Mora on three goals in a row and a changed season: "Everything has changed"

Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar continued training individually on Saturday in preparation for his return to the team after the international break, with a special guest by his side. His son Lio-Mile, aged one year and five months, was at Trigoria with him. Svilar posted a touching photo of the pair on the field together on social media, captioned: "Giorno speciale a lavoro" ("Special day at work"). Svilar's absence has been felt in some moments, and Gasperini, like all Roma fans, is eager to have him back between the posts. The rest of the squad will return to training on Wednesday, when the group resumes work ahead of the next fixture. Lio-Mile was born to Svilar and his wife June Peeters on 18 June 2025.

Leonardo Balerdi started in defence for Roma on Saturday as the club beat Sassuolo, collecting three points that matter for the table and beyond. The Argentine defender is building an increasingly important role in this Roma side, and his bond with the giallorossi continues to grow despite a costly error in Manchester. The win was Roma's last night at the Olimpico before the international break. Roma's official Instagram account, which Italian reports attribute to the club, marked the occasion with a message: "One last night at the Olimpico before the international break. A great win and many reasons to be proud. Now our minds turn to Argentina." Balerdi, who represents Argentina at international level, will now join his national squad. The three points are fundamental for Roma's league position, and the performance gave the squad plenty to take into the break.

AS Roma have already opened talks over a contract extension for defender Mario Hermoso, according to La Repubblica, with the Spaniard's current deal due to expire in June 2027. The discussions are reportedly at an advanced stage, with both sides keen to reach an agreement that would secure the defender's long-term future at the club. Hermoso has become one of the fixed points of Gian Piero Gasperini's side this season. He has earned the coach's trust through consistent performances and his ability to contribute in attacking phases, a level of form that is carrying growing weight both in team selection and in the club's thinking about the future of the squad. Gasperini is reportedly the main driving force behind keeping the player, having already pushed for him to stay at Trigoria last season. The coach's faith has been repaid on the pitch, and a renewal would strengthen one of the key figures in the back line. The report does not contain any details on the length of a new agreement or its financial terms. Hermoso joined Roma in July 2024 as a free transfer from Atlético Madrid, and his contract expiry in June 2027 makes the renewal a priority for the club as the season progresses.

Roma closed their last Serie A fixture before the international break with a win over Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico, and defender Leonardo Balerdi was quick to celebrate on social media. The Argentina international shared his satisfaction with the team's performance and turned his attention to his next commitments with his national side. The result came as a welcome lift for Gian Piero Gasperini's side, who had been left disappointed by their European campaign against Manchester United. Roma have regained their enthusiasm in front of their home crowd, and the victory is also a boost to the morale of the squad as they prepare to say goodbye to the players called up by their national teams. Balerdi wrote: "One last night at the Olimpico before the international break. A great victory and so many reasons to be proud. Now our focus is on Argentina."

Roma comfortably beat Sassuolo 3-0 last night, with goals from Hermoso, an own goal by Walukiewicz and a late strike from Mora completing the win. Italian newspapers handed out their player ratings, with Hermoso and Mora the standouts. Gazzetta dello Sport gave Hermoso 7.5 and Mora 7, while Corriere dello Sport rated Hermoso an 8 and Soulé 7.5, with Mora also at 7.5. Il Messaggero gave Hermoso 7.5 and Mora 7, and Corriere della Sera rated Hermoso 7.5 and Mora 7. La Repubblica gave Hermoso 7.5 and Mora 7, and Il Tempo rated Mora 7 and Balerdi and Ndicka 7. Coach Gasperini was rated 7 by Gazzetta, Il Tempo, La Repubblica and Corriere della Sera, and 7.5 by Corriere dello Sport. Across the newspapers, Vásquez, Molina, Wesley and Malen received mostly solid marks, with Koné and Cristante generally rated 6.5 to 7. Pisilli and De Roon were typically given 6, and Castro and Koulierakis were rated 6 by Gazzetta and Corriere dello Sport, with several reports not assigning them a mark.

Radio pundits Fabrizio Aspri and Andrea Pugliese have praised Gian Piero Gasperini's handling of Mora, with Aspri calling the coach very intelligent for the way he has used the player. Aspri said: "The situation with Mora tells us that Gasperini is very intelligent. Mora was not a useful player for the coach. The player is moving very well, that goal is a number 10's goal. Not everyone makes that diagonal run, and it is important players who score those goals. Gasperini is wise and has re-evaluated the player. Well done Gasperini first and foremost, and a little further on, well done Mora." Aspri said Roma have found the right way to make their chances count, though there is always room for improvement. He added: "Roma are the team with the best football." He praised the defensive unit, which he said gives the side more and more security. Turning to Donyell Malen, Aspri said the forward is useful and valuable but is sometimes seen struggling. He said: "I don't rate him as a normal player, he has something extra. I would like him more as a centre-forward, occupying the box more often. He drops too deep to link play too often." He added: "Roma must change, they must not fail in the big head-to-head games." Pugliese was more critical of Mora's role. He said: "Mora is an attacking midfielder, he doesn't have the pace to play on the flank. In January D'Amico will find a winger with legs. Mora was not used to defending at Porto. Last year he had different numbers." On Malen, Pugliese said the forward did not expect the assist from Matías Soulé when he missed a chance. Looking ahead, he said Bologna are a side in form and that the giallorossi must arrive there with six points. He noted that Roma have drawn with Inter, Como and Napoli this season, adding: "If you want to make the real leap you have to win the head-to-head games."

Roma comfortably beat Sassuolo 3-0 last night, with goals from Hermoso, an own goal by Walukiewicz and a late strike from Mora completing the win. Italian newspapers handed out their player ratings, with Hermoso and Mora the standouts. Gazzetta dello Sport gave Hermoso 7.5 and Mora 7, while Corriere dello Sport rated Hermoso an 8 and Soulé 7.5, with Mora also at 7.5. Il Messaggero gave Hermoso 7.5 and Mora 7, and Corriere della Sera rated Hermoso 7.5 and Mora 7. La Repubblica gave Hermoso 7.5 and Mora 7, and Il Tempo rated Mora 7 and Balerdi and Ndicka 7. Coach Gasperini was rated 7 by Gazzetta, Il Tempo, La Repubblica and Corriere della Sera, and 7.5 by Corriere dello Sport. Across the newspapers, Vásquez, Molina, Wesley and Malen received mostly solid marks, with Koné and Cristante generally rated 6.5 to 7. Pisilli and De Roon were typically given 6, and Castro and Koulierakis were rated 6 by Gazzetta and Corriere dello Sport, with several reports not assigning them a mark.

Radio pundits Fabrizio Aspri and Andrea Pugliese have praised Gian Piero Gasperini's handling of Mora, with Aspri calling the coach very intelligent for the way he has used the player. Aspri said: "The situation with Mora tells us that Gasperini is very intelligent. Mora was not a useful player for the coach. The player is moving very well, that goal is a number 10's goal. Not everyone makes that diagonal run, and it is important players who score those goals. Gasperini is wise and has re-evaluated the player. Well done Gasperini first and foremost, and a little further on, well done Mora." Aspri said Roma have found the right way to make their chances count, though there is always room for improvement. He added: "Roma are the team with the best football." He praised the defensive unit, which he said gives the side more and more security. Turning to Donyell Malen, Aspri said the forward is useful and valuable but is sometimes seen struggling. He said: "I don't rate him as a normal player, he has something extra. I would like him more as a centre-forward, occupying the box more often. He drops too deep to link play too often." He added: "Roma must change, they must not fail in the big head-to-head games." Pugliese was more critical of Mora's role. He said: "Mora is an attacking midfielder, he doesn't have the pace to play on the flank. In January D'Amico will find a winger with legs. Mora was not used to defending at Porto. Last year he had different numbers." On Malen, Pugliese said the forward did not expect the assist from Matías Soulé when he missed a chance. Looking ahead, he said Bologna are a side in form and that the giallorossi must arrive there with six points. He noted that Roma have drawn with Inter, Como and Napoli this season, adding: "If you want to make the real leap you have to win the head-to-head games."

Roma bounced back from their heavy defeat at Old Trafford with a convincing 3-0 win over Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico, and Mario Hermoso was named the best player on the pitch in the newspaper ratings. His goal broke the deadlock at the Olimpico, a striker's finish that set the tone for the afternoon. Mora was also impressive. He scored his third consecutive Serie A goal, and the Italian press described him as an important piece in Gasperini's plans. The win was Roma's fourth goal in giallorossi colours for the midfielder. Balerdi also drew praise after recovering from his error in Manchester, with a performance the papers described as showing great personality. The ratings across the papers varied. Vásquez received a 6 in every report. Hermoso was rated between 7 and 8, Mora between 7 and 7.5, and Soulé between 6.5 and 7.5. Balerdi ranged from 6 to 7 and Ndicka from 6.5 to 7. Koné earned between 6 and 7, Cristante between 6.5 and 7, and Malen between 6 and 7. Molina and Wesley were rated 6 to 6.5. Gasperini's performance was scored between 6.5 and 7.5. Substitutes were Koulierakis, who replaced Hermoso in the 77th minute, Castro, who replaced Malen at the same time, De Roon, who came on for Koné in the 66th minute, Pisilli, who replaced Mora in the same change, and Ghilardi, who replaced Balerdi in the 85th minute. Roma lined up in a 3-4-2-1 formation.