Radio pundits back Roma to beat Torino; Mattioli urges Gasperini to play Castro soon

Roman radio pundits debated Roma's squad depth, Paulo Dybala's fitness and the Udinese and Manchester United fixtures in a round-up of the capital's football talk shows. David Rossi of Rete Sport said he was worried that Roma are short of players, pointing to Matías Soulé and Niccolò Pisilli, who he said have been playing three matches a week for some time. He said Roma play a demanding style and that the midfield is very thin: if Roma rest Roon, who is not in good shape, Cristante still has to play against Udinese, and then in Manchester he asked what would happen without him. Rossi called the decision to use four midfielders, attributed to Gasperini and D'Amico, an enormous error of judgement. He said Gasperini had wanted the contracts of Dybala and Pellegrini, adding that Roma would be in a better position had they signed two players who were alive, even if less talented. On Dybala, Rossi said: "Dybala was a beast here, a beast there, but now Gasperini has realised he has the pain threshold of a 5-year-old child. Mora has done more than Dybala, the same as Soulè, but you can't say it..." Fabio Petruzzi of Rete Sport said Roma have clearly improved on last year, showing they are a strong side. He said last year you struggled and created little, while now Roma look like a stronger Atalanta. He said they have reached the top but can improve in the transfer market with two wide players and a midfielder. He said Roma were less of a team than usual against Cagliari but still won, and that Cagliari had given them more problems than Como and Inter. He added that some tiredness is to be expected. Claudio Moroni, also of Rete Sport, argued that Dybala should be sacrificed on the left with Soulè on the right, saying Soulè's best form comes from the right and that Dybala's performance hardly changes between the two flanks. Mario Corsi of Tele Radio Stereo praised Mora for a fine headed goal, but warned against calling him a new Messi. Turning to Juventus, he said their crisis was 80% the team's fault and 20% Spalletti's, adding that Conte was not being considered and that Pioli is the available option. Lorenzo Pes of Tele Radio Stereo said Dybala only did physiotherapy yesterday but he remains convinced the player wants to play the Champions League match against Manchester United. He said the injury has healed, that Dybala can theoretically train and has overcome the physical problem. He said the medical staff and the player's own feelings will decide, and that Dybala would probably try to rejoin the group partially today. He said keeping the door open for Manchester is important, and that having him on the bench for Udine would also be valuable. Piero Torri of Manà Manà Sport said Roma were robbed in yesterday's match against Venezia. He said Udinese have shown signs of revival, having recovered most of their players including Zaniolo, and that the fixture worries him. If Balerdi has recovered, he expects him to start, with Ghilardi possibly replacing Mancini, and expects Lulli alongside Wesley and Pisilli with Cristante. On Como, he said they have always been title candidates and that anyone who thinks otherwise is wrong, given their strong players, great football and a fine coach. Roberto Pruzzo of Radio Radio said he had backed Castro but that a player who has not played for two months cannot simply step in and become a star. He said the transfer market has brought Roma reserves, good alternatives who are not able to play as starters, and that when Malen is missing you notice straight away. Nando Orsi of Radio Radio questioned whether Roma are too dependent on Malen, pointing out that he brought Roma into the Champions League. He said that when he has been absent, Roma have struggled to score, but that Roma are not bottom of the table despite heavy absences, noting Lazio are top despite missing four key players. Ilario Di Giovambattista of Radio Radio named the Roma players he would take for Lazio: Malen, Svilar, and Ghilardi, whom he said he adores. He would also take Koné for midfield, and said that for Soulè he would keep Isaksen and put Soulè on the bench.

A satirical cartoon by Romanews.eu reader Michele Dall'Oman has captured the mood after a late twist in Roma's game against Cagliari. The match had seemed to be heading for a draw, with the balance of play looking fair, before a decisive moment arrived in the closing minutes and turned the result in Roma's favour. The cartoon plays on the shock of that late swing. Its characters trade lines over the sense of regret at a stalemate that had long looked like the fairest outcome, before a witty wordplay explains the key to the victory. The image is the latest in the Romanews.eu series in which readers' cartoonists interpret the closing moments of Roma matches. The piece is published alongside the outlet's regular free Roma updates, which readers can receive on Telegram and WhatsApp.

Former Roma player and ex-UEFA vice-president Zibi Boniek has praised Rodrigo Mora's late goal in Roma's win over Cagliari, saying the Portuguese had shown little before and that the strike could boost his confidence. Speaking to Retesport, Boniek also discussed Gianluca Mancini's place in the side, the Lazio team Roma face in the city derby, and the importance of Roma staying focused. Boniek said the match looked over before a late finish from Mora, whom he described as a player with good individual technique whose physique had not helped him. He said: "La partita di ieri sembrava chiusa poi c'è stato un finale targato Mora che mi è piaciuto perché questo ragazzo aveva fatto vedere poco. Il portoghese è un calciatore con una buona tecnica individuale ma la sua struttura fisica non l'aveva aiutato. Spero che questo gol possa fargli aumentare il livello dell'autostima." On Mancini, who has been linked with losing his starting place to Balerdi, Boniek highlighted his attacking contribution. He said: "Quasi quasi è diventato il primo attaccante. Anche nel secondo gol di Pisilli c'è molto di Mancini che ha servito Lulli che ha fatto il cross per Niccolò. Ieri è stato raggirato da Fadera ma non mando in panchina nessuno, è chiaro che se ci sono 20 giocatori di pari livello si deve valutare chi è stanco ma questo Gasperini lo fa molto bene, infatti, poi ha messo Ghilardi e ha passato un pallone determinante a Mora. Mancini è forte nel pressing basso, anticipa gli avversari mentre quando c'è tanto spazio e deve correre può andare in difficoltà perché ha altre caratteristiche." Boniek also spoke about Lazio, who had just beaten Sassuolo, and praised coach Gennaro Gattuso. He said: "Adoro Gattuso perché è una persona vera che non si nasconde e dice quello che pensa: è un allenatore bravo. Se fa troppi punti diventa antipatico (ride ndr). La Lazio gioca bene, ieri l'ho vista con il Sassuolo, è una squadra molto veloce che va sempre in verticale con tante sovrapposizioni e non fa nessun Tiki Taka. Più la Lazio va forte e più la Roma manterrà alto il livello della concentrazione per fare altrettanto bene, vista la rivalità cittadina."

Mile Svilar will not return early from his injury: the Roma goalkeeper underwent instrumental tests on his fifth toe today, but doctors did not clear him to play, and he will be back only after the November international break. The Belgian, who has not recovered from a foot problem he suffered in training on 2 October, will miss the matches against Udinese, Manchester United and Sassuolo. His next target is the trip to Parma on 21 November. In his absence, Pierluigi Gollini continues in goal, having not disappointed in Roma's recent matches. Head coach Gasperini is hoping to have Paulo Dybala and Manu Koné available at least for the Sassuolo fixture, while Dybala would like to be fit for the trip to England, where Roma face Manchester United. The update leaves Gasperini with a reduced goalkeeping options for the coming weeks, with Gollini the only senior keeper named as the first choice while Svilar works his way back to full fitness.

Paulo Dybala will not be available for Roma's away trip to Udinese on Saturday 31 October at 18:00 at the Bluenergy Arena, despite head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's optimism about his recovery. Roma are facing a demanding run of fixtures and arrive at the match with several important absences. According to Il Tempo, Gasperini is waiting for the Argentine forward, known as La Joya, to return. Dybala was left out of the squad for the match against Cagliari, despite rejoining the group training on Sunday. He has suffered no setbacks and the injury has fully healed, but he was not called up as a precaution. Before the Cagliari game he had felt a minor discomfort, and the medical staff preferred not to take a risk. The focus now is on getting Dybala back for the UEFA Champions League clash with Manchester United on 3 November.

Roman radio pundits debated Roma's squad depth, Paulo Dybala's fitness and the Udinese and Manchester United fixtures in a round-up of the capital's football talk shows. David Rossi of Rete Sport said he was worried that Roma are short of players, pointing to Matías Soulé and Niccolò Pisilli, who he said have been playing three matches a week for some time. He said Roma play a demanding style and that the midfield is very thin: if Roma rest Roon, who is not in good shape, Cristante still has to play against Udinese, and then in Manchester he asked what would happen without him. Rossi called the decision to use four midfielders, attributed to Gasperini and D'Amico, an enormous error of judgement. He said Gasperini had wanted the contracts of Dybala and Pellegrini, adding that Roma would be in a better position had they signed two players who were alive, even if less talented. On Dybala, Rossi said: "Dybala was a beast here, a beast there, but now Gasperini has realised he has the pain threshold of a 5-year-old child. Mora has done more than Dybala, the same as Soulè, but you can't say it..." Fabio Petruzzi of Rete Sport said Roma have clearly improved on last year, showing they are a strong side. He said last year you struggled and created little, while now Roma look like a stronger Atalanta. He said they have reached the top but can improve in the transfer market with two wide players and a midfielder. He said Roma were less of a team than usual against Cagliari but still won, and that Cagliari had given them more problems than Como and Inter. He added that some tiredness is to be expected. Claudio Moroni, also of Rete Sport, argued that Dybala should be sacrificed on the left with Soulè on the right, saying Soulè's best form comes from the right and that Dybala's performance hardly changes between the two flanks. Mario Corsi of Tele Radio Stereo praised Mora for a fine headed goal, but warned against calling him a new Messi. Turning to Juventus, he said their crisis was 80% the team's fault and 20% Spalletti's, adding that Conte was not being considered and that Pioli is the available option. Lorenzo Pes of Tele Radio Stereo said Dybala only did physiotherapy yesterday but he remains convinced the player wants to play the Champions League match against Manchester United. He said the injury has healed, that Dybala can theoretically train and has overcome the physical problem. He said the medical staff and the player's own feelings will decide, and that Dybala would probably try to rejoin the group partially today. He said keeping the door open for Manchester is important, and that having him on the bench for Udine would also be valuable. Piero Torri of Manà Manà Sport said Roma were robbed in yesterday's match against Venezia. He said Udinese have shown signs of revival, having recovered most of their players including Zaniolo, and that the fixture worries him. If Balerdi has recovered, he expects him to start, with Ghilardi possibly replacing Mancini, and expects Lulli alongside Wesley and Pisilli with Cristante. On Como, he said they have always been title candidates and that anyone who thinks otherwise is wrong, given their strong players, great football and a fine coach. Roberto Pruzzo of Radio Radio said he had backed Castro but that a player who has not played for two months cannot simply step in and become a star. He said the transfer market has brought Roma reserves, good alternatives who are not able to play as starters, and that when Malen is missing you notice straight away. Nando Orsi of Radio Radio questioned whether Roma are too dependent on Malen, pointing out that he brought Roma into the Champions League. He said that when he has been absent, Roma have struggled to score, but that Roma are not bottom of the table despite heavy absences, noting Lazio are top despite missing four key players. Ilario Di Giovambattista of Radio Radio named the Roma players he would take for Lazio: Malen, Svilar, and Ghilardi, whom he said he adores. He would also take Koné for midfield, and said that for Soulè he would keep Isaksen and put Soulè on the bench.

Roman radio pundits debated Roma's squad depth, Paulo Dybala's fitness and the Udinese and Manchester United fixtures in a round-up of the capital's football talk shows. David Rossi of Rete Sport said he was worried that Roma are short of players, pointing to Matías Soulé and Niccolò Pisilli, who he said have been playing three matches a week for some time. He said Roma play a demanding style and that the midfield is very thin: if Roma rest Roon, who is not in good shape, Cristante still has to play against Udinese, and then in Manchester he asked what would happen without him. Rossi called the decision to use four midfielders, attributed to Gasperini and D'Amico, an enormous error of judgement. He said Gasperini had wanted the contracts of Dybala and Pellegrini, adding that Roma would be in a better position had they signed two players who were alive, even if less talented. On Dybala, Rossi said: "Dybala was a beast here, a beast there, but now Gasperini has realised he has the pain threshold of a 5-year-old child. Mora has done more than Dybala, the same as Soulè, but you can't say it..." Fabio Petruzzi of Rete Sport said Roma have clearly improved on last year, showing they are a strong side. He said last year you struggled and created little, while now Roma look like a stronger Atalanta. He said they have reached the top but can improve in the transfer market with two wide players and a midfielder. He said Roma were less of a team than usual against Cagliari but still won, and that Cagliari had given them more problems than Como and Inter. He added that some tiredness is to be expected. Claudio Moroni, also of Rete Sport, argued that Dybala should be sacrificed on the left with Soulè on the right, saying Soulè's best form comes from the right and that Dybala's performance hardly changes between the two flanks. Mario Corsi of Tele Radio Stereo praised Mora for a fine headed goal, but warned against calling him a new Messi. Turning to Juventus, he said their crisis was 80% the team's fault and 20% Spalletti's, adding that Conte was not being considered and that Pioli is the available option. Lorenzo Pes of Tele Radio Stereo said Dybala only did physiotherapy yesterday but he remains convinced the player wants to play the Champions League match against Manchester United. He said the injury has healed, that Dybala can theoretically train and has overcome the physical problem. He said the medical staff and the player's own feelings will decide, and that Dybala would probably try to rejoin the group partially today. He said keeping the door open for Manchester is important, and that having him on the bench for Udine would also be valuable. Piero Torri of Manà Manà Sport said Roma were robbed in yesterday's match against Venezia. He said Udinese have shown signs of revival, having recovered most of their players including Zaniolo, and that the fixture worries him. If Balerdi has recovered, he expects him to start, with Ghilardi possibly replacing Mancini, and expects Lulli alongside Wesley and Pisilli with Cristante. On Como, he said they have always been title candidates and that anyone who thinks otherwise is wrong, given their strong players, great football and a fine coach. Roberto Pruzzo of Radio Radio said he had backed Castro but that a player who has not played for two months cannot simply step in and become a star. He said the transfer market has brought Roma reserves, good alternatives who are not able to play as starters, and that when Malen is missing you notice straight away. Nando Orsi of Radio Radio questioned whether Roma are too dependent on Malen, pointing out that he brought Roma into the Champions League. He said that when he has been absent, Roma have struggled to score, but that Roma are not bottom of the table despite heavy absences, noting Lazio are top despite missing four key players. Ilario Di Giovambattista of Radio Radio named the Roma players he would take for Lazio: Malen, Svilar, and Ghilardi, whom he said he adores. He would also take Koné for midfield, and said that for Soulè he would keep Isaksen and put Soulè on the bench.

Roma's win over Cagliari has underlined how central the club's young players have become to Gian Piero Gasperini's project. The Giallorossi rely confidently on their Under-23 players, who have made decisive contributions at key moments of matches, as shown by the performances and goals of those who came through the youth sector and have been developed by the coach. Among the positives is the steady progress of Emanuele Lulli, who recently renewed his contract until 2031. The 2005-born defender scored his second consecutive league goal in front of the Curva Sud, and has established himself as a valuable asset and an important presence in the rotation. Alongside him, Niccolò Pisilli has become a consolidated certainty in midfield, combining consistent performances with a nose for goals. According to Il Tempo, the Olimpico clash was also the night of breakthrough for Rodrigo Mora. The 19-year-old Portuguese, who was initially greeted with scepticism over his market valuation, unlocked the match by scoring his first goal in front of the Roma crowd. Gasperini himself praised the young Portuguese's technical qualities after the game, stressing that his imagination is a fundamental factor for the season. The young group is completed by the gradual integration of players such as Koulierakis and Castro, who are asked to provide valid alternatives in a squad that blends the freshness of the youth ranks with the maturity of the senior players. For Gasperini's Roma, young players are no longer just a future prospect but a solid reality capable of making the difference.

Pierluigi Gollini has won over head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and the Roma fanbase since taking over the goal after Mile Svilar suffered a foot fracture in early October. Across six matches, the 31-year-old has eased the doubts that surrounded his return to a starting role. Roma had not expected much from a goalkeeper who had not played regularly for more than two years, but Gollini has responded on the pitch. His early reliability came in Como, where Roma held on while down to ten men. His performance against Cagliari is considered his best in the giallorossi shirt so far. On Tuesday evening, with Roma struggling to contain the Sardinians, Gollini kept the team in the game with a series of decisive saves. He stopped Adopo's effort, then Deiola's long-range shot, then denied Mendy and Trepy. Roma won 4-2, and without him the score could have told a very different story. Gollini and Lulli were named the best players on the pitch, and Gasperini praised his goalkeeper as "strepitoso". The relationship between the two men has a history. Gollini and Gasperini clashed during their time together at Atalanta, where disagreements contributed to the goalkeeper's departure from Bergamo, so reuniting in Rome seemed almost like a twist of fate. Gasperini said that Gollini has grown considerably since those years, when he was more exuberant and less willing to work at improving himself. "Abbiamo rimesso un po' di puntini a posto," the coach admitted, adding that he had never doubted his technical qualities. Gollini is now described as a more mature goalkeeper, more aware of his abilities and his responsibilities. He will soon become a father, according to Gazzetta dello Sport, which reports that his personal life has also found new balance. At Atalanta he had reached the Nazionale and played in the Champions League as a key figure, and the problem was sustaining that level. He now appears to have found the right path again. This development also changes the outlook for Svilar's recovery. The Belgian remains Roma's first-choice goalkeeper and one of the best in Serie A, but his return no longer has to be a race against time. Tests scheduled for today will establish whether he can be available for the Champions League trip to Manchester United. Gasperini now has a reliable alternative, which allows Svilar to recover without the pressure of an emergency. The article raises the idea of giving Gollini the goal in the Coppa Italia, which would let Svilar manage his energy and keep Gollini in regular competitive football. Gasperini has not announced this choice, but the option is being considered in light of Gollini's recent displays.

Roman radio pundits were largely focused on Roma after the win over Cagliari, with the debate centring on Mancini's performance, Mora's goal and the fitness of Paulo Dybala. David Rossi of Rete Sport said: “Maybe it was the worst match Mancini has played since he’s been here at Roma. Honestly, after that first half I didn’t think he could come back out, and yet he did.” He added: “In a normal world, you had to take Mancini off after 20 minutes. He wasn’t presentable.” Gianluca Piacentini said Mora's goal had silenced his serial critics, and praised Gasperini for stressing that the points Roma have taken this season, the same number as last season, carry greater weight because they came against Como, Inter, Napoli and Atalanta. Mario Corsi of Tele Radio Stereo defended Mancini against the whistles he received, saying: “Mancini plays as a striker on Gasperini’s orders. You can’t go back and forth at two hundred an hour; you lose something along the way.” On the Roma-Cagliari match, Corsi described it as a lacklustre game, adding that the young players had turned it around. Piero Torri of Manà Manà Sport praised Gollini, who made three important saves, and said he was playing with a concentration he had never shown before, having been given a great opportunity by Svilar’s misfortune. Roberto Pruzzo of Radio Radio said: “Mora? If Gasperini had another substitute, he’d have taken him off after a quarter of an hour. That was my impression.” He also said he was pleased that Pisilli and Lulli had partly sorted out the match, and said: “If you have to compare yourself to the Roma market, my friend… I had backed Castro, but if Mina has you in his pocket for 80 minutes, you need changing.” He added that Molina struggles to play in Italian football, and that De Roon was static in midfield. Nando Orsi of Radio Radio said: “I thought Roma never would lose this one.” Mario Mattioli of Radio Radio said Roma had suffered before taking full points. Daniele Lo Monaco of Radio Romanista said Roma are unbeaten with six wins and three draws, and argued that Lazio’s eight wins from nine carry a different weight. He said: “I don’t see the Leicester effect in any way. If Lazio finish in the top three, I’ll become a priest.” Mario Corsi said Lazio do not have a team fit for the top places, and Torri noted that Lazio have taken 25 points from 27, with fixtures against Roma, Napoli, Inter, Como, Atalanta, Fiorentina and Torino still to come. The focus then turned to the coming fixtures. Alessio Nardo said the Dybala situation was thorny: he had seemed set to return against Cagliari, but now risked missing the next three matches. He said: “I expect a very, very difficult match against Udinese, and it will take a great Roma to win it.” Lorenzo Pes said Dybala had returned to training on Sunday but would miss Saturday’s game against Udinese, adding: “I think he doesn’t want to miss Manchester-Roma at Old Trafford.” Checco Oddo Casano said the doubt for Saturday against Udinese would be between Mora and De Roon, and said the club’s hopes in attack now depend on Soulé.

Roma's goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini was the man of the moment in the aftermath of the win over Cagliari, with several Radio Roma commentators praising his display. Speaking on Radio Radio Mattino, former Roma striker Pruzzo said: "Molina and Castro are struggling." Gollini, who made three or four important saves according to Pugliese on Radio Radio, was highlighted by multiple pundits as the key figure in keeping the result intact. Cagliari produced 19 shots against Roma, making it the most difficult of the five matches that could help Roma's season, according to Pugliese on Radio Radio. Marcacci said Gasperini's criticism of his players began in the opening minutes, as he sensed the match would be difficult, and that Roma had been under pressure from Cagliari. Gollini had shown over six matches that he was up to the task, Pugliese added, calling him a great goalkeeper. Mora was praised for taking advantage of a Cagliari defensive error to score. Marcacci said the goal would be remembered at the end of the season because it came when Cagliari still had the most energy. Camelio questioned Molina's substitution, saying Mancini could no longer continue and should have been taken off earlier. Vocalelli said Roma had been forced to play every three days, arrived with five injured players and chose to rest some players, adding that the reaction after the 2-2 could not be criticised. Di Giovambattista said that a player like Mora could never score with his head. Pedrelli, on Radio Bruno Roma, said that with Lulli and Pisilli the future was already the present, and wished Mora and Ghilardi more space. Verdenelli praised a Roma side that refuses to accept defeat, saying: "A Roma that does not accept defeat, a Roma that always wants to impose its own game, a Roma that in the end always manages to get the result. We are the reflected image of those who coach us, and I like it." Ferri said Roma had a strong mentality despite important absences and that Gasperini was the added value, adding that Mancini should rest for now. Pruzzo said that if Gasperini had another substitute he would have taken Mora off, but he was happy that two academy players had solved the problems. He said: "I am an admirer of Castro, but Mina put him in his pocket yesterday. He needs to make a mental switch, Molina struggles in Italian football. I have big doubts about the Giallorossi market." Orsi, on Radio Radio Mattino, said Roma had not struggled against Cagliari and that he had the feeling Roma could never lose the match, adding: "Gollini saved the team, I am happy for him. Anyway, the Giallorossi were far superior to Cagliari."

Roma scored four goals against Cagliari, and the Rome radio panels were quick to discuss the performances. Francesco Balzani, a commentator for Tele Radio Stereo, called it the worst Roma performance of the season, even though the team finished the match with four goals scored. He said many players were tired and that the side had made the mental step but still needed to close a technical gap. Ugo Trani, also of Tele Radio Stereo, gave Mancini a 4 or 4.5 out of 10 and said he had been caught out in his defensive reading of the game. Trani said Mancini was tired rather than finished, and that Roma now need to freshen up because they are struggling to keep going. Trani also praised Lulli, giving him an 8 for consistency, freshness and crossing. He said Mora had made a decisive impact, with three points won when he played and three touches, all of them decisive, including at Napoli. Trani said that while Mora is not the new Messi, he had seen signs. Balzani said he had been surprised not to see Mora start and that the young player needed to be given time. Balzani also said Mancini should have been taken off earlier because he was struggling physically. The pundits were also divided on Gollini. Piero Torri of Radio Manà Manà Sport said Cagliari had played a very good match and that Gollini made three important saves, showing a concentration he had never shown before after the misfortune of Svilar. Torri said Gollini could secure a future at Roma, though in the backup role. On Dybala, Lorenzo Pes of Tele Radio Stereo said: "Dybala returned to training on Sunday, but he will miss Saturday's match, a week after that. There is something that doesn't add up." Pes said Dybala had planned to train at Trigoria on his rest day and that he did not think the player wanted to miss Manchester-Roma at Old Trafford. Pes said that with Dybala it is impossible to make plans, because everything depends on how he feels. Roberto Pruzzo of Radio Radio Mattino said: "If Gasp had another substitute, he would have taken Mora off. But I am glad that two youth-team players solved the problems." Pruzzo said he admired Castro, but that Mina had put him in his pocket the previous day. He said Castro needs a mental switch and that Molina struggles in Italian football. He added: "I have big doubts about the Giallorossi market." Nando Orsi, also of Radio Radio Mattino, said Roma had not struggled against Cagliari and were far superior to them. Torri also noted that Lazio have 25 points from 27 games, but still have to play Roma, Napoli, Inter, Como, Atalanta, Fiorentina and Torino. Trani said he would not be surprised by a draw at Udine.