Okaka backs Gasperini's Roma; Olimpico set for 63,000 for Slovan Bratislava Champions League clash

Radio pundits across Rome's stations have been debating Paulo Dybala's latest setback, Gian Piero Gasperini's squad management and Roma's upcoming Champions League fixture against Slovan, in the latest edition of the On Air round-up of Roman radio shows. Rete Sport commentator David Rossi said the Dybala situation was initially described as simple fatigue, but that the forward rested, tried to train again and felt pain. Rossi said: "Su Dybala c'avevano detto che era solo un affaticamento, va a capire se era già lesione e c'hanno fatto il gioco delle tre carte o se era affaticamento, si è riposato un po', poi ha provato a fare qualcosina e ha sentito dolore. Io francamente non sono sorpreso, anzi, sono abbastanza stanco di commentare l'ovvio." He added that Gasperini's remark that Dybala is a "beast" would not prevent the muscle problems, and that Gasperini can make mistakes, such as choosing to field only four midfielders. Rossi said: "E questa su Dybala è sbagliata, va gestito, perchè Dybala si fa male. E ora sei corto nelle rotazioni anche davanti…" Gianluca Piacentini, also of Rete Sport, said Dybala should have played a few minutes less in some matches, when there was no need to keep him on the pitch until the 90th minute. He said Lorenzo Pellegrini alongside Marten de Roon, with Mora and Soulé behind Donyell Malen, "è una soluzione che ci può stare". On Slovan, Piacentini said: "Se pensi di aver già vinto, non la vinci, ne abbiamo già avuto ampie dimostrazioni." He noted that Napoli, reigning Serie A champions, finished 30th in the Champions League last year. Checco Oddo Casano said he considered the match against PSG lost and did not take the Roma-Sporting fixture for granted, as the Portuguese side are strong. He said Lille and AEK Athens are within reach. He suggested Roma could finish the league phase with 13 points, and that 13 points would not be enough to reach the top eight by much. He added: "Rischieresti di non arrivare nelle prime otto per Roma-Real Madrid…" Mario Corsi of Tele Radio Stereo said Slovan have never been strong in their history, adding: "Non dico che sia una partita da vincere con la pippa in bocca, ma insomma…" He said finishing third or fourth would still mean Champions League football, and called Gasperini "tanta roba", saying he is "il 50% della squadra, forse anche di più." Francesca Ferrazza of Tele Radio Stereo said Roma have resources, as shown against Genoa, but that Dybala's latest stop is worrying. She said Gasperini had spoken of two more weeks out, adding: "andiamo per eccesso: parliamo di una mesata." She said Gasperini had not ruled out using Santiago Castro alongside Malen, and that Roma lack quality up front with only Pellegrini, Mora and Soulé to alternate behind Malen. Paolo Cosenza, also on Tele Radio Stereo, said that finishing below third would be a total disappointment. He said: "Quest'anno dunque non è Gasperini il valore aggiunto, c'è un valore disgiunto da parte delle altre squadre." Lorenzo Pes, on Tele Radio Stereo, said Malen and Castro together is not a combination that excites Gasperini, and that Roma will stick with one striker supported by attacking players. He said Pellegrini and Mora do not look a strong pairing in the hole, so Soulé is likely to start before a switch with Mora. He said the stated aim is to reach the playoff, and that 10-11 points looks achievable given the fixture list. He said that apart from PSG, Roma could compete at Old Trafford. He added: "Stasera però sarà importante cercare di fare più gol possibile per la differenza reti che può essere decisiva per la classifica finale…" Piero Torri of Manà Manà Sport said Dybala felt pain again and will return after the international break. He compared Evan N'Dicka to Aldair for his ability to play every two days without fatigue, and said Leonardo Balerdi's presence increases competition and he can also play as a right centre-back. Daniele Lo Monaco of Radio Romanista said Slovan had faced the most shots in the first two Champions League matches, with 51 shots on target against them. He said this could allow Roma to play more openly and that Pellegrini could play in midfield, though he had been tried up front. Roberto Pruzzo of Radio Radio said Roma must win while conserving energy, and that given the injuries, the effort must be limited. He said: "Lo Slovan è sicuramente più forte del Genoa e serve attenzione, ma il turnover fatto contro il Genoa ha avuto buoni risultati." On Malen he said: "Il suo è strapotere assoluto…" Nando Orsi of Radio Radio asked whether Molina or Lulli should start, saying Molina does not seem to be convincing Gasperini while Lulli does. He said that for a 19-year-old, there should be no tiredness at this moment, only enthusiasm Gasperini should use more. On Malen he said: "Nessuno si aspettava un'esplosione del genere."

Former Roma captain Giuseppe Giannini has said the club will push hard from the opening minutes tonight in the Champions League, aiming to overwhelm the opponent and force them back into defence and into mistakes. Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Giannini also said that with Paulo Dybala absent, Roma are relying on Matías Soulé. Giannini highlighted the need to manage the final minutes carefully. He pointed to the recent game against Real Madrid as a lesson: when tiredness sets in late on, Roma risk losing their shape and conceding. His message is that intensity must be sustained for the whole match, not just the opening stages. Giannini said: "Certainly the team will press the accelerator from the first minutes to stun the opponent and force them onto the defensive and into making mistakes. It will be important to manage the final minutes well too, because, as the game against Real taught us, when a bit of tiredness sets in, you run a risk."

Roma need a heavy win against Slovan Bratislava tomorrow, according to Lorenzo Pes of Teleradiostereo, who said a comfortable victory would be important for goal difference and that a goalfest is required. Roma face Slovan in tomorrow's match, and the Roman radio pundits gathered their views on the fixture and the wider table picture. Roberto Pruzzo, speaking on Radio Radio Mattino - 104,5, said: "The matches are very many. Roma will have to be careful, Slovan are stronger than Genoa. But Gasperini's team has already shown it can do well even with rotation." Piero Torri of Radio Manà Manà - 90,9 looked at the league table, saying: "I believe 10 points will be needed to reach the playoffs. Last year the last two teams qualified with 9. In any case, tomorrow it will be fundamental to win, so you can reach the last three with the chance of getting to ten." Pes expects Pellegrini to start from the first minute against Slovan, with Soulé alongside him. He described the opponents as modest and said: "It is impossible that Totti stays out of the celebrations for the centenary. It is difficult that he becomes a director." He added: "There will be absences, but Roma have the possibilities to score many goals."