Pisilli scores wearing the captain's armband as Roma impress in Europe; Napoli trip looms

Roma's Under-18s side, coached by Christian Terlizzi, won the Derby della Capitale against Lazio 2-1, securing the first derby of the season and lifting the team after a difficult start to the campaign. Florio and Di Mascio scored for Roma, while Lazio's reply came from Zero. Roma struck early, taking the lead after three minutes from a corner, with Florio finding the net with a left-foot finish to make it 1-0. Lazio levelled shortly before half-time through Zero, but the equaliser was not enough. Roma came out sharply after the break and restored their lead through Di Mascio, who secured the decisive second goal. Lazio pushed hard in the closing stages but could not change the result, and Roma celebrated the win at the Salaria Sport Village. The victory, coached by Christian Terlizzi and marking Roma's first derby of the season, came as a welcome response to a complicated opening to the Under-18 campaign. Lazio were coached by Lombardi.

Niccolò Pisilli scored his first Champions League goal for Roma, wearing the captain's armband after Lorenzo Pellegrini was forced off injured. The goal came within seconds of him taking over the armband, in front of the Curva Sud. The article recalls that Pisilli first scored for Roma in Europa League against Sheriff in 2023, and that he has now grown into a central figure. It notes that Francesco Totti scored in the same way in 1998, when Aldair was unavailable and Totti wore the armband for the first time, also scoring his first goal as captain. The article adds that Totti was in the stands at the Olimpico watching Roma that day. Pisilli is already on three goals this season and is carving out an important role in Gasperini's plans. The article suggests Pisilli could be asked to play again in a more advanced role, on the trequartista position, for the trip to Napoli, given Roma's shortage of forwards. It describes him as ready for the task.

Roma's Serie A Matchday 8 fixture against Napoli, managed by Antonio Allegri, will be refereed by Colombo of the Como section, with the match kicking off Saturday at 18:00 at Napoli's home ground. Roma travel to the Diego Armando Maradona...

Lorenzo Pellegrini's scans are due tomorrow after he left the pitch during the match against Slovan Bratislava with a muscle problem in his right thigh. Speaking after the game, Gian Piero Gasperini suggested he could be out for around 20 days, but the instrumental tests will give a clearer picture of the diagnosis and recovery time for the number 7. Andrea Colombo of the Como section will referee Napoli-Roma on Saturday at 18:00 at the Maradona, with Bindoni and Rossi as assistants, Sacchi as fourth official, Aureliano on VAR and Meraviglia as AVAR. Roma's record under Colombo is five wins, five draws and one defeat in eleven matches. His most recent Roma games include a 2-1 win over Atalanta and a 2-2 draw in Naples last season. Napoli's record under him is seven wins, one draw and three defeats in eleven meetings. Wesley's form for Roma has attracted attention in the Premier League, where Manchester United are reportedly monitoring the Brazilian winger and could try to bring him to England as early as January. Gasperini has been clear: the player is considered untouchable and the club do not intend to sell him in the winter window. Chelsea also tested the water in the summer with a €50 million offer, which was rejected by Trigoria. Roma would only consider a proposal that is significantly higher. Pruzzo, speaking to Radio Radio, said: "The two matches after Real were needed, because they gave presence and satisfaction. It is a pity that the strikers, in these games, are the ones who should have more space: Castro does not play. I am sorry that Castro never plays. Mora did not take advantage of the opportunity, he is not ready for this stage. It seems to me that it is time to think about another striker." Pes, speaking to TeleRadioStereo, said: "De Roon and Cristante have the same characteristics, I do not think they can play together. De Roon can manage a game from the bench, he has played all of them so far. For me, Cristante-Pisilli is the right pairing. It seems to me it was also the pairing last year, because Koné was injured."

Marten de Roon is quietly becoming one of the most influential players in the Roma squad, and his form has been impressive. The 35-year-old Dutchman played 170 minutes over the last three matches, spread across six days, and scored against Real Madrid. It is his first goal in the Champions League. The midfielder leads all Roma midfielders for balls recovered, with 7, and is also first for attempted disimpegni (2). He is second among the club's midfielders for distance covered, with 22.7 km in 171 minutes, behind Pisilli, who has run 28.5 km but in 201 minutes. Roma's attacking output also improves when he is on the pitch, with the team averaging 3.68 goals scored per match when de Roon plays. He was short of match fitness after being left out of the team earlier in the season, which had prevented him from playing for Atalanta, his former club. De Roon's numbers, taken from FBref, FotMob and UEFA, show a player who has returned to full condition quickly. Daniele Ghilardi, however, is the bigger talisman by the same measure, with an average of 4.00 goals scored per match when he is on the pitch.

Roma travel to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Saturday at 18:00 to face Napoli in Serie A matchday eight, with Gian Piero Gasperini's side arriving after a 4-0 win over Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League, while Napoli beat Bodø/Glimt 4-3 on the same evening. Gasperini has to contend with several absences, and the problem Lorenzo Pellegrini suffered against Slovan Bratislava adds to his worries. Pellegrini left the pitch with a muscle issue to his right hamstring and will undergo further tests, so his availability for the Maradona is in doubt. Gollini is set to keep his place in goal in the absence of Svilar. Svilar is still out with a micro-fracture to his fifth toe and will only return in the coming weeks. Koné will also miss out, having picked up a first-degree muscle injury against Real Madrid, with his return expected later on. Dybala is yet to recover from a small tear to his calf muscle. Roma reached the Maradona after a positive week in Serie A and the Champions League. They first beat Genoa 2-0 at the Olimpico, returning to winning ways in Serie A after a draw at Como, and then thrashed Slovan Bratislava 4-0 to secure their first win in the Champions League league phase. Hermoso, Molina, Pisilli and Malen scored against the Slovaks, in a practically perfect evening for Gasperini's side, marred only by Pellegrini's injury. Gasperini also managed his regulars, initially resting Mancini, Ndicka and Soulé. Napoli also come into the match after a European win. They beat Bodø/Glimt 4-3 at the Maradona thanks to an opening goal from Politano, a brace from McTominay and an own goal from Bjørtuft. The result, after difficulties in the first two Champions League matchdays, lets Allegri's side approach the clash with Roma with greater confidence. Napoli have also been hit by absences: Favasuli is out with a second-degree tear to his rectus femoris, Vergara is recovering from a calf problem and Alisson Santos is out with a biceps femoris injury. Buongiorno and Neres remain doubtful, the latter with a thigh muscle injury. The head-to-head record stands at 90 official meetings played in Campania. Napoli have won 39, Roma 25, with 26 draws. Roma have not won at Napoli's ground since the 2017/18 season, when they triumphed 4-2. The last meeting at the Maradona, on 15 February 2026, ended 2-2. Ticket sales for the match have been banned for residents of the Lazio region, a measure adopted by the prefect of Naples, Michele di Bari, on the basis of the determination of the Committee for the analysis of security at sporting events and the proposal of the Naples Police Headquarters. The restriction applies to the sale of tickets to Lazio residents in general, not only to the away section. The match will be broadcast live on DAZN, with kick-off at 18:00 on Saturday 24 October at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Official line-ups will be announced about an hour before kick-off. Gasperini's probable Roma XI is Gollini; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Wesley, de Roon, Pisilli, Molina; Soulé, Mora; Malen. Mancini and Ndicka are expected to return alongside Hermoso, with Balerdi and Ghilardi as alternatives, while Wesley and Lulli are favoured on the flanks. Cristante, recovering from knee inflammation, could be in the squad at least. Mora is favoured to complete the attack in Dybala's absence, while Malen is confirmed up front after returning to scoring against Slovan Bratislava from the penalty spot. Napoli are expected to line up in a 3-4-2-1 with Meret in goal, Beukema, Rrahmani and Badiashile at the back, Di Lorenzo and the former Roma player Spinazzola on the flanks, Lobotka and Gilmour in midfield, Giovane and McTominay behind Hojlund. Anguissa is a candidate to return to the starting line-up after a spell on the bench in the last league fixture.

Roma travel to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Saturday at 18:00 to face Napoli in Serie A matchday eight, with Gian Piero Gasperini's side arriving after a 4-0 win over Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League, while Napoli beat Bodø/Glimt 4-3 on the same evening. Gasperini has to contend with several absences, and the problem Lorenzo Pellegrini suffered against Slovan Bratislava adds to his worries. Pellegrini left the pitch with a muscle issue to his right hamstring and will undergo further tests, so his availability for the Maradona is in doubt. Gollini is set to keep his place in goal in the absence of Svilar. Svilar is still out with a micro-fracture to his fifth toe and will only return in the coming weeks. Koné will also miss out, having picked up a first-degree muscle injury against Real Madrid, with his return expected later on. Dybala is yet to recover from a small tear to his calf muscle. Roma reached the Maradona after a positive week in Serie A and the Champions League. They first beat Genoa 2-0 at the Olimpico, returning to winning ways in Serie A after a draw at Como, and then thrashed Slovan Bratislava 4-0 to secure their first win in the Champions League league phase. Hermoso, Molina, Pisilli and Malen scored against the Slovaks, in a practically perfect evening for Gasperini's side, marred only by Pellegrini's injury. Gasperini also managed his regulars, initially resting Mancini, Ndicka and Soulé. Napoli also come into the match after a European win. They beat Bodø/Glimt 4-3 at the Maradona thanks to an opening goal from Politano, a brace from McTominay and an own goal from Bjørtuft. The result, after difficulties in the first two Champions League matchdays, lets Allegri's side approach the clash with Roma with greater confidence. Napoli have also been hit by absences: Favasuli is out with a second-degree tear to his rectus femoris, Vergara is recovering from a calf problem and Alisson Santos is out with a biceps femoris injury. Buongiorno and Neres remain doubtful, the latter with a thigh muscle injury. The head-to-head record stands at 90 official meetings played in Campania. Napoli have won 39, Roma 25, with 26 draws. Roma have not won at Napoli's ground since the 2017/18 season, when they triumphed 4-2. The last meeting at the Maradona, on 15 February 2026, ended 2-2. Ticket sales for the match have been banned for residents of the Lazio region, a measure adopted by the prefect of Naples, Michele di Bari, on the basis of the determination of the Committee for the analysis of security at sporting events and the proposal of the Naples Police Headquarters. The restriction applies to the sale of tickets to Lazio residents in general, not only to the away section. The match will be broadcast live on DAZN, with kick-off at 18:00 on Saturday 24 October at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Official line-ups will be announced about an hour before kick-off. Gasperini's probable Roma XI is Gollini; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Wesley, de Roon, Pisilli, Molina; Soulé, Mora; Malen. Mancini and Ndicka are expected to return alongside Hermoso, with Balerdi and Ghilardi as alternatives, while Wesley and Lulli are favoured on the flanks. Cristante, recovering from knee inflammation, could be in the squad at least. Mora is favoured to complete the attack in Dybala's absence, while Malen is confirmed up front after returning to scoring against Slovan Bratislava from the penalty spot. Napoli are expected to line up in a 3-4-2-1 with Meret in goal, Beukema, Rrahmani and Badiashile at the back, Di Lorenzo and the former Roma player Spinazzola on the flanks, Lobotka and Gilmour in midfield, Giovane and McTominay behind Hojlund. Anguissa is a candidate to return to the starting line-up after a spell on the bench in the last league fixture.

Roma travel to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Saturday at 18:00 to face Napoli in Serie A matchday eight, with Gian Piero Gasperini's side still short of several players. The match will be broadcast live on DAZN. Roma arrive after a positive week, having beaten Genoa 2-0 at the Olimpico to return to winning ways in Serie A following the draw at Como, and then thrashing Slovan Bratislava 4-0 in the Champions League for their first win in the league phase of the competition. Against the Slovaks, Hermoso, Molina, Pisilli and Malen scored, in a near-perfect evening for Gasperini's team that was marred only by the injury to Lorenzo Pellegrini. Napoli also come into the game on the back of a European win, beating Bodø/Glimt 4-3 at the Maradona thanks to an opening goal from Politano, a brace from McTominay and an own goal by Bjørtuft. That result came after a difficult first two Champions League matchdays and gives Allegri's side more confidence ahead of the clash with Roma. Roma's injury list is a concern. Svilar is out with a micro-fracture to his fifth toe and will return only in the coming weeks. Manu Koné is sidelined with a first-degree muscle injury sustained against Real Madrid, while Dybala is still recovering from a small tear to his calf muscle. Cristante, who has gradually overcome knee inflammation, could return to the squad at least. Pellegrini left the pitch against Slovan Bratislava with a muscular problem to his right hamstring and will undergo further tests, leaving his availability for the Maradona in doubt. Gollini is expected to keep his place in goal in Svilar's absence. On the Napoli side, Favasuli is out with a second-degree rectus femoris injury, Vergara is recovering from a calf problem and Alisson Santos is ruled out with a biceps femoris injury. Buongiorno and Neres are being assessed, with Neres suffering a thigh muscle injury. Allegri is expected to field a 3-4-2-1, with Meret in goal, Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani and Badiashile in defence, and Politano and Spinazzola on the flanks. Lobotka and McTominay are expected to start in midfield, with Anguissa a candidate to return from the start after coming off the bench in the last league match. Lang and De Bruyne are likely to operate behind Hojlund, favoured over Lucca to lead the attack. Lang versus Giovane is a open selection battle. For Roma, Gasperini's probable XI is a 3-4-2-1 with Gollini; Mancini, Ndicka and Hermoso; Wesley, de Roon, Pisilli and Molina; Soulé and Mora; Malen. Mancini and Ndicka are expected back after rotation in Europe, with Balerdi and Ghilardi as alternatives. Wesley and Lulli are currently favoured on the flanks, while de Roon and Pisilli could be confirmed in midfield. Cristante's return is the main news, and Soulé is expected to regain a place from the start after beginning on the bench in the Champions League, with Mora favoured to complete the attack in Dybala's absence. Malen is set to lead the line after returning to scoring against Slovan Bratislava from the penalty spot. The match is scheduled for 18:00 on Saturday 24 October at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona and will be shown live on DAZN. Official line-ups will be announced about an hour before kickoff.

Lorenzo Pellegrini's fitness has Gian Piero Gasperini anxious after the midfielder pulled up with a problem in his right thigh flexor and asked to be substituted in the 50th minute of Roma's most recent match. The number seven, back in the squad for about a month, is already back on the treatment table. Pellegrini first underwent initial checks on Tuesday, with a magnetic resonance scan due on Wednesday to determine how long he will be out. Roma's hope is that the injury is a first-degree tear, which would keep him sidelined for around 15 days. If the problem proves more serious, he will not return until after the November international break. Roma face Napoli with a limited attacking pool: Santiago Castro, Rodrigo Mora, Matías Soulé and Donyell Malen are the only forwards available. Paulo Dybala is also out, although he is targeting the trip to Udine.

Lorenzo Pellegrini's scans are due tomorrow after he left the pitch during the match against Slovan Bratislava with a muscle problem in his right thigh. Speaking after the game, Gian Piero Gasperini suggested he could be out for around 20 days, but the instrumental tests will give a clearer picture of the diagnosis and recovery time for the number 7. Andrea Colombo of the Como section will referee Napoli-Roma on Saturday at 18:00 at the Maradona, with Bindoni and Rossi as assistants, Sacchi as fourth official, Aureliano on VAR and Meraviglia as AVAR. Roma's record under Colombo is five wins, five draws and one defeat in eleven matches. His most recent Roma games include a 2-1 win over Atalanta and a 2-2 draw in Naples last season. Napoli's record under him is seven wins, one draw and three defeats in eleven meetings. Wesley's form for Roma has attracted attention in the Premier League, where Manchester United are reportedly monitoring the Brazilian winger and could try to bring him to England as early as January. Gasperini has been clear: the player is considered untouchable and the club do not intend to sell him in the winter window. Chelsea also tested the water in the summer with a €50 million offer, which was rejected by Trigoria. Roma would only consider a proposal that is significantly higher. Pruzzo, speaking to Radio Radio, said: "The two matches after Real were needed, because they gave presence and satisfaction. It is a pity that the strikers, in these games, are the ones who should have more space: Castro does not play. I am sorry that Castro never plays. Mora did not take advantage of the opportunity, he is not ready for this stage. It seems to me that it is time to think about another striker." Pes, speaking to TeleRadioStereo, said: "De Roon and Cristante have the same characteristics, I do not think they can play together. De Roon can manage a game from the bench, he has played all of them so far. For me, Cristante-Pisilli is the right pairing. It seems to me it was also the pairing last year, because Koné was injured."

Marten de Roon is quietly becoming one of the most influential players in the Roma squad, and his form has been impressive. The 35-year-old Dutchman played 170 minutes over the last three matches, spread across six days, and scored against Real Madrid. It is his first goal in the Champions League. The midfielder leads all Roma midfielders for balls recovered, with 7, and is also first for attempted disimpegni (2). He is second among the club's midfielders for distance covered, with 22.7 km in 171 minutes, behind Pisilli, who has run 28.5 km but in 201 minutes. Roma's attacking output also improves when he is on the pitch, with the team averaging 3.68 goals scored per match when de Roon plays. He was short of match fitness after being left out of the team earlier in the season, which had prevented him from playing for Atalanta, his former club. De Roon's numbers, taken from FBref, FotMob and UEFA, show a player who has returned to full condition quickly. Daniele Ghilardi, however, is the bigger talisman by the same measure, with an average of 4.00 goals scored per match when he is on the pitch.

Roma travel to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Saturday at 18:00 to face Napoli in Serie A matchday eight, with Gian Piero Gasperini's side arriving after a 4-0 win over Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League, while Napoli beat Bodø/Glimt 4-3 on the same evening. Gasperini has to contend with several absences, and the problem Lorenzo Pellegrini suffered against Slovan Bratislava adds to his worries. Pellegrini left the pitch with a muscle issue to his right hamstring and will undergo further tests, so his availability for the Maradona is in doubt. Gollini is set to keep his place in goal in the absence of Svilar. Svilar is still out with a micro-fracture to his fifth toe and will only return in the coming weeks. Koné will also miss out, having picked up a first-degree muscle injury against Real Madrid, with his return expected later on. Dybala is yet to recover from a small tear to his calf muscle. Roma reached the Maradona after a positive week in Serie A and the Champions League. They first beat Genoa 2-0 at the Olimpico, returning to winning ways in Serie A after a draw at Como, and then thrashed Slovan Bratislava 4-0 to secure their first win in the Champions League league phase. Hermoso, Molina, Pisilli and Malen scored against the Slovaks, in a practically perfect evening for Gasperini's side, marred only by Pellegrini's injury. Gasperini also managed his regulars, initially resting Mancini, Ndicka and Soulé. Napoli also come into the match after a European win. They beat Bodø/Glimt 4-3 at the Maradona thanks to an opening goal from Politano, a brace from McTominay and an own goal from Bjørtuft. The result, after difficulties in the first two Champions League matchdays, lets Allegri's side approach the clash with Roma with greater confidence. Napoli have also been hit by absences: Favasuli is out with a second-degree tear to his rectus femoris, Vergara is recovering from a calf problem and Alisson Santos is out with a biceps femoris injury. Buongiorno and Neres remain doubtful, the latter with a thigh muscle injury. The head-to-head record stands at 90 official meetings played in Campania. Napoli have won 39, Roma 25, with 26 draws. Roma have not won at Napoli's ground since the 2017/18 season, when they triumphed 4-2. The last meeting at the Maradona, on 15 February 2026, ended 2-2. Ticket sales for the match have been banned for residents of the Lazio region, a measure adopted by the prefect of Naples, Michele di Bari, on the basis of the determination of the Committee for the analysis of security at sporting events and the proposal of the Naples Police Headquarters. The restriction applies to the sale of tickets to Lazio residents in general, not only to the away section. The match will be broadcast live on DAZN, with kick-off at 18:00 on Saturday 24 October at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Official line-ups will be announced about an hour before kick-off. Gasperini's probable Roma XI is Gollini; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Wesley, de Roon, Pisilli, Molina; Soulé, Mora; Malen. Mancini and Ndicka are expected to return alongside Hermoso, with Balerdi and Ghilardi as alternatives, while Wesley and Lulli are favoured on the flanks. Cristante, recovering from knee inflammation, could be in the squad at least. Mora is favoured to complete the attack in Dybala's absence, while Malen is confirmed up front after returning to scoring against Slovan Bratislava from the penalty spot. Napoli are expected to line up in a 3-4-2-1 with Meret in goal, Beukema, Rrahmani and Badiashile at the back, Di Lorenzo and the former Roma player Spinazzola on the flanks, Lobotka and Gilmour in midfield, Giovane and McTominay behind Hojlund. Anguissa is a candidate to return to the starting line-up after a spell on the bench in the last league fixture.