Mora confident Roma's self-belief remains intact ahead of Genoa clash

Roma hosted Genoa at Stadio Olimpico in a Serie A fixture on matchday seven, drawing a crowd of over 63,000 supporters. The Curva Sud paid tribute to Giuseppe De Vivo, known as Peppone, a long-standing figure in Roma's ultras who died ten years ago. A banner was unfurled reading: "From the stands to the sky forever in our hearts… In memory of Peppone!"

Daniele De Rossi and Stephan El Shaarawy were both given standing ovations by the Stadio Olimpico crowd during the team-sheet reading before Roma's match against Genoa on 17 October. De Rossi, now Genoa's head coach, and El Shaarawy, returning to face his former club for the first time as an opponent, were applauded as their names were announced. El Shaarawy scored a crucial goal in May that secured Roma's place in the Champions League, and started in the match against the Giallorossi. Both men remain important figures in Roma's history. De Rossi managed the club until 2025, while El Shaarawy departed after six years in his second spell at the club. The reception underlined the affection Roma supporters hold for both players despite their current positions on opposing benches.

D'Amico spoke to DAZN minutes before Roma's match against Genoa, reflecting on the squad's recent Champions League campaign and their preparations for the fixture ahead. On Roma's performance against Real Madrid, D'Amico said: "It left us with the awareness of having played a really great match for 82 minutes, of having expressed good football, we were truly proud. The last ten minutes teach you lessons, because the Champions League does this — it makes you stronger even in defeat." Regarding Santiago Castro's arrival at the club, he added: "Santi came with great enthusiasm. We wanted him strongly for these moments. As the manager says, opportunities come, and we are convinced he will do well because he has everyone's confidence." D'Amico emphasized that squad depth remains a priority as Roma balance multiple competitions. "We expect something beautiful from the whole squad," he explained. "For us, the group is the driving element of the work. We are coming from a particular evening and tonight's will be even more difficult. The theme of squad depth exists when you face these competitions, but it is a step to reach if we want to maintain and play in the Champions League."

Tony D'Amico has signalled Roma's intention to strengthen the squad in the January transfer window, acknowledging that the current roster requires reinforcement to compete at the highest level. Speaking to Sky Sport ahead of the Genoa match, D'Amico addressed the gap between Gasperini's ambition and the squad's current capacity. "To face certain competitions and compete in matches like Wednesday's and hold our position in the league, we will need another step, to add something," he said. "We tried in summer and didn't manage it, but we work every day to improve ourselves." D'Amico defended Roma's summer recruitment strategy despite the failed attempts to strengthen further. The club pursued a youth-led overhaul while retaining an important core group, a balance D'Amico described as the intended formula. He praised the young players set to feature against Genoa—specifically Mora and Castro—as quality signings on whom the club invested heavily. "We expect them to confirm what we've seen in training. They are quality lads we invested a lot in over summer. The green line began in summer while maintaining an important historic group—it's the mix we wanted at the start of the market and we got it." When asked about loan moves for surplus stars from larger clubs, D'Amico outlined Roma's transfer philosophy: "Our policy is to take strong players, that comes first. Then, when you take players on loan there are options you can insert. We as Roma would always want the possibility of keeping whoever we take on loan—that's the line." The comments suggest Roma will pursue permanent options or loans with purchase clauses rather than simple temporary deals in January.

Rodrigo Mora spoke ahead of Roma's match against Genoa, emphasising that the team's morale has not been shaken by the recent fixture against Real Madrid. Asked whether a performance of that calibre had lifted or disappointed the squad, Mora said: "One match doesn't change anything, we played a really good match. Today the objective is to win, as always. Confidence doesn't change because of one match, it stays very high. We are aware of our responsibilities and capabilities and today we will show that against Genoa." Roma are without several players for the Genoa fixture, creating opportunities for younger squad members to step up. Mora acknowledged this dynamic, stating that while the absences present a challenge, the manager and the group have faith in everyone available. He added: "Today we will all be at our best, we are here to prove ourselves. We are convinced we can do very well and demonstrate this level." Mora also discussed his attacking partnership for the match. Speaking to Sky Sport, he reflected on Roma's performance against Real Madrid, saying: "Apart from the result not being positive, the squad did excellent work, we played a great match against a very high level team in Real. Tonight we want to do the same for the three points." On playing alongside Matías Soulé and Santiago Castro, Mora remarked: "We are three excellent players, I've already played with Soulé while with Castro it's the first time, I can't wait, it will be a fantastic match."

Roma face a mounting injury crisis ahead of their match against Genoa, with Paulo Dybala, Donyell Malen, Bryan Cristante, Mile Svilar and Manu Koné all unavailable. In midfield, Niccolò Pisilli starts alongside Marten de Roon. Gasperini has made significant changes in defence, dropping Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso for Leonardo Balerdi and Konstantinos Koulierakis. Santiago Castro makes his first start for the club up front. Roma line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation: Pierluigi Gollini in goal; Balerdi, Evan N'Dicka and Koulierakis in defence; Emanuele Lulli, de Roon, Pisilli and Devyne Rensch across the midfield; Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora behind Castro. Genoa, managed by former Roma manager Claudio Ranieri, counter with a 4-4-1-1 setup. Roma's bench includes Wesley, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Antonio Arena and several others available for deployment.

D'Amico spoke to DAZN minutes before Roma's match against Genoa, reflecting on the squad's recent Champions League campaign and their preparations for the fixture ahead. On Roma's performance against Real Madrid, D'Amico said: "It left us with the awareness of having played a really great match for 82 minutes, of having expressed good football, we were truly proud. The last ten minutes teach you lessons, because the Champions League does this — it makes you stronger even in defeat." Regarding Santiago Castro's arrival at the club, he added: "Santi came with great enthusiasm. We wanted him strongly for these moments. As the manager says, opportunities come, and we are convinced he will do well because he has everyone's confidence." D'Amico emphasized that squad depth remains a priority as Roma balance multiple competitions. "We expect something beautiful from the whole squad," he explained. "For us, the group is the driving element of the work. We are coming from a particular evening and tonight's will be even more difficult. The theme of squad depth exists when you face these competitions, but it is a step to reach if we want to maintain and play in the Champions League."

Tony D'Amico has signalled Roma's intention to strengthen the squad in the January transfer window, acknowledging that the current roster requires reinforcement to compete at the highest level. Speaking to Sky Sport ahead of the Genoa match, D'Amico addressed the gap between Gasperini's ambition and the squad's current capacity. "To face certain competitions and compete in matches like Wednesday's and hold our position in the league, we will need another step, to add something," he said. "We tried in summer and didn't manage it, but we work every day to improve ourselves." D'Amico defended Roma's summer recruitment strategy despite the failed attempts to strengthen further. The club pursued a youth-led overhaul while retaining an important core group, a balance D'Amico described as the intended formula. He praised the young players set to feature against Genoa—specifically Mora and Castro—as quality signings on whom the club invested heavily. "We expect them to confirm what we've seen in training. They are quality lads we invested a lot in over summer. The green line began in summer while maintaining an important historic group—it's the mix we wanted at the start of the market and we got it." When asked about loan moves for surplus stars from larger clubs, D'Amico outlined Roma's transfer philosophy: "Our policy is to take strong players, that comes first. Then, when you take players on loan there are options you can insert. We as Roma would always want the possibility of keeping whoever we take on loan—that's the line." The comments suggest Roma will pursue permanent options or loans with purchase clauses rather than simple temporary deals in January.

Rodrigo Mora spoke ahead of Roma's match against Genoa, emphasising that the team's morale has not been shaken by the recent fixture against Real Madrid. Asked whether a performance of that calibre had lifted or disappointed the squad, Mora said: "One match doesn't change anything, we played a really good match. Today the objective is to win, as always. Confidence doesn't change because of one match, it stays very high. We are aware of our responsibilities and capabilities and today we will show that against Genoa." Roma are without several players for the Genoa fixture, creating opportunities for younger squad members to step up. Mora acknowledged this dynamic, stating that while the absences present a challenge, the manager and the group have faith in everyone available. He added: "Today we will all be at our best, we are here to prove ourselves. We are convinced we can do very well and demonstrate this level." Mora also discussed his attacking partnership for the match. Speaking to Sky Sport, he reflected on Roma's performance against Real Madrid, saying: "Apart from the result not being positive, the squad did excellent work, we played a great match against a very high level team in Real. Tonight we want to do the same for the three points." On playing alongside Matías Soulé and Santiago Castro, Mora remarked: "We are three excellent players, I've already played with Soulé while with Castro it's the first time, I can't wait, it will be a fantastic match."