Napoli vs Roma preview: Allegri under pressure as Gasperini's side chase a first win at the Maradona since 2018

Roma head to face Massimiliano Allegri's Napoli looking to end a long run without an away win against him, a record stretching back to December 2010. Roma are trying to stay in touch with Inter and Lazio at the top, but Allegri's side have proved a stubborn obstacle. Tomorrow's match will be Allegri's 29th meeting with Roma. The first came in 2008, when he was coaching Cagliari and lost 3-2 at the Olimpico. Since then the Tuscan coach has managed Milan and Juventus (on two occasions) and now Napoli. The last time Roma beat him away was 18 December 2010, a 3-0 win with a decisive goal from Marco Borriello. Since then, Roma have lost nine times and drawn three times against him in away fixtures. The most recent defeat came last season, with a goal from Pavlovic and a missed penalty by Dybala. Gian Piero Gasperini will now try to overturn the odds against his side.

Roma's trip to Napoli for the Serie A eighth-round match at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on 24 October comes with significant restrictions for travelling supporters. The Prefect of Naples, Michele di Bari, has banned the sale of tickets to residents of the Lazio region on the basis of public order assessments by the competent authorities. The measure covers all sectors of the stadium, including the away section, and Lazio residents cannot buy a ticket even if they hold a Tessera del Tifoso. According to the official communication from Roma, the away section will be accessible only to holders of the AS Roma Fidelity Card who live outside the Lazio region. The ticket costs 45 euros, and online sales end on Saturday 24 October at 18:00, coinciding with the kick-off. Before purchasing, supporters must authorise their AS Roma Card through the TicketOne Sport portal, in the section dedicated to card authorisation. The Gate 26 is listed in the stadium regulations as the entrance for the away section, although approach routes may be subject to specific orders from the authorities for the Napoli-Roma match, and those instructions take precedence over the usual access routes. For Roma fans travelling from outside Lazio, the train is among the most practical options. Napoli Centrale is linked to major Italian cities by high-speed Trenitalia and Italo services, as well as Intercity and regional trains. From Milan Centrale the high-speed journey generally takes about four and a half hours, from Florence Santa Maria Novella just under three hours, and from Bologna around three and a half hours. Journey times and availability vary depending on the train chosen. From Napoli Centrale, Line 2 of the metro runs to Napoli Piazza Garibaldi, where passengers take a train towards Pozzuoli and alight at Napoli Campi Flegrei, a few minutes' walk from the Maradona. Diversions may be put in place to manage fan flows. Fans arriving by car can use the A1 Milano-Napoli motorway from the north, or the A16 Napoli-Canosa from the Adriatic coast, then the Tangenziale di Napoli with the Fuorigrotta exit. Traffic around the stadium can be particularly heavy on match days, and restrictions on circulation and parking may be introduced, so supporters are advised to avoid parking near the stadium and to consider interchange car parks and areas served by urban rail links. Naples Capodichino airport, about seven kilometres from the city centre, is an alternative for those travelling from further afield. From the airport, the Alibus shuttle runs to the central station, and Line 2 then reaches Napoli Campi Flegrei. Taxis and private transfers are also available, with travel times varying with traffic. The Maradona, formerly known as the Stadio San Paolo, was inaugurated in 1959 and stands in the Fuorigrotta district. It is the home of Napoli and was renamed after Diego Armando Maradona in December 2020, following the death of the Argentine champion. With a capacity of around 54,000 spectators, it is one of the largest stadiums in Italy and hosted matches of the 1990 World Cup. Besides Line 2, the stadium can be reached by Line 6 of the metro, with the Mostra stop, or by the Cumana railway, which serves the same area. For supporters with time to spare in Naples, the article highlights several sights. Spaccanapoli is a characteristic route through the historic centre, passing churches, historic palaces, artisan workshops and traditional food outlets. The Cappella Sansevero houses Giuseppe Sanmartino's celebrated Cristo Velato, and is normally open from 9:00 to 19:00, closed on Tuesdays, with tickets and visits to be booked in advance. Castel Nuovo, also known as Maschio Angioino, near Piazza Municipio, was built from the 13th century and is recognisable for its imposing towers and Renaissance triumphal arch. Piazza del Plebiscito sits beside the Palazzo Reale and the Basilica di San Francesco di Paola. The seafront along via Partenope and lungomare Caracciolo offers views over the Gulf of Naples and Vesuvius, and Castel dell'Ovo, on the islet of Megaride, can be admired from outside, with any visit to be checked against opening times.

Matías Soulé has been entrusted with Roma's attacking play for the trip to the Maradona, with Gian Piero Gasperini relying on him as the last available genuine creative option. Paulo Dybala is absent, and Lorenzo Pellegrini is injured, leaving the attack severely depleted for what is billed as a championship supermatch. According to Il Messaggero, Roma are rallying around their last available true playmaker. With the injury list full and the attack stripped bare, Gasperini is placing his faith entirely in Soulé, who must carry the team in a setting that holds particular meaning for him. It was at Napoli a year ago that his outstanding start to the previous season was abruptly halted by a fierce groin injury (pubalgia), which forced months of pain, time on the bench and rest after a start of seven goals and seven assists. Despite a summer dominated by transfer speculation and the possibility of a sale, Soulé has won back the trust of the club's environment and reclaimed his place in the side through his performances. Now, without his usual partners, he is ready to take centre stage: he must play in Donyell Malen and lead the team on a night that carries the feel of a major test.

Gianluca Piacentini of Rete Sport insisted Roma paid 25 million euros for Mora, not 50 million, in the latest instalment of the Roman radio roundup. He said: "Roma paid 25 million for Mora, then if this year he scores 100 goals and is worth 200 million, Roma have the option of paying 25 million to remove that clause on a future resale. But they did not buy 50% of the player, they bought 100% of the player. If they sell him, they must give 50% of what they receive, which Roma can remove by paying another 25 million. Since you have been insinuating for days that he is rubbish but you do not have the courage to say it, you say he was paid 50 million, but it is not true! If Roma take Mora to the end of his contract, they will have paid 25 million. It is very clear." Rossi, also on Rete Sport, reopened the debate over Pellegrini, saying that some people had doubted Roma's decision to renew Dybala and Pellegrini this summer, citing a history of injuries. He said Dybala has not reached half of his appearances and that Pellegrini had reached his 100th injury. Pellegrini has now re-injured the musculotendinous junction of the flexor, and will take another three months out. Rossi added that the injury was not fixed and that the club paid five million gross for the player, money he said Roma could have spent better. On Tele Radio Stereo, Alessio Nardo asked whether this is Pellegrini's last season with Roma, adding that the speculation should be hedged because "with Pellegrini you never know". He also questioned whether Gasperini chose to speak at his press conference today to avoid questions about possible errors in the transfer market and about underestimating certain aspects. Nardo described a city that remains bitter even after a third-place finish and seven wins in ten matches, saying Mora had become "the new Zaragoza" and had been "destroyed" over the last 48 hours. Lorenzo Pes disagreed, arguing that Gasperini skipped the press conference simply because of a run of closely spaced matches. Valentina Catoni argued that the real problem was not renewing Pellegrini but failing to sign another forward, saying Gasperini had asked for at least one more player up front. Piero Torri of Manà Manà Sport said Roma are playing the season with only 20 outfield players, two of whom, Dybala and Pellegrini, have had a hard few years. He said the club's wage bill problem is the card Roma will play in front of UEFA, and claimed Pellegrini has played only 150 minutes in total. Torri also said he would have signed El Shaarawy at the end of the window, since he could play as a wide attacker or in midfield. Paola Cosenza voiced concern about Cristante, who is returning from a collateral ligament problem, fearing he may force his recovery. Marco Valerio Corsi said he expected Gasperini to protect Mora in the match at Napoli if he delivered another lacklustre performance, and that he doubted Wesley could play as a forward. Roberto Pruzzo said Soulé is growing and that Roma should build around him, and that he sees Santiago Castro as the alternative, adding that Mora looks too far behind the level required for the stage he is being asked to perform on. He said: "We must hope Malen doesn't even have a cold, otherwise it gets tough." Mario Mattioli argued that Pellegrini had only returned from injury two matches earlier and that the club had already lived through a similar situation. Nando Orsi criticised the constant talk of signings and of how Gasperini's training compares with that of previous years. The discussion is set to continue on the same programme, with pundits calling for Roma to reach January in contention for the top places before the club reassesses its options.

Filippo Biafora of Radio Manà Manà said the renewal of Marco Lulli's contract is done, with the defender set to sign a deal running until 2031 with a rising salary. Biafora said he had no confirmation on the operation involving Lorenzo Pellegrini, who for the moment will be out for a couple of months. Regardless of that situation, he said, Gasperini has strongly asked for investment in January. Francesco Balzani of Tele Radio Stereo said he expected Mora not to start. He said Cristante was awaited for a decision the previous day, and that Cristante had said he could start, with the club to assess how his minutes are managed because he cannot play the whole match. Balzani recalled that Gasperini played Cristante as a high forward against Allegri's Milan last year and could repeat it. He expects Cristante to start and Mora to come on if Roma need more technical quality, adding that Gasperini does not consider pairing the two strikers. Balzani said that starting Mora would upset the balance against a strong side in Naples, and that other moves would be forced. Mario Mattioli of Radio Radio said: "The injury to Pellegrini, but it is not that now every injury means going back to the market. What happens when you get the starters back? They should have foreseen that Gasperini's training was not what Roma were used to. Roma now train with a capital 'A', before it was not like this, but the fault certainly does not lie with the market." Roberto Pruzzo, also of Radio Radio, said: "We need to understand what role Castro can play, who at this moment can be the alternative. Mora seems too far behind to me. We must hope Malen does not catch a cold, otherwise it becomes tough. Above all in managing matches: we must make sure we reach January still there, and then sign players on the market." Lorenzo Pes of TeleradioStereo said that in June a discussion had opened about the length of Pellegrini's contract, especially on how such fragile players can lead to a different squad make-up. Dybala, Pellegrini and Koné often stop, and with the first two you have to reckon. He said Roma travel to Napoli with 17 outfield players, which is very few. Pes said Gasperini wanted to keep this squad, believing it would improve this season, and had strongly wanted to keep Dybala and Pellegrini.

Former Roma goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg has offered his views on the current squad, praising Donyell Malen while placing Mile Svilar short of Europe's elite goalkeepers. Speaking to Corriere dello Sport, the Dutchman gave his assessment of the club's forwards and goalkeeper. Stekelenburg was full of praise for Malen, who he said has quickly become a key figure. He said: "Bobby is very fast and always plays on the edge of the offside trap." Asked about the pairing with Paulo Dybala, he added: "I immediately thought they could be a good partnership. Malen is extremely valuable for Roma." His comments on Svilar were more cautious. He said: "He is doing very well, but among the top five in Europe, no, not yet. He still has to keep improving to get there."

Roma head to face Massimiliano Allegri's Napoli looking to end a long run without an away win against him, a record stretching back to December 2010. Roma are trying to stay in touch with Inter and Lazio at the top, but Allegri's side have proved a stubborn obstacle. Tomorrow's match will be Allegri's 29th meeting with Roma. The first came in 2008, when he was coaching Cagliari and lost 3-2 at the Olimpico. Since then the Tuscan coach has managed Milan and Juventus (on two occasions) and now Napoli. The last time Roma beat him away was 18 December 2010, a 3-0 win with a decisive goal from Marco Borriello. Since then, Roma have lost nine times and drawn three times against him in away fixtures. The most recent defeat came last season, with a goal from Pavlovic and a missed penalty by Dybala. Gian Piero Gasperini will now try to overturn the odds against his side.

Paulo Dybala is close to returning to Gian Piero Gasperini's squad, with Roma's attacker reportedly in contention for Tuesday evening's Serie A clash against Cagliari, according to Sky Sport. Dybala was left out of the squad for the Champions League match against Slovan Bratislava because of a small muscle injury, a fact confirmed by Gasperini himself. The latest indications suggest he could recover in time for the next league fixture, although his presence is not yet official and will depend on evaluations from the medical and technical staff in the coming days. A possible return would give Gasperini an important offensive option, though the Argentine's minutes will need to be managed with caution. On the other side of the club's news, Roma are reportedly in the final stages of agreeing a new contract with young winger Lulli. Sky Sport reports the deal should extend his stay at the club until 2031, reflecting the club's intention to build around the player in the seasons ahead. A few aspects remain to be finalised before the agreement is formalised, and it has not yet been announced officially. Both stories fit into Roma's wider work to strengthen the squad available to Gasperini: Dybala brings quality and experience to the attack, while the Lulli deal would ensure continuity in the development of a player the club clearly values.

Former Roma winger Max Tonetto has said a Roma centenary without Francesco Totti, Bruno Conti and Daniele De Rossi would not be a true centenary, as the club's 100th anniversary approaches in 2027. Speaking to Roberta Pedrelli on RadioBruno, Tonetto backed a possible return for Totti in a club role. "I hope so, a centenary without players like Totti, Bruno Conti and De Rossi is not a centenary of Roma. The history of Roma is those three. They were absolute legends, and seeing Francesco in the stands gives me hope for his return." The interview also touched on the recent exchange between Totti and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, with Pedrelli recalling the invitation to organise a new dinner. Pedrelli then asked whether the club should keep the number 10 shirt unassigned or give it to a player such as Paulo Dybala. Tonetto said: "I don't consider it such an important issue. Whatever decision is taken will not erase what Totti has done for Roma, but keeping it available would be a dream for a future Roman and Roma fan who longs to wear such an important shirt." The conversation then turned to Niccolò Pisilli, who wore the captain's armband on Tuesday in the Champions League match against Slovan Bratislava. The moment carried strong symbolism for a player who came through Roma's youth sector. Asked about the emotion of that occasion, Tonetto said: "I am a romantic, I love these things, and seeing scenes like these is still the essence of football." Finally, responding to a question from Verdenelli, Tonetto reflected on his own time at Roma, during which he won three trophies without lifting the Scudetto. "Those three trophies are a fine haul, but there were also three second-place finishes. In one of them Inter were truly much stronger, while in the other two we fought until the very end. To win, you have to keep fighting until the end, and in those years, despite a short squad, we achieved a lot. If you fight every year, sooner or later the victory comes."

Former Roma goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg has offered his views on the current squad, praising Donyell Malen while placing Mile Svilar short of Europe's elite goalkeepers. Speaking to Corriere dello Sport, the Dutchman gave his assessment of the club's forwards and goalkeeper. Stekelenburg was full of praise for Malen, who he said has quickly become a key figure. He said: "Bobby is very fast and always plays on the edge of the offside trap." Asked about the pairing with Paulo Dybala, he added: "I immediately thought they could be a good partnership. Malen is extremely valuable for Roma." His comments on Svilar were more cautious. He said: "He is doing very well, but among the top five in Europe, no, not yet. He still has to keep improving to get there."

Roma are reportedly preparing to strengthen the January transfer window after a severe injury crisis left Gian Piero Gasperini with a severely depleted squad ahead of the trip to Napoli. Il Messaggero reports that the absences of Pellegrini and Dybala, along with Svilar and Koné, have created a genuine emergency at the club, and the club is expected to spend heavily to give the coach at least two reinforcements between attack and the flanks. Gasperini is being forced to reshape the attacking midfield with only Mora and Soulé behind Malen, and has even considered moving Cristante forward. Gittens and Leweling remain on the club's shortlist, without ruling out the appealing but complicated pursuit of Endrick. On the left flank, Barcelona full-back Alejandro Balde has emerged as a major new name. He has been finding limited game time under Flick, and has been put forward by agent Jorge Mendes. His name joins that of Oosterwolde, and Roma hope to conclude signings of real quality to stay competitive and keep their season ambitions alive.

Roma will be without Mile Svilar, Manu Koné and Paulo Dybala for the trip to Napoli, leaving Gian Piero Gasperini with just two attacking midfielders available, Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé. Bryan Cristante, who has just returned from injury, could be deployed in that role behind Soulé and Donyell Malen, and Gasperini is expected to settle his selection doubts in the coming hours. Lorenzo Pellegrini's situation has also dealt the squad a blow. Daniele Aloisi of Il Messaggero reports that the club must act urgently in the January window. Roma still lack the left-sided winger who plays on his right foot, a signing they did not make even in the previous window. Gasperini reportedly expects at least two additions: one forward and one player to complete the options on the wings of midfield. The club's scouts have Gittense Leweling on their list. Signing Endrick will be harder, though that lead is far from closed. Oosterwolde is also under consideration. The newest name is Balde of Barcelona, a left-back who is finding little playing time under Flick. His availability has been offered through Mendes, the same agent who represents Rodrigo Mora. Any strengthening will require a real effort from the Friedkin Group, which must reinforce a squad that risks reaching the midpoint of the season badly depleted. The hope in Rome is that another signing of Malen's quality can be secured to keep the team performing well.