Pellegrini injured as Pisilli captains Roma for the first time in win over Slovan Bratislava

Roma defender Daniele Ghilardi said his Champions League debut was a huge emotional moment and that the squad also wants to win against Napoli. Ghilardi said: "Tanta emozione per l'esordio in Champions. Vogliamo vincere anche col Napoli", which translates as: "A lot of emotion for the Champions League debut. We want to win against Napoli too." The comments follow Roma's 4-0 win over Slovan Bratislava, which the Italian coverage rated in player ratings that picked out Ghilardi and Hermoso, with Malen also singled out. Roma's Champions League campaign has begun with that result, and the club now turns its attention to Napoli. Elsewhere in the club's news, Gian Piero Gasperini said of team selection: "Chi gioca deve essere all'altezza della Roma. Spero di riavere presto Dybala, davanti siamo pochi", meaning those who play must be up to the standard of Roma, and he hopes to have Dybala back soon as the attack is thin. Lorenzo Pellegrini has a muscle injury, and Gasperini said: "Nulla di grave, ma rischia di stare out 20 giorni", meaning it is nothing serious but he could be out for 20 days. Niccolò Pisilli said wearing the Roma captain's armband is an honour and that he has grown a lot under Gasperini.

Lorenzo Pellegrini was forced off after 49 minutes of Roma's 4-0 win over Slovan Bratislava, having suffered a muscle problem in his right thigh. He will undergo instrumental tests tomorrow to determine the full extent of the injury and his recovery time. Gasperini announced in his post-match press conference that Pellegrini's recovery is expected to take around 20 days. The midfielder's injury adds a new name to Roma's injury list. There is better news elsewhere in the squad: Bryan Cristante is back available and could be in the squad for Saturday's trip to Napoli. Paulo Dybala, however, will take a few more days to return. The result in Bratislava was a convincing 4-0 win for the Giallorossi, and the focus now shifts to the test results that will set Pellegrini's timeline.

Lorenzo Pellegrini produced an impressive display in Roma's recent match, despite leaving the pitch after a sharp pain that brought a grimace of frustration from him and the entire stadium. Playing from a position that was often fairly wide, he impressed with his influence on the attacking play and the quality of his touches, with his right-footed inside runs from the centre-left of the final third finding Malen's channel time after time. Malen ran into that space like a sprinter at the starter's gun. The move first produced an incredible miss by Mora in front of goal, with Malen showing too much generosity, and then the pattern repeated with a finish that went to Molina. Pellegrini's ability to pick out those passes was the standout feature of his evening, and it reinforced his importance to the team's attacking shape. The immediate concern is the nature of the problem. The hope is that his withdrawal was mainly a precaution after the first twinge he felt. Pellegrini can still offer Roma more in more than one role, and that could make the difference in the club's ambitions and season objectives. TUTTE LE NOTIZIE GRATIS SULLA ROMA SUL TUO TELEFONINO – TELEGRAM TUTTE LE NOTIZIE GRATIS SULLA ROMA SUL TUO TELEFONINO – WHATSAPP

Roma defender Daniele Ghilardi said his Champions League debut was a huge emotional moment and that the squad also wants to win against Napoli. Ghilardi said: "Tanta emozione per l'esordio in Champions. Vogliamo vincere anche col Napoli", which translates as: "A lot of emotion for the Champions League debut. We want to win against Napoli too." The comments follow Roma's 4-0 win over Slovan Bratislava, which the Italian coverage rated in player ratings that picked out Ghilardi and Hermoso, with Malen also singled out. Roma's Champions League campaign has begun with that result, and the club now turns its attention to Napoli. Elsewhere in the club's news, Gian Piero Gasperini said of team selection: "Chi gioca deve essere all'altezza della Roma. Spero di riavere presto Dybala, davanti siamo pochi", meaning those who play must be up to the standard of Roma, and he hopes to have Dybala back soon as the attack is thin. Lorenzo Pellegrini has a muscle injury, and Gasperini said: "Nulla di grave, ma rischia di stare out 20 giorni", meaning it is nothing serious but he could be out for 20 days. Niccolò Pisilli said wearing the Roma captain's armband is an honour and that he has grown a lot under Gasperini.

Roma recorded their first four-goal haul of the Champions League season, routing Slovan Bratislava, who never got into the game. Hermoso opened the scoring, before Molina, Pisilli and Malen, from the penalty spot, completed the rout. The player ratings praised the whole side for being in good form and entering the match with the right mindset. The defence was the standout area. Ghilardi started strongly and got forward often, leaving the Gollini's penalty area regularly, and he won a fortunate deflection to set up Hermoso. Ghilardi also had a goal disallowed for an active offside by Castro, which the ratings described as a pity given how well he had played. Balerdi was rated calm, elegant and attentive, covering large areas of the pitch. Hermoso, rated 7.5, was described as the most accurate passer in the first half with a 90% pass accuracy, and he went on to score the opener with a header from a free kick. Wesley was rated 7, with the ratings saying he left a trail of scorched grass down his flank and that Slovan players barely saw him. Pellegrini was rated 6.5 but had to ask to be substituted, and the ratings expressed hope the problem was nothing serious. Mora, rated 6, struck the advertising boards near the net and was unlucky when his effort was ruled out for offside, while the ratings noted he had been running hard from both flanks. Gollini, rated 6, had little to do beyond a couple of catches. The ratings for Gasperini's side included several verdicts on the individual performances. Pisilli, who scored wearing the captain's armband, said: "Un sogno" ("A dream"). Molina, rated 6.5, pounced on a poor rebound from Takac to make it 2-0 and was applauded for sprinting to win a late corner. Malen, rated 7.5, was involved in the build-up to Molina's goal and Pisilli's, and finished the rout from the spot. Soulé, who came on for Pellegrini in the 51st minute, was rated 6.5 for an immediate steal in the box that set up Malen. Castro, who replaced Malen in the 58th minute, was rated 6. Gasperini was quoted in the ratings on Mora, saying he "deve strutturarsi" ("needs to find his structure"). The ratings noted Gasperini had a short squad again and rotated it, asking his players to focus on every detail, and that the side needed to score as many goals as possible, which he addressed with his usual rotations. Koulierakis replaced Hermoso in the 77th minute, and Mancini came on for De Roon at the same time.

Lorenzo Pellegrini was forced off after 49 minutes of Roma's 4-0 win over Slovan Bratislava, having suffered a muscle problem in his right thigh. He will undergo instrumental tests tomorrow to determine the full extent of the injury and his recovery time. Gasperini announced in his post-match press conference that Pellegrini's recovery is expected to take around 20 days. The midfielder's injury adds a new name to Roma's injury list. There is better news elsewhere in the squad: Bryan Cristante is back available and could be in the squad for Saturday's trip to Napoli. Paulo Dybala, however, will take a few more days to return. The result in Bratislava was a convincing 4-0 win for the Giallorossi, and the focus now shifts to the test results that will set Pellegrini's timeline.

Roma defender Daniele Ghilardi said his Champions League debut was a huge emotional moment and that the squad also wants to win against Napoli. Ghilardi said: "Tanta emozione per l'esordio in Champions. Vogliamo vincere anche col Napoli", which translates as: "A lot of emotion for the Champions League debut. We want to win against Napoli too." The comments follow Roma's 4-0 win over Slovan Bratislava, which the Italian coverage rated in player ratings that picked out Ghilardi and Hermoso, with Malen also singled out. Roma's Champions League campaign has begun with that result, and the club now turns its attention to Napoli. Elsewhere in the club's news, Gian Piero Gasperini said of team selection: "Chi gioca deve essere all'altezza della Roma. Spero di riavere presto Dybala, davanti siamo pochi", meaning those who play must be up to the standard of Roma, and he hopes to have Dybala back soon as the attack is thin. Lorenzo Pellegrini has a muscle injury, and Gasperini said: "Nulla di grave, ma rischia di stare out 20 giorni", meaning it is nothing serious but he could be out for 20 days. Niccolò Pisilli said wearing the Roma captain's armband is an honour and that he has grown a lot under Gasperini.

Niccolò Pisilli has described his time as captain as a great honour, saying every minute he played wearing the armband was an honour, with many players absent and the responsibility falling to him. Pisilli is a Roma academy product who has been at the club since the youth ranks, and he is now leading the side. Asked what has changed for him and the team, Pisilli said: "We are growing a lot. Last year we had to absorb the concepts well. This year we start with one more year behind us and we know what is asked of us. I put myself at the disposal of the team and the coach. When there is defending to do I defend, and when there is attacking to do I attack." Florenzi put it to him that he carries on the tradition of Roman and Roma captains, and offered him his compliments. Pisilli replied: "Thank you very much."

Roma secured their first win of the Champions League league phase, beating Slovan Bratislava 4-0 with a dominant display under Gian Piero Gasperini. The result follows a draw with Fenerbahce and a late defeat to Real Madrid. Hermoso opened the scoring with a header, and Molina doubled the lead just before half-time. After the break, Pisilli added a goal and Malen converted a penalty to seal the win. Roma never looked at risk of conceding in the match. Ghilardi also scored late on, but the goal was disallowed for offside. The victory lifts Gasperini's side to 4 points in the league phase standings. Roma's next big match is against Napoli at the weekend. Molina's goal was his first in a Roma shirt. Wesley was described as unplayable in the player ratings, which award Hermoso a 7, Molina a 6.5 and Wesley a 7.5.

Roma defender Daniele Ghilardi said his Champions League debut was a huge emotional moment and that the squad also wants to win against Napoli. Ghilardi said: "Tanta emozione per l'esordio in Champions. Vogliamo vincere anche col Napoli", which translates as: "A lot of emotion for the Champions League debut. We want to win against Napoli too." The comments follow Roma's 4-0 win over Slovan Bratislava, which the Italian coverage rated in player ratings that picked out Ghilardi and Hermoso, with Malen also singled out. Roma's Champions League campaign has begun with that result, and the club now turns its attention to Napoli. Elsewhere in the club's news, Gian Piero Gasperini said of team selection: "Chi gioca deve essere all'altezza della Roma. Spero di riavere presto Dybala, davanti siamo pochi", meaning those who play must be up to the standard of Roma, and he hopes to have Dybala back soon as the attack is thin. Lorenzo Pellegrini has a muscle injury, and Gasperini said: "Nulla di grave, ma rischia di stare out 20 giorni", meaning it is nothing serious but he could be out for 20 days. Niccolò Pisilli said wearing the Roma captain's armband is an honour and that he has grown a lot under Gasperini.

Lorenzo Pellegrini was forced off after 49 minutes of Roma's 4-0 win over Slovan Bratislava, having suffered a muscle problem in his right thigh. He will undergo instrumental tests tomorrow to determine the full extent of the injury and his recovery time. Gasperini announced in his post-match press conference that Pellegrini's recovery is expected to take around 20 days. The midfielder's injury adds a new name to Roma's injury list. There is better news elsewhere in the squad: Bryan Cristante is back available and could be in the squad for Saturday's trip to Napoli. Paulo Dybala, however, will take a few more days to return. The result in Bratislava was a convincing 4-0 win for the Giallorossi, and the focus now shifts to the test results that will set Pellegrini's timeline.

Roma secured their first win of the Champions League campaign, beating Slovan Bratislava and moving up to 4 points. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini spoke to Sky Sport afterwards, saying the squad has morale and is in good shape. He said: "Undoubtedly, the team has morale and is well. It must not become too complacent, but do the essential things and play with continuity. On certain evenings, like tonight, it can afford to be a bit more precise." Roma started again straight after the match against Real Madrid and have institutionalised rotation, while the principles remain within the group. Gasperini said: "These are very important answers, the calendar is what it is and we need everyone, when they take part, to live up to what Roma asks. These answers are important, they allow us to move forward with confidence and to widen the pool of potential starters a little for everyone." Roma now face two away fixtures, against Manchester United and PSG. Gasperini said his only concern is that every time the team plays matches of this type they risk losing a player. "Now we have recovered Cristante and we are losing Pellegrini, in certain areas we are a bit thin. This is the only danger of these matches, which for the rest are tense and exceptional. For us they are an incredible test, and whatever the result you always take away some extra information and have the chance to grow. The Champions League is extraordinary in this. We will face these two games with this spirit." Asked whether there had been a risk of underestimating the Slovan match, Gasperini said: "It was important to play a serious match from the start, partly for the need of the three points and partly because in the Champions League there are no easy teams to face. There aren't any in the league, let alone in the Champions League. We were good in how we approached the game. We have been rotating many players between matches, and this allows us to have good freshness, or at least not to have too many fatigue excuses. Playing like this is a bit too much, but you also find a better rhythm and condition. There are some players who are in good form, and as long as they are, it is right to let them play." On Roma creating a lot of chances, Gasperini said: "I hope for a bit of everything. It is not the result of improvisation if you do it for many matches, they are very committed, and you improve through training. With a mental switch you do things you didn't do before, but this is a healthy team, and when it is, the players try to make important plays. There is no limit to this. Technically we could have exploited some situations better, especially in the first half when the situation was more open." On Pellegrini, Gasperini said: "I don't think it is a serious thing. Although it is a small thing, when it is a muscular problem it takes 20 days, I think it is of that value. Now this week we have one extra day before Napoli, then we have a series of matches every three days. The forward line is fundamental now, in substitutions, in quality, in numbers, so we are facing a series of matches where if we do not recover Dybala quickly, we will really be very few." Gasperini also praised Daniele Ghilardi, saying: "A pity about the disallowed goal, he had struck it very well. This year, including with Inter, he has delivered increasingly strong performances. He is a young lad who gains confidence by playing and can evolve positively." On Slovan, he said: "An organised side, with speed and dangerous, we did well to stop them being dangerous on the counter-attack. But I liked them, they can grow, they have young players and valid qualities. It was not easy for them." Asked what he liked most about the two matches after Real Madrid, Gasperini said: "Playing these matches and carrying them forward. There are different matches. In Turkey it was a very difficult environment, then Real and today. There are great values. Now we will go to Manchester, which is a difficult environment, then PSG, who are now the strongest team in the world. From these matches we must always take something that stays with us and helps us improve. I liked the rotation I made, keeping the team competitive. Now we will get Cristante back and that will be important. Everyone played significant spells of the match. Many players played without being overly exhausted."