Pisilli set to start against Inter as Gasperini names likely line-up; Hermoso doubtful with ankle injury, Balerdi on standby

Gian Piero Gasperini has warned his Roma side not to lower their guard against Manchester United tonight at Old Trafford, despite the Red Devils' poor results. The main threat is Matheus Cunha, the Brazilian forward who is United's principal attacking figure. Gasperini said: "Never trust him", as reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport. United are struggling, but the quality of their squad remains intact. Cunha has not shone as he did in the past, and like the rest of the team he has been below his best. In 13 matches so far this season he has scored only two goals, against Sabah in the Champions League and against Fulham in the Premier League. Gasperini has stressed that the threat should not be underestimated. The job of containing Cunha will fall mainly to Evan N'Dicka. The Ivorian defender must work well on anticipation and get his reading of the play right, but he must also avoid mistakes when stepping out early. Cunha has pace, and if he gets away from a defender he is hard to catch, especially in open space. Roma's two midfielders, De Roon and Cristante, will also be asked to create density in front of the central defender to stop Cunha from receiving playable balls. For N'Dicka, tonight's contest rises sharply in level. The challenge is demanding, and the Roma defence will need discipline and sharp timing to keep the United forward quiet.

Gasperini is preparing to take his Roma side to Old Trafford to reverse the history against Manchester United, and the Italian papers have largely agreed on a starting eleven. The coach appears set to field a solid defence with Mancini returning to the starting lineup, while the main doubt concerns the right flank, where the choice is between Lulli and Molina. Rensch could also come into contention for that spot, but he appears the least likely to start from the first minute. In midfield, the papers are split over who will support Soulé behind Malen: Pisilli, Cristante or Mora. Across the line-ups published by the Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere dello Sport, Tuttosport, Il Messaggero, Corriere della Sera and Il Tempo, Roma are set to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation with Gollini in goal, Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso in defence, Wesley in the midfield and Soulé and Malen attacking. The papers' predicted line-ups differ in only a few places. The Gazzetta dello Sport and Il Messaggero pick Lulli at left-back, while the Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport go with Molina. The Corriere della Sera and Il Tempo both name Rensch. Il Messaggero also includes de Roon and Pisilli in midfield, with Cristante pushed further forward alongside Soulé, while Tuttosport picks Mora in the number ten role instead of Pisilli.

Roma travel to Old Trafford tonight, kickoff 21:00, aiming to end a long run of defeats at the ground against a Manchester United side in deep crisis. Gasperini's side arrive on the back of a 5-2 win over Udinese and a period of strong growth, while United have not won in nine matches and Michael Carrick's position as manager is increasingly under pressure. Roma have played four times at United's stadium and lost every time, conceding 15 goals, including the heavy 7-1 defeat in 2007 and the 6-2 loss in 2021. Carrick, now in the United dugout, scored twice in that 7-1 game. Roma supporters, around 5,000 of whom are expected to travel, dream of revenge tonight. United have looked fragile, nervous and unable to respond to difficulties in recent weeks, and a heavy 4-1 home defeat to Como exposed their limitations. Still, the English side remain rich in talent, with individuals capable of deciding a match at any moment. Old Trafford has also been a fortress: Manchester have won their last seven European matches there. The main danger for Roma, the article warns, is handing United the confidence and momentum to rediscover their rhythm, with an early goal or a fast start capable of reigniting the crowd. Gasperini said: "Ci prepariamo come se affrontassimo il miglior Manchester" ("We are preparing as if we were facing the best Manchester"). The coach's plan is to respect the opponent without giving up Roma's identity, playing with aggression, tempo and courage while taking the precautions needed to avoid giving the English attackers too much space. Gasperini knows the perils of Old Trafford well: in 2021, while coaching Atalanta, he led 2-0 before United came back to win 3-2. Roma, the article argues, have every reason to believe the result is possible, with the right moment, growing personality and Gasperini's work bearing fruit, but it will demand a very mature performance, because a wounded United can be more dangerous than a healthy one.

Gasperini is preparing to take his Roma side to Old Trafford to reverse the history against Manchester United, and the Italian papers have largely agreed on a starting eleven. The coach appears set to field a solid defence with Mancini returning to the starting lineup, while the main doubt concerns the right flank, where the choice is between Lulli and Molina. Rensch could also come into contention for that spot, but he appears the least likely to start from the first minute. In midfield, the papers are split over who will support Soulé behind Malen: Pisilli, Cristante or Mora. Across the line-ups published by the Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere dello Sport, Tuttosport, Il Messaggero, Corriere della Sera and Il Tempo, Roma are set to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation with Gollini in goal, Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso in defence, Wesley in the midfield and Soulé and Malen attacking. The papers' predicted line-ups differ in only a few places. The Gazzetta dello Sport and Il Messaggero pick Lulli at left-back, while the Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport go with Molina. The Corriere della Sera and Il Tempo both name Rensch. Il Messaggero also includes de Roon and Pisilli in midfield, with Cristante pushed further forward alongside Soulé, while Tuttosport picks Mora in the number ten role instead of Pisilli.

Roma visit Manchester United at Old Trafford tonight, with kick-off at 21:00 in the fourth matchday of the Champions League. Gasperini is expected to make several changes from the side that beat Udinese in Serie A three days ago. Pisilli is tipped to edge out Mora for a place in the midfield behind the front line. Mancini is set to return to the starting defence, alongside N'Dicka and Hermoso in a three-man back line. Wesley and Cristante are expected to keep their places, with De Roon in the middle of the midfield. Soulé and Malen are predicted to start up front alongside Pisilli in the 3-4-2-1 system. Gollini is expected to keep his place in goal. The predicted line-ups differ on the wing-back and full-back spots. Some papers pick Lulli on the left, others Rensch, and others Molina. Il Romanista goes with Balerdi on the left of the defence. La Gazzetta dello Sport, Il Messaggero and Il Corriere dello Sport all predict a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Lulli or Molina on the flanks. Corriere della Sera and Il Tempo both pick Rensch, while Romanews.Euroma and Corriere dello Sport go with Molina. For Gasperini, the choice on the flanks and in midfield will determine how Roma line up against the Premier League side at Old Trafford.

Roma's probable line-up for tonight's Champions League league-phase midpoint has been mapped out, with Niccolò Pisilli alongside Marten de Roon in midfield and Bryan Cristante ahead of Rodrigo Mora in the attacking midfield role, according to Daniele Aloisi in Il Messaggero. Mora's inclusion is not ruled out. Donyell Malen and Matías Soulé are considered untouchable up front. Wesley is expected on the left, with Devyne Rensch pushing Luca Lulli for the right-back spot. Gian Piero Gasperini is set to rely on his strongest players at the back, with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso ready to form the back three. Leonardo Balerdi is at risk after training yesterday with a prominent bandage on his right knee. Pierluigi Gollini starts in goal, a player who returns to Manchester after his spell in the youth ranks from 2012 to 2014. Mile Svilar, Manu Koné and Paulo Dybala are again out. Koné and Dybala hope to be available for Saturday's match against Sassuolo, though their involvement is not a given.

Matías Soulé, who looked set to leave Roma in the summer, has become one of the most important players in Gian Piero Gasperini's side and, alongside Malen, one of the team's technical leaders. The Argentine was for a long time at the centre of transfer talk, with a €35 million valuation considered excessive by potential suitors and loan-with-option hypotheses also floated. In the end he stayed. According to Il Messaggero, Soulé's growth has coincided, almost paradoxically, with the absence of Paulo Dybala. A similar situation arose last season, when the Argentine carried Roma through the first half of the campaign, scoring seven goals before being halted by a groin problem (pubalgia). This time, Soulé appears to have taken a further step forward, particularly in personality and consistency of performances. His position helps him. Starting from the right, he can move inside onto his left foot and make the most of his qualities. It is not only a tactical matter, though. With Dybala sidelined, Soulé has taken on more responsibility, and team-mates have begun looking for him more often, recognising him as the main creative reference behind Malen. The result is a more confident, involved and decisive player. The leadership that once seemed to be missing has become one of his most evident qualities. Only a few months ago Roma were ready to seriously consider selling him; today, it would be hard to imagine Gasperini's side without the Argentine talent. The transformation is also a success for Gasperini, who has got the best out of a player who seemed to have a future away from the capital. Perhaps the real signing of the summer market, at least as far as Soulé is concerned, was simply not selling him.

Roma's probable line-up for tonight's Champions League league-phase midpoint has been mapped out, with Niccolò Pisilli alongside Marten de Roon in midfield and Bryan Cristante ahead of Rodrigo Mora in the attacking midfield role, according to Daniele Aloisi in Il Messaggero. Mora's inclusion is not ruled out. Donyell Malen and Matías Soulé are considered untouchable up front. Wesley is expected on the left, with Devyne Rensch pushing Luca Lulli for the right-back spot. Gian Piero Gasperini is set to rely on his strongest players at the back, with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso ready to form the back three. Leonardo Balerdi is at risk after training yesterday with a prominent bandage on his right knee. Pierluigi Gollini starts in goal, a player who returns to Manchester after his spell in the youth ranks from 2012 to 2014. Mile Svilar, Manu Koné and Paulo Dybala are again out. Koné and Dybala hope to be available for Saturday's match against Sassuolo, though their involvement is not a given.

Matías Soulé has gone from being the player Roma were ready to sell to one of the team's key figures, and he is now, alongside Donyell Malen, the side's technical leader. The Argentine forward stayed at the club after a summer in which Roma first judged a €35 million fee too high, then accepted €30 million, and finally considered a loan with a right to buy. His agent spent much of the summer trying to find him a club across Europe. The turnaround has come while Paulo Dybala is sidelined, which the article describes as a repeat of last season. With Dybala out in the first half of the 2025-26 campaign, Soulé led Roma in the first half of the season with 7 goals before a groin problem, a pubalgia, kept him out for months. This season he is fit and the change came suddenly on 14 October against Real Madrid. The article describes his gradual growth into an explosive presence, with team-mates increasingly looking for him as he became the only player capable of triggering Malen and playing alongside him up front. Stefano Carina, writing in Il Messaggero, notes that Soulé is a reserved character who had recognised early that he was no longer wanted, and that he became withdrawn as a result. The summer was unusual for him, with his agent travelling across much of Europe in search of a new team. Carina suggests that watching him play now may leave many people regretting their earlier doubts. The article concludes: "Oggi Soulé è un leader." Soulé is now a leader.

Matías Soulé, who looked set to leave Roma in the summer, has become one of the most important players in Gian Piero Gasperini's side and, alongside Malen, one of the team's technical leaders. The Argentine was for a long time at the centre of transfer talk, with a €35 million valuation considered excessive by potential suitors and loan-with-option hypotheses also floated. In the end he stayed. According to Il Messaggero, Soulé's growth has coincided, almost paradoxically, with the absence of Paulo Dybala. A similar situation arose last season, when the Argentine carried Roma through the first half of the campaign, scoring seven goals before being halted by a groin problem (pubalgia). This time, Soulé appears to have taken a further step forward, particularly in personality and consistency of performances. His position helps him. Starting from the right, he can move inside onto his left foot and make the most of his qualities. It is not only a tactical matter, though. With Dybala sidelined, Soulé has taken on more responsibility, and team-mates have begun looking for him more often, recognising him as the main creative reference behind Malen. The result is a more confident, involved and decisive player. The leadership that once seemed to be missing has become one of his most evident qualities. Only a few months ago Roma were ready to seriously consider selling him; today, it would be hard to imagine Gasperini's side without the Argentine talent. The transformation is also a success for Gasperini, who has got the best out of a player who seemed to have a future away from the capital. Perhaps the real signing of the summer market, at least as far as Soulé is concerned, was simply not selling him.

Gasperini is preparing to take his Roma side to Old Trafford to reverse the history against Manchester United, and the Italian papers have largely agreed on a starting eleven. The coach appears set to field a solid defence with Mancini returning to the starting lineup, while the main doubt concerns the right flank, where the choice is between Lulli and Molina. Rensch could also come into contention for that spot, but he appears the least likely to start from the first minute. In midfield, the papers are split over who will support Soulé behind Malen: Pisilli, Cristante or Mora. Across the line-ups published by the Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere dello Sport, Tuttosport, Il Messaggero, Corriere della Sera and Il Tempo, Roma are set to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation with Gollini in goal, Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso in defence, Wesley in the midfield and Soulé and Malen attacking. The papers' predicted line-ups differ in only a few places. The Gazzetta dello Sport and Il Messaggero pick Lulli at left-back, while the Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport go with Molina. The Corriere della Sera and Il Tempo both name Rensch. Il Messaggero also includes de Roon and Pisilli in midfield, with Cristante pushed further forward alongside Soulé, while Tuttosport picks Mora in the number ten role instead of Pisilli.

Donyell Malen could make a timely statement tonight, with Roma at Old Trafford against Manchester United and a win putting the club well on the way to the Champions League playoffs. Writing in Il Corriere della Sera, Davide Stoppini describes Malen as a player who was pushed out of the Premier League because he felt he was not understood. He wanted to play as a centre-forward but was deployed on the right wing, a waste in Stoppini's view. Stoppini suggests Malen can avenge Totti and Dzeko and confront the memories of Roma's 7-1 and 6-2 defeats at Old Trafford. Malen has already shown he can deliver in the biggest games: he scored against Real Madrid, answering those who said he does not score in major matches. At this stadium, however, he is almost a debutant, with a single appearance, lasting six minutes, in May 2025. Stoppini argues that Malen has a chance to write a new story here and to prove that he was misjudged in this city and across England. The stakes are clear. Roma are pushing for a playoff place, and a victory tonight would make a big difference. Stoppini's column frames the match as an opportunity for Malen to prove both himself and the wider football world wrong about his ability in the biggest fixtures.