Mancini stops for photos and delights young fans outside Trigoria

AS Roma have marked the 96th birthday of Giorgio Rossi, the club's long-serving physiotherapist, born on 31 October 1930. The club paid tribute on social media with a message praising him as a timeless example of loyalty and belonging to the club's colours. Rossi was a constant presence in giallorosso for 55 years, from 1957 to 2012, a whole life dedicated to Roma. He was part of the club's two Serie A title-winning sides, in 1983 and 2001. On his birthday, Roma wanted to honour him once again as a man who embodied loyalty, passion and belonging as few others in the club's history have. The club's post read: "Il 31 ottobre 1930 nasceva Giorgio Rossi, esempio senza tempo di lealtà e appartenenza ai nostri colori." In English: "On 31 October 1930, Giorgio Rossi was born, a timeless example of loyalty and belonging to our colours."

AS Roma have marked the birthday of Giorgio Rossi, the club's longtime masseur, with a special message on their social media channels. Today, 31 October, is the day of his birth, and the club wrote: "Timeless example of loyalty and belonging to our colours." Rossi spent 55 years at the club, from 1957 to 2012, and was a constant presence in the giallorosso set-up throughout that time. He also played a part in the club's two Scudetti, in 1983 and 2001. Known to Luciano Spalletti as "the president of the dressing room", he was remembered by the coach as a figure of huge importance to the club's history. Rossi died on 23 September 2018, and his death left a deep void, though his memory remains intact among Roma supporters. The article describes Rossi as an institution whose influence on the club is difficult to capture fully, a life lived entirely in the yellow and red of Roma and felt as a protagonist in two title-winning seasons. His legacy continues to be honoured by the club and its fans on the anniversary of his birth.

Roma sporting director D'Amico is looking beyond the next window, with an eye on young players who could become stars. One name on his list is Oliver Mansson, a 17-year-old Swedish midfielder born in 2009 who is already regarded in Sweden as a possible 'crack'. According to Swedish newspaper Expressen, Roma sent scouts to watch him in the most recent match between his current club Göteborg and Djurgården. He is not the only target: United, Chelsea and Arsenal are also reportedly interested. The report places Mansson within a wider strategy. D'Amico is studying both ready-made profiles and the youth market, the area that has been serving Roma so well this season. Alongside young prospects, his notebook reportedly contains bigger names, including Lisandro Martinez and Endrick. Roma are watching closely while the competition for Mansson grows. The Italian coverage describes D'Amico as clear about how he intends to operate in the coming sessions, balancing established targets with players who are outside the ordinary and could develop into the stars of tomorrow.

Roma travel to Udinese for their Serie A round 10 fixture at the Bluenergy Stadium, with kickoff at 18:00. Gasperini is reportedly preparing his side around the players in the best form, and Ghilardi is expected to start in defence, while Mancini is set to begin on the bench. Lulli is expected to be confirmed at right-back, while the central defensive berth remains a contest between Hermoso and Balerdi. Up front, the Soulé, Mora and Malen trio is set to be retained, the attacking line that has given the most assurances in recent weeks. The Italian sports dailies have published their probable line-ups for the match, and several of them agree on the broad shape of the side. Gollini is in goal for every outlet, with Lulli, Cristante, Pisilli and Wesley featuring prominently in midfield and defence. Roma's head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is expected to name the side that he believes gives his team the best chance of taking maximum points from the trip north, as the club looks to avoid dropping points on the road. La Gazzetta dello Sport projects: Gollini; Ghilardi, Balerdi, Hermoso; Lulli, Cristante, Pisilli, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Malen. Corriere dello Sport, Tuttosport: Gollini; Ghilardi, N'Dicka, Balerdi; Lulli, De Roon, Cristante, Wesley; Soulé, Pisilli; Malen. Il Tempo: Gollini; Ghilardi, Balerdi, Hermoso; Lulli, Cristante, De Roon, Wesley; Pisilli, Soulé; Malen. Il Messaggero and RomaNews EU: Gollini; Ghilardi, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Lulli, Cristante, Pisilli, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Malen. All predicted line-ups are under Gasperini.

Roma's defensive solidity has become the hallmark of Gian Piero Gasperini's side, and it is the main reason they remain among the few unbeaten teams in Serie A. Despite some scares in recent matches against Napoli and Cagliari, the numbers speak for themselves: Roma have the second-best defence in Serie A, conceding just eight goals in nine matchdays. The key, according to Il Romanista, is the depth of the back line, which can count on six reliable centre-backs ready to rotate. Leonardo Balerdi has established himself immediately, while Daniele Ghilardi is growing noticeably and has become the natural heir to Gianluca Mancini. Mario Hermoso, Evan N'Dicka and Konstantinos Koulierakis provide continuity and security. The defence does more than protect the goal: it is also a threat going forward, as the goals from Balerdi and Hermoso and the attacking runs designed by Gasperini show. With that spirit, and with N'Dicka set to return to the heart of the defence at Udine, where he has already left good memories, Roma are ready to write another important chapter of their season.

Roma travel to the Bluenergy Stadium to face Udinese on Saturday 31 October at 18:00, in Serie A matchday 10. Gian Piero Gasperini's side arrive after a 4-2 win over Cagliari that moved them into third place with 21 points. Udinese, coached by Kosta Runjaic, ended a run of six consecutive defeats with a 0-0 draw at Parma, but have not scored in three matches and have collected just five points from their first nine games. Runiajc has confirmed the absences of Solet, Bayo, Zanoli and Alaba. Okoye is expected in goal, with Abankwah, Kabasele and Palma in the back three and Vojvoda and Kamara on the flanks. Karlstrom is set to anchor midfield alongside either Zarraga or Piotrowski, while Zaniolo and Ekkelenkamp support Davis up front. Bertola has recovered from injury. Gueye is also unavailable for the hosts. Roma are without Svilar, Koné, Pellegrini and Dybala, who has not been included in the squad. Gollini keeps his place in goal. Gasperini is expected to rotate heavily in defence, with Ghilardi, Balerdi and Hermoso favoured, while Mancini and N'Dicka are initially set to rest. Lulli and Wesley will operate on the flanks, with Cristante and Pisilli in midfield and De Roon given a breather. Soulé, Rodrigo Mora and Malen are confirmed up front. Both teams line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation. The match will be broadcast exclusively on DAZN, via the DAZN app on smart TVs, smartphones, tablets, consoles and computers, and on the DAZN 1 channel for satellite subscribers who have activated the option. There is no live coverage on the traditional Sky Sport channels. Kick-off is at 18:00 on Saturday 31 October. Bookmakers make Roma clear favourites. Udinese are priced between 5.50 and 5.70, a draw between 4.20 and 4.50, and a Roma win between 1.52 and 1.57. Market probabilities give Roma around a 60% chance of victory. Bookmakers also expect goals, with Over 2.5 favoured over Under, and Goal offered at a relatively low price. Roma have the second-best attack in the league. The most likely correct score is a 1-2 Roma win, priced around 7.00-7.50, ahead of 1-1, 0-1 and 0-2. The referee is Fabio Maresca of Napoli, with assistants Lo Cicero and Rossi L., Daniele Chiffi as fourth official, Daniele Paterna as VAR and Gianluca Aureliano as AVAR.