Repice backs Roma's strength under Gasperini, urges intensity to title contention

Radio pundits Fabrizio Aspri and Andrea Pugliese have praised Gian Piero Gasperini's handling of Mora, with Aspri calling the coach very intelligent for the way he has used the player. Aspri said: "The situation with Mora tells us that Gasperini is very intelligent. Mora was not a useful player for the coach. The player is moving very well, that goal is a number 10's goal. Not everyone makes that diagonal run, and it is important players who score those goals. Gasperini is wise and has re-evaluated the player. Well done Gasperini first and foremost, and a little further on, well done Mora." Aspri said Roma have found the right way to make their chances count, though there is always room for improvement. He added: "Roma are the team with the best football." He praised the defensive unit, which he said gives the side more and more security. Turning to Donyell Malen, Aspri said the forward is useful and valuable but is sometimes seen struggling. He said: "I don't rate him as a normal player, he has something extra. I would like him more as a centre-forward, occupying the box more often. He drops too deep to link play too often." He added: "Roma must change, they must not fail in the big head-to-head games." Pugliese was more critical of Mora's role. He said: "Mora is an attacking midfielder, he doesn't have the pace to play on the flank. In January D'Amico will find a winger with legs. Mora was not used to defending at Porto. Last year he had different numbers." On Malen, Pugliese said the forward did not expect the assist from Matías Soulé when he missed a chance. Looking ahead, he said Bologna are a side in form and that the giallorossi must arrive there with six points. He noted that Roma have drawn with Inter, Como and Napoli this season, adding: "If you want to make the real leap you have to win the head-to-head games."

Mario Hermoso is enjoying an outstanding start to the season with Roma, yet Spain coach Luis de la Fuente continues to leave him out of the national team. Hermoso scored in Roma's latest win over Sassuolo, his third goal of the season so far, and has been one of the stand-out performers in the squad under Gian Piero Gasperini. The article argues that age is not the reason. Laporte, who is 32, remains in the Spain squad despite a difficult start to his season. Hermoso's exclusion dates back to 2023, when De la Fuente took charge of Spain and left him out of the squad, despite a strong season with Atletico Madrid. Hermoso was surprised by the decision on several occasions, and a second omission followed a few months later. He then understood that he was not part of the coach's plans. De la Fuente has repeatedly said: "Gioca chi merita", meaning that the player who deserves to play is the one who plays, and that performance counts, not age. The article points to two main factors. The first is the system: Spain play with a back four, and Hermoso may not be the ideal profile for it. The second is continuity. De la Fuente has kept the 'Mondiale' defensive group together, with the exception of Jacobo Ramon of Como, a young talent whose call-up looks to the future. Hermoso remains out. The article also highlights a difference in playing styles. Hermoso is a technical defender who is good at building play, reading the game, breaking lines and contributing in the opposition half. Gasperini is making the most of these qualities at Roma. De la Fuente, however, looks for fast, aggressive centre-backs who can defend in open space and win one-on-one duels, and who can cover a lot of ground behind a high defensive line. Hermoso's qualities are a plus for Gasperini but may not be a priority for De la Fuente. For Roma, the impact is clear. Gasperini trusts Hermoso completely and only rests him when forced to. He is one of the leaders in the dressing room and a fixture in every area of the pitch. Roma lost their balance after his absences against Manchester United and Real Madrid. The article also says that talks over a contract renewal are continuing, that there are no doubts at Trigoria about wanting to continue together, and that the signing could come soon. A call-up from Spain would be the icing on the cake, but for now Hermoso has already found his own 'national team' in Rome.

Roma have moved up to 27 points after 11 matchdays following a 3-0 win over Sassuolo, with eight victories and three draws and no defeats. Gian Piero Gasperini's side have not started a Serie A season this well since 2016. The only better start in the period cited came in 2013/14, when Garcia's team reached 31 points thanks to a run of ten consecutive wins at the start of the campaign. Donyell Malen was involved against Sassuolo, providing the assist for Rodrigo Mora despite failing to score. Former striker Luca Toni praised the Dutchman but was keen to make a comparison of his own. Toni said: "Malen sta facendo un exploit, fin da subito ha dimostrato personalità. Ma io ero più bomber di lui: una volta la Serie A era un'altra cosa." In English: "Malen is having an exploit, from the very start he has shown personality. But I was more of a goalscorer than him: Serie A used to be a different thing." Toni also said he does not believe strikers necessarily score more under certain coaches. Marco Di Bello refereed the Roma-Sassuolo match and was given an average rating of 5.75. He was right not to award a penalty for a suspected handball by Van der Brempt, and he also allowed Mora's goal for 3-0 to stand. His handling of the game was judged too fragmented, and a few clear fouls went unpunished, including a holding offence by Caleta-Car on Malen. The scuffle between Hermoso and Esposito was considered risky but drew no disciplinary action. In the player ratings from the main newspapers, Mario Hermoso was Roma's best performer with an average of 7.4. Rodrigo Mora followed on 7.1 and Bryan Cristante on 7.0, while Soulé finished on 6.9 and Balerdi and N'Dicka on 6.7. Vásquez (6.0) and Wesley (6.2) received the lowest marks among the starters. Gasperini himself was rated 7.2. Gasperini said: "Non firmerei per il secondo posto. Anche la Lazio in lotta per lo scudetto." In English: "I would not sign up for second place. Lazio are also in the title race." Mora said: "Sono sulla strada giusta. La Roma è forte, si vede anche in allenamento." In English: "I am on the right path. Roma are strong, you can see it in training too."

Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar continued training individually on Saturday in preparation for his return to the team after the international break, with a special guest by his side. His son Lio-Mile, aged one year and five months, was at Trigoria with him. Svilar posted a touching photo of the pair on the field together on social media, captioned: "Giorno speciale a lavoro" ("Special day at work"). Svilar's absence has been felt in some moments, and Gasperini, like all Roma fans, is eager to have him back between the posts. The rest of the squad will return to training on Wednesday, when the group resumes work ahead of the next fixture. Lio-Mile was born to Svilar and his wife June Peeters on 18 June 2025.

Gianluca Mancini will miss Italy's international fixtures after suffering a fresh pain in his right hamstring that forced him out of Roma's clash with Sassuolo. The defender will stay at Trigoria during the two-week break to continue his recovery, with the aim of returning for the league match against Parma. Thirteen Roma first-team players have been called up by their national teams. With Mancini out, only Ghilardi and Pisilli will travel to Italy's senior squad, while young Lulli is set to feature for Baldini's Italy Under-21 side. Mancini had already reported a muscle problem in the days before the Sassuolo game. Gasperini will use the break to recharge and take stock of the injury list. He has welcomed back Koné for the Sassuolo match and is optimistic about players returning for the resumption of competitions. The international picture is wide-ranging. Vásquez returns to the Colombia squad for the first time in three years, a welcome note after a special week that saw the goalkeeper make his Champions League and Serie A debuts for Roma. Young De Marzi has been called up by the USA Under-20s. Balerdi, Castro and Soulé will answer Argentina coach Scaloni's call. Wesley joins Brazil under Ancelotti, while Malen will play under Xavi for the Netherlands for the first time. N'Dicka (Ivory Coast) and Koulierakis (Greece) have also been named. Nineteen-year-old Rodrigo Mora is ready to make his senior debut for Portugal. On the injury front, Dybala's condition is improving markedly, and the break offers him the ideal chance to regain his best form. Mile Svilar is set to return between the posts in Parma, having put his right foot fracture firmly behind him.

Roma bounced back from their defeats to Real Madrid and Manchester United with a 3-0 win over Sassuolo, a result that briefly left them one point behind the Serie A leaders. The match was effectively decided in just over twenty minutes. Sassuolo coach Alberto Aquilani set his side out with almost everyone behind the ball, looking to crowd the midfield and close off space on the edge of the box, and for a while the plan worked, even though Roma had already begun to create danger. Then Mario Hermoso, who for one evening played as a centre-forward, controlled the ball in the area and drove a powerful left-foot shot under the crossbar. From that moment the game changed. Roma grew in confidence while Sassuolo lost their shape and belief. Three minutes later, Donyell Malen's shot was deflected into his own net by Walukiewicz, which effectively settled the contest. Roma kept attacking, building and looking for goals, and early in the second half Rodrigo Mora added his name to the scoresheet, another step forward for the 19-year-old, who is growing visibly. The rest was a Roma monologue, with Sassuolo unable to trouble Vásquez. The result is significant because of the way Roma won it. Gasperini's side were not overwhelmed by a stronger opponent. They were patient, ruthless when the opening came and mature in their response to disappointment. The Champions League defeats to Real Madrid and Manchester United showed that there is still progress to make against the very best, but in Serie A Roma have answered each setback immediately. After the Real Madrid defeat they won, and after Manchester they did the same. Roma have now collected 27 points from eleven matches, have won three league games in a row and sat second in the table, one point off the top, for a night. The result came after a punishing run of nine matches in 27 days, a schedule Gasperini himself pointed out. Malen had one of his less productive evenings in front of goal, wasting chances he would normally convert, even though team-mates tried everything to set him up. He still played a part in Hermoso's goal, caused the own goal that doubled the lead and provided the assist for Mora. Roma won 3-0 without a goal from their centre-forward and even wasted others. Defensively, another clean sheet restored calm to a back line that had suffered some lapses recently. Manu Koné also returned, and his presence in midfield was clearly felt, bringing dynamism, aggression and balance to a area that had been badly missed in recent weeks. Mora said: "Sono sulla strada giusta. La Roma è forte, si vede anche in allenamento." Gasperini, asked whether he would be satisfied with second place, replied: "È bello giocarlo questo campionato. Noi ce lo stiamo veramente giocando." Roma reach the international break in strong form. Gasperini is expected to regain Svilar and, hopefully, Dybala after the break, two key players who could add quality and options to a squad already performing well. Injuries have been the main obstacle to the coach's selection choices so far. Tomorrow, Inter host Como and Lazio travel to Napoli, and Roma will watch the results from the sidelines, with a chance that their position could improve. Sporting director D'Amico confirmed before the match that the team lacks a quick, attacking winger and promised that the club will try to fill that gap in January.

Roma comfortably beat Sassuolo 3-0 last night, with goals from Hermoso, an own goal by Walukiewicz and a late strike from Mora completing the win. Italian newspapers handed out their player ratings, with Hermoso and Mora the standouts. Gazzetta dello Sport gave Hermoso 7.5 and Mora 7, while Corriere dello Sport rated Hermoso an 8 and Soulé 7.5, with Mora also at 7.5. Il Messaggero gave Hermoso 7.5 and Mora 7, and Corriere della Sera rated Hermoso 7.5 and Mora 7. La Repubblica gave Hermoso 7.5 and Mora 7, and Il Tempo rated Mora 7 and Balerdi and Ndicka 7. Coach Gasperini was rated 7 by Gazzetta, Il Tempo, La Repubblica and Corriere della Sera, and 7.5 by Corriere dello Sport. Across the newspapers, Vásquez, Molina, Wesley and Malen received mostly solid marks, with Koné and Cristante generally rated 6.5 to 7. Pisilli and De Roon were typically given 6, and Castro and Koulierakis were rated 6 by Gazzetta and Corriere dello Sport, with several reports not assigning them a mark.

Roma bounced back from their heavy defeat at Old Trafford with a convincing 3-0 win over Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico, and Mario Hermoso was named the best player on the pitch in the newspaper ratings. His goal broke the deadlock at the Olimpico, a striker's finish that set the tone for the afternoon. Mora was also impressive. He scored his third consecutive Serie A goal, and the Italian press described him as an important piece in Gasperini's plans. The win was Roma's fourth goal in giallorossi colours for the midfielder. Balerdi also drew praise after recovering from his error in Manchester, with a performance the papers described as showing great personality. The ratings across the papers varied. Vásquez received a 6 in every report. Hermoso was rated between 7 and 8, Mora between 7 and 7.5, and Soulé between 6.5 and 7.5. Balerdi ranged from 6 to 7 and Ndicka from 6.5 to 7. Koné earned between 6 and 7, Cristante between 6.5 and 7, and Malen between 6 and 7. Molina and Wesley were rated 6 to 6.5. Gasperini's performance was scored between 6.5 and 7.5. Substitutes were Koulierakis, who replaced Hermoso in the 77th minute, Castro, who replaced Malen at the same time, De Roon, who came on for Koné in the 66th minute, Pisilli, who replaced Mora in the same change, and Ghilardi, who replaced Balerdi in the 85th minute. Roma lined up in a 3-4-2-1 formation.

Roma produced a dominant 3-0 Serie A win over Sassuolo, a result that erased the memory of the Manchester defeat and renewed the club's ambitions. Mario Hermoso was the standout performer in the eyes of the Italian press, unlocking a match that could have held more danger, while Mora was once again valuable for the side. Balerdi also earned praise after bouncing back from his error in Manchester with a display of great personality. The ratings from the Italian dailies were broadly positive across the squad. Hermoso received a 7.5 from La Gazzetta dello Sport, 8 from Corriere dello Sport and 7.5 from Il Messaggero, Il Tempo and Corriere della Sera, with Tuttosport giving him a 7. Mora was rated 7 by most papers and 7.5 by Corriere dello Sport and Il Tempo. Soulé earned 7.5 from Corriere dello Sport and Il Tempo, and Balerdi was rated 7 by Gazzetta dello Sport and Il Tempo, 6.5 by Il Messaggero and Corriere della Sera, and 6 by Tuttosport. The starting XI was Vasquez; Balerdi, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Koné, Cristante, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Malen. Ghilardi came on for Balerdi in the 85th minute, Koulierakis replaced Hermoso in the 77th, Castro took over from Malen in the 77th, De Roon entered for Koné in the 66th and Pisilli replaced Mora in the 66th. Gasperini was rated 7 by Gazzetta dello Sport and Il Messaggero, 7.5 by Corriere dello Sport, Il Tempo, Il Messaggero and Corriere della Sera, and 6.5 by Tuttosport. The victory comes as Roma look to push for the top of the table, with the result seen as a clear statement of intent after the setback in Manchester.

Roma comfortably beat Sassuolo 3-0 last night, with goals from Hermoso, an own goal by Walukiewicz and a late strike from Mora completing the win. Italian newspapers handed out their player ratings, with Hermoso and Mora the standouts. Gazzetta dello Sport gave Hermoso 7.5 and Mora 7, while Corriere dello Sport rated Hermoso an 8 and Soulé 7.5, with Mora also at 7.5. Il Messaggero gave Hermoso 7.5 and Mora 7, and Corriere della Sera rated Hermoso 7.5 and Mora 7. La Repubblica gave Hermoso 7.5 and Mora 7, and Il Tempo rated Mora 7 and Balerdi and Ndicka 7. Coach Gasperini was rated 7 by Gazzetta, Il Tempo, La Repubblica and Corriere della Sera, and 7.5 by Corriere dello Sport. Across the newspapers, Vásquez, Molina, Wesley and Malen received mostly solid marks, with Koné and Cristante generally rated 6.5 to 7. Pisilli and De Roon were typically given 6, and Castro and Koulierakis were rated 6 by Gazzetta and Corriere dello Sport, with several reports not assigning them a mark.

Roma bounced back from their heavy defeat at Old Trafford with a convincing 3-0 win over Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico, and Mario Hermoso was named the best player on the pitch in the newspaper ratings. His goal broke the deadlock at the Olimpico, a striker's finish that set the tone for the afternoon. Mora was also impressive. He scored his third consecutive Serie A goal, and the Italian press described him as an important piece in Gasperini's plans. The win was Roma's fourth goal in giallorossi colours for the midfielder. Balerdi also drew praise after recovering from his error in Manchester, with a performance the papers described as showing great personality. The ratings across the papers varied. Vásquez received a 6 in every report. Hermoso was rated between 7 and 8, Mora between 7 and 7.5, and Soulé between 6.5 and 7.5. Balerdi ranged from 6 to 7 and Ndicka from 6.5 to 7. Koné earned between 6 and 7, Cristante between 6.5 and 7, and Malen between 6 and 7. Molina and Wesley were rated 6 to 6.5. Gasperini's performance was scored between 6.5 and 7.5. Substitutes were Koulierakis, who replaced Hermoso in the 77th minute, Castro, who replaced Malen at the same time, De Roon, who came on for Koné in the 66th minute, Pisilli, who replaced Mora in the same change, and Ghilardi, who replaced Balerdi in the 85th minute. Roma lined up in a 3-4-2-1 formation.

Roma produced a dominant 3-0 Serie A win over Sassuolo, a result that erased the memory of the Manchester defeat and renewed the club's ambitions. Mario Hermoso was the standout performer in the eyes of the Italian press, unlocking a match that could have held more danger, while Mora was once again valuable for the side. Balerdi also earned praise after bouncing back from his error in Manchester with a display of great personality. The ratings from the Italian dailies were broadly positive across the squad. Hermoso received a 7.5 from La Gazzetta dello Sport, 8 from Corriere dello Sport and 7.5 from Il Messaggero, Il Tempo and Corriere della Sera, with Tuttosport giving him a 7. Mora was rated 7 by most papers and 7.5 by Corriere dello Sport and Il Tempo. Soulé earned 7.5 from Corriere dello Sport and Il Tempo, and Balerdi was rated 7 by Gazzetta dello Sport and Il Tempo, 6.5 by Il Messaggero and Corriere della Sera, and 6 by Tuttosport. The starting XI was Vasquez; Balerdi, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Koné, Cristante, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Malen. Ghilardi came on for Balerdi in the 85th minute, Koulierakis replaced Hermoso in the 77th, Castro took over from Malen in the 77th, De Roon entered for Koné in the 66th and Pisilli replaced Mora in the 66th. Gasperini was rated 7 by Gazzetta dello Sport and Il Messaggero, 7.5 by Corriere dello Sport, Il Tempo, Il Messaggero and Corriere della Sera, and 6.5 by Tuttosport. The victory comes as Roma look to push for the top of the table, with the result seen as a clear statement of intent after the setback in Manchester.