Pellegrini shines in attacking play despite injury scare

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 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.

Mario Hermoso spoke to reporters after Roma beat Slovan Bratislava at the Stadio Olimpico in their third League Phase match of the Champions League, delighted with the team's performance and the depth of the squad. The Spaniard highlighted the importance of keeping a clean sheet, a result Roma badly needed after their defeat to Real Madrid. Roma have now won two matches in a row with six goals scored and none conceded. Hermoso noted that his side's defence has been the least breached of the top five European leagues, a fact he said matters to the whole team, not only the defenders. He stressed that Roma are a tough side who want to play fast and do things the way the coach wants, adding that the team has plenty of talent in attack and the defenders must get them the ball to score. Asked about the heavy rotation in the match, Hermoso said: "We have a strong team and a complete squad, with quality players in every department. We have to work, and we all do it every day to be at our best. This says a lot about us and about the work the coach is doing, and the sporting director too. It's nice to see Roma like this."

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.

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 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.

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.

Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini has told his side not to become complacent, while warning that each big match carries the risk of losing a player, ahead of the Champions League clash with Slovan Bratislava. Gasperini spoke in a series of pre-match comments on the club's Champions League third matchday fixture against Slovan Bratislava. Gasperini said control of the game was total and that the squad is in good shape. "Yes, undoubtedly. The team has morale and is well, only it must not become too complacent. It must do the essential things, play with continuity, and in certain evenings like tonight it can afford to be a little less precise." He stressed that the principles remain in the group despite the changes made to the lineup. "These are very important answers, because the schedule is what it is and we need everyone, when they take part, to be equal to what Roma asks. These answers are important because they allow us to go forward with confidence and to widen the group of potential starters a little for everyone." Asked whether he was looking forward to the next two away matches, Gasperini replied that his one worry is that every time the team plays matches of this kind, it risks losing a player. "Now we have recovered Cristante, but we lose Pellegrini. In certain areas we are a little thin. This is the only danger of these matches, which for the rest are expected and exceptional, and for us are an incredible test. From these games you always take some information to grow, and the Champions League is extraordinary in this. We will face these two games with this spirit." On the risk of underestimating the fixture, which Roma did not do, Gasperini said: "It was important for us to play a serious match straight away, partly because of the need for three points and partly because there are no easy teams to face in the Champions League. We were undoubtedly good in how we approached the game. We are also rotating many players, and this gives us good freshness, or at least means we have no excuses of fatigue. Now it is a bit too much, but I believe that by playing this type of match you find your best condition. For now I have some players who are doing well, and as long as they stay that way it is right to let them play."

Roma beat Slovan Bratislava 4-0 at the Stadio Olimpico in the third matchday of the Champions League League Phase, scoring twice in each half. Giallorossi.net's player ratings single out Ghilardi, Wesley and Malen as the standout performers, with Gasperini receiving a 7 for his rotation of the squad. Slovan Bratislava barely troubled Gollini, who was rated sv (without a rating) after the Slovak side failed to register a shot on target all match. Hermoso opened the scoring with a header, positioned sharply on the far post. Ghilardi, rated 7.5 and among the best players on the pitch, was calm in defence and timely in his attacking runs. He provided the aerial assist for Hermoso's opener and later scored a fine goal in the closing stages, which was ruled out for offside. Balerdi (6.5) controlled the defence with class and had a quiet evening. Molina (7) provided constant width on the right, going close twice and scoring once. Pisilli (7) produced a performance of substance and quality, enhanced by a good goal. De Roon (6) did the unglamorous work that the team valued. Wesley (7.5) was described as an arrow that wounded the Slovak rearguard, running tirelessly, delivering several good crosses and winning a penalty. Rensch (6.5) came on for him in the 57th minute and was judged to have made a positive impact, limiting the loss of the Brazilian. Mora (6) was described as raw. Gasperini deployed him on the right for the entire match, even after Soulé came on, and he kept searching for a goal without finding it. He missed an open-goal chance, although it was fortunately offside. Pellegrini (6.5) enjoyed a good first half, always involved in the attacking play and providing valuable assists, but had to be replaced early in the second half after picking up a knock. Soulé (6), who came on at 51 minutes, could not make an impact. Malen (7.5) was rated among the best, with some good touches, a goal won, a penalty converted and an assist. Castro (6), on for Malen in the 57th minute, set up a chance for Mora with unselfish play but did not find the net. Gasperini was rated 7. The match was not especially demanding, but he deserved credit for continuing to rotate the squad without fear. The 4-0 scoreline flattered a Roma side that has regained winning form in the Champions League.