Orsi: Roma's summer window not short of players; Pruzzo: Dybala at his best is the real signing

Former Roma midfielder Angelo Di Livio, speaking to Retesport, said he likes the idea of playing Wesley further forward against Napoli, with Molina dropping deeper on the same flank. Di Livio believes Gasperini will be missing two important players, including Dybala, and he questioned Lorenzo Pellegrini's latest injury, asking what fault the player had for having to stop again. Di Livio said Cristante is not well and does not think he can start. He expects Gasperini to have prepared alternative plans in midfield to cover the absences. The attacking absences of Pellegrini and Dybala in the final third are what make the idea of Wesley further up the pitch appealing to him. Di Livio expects Evan Lulli...

Roma's radio pundits are debating how Gian Piero Gasperini should line up against Napoli, with Mora, Soulé, Malen and Castro at the centre of the discussion. Rete Sport's David Rossi backed keeping Mora in the side alongside Soulé and Malen, arguing that Mora deserves more consecutive games to gain confidence and to win over the Roma crowd, and that playing away from home would ease the pressure on him. He also suggested a more natural role for Mora than the one Gasperini gave Pellegrini against Slovan, when Pellegrini was deployed on the right, a position that is not his. Rossi said: "Contro il Napoli o metti dentro tutti i centrocampisti, con uno tra Pisilli e Cristante alto sulla trequarti, oppure confermi Mora con Soulè e Malen, che è la cosa che farei io." Fabio Petruzzi, also on Rete Sport, proposed Rensch in front of Spinazzola with Wesley on the left, and expected Gasperini to keep faith with Mora but not to rule out Malen and Castro up front together. Tiziano Moroni was more critical, saying Mora had been insufficient in the last match and had created nothing, while noting he is only 19 and urging patience with Gasperini. Gianluca Piacentini raised the idea of Wesley pushed forward in the emergency, but said he would go for the classic line-up against Napoli, with Mora and Soulé behind Malen. He said: "Mora è arrivato da due mesi e per questo gli darei un po' di tempo. Facciamogli fare dieci partite consecutive." He added: "Però se ogni volta deve giocare con questo mattone addosso, che al primo errore viene fustigato, diventa dura…" On Tele Radio Stereo, Mario Corsi said Mora should be given time despite criticism, pointing out that Diomande is also 19. Francesca Ferrazza argued that Roma are not a side in difficulty, that the atmosphere in the stadium is the best it has been, and that Champions League matches drain energy but are tests of strength. Lorenzo Pes reported that Pellegrini, even with a mild injury, will not return before the break, and that what had filtered out suggested a month out with a more significant tear in the same spot where he had surgery. He said Gasperini must hope to recover Dybala soon, with recent reports pointing to an attempt for Udinese, and suggested Cristante move forward with Pisilli in midfield. Alessio Nardo joked: "Il giorno in cui la Roma acquisterà l'esterno sinistro titolare di piede destro faremo una festa in città, perchè finalmente sfateremo un tabù. Sono due anni che cerchiamo questo giocatore senza riuscire a trovarlo…" Piero Torri said Saturday's match against Napoli would be far from easy, and that Cristante was unlikely to start, though he could come on during the game in either the No.10 role or midfield. Roberto Pruzzo said he did not expect Mora to play against Napoli, suggested Castro could partner Malen, and believed Pisilli could operate in a dual role. Nando Orsi argued that Mora must play whenever he has the chance, otherwise he never gets the opportunity to settle in and understand the system. He said: "L'esborso economico deve essere confermato, e quando c'è la possibilità deve giocare." On Castro, he said: "Pensavo a Castro: poverino, non giocherà mai." He noted that Castro has been a starter for three or four matches this season, since Malen usually starts, and that coming on from the bench is very different from starting from the first minute.

Roma radio pundits have offered their views on the Giallorossi's selection for the upcoming match against Napoli, with several doubting that Bryan Cristante will start. Piero Torri of Radio Manà Manà Sport Roma (90.9) said: "Cristante starting? I'm not convinced. I have the feeling he won't start from the beginning. He could be an alternative during the game, both for the trequarti and for midfield." The debate covered the make-up of the attack and midfield. Francesco Balzani of Teleradiostereo (92.7) said Endrick could play in every attacking position and would fix the entire Roma attack, but added that his arrival in January depends on how much he plays in the coming months, noting he played only three minutes on Tuesday. Balzani also said Rodrigo Mora could start against Napoli, with Cristante ready to come on during the match. Lorenzo Pes of Tele Radio Stereo (92.7) warned that Lorenzo Pellegrini's injury is a concern. He said that even if the problem is a mild tear, Pellegrini will certainly not return before the international break. He added that, from what has emerged, the stoppage should last a month, with a more significant tear in the same spot where he has previously had surgery, pointing to a structural muscular difficulty. Pes said Gasperini must hope to get Paulo Dybala back soon, as the latest reports suggest an attempt for Udinese. He said Roma will certainly line up with few forwards against Napoli and Cagliari, and that the best combination would be to push Cristante forward with Niccolò Pisilli in midfield, otherwise the midfield risks being flattened by the pairing of Cristante and Marten de Roon. Roberto Pruzzo of Radio Radio (104.5) said he does not expect Mora to play against Napoli, and suggested seeing Santiago Castro, who may build a partnership with Donyell Malen. He said he believes the coach is considering this, and that Pisilli deserves his place for what he gives, adding that he does not rule out Pisilli being deployed in a split role because there are no other alternatives. Nando Orsi of Radio Radio (104.5) argued that Mora must play whenever he has the chance, otherwise he never gets the opportunity to settle in and understand the system. He said: "The financial outlay must be confirmed, and when there is the chance he must play. I would be in favour of playing Mora, but perhaps Gasperini does not agree and does not see the things we see." He added: "I was thinking about Castro: poor thing, he will never play."

Francesco Totti tops a new Transfermarkt ranking of the all-time leading goalscorers at individual Serie A stadiums, with 160 goals at the Stadio Olimpico. Two other current or former Roma players also feature in the list. Matías Soulé is placed 20th thanks to seven goals scored for Frosinone at the Benito Stirpe. Paulo Dybala, the all-time top scorer at Juventus's Allianz Stadium with 45 goals, makes up the third Roma name in the rankings. The ranking compares the players who have scored the most goals within a single stadium in the history of the top flight, placing Totti's Olimpico record at the head of the table.

Lorenzo Pellegrini faces at least two months on the sidelines after tests revealed a high-grade lesion at the distal musculotendinous junction of the semitendinosus in his right thigh, sustained against Slovan Bratislava. Recovery times will be assessed as the clinical picture evolves, but the midfielder could return in the first days of 2027. The setback adds to Roma's injury problems, following those of Svilar, Koné and Dybala. Roma continue preparations for their Serie A clash with Napoli on Saturday at 6pm at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Training took place at Trigoria, and there is positive news from Bryan Cristante, who has returned to regular group work despite visible strapping around his knee. The captain will be available to Gasperini for the match against the Partenopei and could even start from the first minute. Fans of both Napoli and Roma will be able to watch Saturday's match, valid for the eighth round of Serie A, free of charge on DAZN, including non-subscribers. Under the TV rights tender, five matches this season are being broadcast in free mode, and the Maradona fixture is among them. Supporters of both clubs need only log in following the instructions provided by DAZN to access the live stream. With the winter transfer window approaching, Roma have already begun identifying possible reinforcements for Gasperini. According to the English outlet Sport Witness, on Tuesday evening, while Roma beat Slovan Bratislava 4-0 at the Olimpico, several Roma scouts were at the Porto against PSV match. The fixture, won 1-0 by the Dutch side, also drew the attention of several Premier League clubs. Under observation are left-winger Esmir Bajraktarević, born 2005, and midfielder Sven Mijnans, born 2000, who had already been followed in the summer. On Rome radio, the Roma-Napoli fixture has been widely discussed. Luigi Ferrajolo told Radio Radio: "The absences of Koné and Dybala are heavy: Koné is the engine of the midfield and Dybala the inspiration. If Cristante can play, he can push Pisilli a bit further forward. Or Mora plays, hoping he wakes up a bit and makes a greater contribution." Alessandro Vocalelli added: "Roma have already passed some tests: not every match can be an exam. It is a stage in a journey in which the team must perform well, because it can help distance a direct Champions League rival. Physically he seems to be better, but Napoli have resources that make the match anything but simple."

Former Roma midfielder Angelo Di Livio, speaking to Retesport, said he likes the idea of playing Wesley further forward against Napoli, with Molina dropping deeper on the same flank. Di Livio believes Gasperini will be missing two important players, including Dybala, and he questioned Lorenzo Pellegrini's latest injury, asking what fault the player had for having to stop again. Di Livio said Cristante is not well and does not think he can start. He expects Gasperini to have prepared alternative plans in midfield to cover the absences. The attacking absences of Pellegrini and Dybala in the final third are what make the idea of Wesley further up the pitch appealing to him. Di Livio expects Evan Lulli...

Robinio Vaz's injury scare has eased, with the Roma loanee back in training after tests ruled out significant damage, while Neil El Aynaoui endured a bruising week in Europe and Bundesliga. Vaz, on loan at Hull City, came on in the 68th minute of their Premier League trip to Fulham, a 1-0 defeat decided by a goal from Iwobi. In stoppage time, at the 94th minute, he was hit hard by Ryan Sessegnon in the Achilles area. Sessegnon was sent off with a straight red card, and Vaz had to leave the pitch accompanied by medical staff. Initial impressions were worrying, but the subsequent checks were far more reassuring: the MRI scan showed no significant injury and Vaz returned to training on Tuesday 20 October. He recorded no goals or assists in the minutes he played against Fulham. Whether he will be available for the next game against Brentford remains to be confirmed. El Aynaoui, on loan at RB Leipzig, played three matches in a few days with mixed results. Leipzig beat PSV Eindhoven 1-0 in the Champions League thanks to a goal from Gruda, and El Aynaoui started and played the full 90 minutes. The Moroccan midfielder then started the Bundesliga trip to Bayern Munich, who thrashed Leipzig 6-1. He stayed on the pitch from start to finish but could not turn the game, which Bayern dominated. On 21 October Leipzig suffered another European defeat, losing 4-1 at the Bernabéu to Real Madrid. El Aynaoui again started alongside Seiwald but was replaced in the 63rd minute by Rocco Reitz, with Leipzig already two goals down. He recorded no goals or assists across the three matches, but he logged significant minutes that confirm his place in Demichelis's rotation. The heavy defeats to Bayern and Real Madrid left the team with a very negative overall record. Anass Salah-Eddine, on loan at Panathinaikos, is showing encouraging signs as the Moroccan wing-back fights for a place in the Greek side. He was not in the squad for the 2-1 win over Borac Banja Luka in the first matchday of the Conference League League Phase on 15 October. Three days later he started and played all 90 minutes of a comprehensive 5-1 league win over Asteras Tripolis. In the 47th minute he surged down the left flank and delivered a precise ball to Taborda, whose header was cleared off the line by Papakanellos. It was a good move that could have brought an assist but did not appear on the scoresheet. Salah-Eddine recorded no goal, official assist or card, but gave positive indications of his ability to support the attack. Panathinaikos return to Conference League action today against Kairat Almaty. Filippo Reale continues his good form at Carrarese, where he is increasingly picked by Guido Pagliuca. The centre-back, born in 2006, started and played the full 90 minutes in Carrarese's 2-1 home win over Modena, with goals from Abiuso and Rubino before Belotti replied for the visitors. He helped protect the lead in the closing stages as part of the back three. The most unusual moment came in the 96th minute, when Reale embarked on a long run from his own half, covered the entire left flank and shot into the box, only to send his diagonal effort wide. Carrarese have now won consecutive matches. Radoslaw Zelezny was also impressive for Perugia, starting in their 5-1 win at Campobasso. He played the entire game and conceded only Stoppa's equaliser in the 35th minute, before Perugia pulled clear in the second half. He was not held responsible for the goal, and SportPerugia gave him a 6 for his precise handling and his lack of blame. Marco Litti came off the bench for Lecco in their 5-0 win over Pro Vercelli, replacing Manetti in the 59th minute, when Manetti had scored the goal that made it 3-0. Litti took up position on the flank and helped manage the lead over the final half hour. He recorded no goal, assist or booking. Mohamed Seck, meanwhile, remains in a difficult spell with Foggia, who lost 3-1 at Giugliano in the Monday 19 October fixture. Seck was named in the back three by Gaetano Auteri and played the full game. Ravasio gave Foggia the lead in the 16th minute, but Baldé and De Rosa turned the match around before the break, and Esposito added the final goal after the restart. Seck was booked in the 21st minute. Foggia have conceded six goals in their last two league games. Luigi Cherubini, on loan at Benevento, was on the bench for their 2-2 home draw with Vicenza, having scored against Cesena. He came on for Lamesta in the 65th minute, with Benevento ahead 2-0 through Siatounis and Kouan. In the second half Benevento gradually lost control and were pegged back by goals from Corazza and Caferri.

Roma's loan contingent produced mixed results across European and domestic competitions this week, with midfielder Luigi Cherubini and midfielder Neil El Aynaoui delivering attacking contributions while others awaited their chance. Cherubini, on loan at Benevento with a right of option and obligation to buy, scored in the 93rd minute of Benevento's 2–0 win over Cesena. Introduced from the bench in the 79th minute, the 2004-born winger capitalized on a defensive error by Ilic, rounded the goalkeeper and finished to seal victory. He was booked in the 81st minute and initially had a goal ruled out for offside before his late winner. The performance earned him a rating of 7 from BeneventoNews24 and PianetaSerieB as Benevento secured a third consecutive victory. El Aynaoui, a midfielder on loan at RB Lipsia with a right of rescission, provided the assist for Banzuzi's opening goal after just one minute in a 6–0 Bundesliga demolition of Eintracht Frankfurt. Deployed in the starting lineup by Demichelis, El Aynaoui contributed to a dominant first half that saw Lipsia lead 4–0 at the interval, including a hat-trick from Nkunku. He was booked in the 27th minute and substituted in the 58th when the scoreline already stood at 5–0. Elsewhere, defender Filippo Reale (Carrarese, on loan with option and counter-option) played the full 90 minutes in a 2–0 away win over Padova, maintaining a clean sheet. Young defender Mohamed Seck (Foggia, on loan) completed all 90 minutes in a 3–1 home defeat to Potenza and received a rating of 5, criticized for poor positioning during the opposition's counter-attacks. Forward Artem Dovbyk (Bologna, on loan with right of rescission) returned to the squad after a muscular injury to his flexors but remained unused on the bench in Bologna's 2–1 away win at Lecce. Forward Robinio Vaz (Hull City) was named in the squad for a 2–2 Premier League draw against Everton but played no part, remaining on the bench for the full 90 minutes.

Roma's loanees made their mark during the international break, with Mohamed Seck delivering a commanding defensive display, Luigi Cherubini scoring for Italy's Under-21s, and Neil El Aynaoui clocking over 240 minutes for Morocco across three matches. Seck, a 2007-born defender, started the full 90 minutes in Foggia's 2-0 victory at Cosenza, keeping a clean sheet and earning praise from local media. The Corriere della Calabria awarded him 6.5, while Foggiacalciomania highlighted an almost flawless performance. He picked up a yellow card in the 28th minute but remained unaffected. Radoslaw Zelezny continued his fine form between the sticks for Perugia, playing all 90 minutes in a 3-1 derby win over Gubbio; he conceded little that was preventable and earned a 6.5 rating for his security in possession and distribution. Federico Nardin also impressed at Pescara, completing the full match in a 1-0 win at Livorno achieved by a late Sardo goal, and has now been called up to Italy's Under-19 squad for friendlies against Scotland on 10 and 13 October. Cherubini made the most impact during the break. After coming off the bench in the 79th minute of Italy U21's 1-0 win in Armenia, he was introduced again at the same stage against Poland on 4 October and scored just seven minutes later to seal a 6-2 victory and confirm Italy's direct qualification to the Under-21 European Championship final tournament. El Aynaoui started all three of Morocco's matches—a 2-0 win over Gabon (90 minutes), a 2-0 victory against Lesotho (67 minutes), and a 1-1 draw with Mali on 4 October (full 90)—demonstrating his standing with the national team. Anass Salah-Eddine also featured for Morocco, starting the full 90 minutes at left-back in the Mali friendly. Marash Kumbulla entered Albania's 3-0 Nations League win over San Marino at half-time and played the full second half. Artem Dovbyk, on loan at Bologna, skipped his Ukraine convocation to continue recovering from a muscular problem affecting his hamstring and has already resumed full training with the Bolognese squad ahead of the league's resumption.

Roma radio pundits have offered their views on the Giallorossi's selection for the upcoming match against Napoli, with several doubting that Bryan Cristante will start. Piero Torri of Radio Manà Manà Sport Roma (90.9) said: "Cristante starting? I'm not convinced. I have the feeling he won't start from the beginning. He could be an alternative during the game, both for the trequarti and for midfield." The debate covered the make-up of the attack and midfield. Francesco Balzani of Teleradiostereo (92.7) said Endrick could play in every attacking position and would fix the entire Roma attack, but added that his arrival in January depends on how much he plays in the coming months, noting he played only three minutes on Tuesday. Balzani also said Rodrigo Mora could start against Napoli, with Cristante ready to come on during the match. Lorenzo Pes of Tele Radio Stereo (92.7) warned that Lorenzo Pellegrini's injury is a concern. He said that even if the problem is a mild tear, Pellegrini will certainly not return before the international break. He added that, from what has emerged, the stoppage should last a month, with a more significant tear in the same spot where he has previously had surgery, pointing to a structural muscular difficulty. Pes said Gasperini must hope to get Paulo Dybala back soon, as the latest reports suggest an attempt for Udinese. He said Roma will certainly line up with few forwards against Napoli and Cagliari, and that the best combination would be to push Cristante forward with Niccolò Pisilli in midfield, otherwise the midfield risks being flattened by the pairing of Cristante and Marten de Roon. Roberto Pruzzo of Radio Radio (104.5) said he does not expect Mora to play against Napoli, and suggested seeing Santiago Castro, who may build a partnership with Donyell Malen. He said he believes the coach is considering this, and that Pisilli deserves his place for what he gives, adding that he does not rule out Pisilli being deployed in a split role because there are no other alternatives. Nando Orsi of Radio Radio (104.5) argued that Mora must play whenever he has the chance, otherwise he never gets the opportunity to settle in and understand the system. He said: "The financial outlay must be confirmed, and when there is the chance he must play. I would be in favour of playing Mora, but perhaps Gasperini does not agree and does not see the things we see." He added: "I was thinking about Castro: poor thing, he will never play."

Simone Valdarchi has argued that Roma should start Niccolò Pisilli in a more advanced role, with Bryan Cristante moving into midfield alongside Marten de Roon, rather than starting Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora together. Speaking on Radio Manà Manà, he said: "Mi aspetto la possibilità di vedere Pisilli sulla trequarti con l'inserimento in mediana di Cristante. Una coppia De Roon-Cristante contro il centrocampo del Napoli mi fa pensare a una sfida tosta per i due, ma non inserire Pisilli vorrebbe dire mettere da subito Soulé e Mora. Così facendo non avresti nessuna alternativa a gara in corso in attacco." Valdarchi's view was one of several from Radio Radio Pomeriggio pundits ahead of Roma's match against Napoli. The debate centres on the absences of Manu Koné and Paulo Dybala, which commentator Ferrajolo called heavy blows. He said Koné is the engine of the midfield and Dybala the inspiration, adding: "Speriamo che chi li sostituisce non faccia rimpiangere troppo." Ferrajolo suggested Cristante could push Pisilli further forward if he is fit to play. Pugliese also questioned the fitness picture around Lorenzo Pellegrini, saying: "Per Pellegrini non c'è ancora un esito definitivo: temo che la percezione sia quella di aver subito una lesione. Speriamo non sia grave, perché ogni grado comporta settimane di recupero." He noted that Gasperini had said before the Oslova fixture that he did not want to overhaul a team that works very well, so bringing an extra midfielder to leave Mora on the bench would be a signal. Camelio said Pellegrini would undergo checks that afternoon or the next morning, adding: "Ha un ematoma che non gli permette di fare gli esami, secondo me. È un po' giù di morale perché aveva fatto un grande recupero e contro l'Oslova stava giocando benissimo." On Mora, he said: "Se Mora parte dalla panchina non è una bocciatura: qualcosa gli manca." On the Napoli match, Melli said it was more important for Napoli, warning that a defeat would burn their season and call Allegri into question, while Roma should win. He praised the defence and said Gasperini knows how to organise a containing side, hoping someone supplies a useful ball for Malen. He added that a draw would suit both teams. Vocalelli called the match a stage in a path where Roma must perform, since it could help them pull clear of a direct Champions rival, and said Roma's athletic condition looked better, though Napoli have resources that make the game far from simple. He said he expected Mora to play. Ferrajolo said the game was open and that Napoli are technically very strong.

Lorenzo Pellegrini has joined Roma's growing injury list, with a probable biceps femoris injury expected to keep the captain out for around a month, just as the club prepare for Saturday's big match against Napoli at the Maradona. The captain had to stop early in the second half, and first checks carried out yesterday offer little optimism. The official diagnosis will follow a magnetic resonance scan due today. The news comes after Roma emerged from their Champions League fixture with four goals scored, a result that has given the coaching staff plenty to build on. The squad is already severely depleted. Svilar, Koné and Dybala were already unavailable, and Cristante was ruled out before the Slovan Bratislava match. Cristante is now back, having trained with the group since yesterday, but he is not yet at full fitness. According to Il Tempo, Gian Piero Gasperini's biggest dilemma is in the attacking midfield. Dybala is still expected to start from the bench, having been dealing with a slight calf injury. He should be fully available next week against Udinese. Without Pellegrini, Rodrigo Mora's stock is rising sharply. The 2007-born Portuguese had a difficult spell after an excellent cameo against Real Madrid, struggling to make an impact in his two starts against Genoa and Slovan Bratislava. Even so, Roma badly need his talent and unpredictability, and Gasperini, a strong supporter of his arrival in the summer, could hand him a golden chance from the first minute on Saturday alongside Matías Soulé. The midfield set-up will also shape the team. Niccolò Pisilli looks almost certain to start, whichever system Gasperini chooses behind Donyell Malen. With Cristante available but not at his best, Gasperini is weighing up whether to pair the young Roman's exuberance alongside De Roon, or to push Cristante forward into the trequartista role to add density and physical presence against Napoli's midfield. Il Tempo describes a season in which Roma are picking up two injuries a week, and the club are in a state of crisis but refusing to stop. Roma will need another display of character at Napoli, from a squad that Gasperini is shaping in his own image.