Mancini watches Roma take on Inter at the Olimpico

Lazio supporter Giuseppe Cruciani has named Roma as the clear favourites for the Scudetto, saying the club can only lose the title itself. Speaking on the Numer1 podcast, the La Zanzara presenter pointed to Gian Piero Gasperini's side as the team to beat. "Not out of superstition, but based on what we've seen so far. Roma have never dropped a match, maybe once a long time ago. The only game they lost was when they were ahead five minutes from the end against Real Madrid. Apart from that, they have always dominated," Cruciani said, impressed by the consistency of the giallorossi. Cruciani also highlighted that Roma have kept going despite the absences of three key players: Svilar, Koné and Dybala. He said those losses had not stopped the team from continuing to get results and produce high-level performances, which made their campaign all the more significant. His prediction was emphatic: "Roma are the real favourites for the Scudetto. If they don't win it, it's because something strange happens. It's almost impossible that they don't win it." Cruciani gave Roma a 55% chance of winning the title, ahead of Inter on 40% and Milan on 5%. His view stands apart from his fellow panellists. Ivan Zazzaroni still considers Inter the favourites, while Sandro Sabatini sees the two clubs as essentially level. Cruciani, by contrast, has no doubts. For Roma fans, hearing such words from a Lazio supporter makes the prediction all the more striking.

Giuseppe Cruciani, the Lazio-supporting journalist and host of La Zanzara on Radio24, has declared that Roma are the real favourites for the Scudetto and that only Roma could throw the title away. Speaking on the Numer1 podcast, he said the claim was not superstition but based on the team's performances so far. Cruciani said: "Non lo dico per scaramanzia, ma per valutazione di quello visto finora. Non ha mai sbagliato una partita, forse un tempo. L'unica partita che ha perso era in vantaggio a 5' dalla fine contro il Real Madrid. Per il resto ha dominato sempre. Gli mancano 3 giocatori fondamentali come Svilar, Koné e Dybala. La Roma è la vera favorita allo scudetto, se non lo vince è perché succede qualcosa di strano. È quasi impossibile che non lo vinca." In English, his remarks read: "I'm not saying it out of superstition, but based on what we've seen so far. They have never lost a match, maybe apart from one half. The only game they lost was when they were ahead with 5 minutes left against Real Madrid. Otherwise they have always dominated. They are missing three key players, such as Svilar, Koné and Dybala. Roma are the real favourites for the Scudetto; if they don't win it, something strange would have to happen. It is almost impossible that they don't win it." His comments come with Roma sweating on the fitness of three key men. Cruciani named goalkeeper Mile Svilar, midfielder Manu Koné and forward Paulo Dybala as fundamental absences, and he framed the Real Madrid defeat, where Roma led with five minutes to play, as the only blemish on an otherwise dominant campaign.

An analysis piece asks whether Roma can genuinely challenge for the Scudetto, arguing that after ten Serie A matchdays Inter are slipping often while Roma are the side offering the most guarantees. The column, written by Francesco Balzani and published on 2 November 2026, invites readers to consider whether the title is a realistic target, perhaps with a helping hand from the Friedkin Group. The piece frames the title race around Inter's inconsistency and Roma's steadiness over the first ten rounds of the 2026-27 campaign. The argument is that Roma have shown the most reliability of the leading contenders, which is why the question of believing in the Scudetto is being put to supporters directly. The article is a short opinion column, and it closes with a call for readers to give their view on whether Roma can win the championship. Related headlines on the same page cover Gasperini managing his energy ahead of a Manchester trip, and Gollini returning to face Manchester, with Balerdi tipped to start against United by a radio pundit.

Roma travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in the fourth matchday of the Champions League league phase, with Gian Piero Gasperini's side looking to add to their four points from the first three European rounds after a heavy win over Slovan Bratislava. Michael Carrick's Manchester United are on three points and are going through a difficult spell. Roma's starting line-up was announced by Sky Sport at 19:48. Devis Vásquez takes over in goal after Pierluigi Gollini was ruled out, with the decision confirmed at 18:55. Vásquez starts behind a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Balerdi and Mario Hermoso. Devyne Rensch, Marten de Roon, Bryan Cristante and Wesley make up the midfield line, with Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora in support of Donyell Malen up front. Balerdi, Rensch and Mora were all named from the first minute. Earlier in the build-up, Balerdi had been pushing Mancini for his place, while Mora had been tipped for a starting role. Manchester United line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation: Lammens; Yoro, Maguire, Heaven, Dalot; Mainoo, Baleba; Mbeumo, Bruno Fernandes, Diallo; Cunha. Their bench includes Darlow, Heaton, De Ligt, Mazraoui, Lisandro Martinez, Amass, Andrey Santos, Mount, Tielemans, Zirkzee and Lacey. Roma's bench includes De Marzi, Gollini, Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Ghilardi, Lulli, Molina, Di Nunzio, Pisilli and Castro. Roma are set out in a 3-4-2-1 formation. The match is refereed by Jesús Gil Manzano (Spain), with assistants Guadalupe Porras Ayuso and Diego Barbero. The fourth official is Juan Martínez Munuera. The VAR is Carlos del Cerro Grande, with Guillermo Cuadra Fernandez as assistant VAR.

Roma head to Old Trafford to face Manchester United, coached by Carrick, in the fourth matchday of the Champions League league phase, with Gasperini forced into a change in goal. Pierluigi Gollini has withdrawn at the last hour, so Devis Vásquez starts. Leonardo Balerdi comes in at centre-back instead of Evan N'Dicka, and Devyne Rensch is the right wing-back. Nahuel Molina and Emanuele Lulli are on the bench. The midfield and attack are unchanged, with Rodrigo Mora starting from the first minute. Manchester United line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Lammens in goal, Yoro, Maguire, Heaven and Dalot in defence, Mainoo and Baleba in midfield, Cunha, Fernandes and Diallo behind Mbeumo. Roma play a 3-4-2-1, with Vásquez; Mancini, Balerdi and Hermoso at the back; Rensch, Cristante, de Roon and Wesley in midfield; Soulé and Mora in support of Malen up front. United's bench includes Darlow, Heaton, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez, Mount, Tielemans, Santos, Lacey, Fletcher, Amass and Zirkzee. Roma's bench features De Marzi, Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Pisilli, Ghilardi, Molina, Lulli, Di Nunzio and Castro.

Roma travel to Old Trafford tonight for their fourth League Phase match of the Champions League, facing Manchester United under head coach Michael Carrick, with Gian Piero Gasperini's side looking for points after a comprehensive win over Slovan Bratislava. Roma have four points from their first three European matches, while United sit on three points and are going through a very difficult spell. Gollini has been ruled out, and Devis Vásquez will start in goal in his place. The Roma line-up is a 3-4-2-1 formation: Vásquez; Balerdi, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, De Roon, Cristante, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Malen. Leonardo Balerdi is pushing Mancini for a place in the defence, while Rodrigo Mora is set for a starting spot. On the bench for Roma are De Marzi, Gollini, Koulierakis, Mancini, Ghilardi, Lulli, Rensch, Di Nunzio, Pisilli and Castro. Manchester United line up in a 4-2-3-1: Lammens; Yoro, Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Dalot; Mainoo, Andrey Santos; Mbeumo, Tielemans, Bruno Fernandes; Cunha. Their substitutes are Darlow, Heaton, De Ligt, Mazraoui, Heaven, Amass, Baleba, Mount, Diallo, Zirkzee and Lacey. The referee is Jesús Gil Manzano (Spain), assisted by Guadalupe Porras Ayuso and Diego Barbero, with Juan Martínez Munuera as fourth official. The VAR is Carlos del Cerro Grande, with Guillermo Cuadra Fernandez as assistant VAR.

Roma travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in the fourth matchday of the Champions League league phase, with Gian Piero Gasperini's side looking to add to their four points from the first three European rounds after a heavy win over Slovan Bratislava. Michael Carrick's Manchester United are on three points and are going through a difficult spell. Roma's starting line-up was announced by Sky Sport at 19:48. Devis Vásquez takes over in goal after Pierluigi Gollini was ruled out, with the decision confirmed at 18:55. Vásquez starts behind a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Balerdi and Mario Hermoso. Devyne Rensch, Marten de Roon, Bryan Cristante and Wesley make up the midfield line, with Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora in support of Donyell Malen up front. Balerdi, Rensch and Mora were all named from the first minute. Earlier in the build-up, Balerdi had been pushing Mancini for his place, while Mora had been tipped for a starting role. Manchester United line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation: Lammens; Yoro, Maguire, Heaven, Dalot; Mainoo, Baleba; Mbeumo, Bruno Fernandes, Diallo; Cunha. Their bench includes Darlow, Heaton, De Ligt, Mazraoui, Lisandro Martinez, Amass, Andrey Santos, Mount, Tielemans, Zirkzee and Lacey. Roma's bench includes De Marzi, Gollini, Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Ghilardi, Lulli, Molina, Di Nunzio, Pisilli and Castro. Roma are set out in a 3-4-2-1 formation. The match is refereed by Jesús Gil Manzano (Spain), with assistants Guadalupe Porras Ayuso and Diego Barbero. The fourth official is Juan Martínez Munuera. The VAR is Carlos del Cerro Grande, with Guillermo Cuadra Fernandez as assistant VAR.

Roma head to Old Trafford to face Manchester United, coached by Carrick, in the fourth matchday of the Champions League league phase, with Gasperini forced into a change in goal. Pierluigi Gollini has withdrawn at the last hour, so Devis Vásquez starts. Leonardo Balerdi comes in at centre-back instead of Evan N'Dicka, and Devyne Rensch is the right wing-back. Nahuel Molina and Emanuele Lulli are on the bench. The midfield and attack are unchanged, with Rodrigo Mora starting from the first minute. Manchester United line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Lammens in goal, Yoro, Maguire, Heaven and Dalot in defence, Mainoo and Baleba in midfield, Cunha, Fernandes and Diallo behind Mbeumo. Roma play a 3-4-2-1, with Vásquez; Mancini, Balerdi and Hermoso at the back; Rensch, Cristante, de Roon and Wesley in midfield; Soulé and Mora in support of Malen up front. United's bench includes Darlow, Heaton, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez, Mount, Tielemans, Santos, Lacey, Fletcher, Amass and Zirkzee. Roma's bench features De Marzi, Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Pisilli, Ghilardi, Molina, Lulli, Di Nunzio and Castro.

Roma travel to Old Trafford tonight for their fourth League Phase match of the Champions League, facing Manchester United under head coach Michael Carrick, with Gian Piero Gasperini's side looking for points after a comprehensive win over Slovan Bratislava. Roma have four points from their first three European matches, while United sit on three points and are going through a very difficult spell. Gollini has been ruled out, and Devis Vásquez will start in goal in his place. The Roma line-up is a 3-4-2-1 formation: Vásquez; Balerdi, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, De Roon, Cristante, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Malen. Leonardo Balerdi is pushing Mancini for a place in the defence, while Rodrigo Mora is set for a starting spot. On the bench for Roma are De Marzi, Gollini, Koulierakis, Mancini, Ghilardi, Lulli, Rensch, Di Nunzio, Pisilli and Castro. Manchester United line up in a 4-2-3-1: Lammens; Yoro, Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Dalot; Mainoo, Andrey Santos; Mbeumo, Tielemans, Bruno Fernandes; Cunha. Their substitutes are Darlow, Heaton, De Ligt, Mazraoui, Heaven, Amass, Baleba, Mount, Diallo, Zirkzee and Lacey. The referee is Jesús Gil Manzano (Spain), assisted by Guadalupe Porras Ayuso and Diego Barbero, with Juan Martínez Munuera as fourth official. The VAR is Carlos del Cerro Grande, with Guillermo Cuadra Fernandez as assistant VAR.

Roma travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in the fourth matchday of the Champions League league phase, with Gian Piero Gasperini's side looking to add to their four points from the first three European rounds after a heavy win over Slovan Bratislava. Michael Carrick's Manchester United are on three points and are going through a difficult spell. Roma's starting line-up was announced by Sky Sport at 19:48. Devis Vásquez takes over in goal after Pierluigi Gollini was ruled out, with the decision confirmed at 18:55. Vásquez starts behind a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Balerdi and Mario Hermoso. Devyne Rensch, Marten de Roon, Bryan Cristante and Wesley make up the midfield line, with Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora in support of Donyell Malen up front. Balerdi, Rensch and Mora were all named from the first minute. Earlier in the build-up, Balerdi had been pushing Mancini for his place, while Mora had been tipped for a starting role. Manchester United line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation: Lammens; Yoro, Maguire, Heaven, Dalot; Mainoo, Baleba; Mbeumo, Bruno Fernandes, Diallo; Cunha. Their bench includes Darlow, Heaton, De Ligt, Mazraoui, Lisandro Martinez, Amass, Andrey Santos, Mount, Tielemans, Zirkzee and Lacey. Roma's bench includes De Marzi, Gollini, Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Ghilardi, Lulli, Molina, Di Nunzio, Pisilli and Castro. Roma are set out in a 3-4-2-1 formation. The match is refereed by Jesús Gil Manzano (Spain), with assistants Guadalupe Porras Ayuso and Diego Barbero. The fourth official is Juan Martínez Munuera. The VAR is Carlos del Cerro Grande, with Guillermo Cuadra Fernandez as assistant VAR.

Roma head to Old Trafford to face Manchester United, coached by Carrick, in the fourth matchday of the Champions League league phase, with Gasperini forced into a change in goal. Pierluigi Gollini has withdrawn at the last hour, so Devis Vásquez starts. Leonardo Balerdi comes in at centre-back instead of Evan N'Dicka, and Devyne Rensch is the right wing-back. Nahuel Molina and Emanuele Lulli are on the bench. The midfield and attack are unchanged, with Rodrigo Mora starting from the first minute. Manchester United line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Lammens in goal, Yoro, Maguire, Heaven and Dalot in defence, Mainoo and Baleba in midfield, Cunha, Fernandes and Diallo behind Mbeumo. Roma play a 3-4-2-1, with Vásquez; Mancini, Balerdi and Hermoso at the back; Rensch, Cristante, de Roon and Wesley in midfield; Soulé and Mora in support of Malen up front. United's bench includes Darlow, Heaton, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez, Mount, Tielemans, Santos, Lacey, Fletcher, Amass and Zirkzee. Roma's bench features De Marzi, Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Pisilli, Ghilardi, Molina, Lulli, Di Nunzio and Castro.

Roma travel to Old Trafford tonight for their fourth League Phase match of the Champions League, facing Manchester United under head coach Michael Carrick, with Gian Piero Gasperini's side looking for points after a comprehensive win over Slovan Bratislava. Roma have four points from their first three European matches, while United sit on three points and are going through a very difficult spell. Gollini has been ruled out, and Devis Vásquez will start in goal in his place. The Roma line-up is a 3-4-2-1 formation: Vásquez; Balerdi, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, De Roon, Cristante, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Malen. Leonardo Balerdi is pushing Mancini for a place in the defence, while Rodrigo Mora is set for a starting spot. On the bench for Roma are De Marzi, Gollini, Koulierakis, Mancini, Ghilardi, Lulli, Rensch, Di Nunzio, Pisilli and Castro. Manchester United line up in a 4-2-3-1: Lammens; Yoro, Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Dalot; Mainoo, Andrey Santos; Mbeumo, Tielemans, Bruno Fernandes; Cunha. Their substitutes are Darlow, Heaton, De Ligt, Mazraoui, Heaven, Amass, Baleba, Mount, Diallo, Zirkzee and Lacey. The referee is Jesús Gil Manzano (Spain), assisted by Guadalupe Porras Ayuso and Diego Barbero, with Juan Martínez Munuera as fourth official. The VAR is Carlos del Cerro Grande, with Guillermo Cuadra Fernandez as assistant VAR.