Malen the perfect fit for Gasperini's system

Donyell Malen failed to score in Roma's match against Sassuolo, a rare occurrence for the Dutch forward, who is usually a prolific goalscorer. Yesterday he still proved decisive, providing the assist for Rodrigo Mora's goal. His form is being talked about widely, though not everyone agrees with the praise. Luca Toni, speaking in an interview with the Gazzetta dello Sport, dedicated a passage to Malen and compared his own career with the Serie A of a few years ago. Toni's comments came after Borriello said: "Kolo Muani with Gasperini would score more." Asked whether he agreed, Toni replied: "No. Strikers score more or less the same goals everywhere. Malen is having an exploit, from the start he has shown personality. But I was more of a goalscorer than he is: once Serie A was a different thing. Only Zeman multiplied the goals of strikers." The comparison reflects a wider debate about how goalscoring has changed in Italy's top flight. Malen's contribution, even without a goal, underlines the role he has taken on in Gasperini's side. Toni's remarks give Roma supporters a view from a former striker who played in an earlier era of the league.

Roma eased to a 3-0 win over Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico, a result that came just days after a painful defeat at Old Trafford. The Giallorossi were never in danger in a match that the article describes as never in doubt, ending a run of nine games in 27 days before the international break. The result matters because Roma have shown they can move on quickly from setbacks under Gian Piero Gasperini. The article notes that, in past seasons, such collapses often led to lingering tension and outbursts around Trigoria, but this squad has handled the Manchester defeat with maturity and composure. Roma, the piece argues, are a team that will be in the title race until the end of the Serie A season. Gasperini set up in a 3-4-2-1 and kept nine players from the Manchester game. Balerdi started as a clear sign of unwavering trust, a deliberate message to remove any doubt about his position after his costly error a few days earlier. Sassuolo's coach Aquilani, making his first competitive appearance as a head coach at the Olimpico, lined up with Matic in midfield, Thorstvedt as the anchor and a three-man midfield when defending. The external duels were Wesley against Cinquegrano and Molina against Doig, while Mora and Soulé drifted inside to link up with Malen. Roma were patient in possession, moving the ball quickly with rapid triangles, although spaces were tight. Sassuolo's first real chance came from a venomous low drive from Matic from 16 metres, which Vásquez stretched to save. Vásquez was ready again later, and the article notes that his replacements have shown Roma have not suffered without Svilar, who is likely to miss the last Serie A game in his absence. Against a deep Sassuolo block, the wide midfielders and wing-backs had to support Malen, while the speed of Esposito and Laurienté in transition posed a danger. Hermoso broke the deadlock after 30 minutes with a forceful finish, and Malen soon doubled the lead with a fortunate goal. Sassuolo kept four players on the halfway line at corners, and the article suggests Roma could have used blocks or quick short passing routes to create better chances in those moments. Roma's possession and territorial dominance before half-time gave them a reassuring two-goal cushion. Aquilani switched to a 3-4-3 at half-time, bringing on Bowie for Matic and Cinquegrano, with Van den Brempt operating as right wing-back. Roma responded immediately, with Soulé finishing a superb move after a sumptuous through ball from Cristante, although Malen missed an incredible chance into an empty goal. Koné marked Thorstvedt and Cristante marked Sulemana. Malen then provided a delightful assist for Mora to make it 3-0. Gasperini made several changes to manage energy levels: Pisilli and De Roon came on for Koné and Mora, with Pisilli playing as the anchor, Koulierakis and Castro replaced Hermoso and Malen, and Ghilardi entered for Balerdi, who received applause from the Olimpico crowd despite his earlier error. Aquilani's final 3-4-3 had no effect on the outcome.

Roma's defenders are proving decisive this season, with Mario Hermoso among the central figures in Gian Piero Gasperini's side. Hermoso opened the scoring in a difficult match against Sassuolo with a finish more typical of a striker, and he has now reached three goals this season. He is not alone. Leonardo Balerdi scored twice in the win at Napoli, the second of which was decisive in securing a draw at the Maradona. Evan N'Dicka and Daniele Ghilardi have each scored once, with N'Dicka's goal coming in Udine last week. In total, Roma's defenders have scored seven goals across Serie A and the Champions League. According to Daniele Aloisi writing in Il Messaggero, the defensive unit's contribution goes beyond goals. Ghilardi has also registered two assists, as has Gianluca Mancini, who was out injured yesterday. Koulierakis has yet to find the net this season. Together, the defenders have been involved in eleven of Roma's forty goals this season, a share of 27.5 per cent. The unit is, without question, the most complete in the squad and allows Gasperini to rotate more players than any other.

Donyell Malen failed to score in Roma's match against Sassuolo, a rare occurrence for the Dutch forward, who is usually a prolific goalscorer. Yesterday he still proved decisive, providing the assist for Rodrigo Mora's goal. His form is being talked about widely, though not everyone agrees with the praise. Luca Toni, speaking in an interview with the Gazzetta dello Sport, dedicated a passage to Malen and compared his own career with the Serie A of a few years ago. Toni's comments came after Borriello said: "Kolo Muani with Gasperini would score more." Asked whether he agreed, Toni replied: "No. Strikers score more or less the same goals everywhere. Malen is having an exploit, from the start he has shown personality. But I was more of a goalscorer than he is: once Serie A was a different thing. Only Zeman multiplied the goals of strikers." The comparison reflects a wider debate about how goalscoring has changed in Italy's top flight. Malen's contribution, even without a goal, underlines the role he has taken on in Gasperini's side. Toni's remarks give Roma supporters a view from a former striker who played in an earlier era of the league.

Roma eased to a 3-0 win over Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico, a result that came just days after a painful defeat at Old Trafford. The Giallorossi were never in danger in a match that the article describes as never in doubt, ending a run of nine games in 27 days before the international break. The result matters because Roma have shown they can move on quickly from setbacks under Gian Piero Gasperini. The article notes that, in past seasons, such collapses often led to lingering tension and outbursts around Trigoria, but this squad has handled the Manchester defeat with maturity and composure. Roma, the piece argues, are a team that will be in the title race until the end of the Serie A season. Gasperini set up in a 3-4-2-1 and kept nine players from the Manchester game. Balerdi started as a clear sign of unwavering trust, a deliberate message to remove any doubt about his position after his costly error a few days earlier. Sassuolo's coach Aquilani, making his first competitive appearance as a head coach at the Olimpico, lined up with Matic in midfield, Thorstvedt as the anchor and a three-man midfield when defending. The external duels were Wesley against Cinquegrano and Molina against Doig, while Mora and Soulé drifted inside to link up with Malen. Roma were patient in possession, moving the ball quickly with rapid triangles, although spaces were tight. Sassuolo's first real chance came from a venomous low drive from Matic from 16 metres, which Vásquez stretched to save. Vásquez was ready again later, and the article notes that his replacements have shown Roma have not suffered without Svilar, who is likely to miss the last Serie A game in his absence. Against a deep Sassuolo block, the wide midfielders and wing-backs had to support Malen, while the speed of Esposito and Laurienté in transition posed a danger. Hermoso broke the deadlock after 30 minutes with a forceful finish, and Malen soon doubled the lead with a fortunate goal. Sassuolo kept four players on the halfway line at corners, and the article suggests Roma could have used blocks or quick short passing routes to create better chances in those moments. Roma's possession and territorial dominance before half-time gave them a reassuring two-goal cushion. Aquilani switched to a 3-4-3 at half-time, bringing on Bowie for Matic and Cinquegrano, with Van den Brempt operating as right wing-back. Roma responded immediately, with Soulé finishing a superb move after a sumptuous through ball from Cristante, although Malen missed an incredible chance into an empty goal. Koné marked Thorstvedt and Cristante marked Sulemana. Malen then provided a delightful assist for Mora to make it 3-0. Gasperini made several changes to manage energy levels: Pisilli and De Roon came on for Koné and Mora, with Pisilli playing as the anchor, Koulierakis and Castro replaced Hermoso and Malen, and Ghilardi entered for Balerdi, who received applause from the Olimpico crowd despite his earlier error. Aquilani's final 3-4-3 had no effect on the outcome.

Rodrigo Mora has scored in three consecutive Serie A matches, and his latest goal on Friday night at the Stadio Olimpico drew a standing ovation from the Roma fans when he was substituted. The Portuguese forward, who is listed as a midfielder in Roma's squad, has been one of the standout talents of the current campaign, according to Lorenzo Cascini in La Gazzetta dello Sport. Mora's third straight league goal follows strikes against Cagliari, in a match where he was decisive, and Udinese. In between, he produced a outstanding performance for Manchester in the Champions League, providing two assists for Matías Soulé, one for a goal and one for a penalty won that led to Donyell Malen's second goal. Gian Piero Gasperini, who wanted the 2007-born talent strongly this summer, has praised and protected him throughout. Mora is enjoying his form and his coach's backing. Mora's path to the first team began in his youth. At nine he left the Porto youth academy, where he was not finding a place, to return to playing for fun on a small pitch near his home in Matosinhos, a seaside town just outside Porto. After winning a couple of tournaments, Porto took him back to the Estádio do Dragão, and he made his debut at 15 years and 255 days. Cascini describes him as a talent who is currently bewitching everyone. The Olimpico applauded him several times during the match for his touches and his initiative. When he came off eight minutes after his third goal, the Giallorossi fans rose to their feet to applaud him.

Gian Piero Gasperini has said Roma will not settle for second place after a 3-0 win over Udinese, a result that took him to 303 Serie A victories, passing the legendary Nereo Rocco and setting a new personal record for the coach. The win also extended Roma's run to 18 consecutive useful home league games at the Stadio Olimpico, a sign of renewed solidity at home and of a squad that has responded to every tactical and mental demand placed on it. Speaking after the match, Gasperini rejected any scaling back of Roma's ambitions. He said: "I won't settle for second place. The beauty is fighting for this championship until the end. Of course, we mustn't fool ourselves too much, but it is imperative to believe." He named Inter as the main favourites, adding: "Inter are rightly the stronger favourites, but if they slip up a little... we can compete. We are there." The coach also praised the team's growing threat in front of goal: "We are increasing our ability to score a lot, we do it in many ways and we are happy about this." On the injury front, Mancini has picked up a strain to his right hamstring. Roma expect to have both Svilar and Dybala fully recovered for the trip to Parma after the international break.

Roma responded to their European defeat at Manchester in emphatic fashion, beating Sassuolo 3-0 at the Stadio Olimpico to lift their Serie A goal tally to 31 and head into the international break on a high. Hermoso opened the scoring in the first half, heading home after a deadly one-two with Malen and then driving a left-foot shot past Muric. Malen doubled the lead just three minutes later, with a shot deflected by Walukiewicz that completely wrong-footed Muric and found the net. The result came despite fatigue from a recent run of hard fixtures and an injury list that remains crowded, with key absences including Svilar and Dybala. Roma kept total control of the match throughout. Gian Piero Gasperini's side enjoyed their dangerous attack, and the win strengthens their position in the league as they look ahead to their next Serie A and Champions League commitments. In the second half the hosts built on their lead, overwhelming Sassuolo through the play of their attacking stars. Mora sealed the 3-0, his second-half goal coming from another precise one-two with Malen. Mora is increasingly a technical leader in the final third, and his finish capped a dominant performance. The three points allow Roma to consolidate their league campaign and enjoy a well-earned break from action.

Roma's intensive run of fixtures is over, and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has given the squad three days off. Training resumes on Wednesday, with Roma's next match away at Parma on 21 November, after the international break. Gasperini is hopeful of having Paulo Dybala and Mile Svilar back available. Gianluca Mancini will not join up with his national team because of a muscle strain in his right hamstring, and he will remain in Rome to receive treatment. Manu Koné will also be available to the coach for the next two weeks. Lorenzo Pellegrini's recovery is taking longer, and he is not expected back until 2027.