the goal that sparked the Giallorossi comeback with a powerful, precise left-foot strike from outside the box that left Meret with no chance. Former Italy midfielder and now pundit Emanuele Giaccherini, speaking in the Dazn studios after the match, lavished praise on the Argentine forward. The display reflects growing technical and mental maturity from Soulé, who is in what Giaccherini described as the prime of his career. Roma's comeback against Napoli was built on his contribution, and Giaccherini noted that the forward carried the team while Donyell Malen had not played a strong game. Giaccherini said: "He's in his prime, he's the technical driving force of this team. Malen didn't have a great game and he carried the team." On the goal, he added: "The goal is crazy, for the speed of foot and of leg it reminds me of Messi's goals. He asks for the one-two and there's very little time between the control and the shot."

Matías Soulé has been one of Roma's standout performers, and former midfielder Emanuele Giaccherini has praised the Argentine forward after his goal against Napoli. Soulé scored Roma's third goal of the season in the match, drawing compliments from across the club and beyond. Giaccherini, speaking on Dazn, said Soulé is at the peak of his powers and described him as the technical driving force of the team. Roma's play was carried by Soulé as Malen had a below-par game, according to Giaccherini's assessment. Soulé has already contributed goals, assists and key touches this season. "He's in his prime, he's the technical leader of this team. Malen didn't have a great game and he carried the team. The goal is crazy, for the speed of his feet and legs it reminds me of Messi's goals. He asks for the one-two and there's very little time between the first touch and the shot." Soulé is eager to keep his form going and is ready for Tuesday's match against Cagliari, where he is expected to start in attack alongside Malen and Mora. Dybala returns to the matchday squad.

Matías Soulé was the standout performer as Roma beat Napoli at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium, scoring his third Serie A goal of the season. The Argentine forward carried the side on his shoulders, and the strike is considered one of the finest he has scored since joining the club. Soulé scored the same number of league goals at this stage last season, but this season he looks like a different player: more of a leader, and not missing Paulo Dybala's absence. Sofascore's data underline his all-round display: four key passes, an 88% pass completion rate, eight duels won, four successful dribbles and the same number of ball recoveries. He was valuable both in attack and in defensive work. This summer Soulé came close to leaving the club. Arab clubs knocked on the door, but he never wanted to leave Roma and chose to stay in football's biggest arena. It is an understandable decision for a 23-year-old. Next up is Tuesday's match against Cagliari, where he is again expected to lead the line. Dybala is improving and will be called up, but he is expected to return from the first minute against Udinese. Soulé is ready to lead the attack alongside Donyell Malen. The groin problem (pubalgia) that held him back last year is no longer an issue, and he has also earned a place in the Argentina national team.