Malen stakes claim for attacking role at Roma after blank display for Netherlands

Roma travel to the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino on Monday 14 September at 18:30 for a Serie A fourth-round clash against Torino, managed by Ignazio Abate. The fixture comes four days after Roma's 1–1 draw against Fenerbahçe in the Champions League group phase. Roma arrive with three consecutive league wins—against Fiorentina, Lecce and Atalanta—while Torino claimed their first points of the campaign last time out with a 2–1 victory at Fiorentina, having previously lost to Milan and Sassuolo. Gasperini's squad have recovered key personnel for the trip. Manu Koné, Emanuele Lulli and Lorenzo Pellegrini are all available after injury concerns, with Koné having been assessed and cleared following a knee problem sustained in Istanbul. Koné's involvement from the start remains under review, with Niccolò Pisilli ready to partner Bryan Cristante in midfield if the manager opts to manage the load. Nahuel Molina is in contention for his first league start at right-back, while Wesley should continue on the left flank. In defence, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso appear set to flank Svilar, though Leonardo Balerdi is pushing Gianluca Mancini. Gasperini has ruled out resting Paulo Dybala on principle, stating the forward plays if he is fit; Donyell Malen is favoured over Santiago Castro up front, with Rodrigo Mora in line to return to the starting eleven. Torino face severe attacking difficulties. Kyogo Furuhashi Adams is effectively unavailable with an adductor injury and unlikely to return before the international break, while Giovanni Simeone's back problem leaves him doubtful for selection until the morning of the match. Manager Abate has indicated the possibility of fielding no conventional centre-forward, with Duvan Zapata, Kulenovic or an advanced Vlasic among the options. Coco's return to the back three alongside Comuzzo and Cömert provides relief in defence. The midfield is expected to mirror the setup used against Fiorentina: Gineitis, Fitz-Jim and Mandragora centrally with Vlasic positioned higher. Fortini, Cacciamani and Belghali are competing for the two wing slots. The match will be broadcast exclusively on DAZN across all platforms. Bookmakers rate Roma as clear favourites. Torino's victory stands at 5.80–6.00, a draw between 3.90 and 4.05, and a Roma win between 1.55 and 1.60. The uncertainty around Torino's attack has made both Goal and No Goal odds roughly level. The exact-score market identifies a 0–1 Roma win as the most likely outcome at 7.00–7.60 odds. Referee Fabio Maresca will oversee the fixture, with Gianluca Aureliano in the VAR booth.

Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are set to start in Roma's match against Torino, with uncertainty centring on the attacking midfield role. Niccolò Pisilli may begin the game, though Rodrigo Mora is also in contention. Manu Koné has recovered from his previous issues and is available for selection. Gasperini continues to manage squad dynamics ahead of the fixture. The coach has dismissed talk of a strict hierarchy among his attacking players, insisting that Dybala is in good form and cannot be left out. He has also defended midfielder Marten de Roon against criticism, rejecting the suggestion that the player's form has deteriorated.

Roma travel to Torino on Monday 14 September for a Serie A fixture with kickoff at 18:30 at Stadio Olimpico-Grande Torino, their second match in five days following last Thursday's Champions League debut at Fenerbahce. The fixture comes ahead of a crucial encounter against Inter on Saturday at 18:00 at the Olimpico, which could determine the league leadership if both sides secure favourable results beforehand. The match will pit Gasperini, Roma's established head coach, against Torino counterpart Abate, making his Serie A managerial debut this season. Both operate from similar footballing philosophies but with notable divergences. Gasperini favours obsessive man-to-man pressing across the pitch and incisive vertical passes, while Abate has adopted a style rooted in positional possession and ball dominance in the Dezerbian tradition—as he himself has stated—whilst maintaining strong tactical practicality and defensive balance. Both coaches share a connection to the 2007–08 season: Gasperini made his Serie A bow that year with newly promoted Genoa, whilst Abate debuted in the top flight as a young player for Empoli. Torino's preparation centres on a compact 3-5-1-1 shape designed to contain Roma's attacking threat, specifically targeting Malen. Gasperini may opt for limited rotation, setting up what could unfold as a tactical chess match at the Stadio Olimpico-Grande Torino.

Roma travel to the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino on Monday 14 September at 18:30 for a Serie A fourth-round clash against Torino, managed by Ignazio Abate. The fixture comes four days after Roma's 1–1 draw against Fenerbahçe in the Champions League group phase. Roma arrive with three consecutive league wins—against Fiorentina, Lecce and Atalanta—while Torino claimed their first points of the campaign last time out with a 2–1 victory at Fiorentina, having previously lost to Milan and Sassuolo. Gasperini's squad have recovered key personnel for the trip. Manu Koné, Emanuele Lulli and Lorenzo Pellegrini are all available after injury concerns, with Koné having been assessed and cleared following a knee problem sustained in Istanbul. Koné's involvement from the start remains under review, with Niccolò Pisilli ready to partner Bryan Cristante in midfield if the manager opts to manage the load. Nahuel Molina is in contention for his first league start at right-back, while Wesley should continue on the left flank. In defence, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso appear set to flank Svilar, though Leonardo Balerdi is pushing Gianluca Mancini. Gasperini has ruled out resting Paulo Dybala on principle, stating the forward plays if he is fit; Donyell Malen is favoured over Santiago Castro up front, with Rodrigo Mora in line to return to the starting eleven. Torino face severe attacking difficulties. Kyogo Furuhashi Adams is effectively unavailable with an adductor injury and unlikely to return before the international break, while Giovanni Simeone's back problem leaves him doubtful for selection until the morning of the match. Manager Abate has indicated the possibility of fielding no conventional centre-forward, with Duvan Zapata, Kulenovic or an advanced Vlasic among the options. Coco's return to the back three alongside Comuzzo and Cömert provides relief in defence. The midfield is expected to mirror the setup used against Fiorentina: Gineitis, Fitz-Jim and Mandragora centrally with Vlasic positioned higher. Fortini, Cacciamani and Belghali are competing for the two wing slots. The match will be broadcast exclusively on DAZN across all platforms. Bookmakers rate Roma as clear favourites. Torino's victory stands at 5.80–6.00, a draw between 3.90 and 4.05, and a Roma win between 1.55 and 1.60. The uncertainty around Torino's attack has made both Goal and No Goal odds roughly level. The exact-score market identifies a 0–1 Roma win as the most likely outcome at 7.00–7.60 odds. Referee Fabio Maresca will oversee the fixture, with Gianluca Aureliano in the VAR booth.

Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are set to start in Roma's match against Torino, with uncertainty centring on the attacking midfield role. Niccolò Pisilli may begin the game, though Rodrigo Mora is also in contention. Manu Koné has recovered from his previous issues and is available for selection. Gasperini continues to manage squad dynamics ahead of the fixture. The coach has dismissed talk of a strict hierarchy among his attacking players, insisting that Dybala is in good form and cannot be left out. He has also defended midfielder Marten de Roon against criticism, rejecting the suggestion that the player's form has deteriorated.

Roma return to Serie A action tomorrow at 18:30 away to Torino, seeking to build on their opening Champions League draw. The Giallorossi drew 1–1 at Fenerbahce on their European debut and now face Ignazio Abate's Torino, who recently won a comeback victory over Fiorentina. A win at the Olimpico Grande Torino would leave Roma on maximum points after four matches, with a match against Inter scheduled five days later. Gian Piero Gasperini will address the press at 13:30 on Tuesday from Trigoria. Gasperini confirmed that Lorenzo Pellegrini is fit and available for selection. The squad list also includes Manu Koné, who completed a fitness test during the day, Wesley following a knee knock, and Emanuele Lulli after a bout of fever. In his pre-match conference, Gasperini spoke warmly of recent performances, particularly Donyell Malen's impact since arriving. On Rodrigo Mora's integration into the attack, Gasperini said: "I see what you all see—he is a talented, young player, and that is not considered. He must improve physically and tactically. What he has shown is a young player of talent and level. There is not a younger player who can be more of a protagonist at this moment." When asked whether defensive hierarchy could shift, Gasperini pushed back strongly: "Please stop with this hierarchy talk, it is not right towards these players. It makes no sense for them, it has no effect for the squad. Everyone is giving an important contribution. Balerdi did remarkable things at Marseille, we have to play a lot. A team in the Champions League does not work with hierarchies, but there are many starters who play without promoting one and rejecting another, otherwise it becomes something controversial." The full squad for Torino includes defenders Devyne Rensch, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Evan N'Dicka, Nahuel Molina, Mario Hermoso, Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Balerdi, Wesley, Emanuele Lulli and Daniele Ghilardi; midfielders Bryan Cristante, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Marten de Roon, Manu Koné, Niccolò Pisilli and Rodrigo Mora; forwards Santiago Castro, Donyell Malen, Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala.