Rizzitelli compares Malen to Ronaldo the Phenomenon ahead of Roma-Inter clash

Roma have gone five matches without Manu Koné and Paulo Dybala and have collected 13 points in that stretch, a record that shows the squad's depth under Gasperini. Bryan Cristante was also briefly absent, and the club have coped with the losses of several key players. The article notes that Pisilli, de Roon, Rodrigo Mora, Pellegrini and Castro started on the bench at times against the most reliable opponents, which it describes as a fact that applies to every team in the world. Gasperini has insisted that "they are all starters". Even with several important names unavailable, Roma have kept their level high. Koné and Dybala are described as perhaps the two best players in the squad alongside Svilar and Malen. Last season, the French and Argentine midfielder and forward were both missing together in 9 matches across Serie A and the Europa League, and Roma collected 13 points from 3 wins, 4 draws and 2 defeats. As of Sunday 1 November, the five matches without the pair have yielded 13 points against Genoa, Napoli, Cagliari, Udinese and Slovan Bratislava. That is an average of 2.6 points per game, compared with 1.44 in the earlier spell. Cristante was also out in two of those five games. Svilar has missed seven matches, and his injury marks the last time Roma fielded their full first-choice side, on 19 September, a 2-2 draw with Inter. The article credits the squad's improved maturity and quality, partly due to the summer work of D'Amico. It describes Pisilli as having a year more experience, de Roon as a professor with a titanium physique, and Soulé as back at top level. Rodrigo Mora is raising his standard, Gollini has regained confidence in his role after a long spell without playing, Lulli is a "terrible" young talent, and Balerdi often looks like a gladiator. The overall level of the team has risen considerably. After the international break, Gasperini is expected to have all his players available for the trip to Parma.

Spanish referee Jesús Gil Manzano will officiate Manchester United against Roma in the fourth matchday of the Champions League league phase, on Tuesday 3 November at Old Trafford. The Spaniard will be returning to refereeing the Giallorossi, having already officiated them in European competition, including this season. Gil Manzano's first meeting with Roma came on 7 November 2019, when the Giallorossi lost 2-1 away to Borussia Mönchengladbach in the Europa League group stage. His second encounter came on 22 February 2024. At the Olimpico, the side then coached by Daniele De Rossi drew 1-1 with Feyenoord after extra time, then progressed to the Europa League round of 16 with a 4-2 win on penalties. This season the Spaniard also refereed Fenerbahce against Roma, played on 10 September. Manchester United also have a previous meeting with Gil Manzano, dating back to 15 September 2016, in the Europa League group stage of 2016/17. The Red Devils faced Feyenoord away in Group A and lost 1-0. For Roma, the appointment means a familiar official will take charge of a high-stakes European fixture on English soil, with the Giallorossi looking to build on their Champions League campaign.

Radio pundits have shared their views on Roma's current form and their upcoming trip against Manchester United. Fabrizio Aspri, speaking on Radio Radio, said Gasperini was surprised by Mora, whose wish had been to change Roma and make them attractive out wide. Aspri said Mora is becoming very important, but added that Gasperini wants a left-footed winger for January and also lacks a midfielder. "Roma are performing miracles because they are strong, but they need something else," Aspri said. He rated Mora's performances as very positive, but said Gasperini does not want this for January. "You cannot play without Cristante in midfield," he added. Aspri said he would take a draw against Manchester United, provided the team knew it was doing well. He voiced doubts about Ghilardi, saying he would wait a little longer as the defender still has to mature more than the others. He also described Gasperini as a manager who rations energy. Andrea Pugliese, also on Radio Radio, was more positive about the club's prospects. He said Ghilardi is becoming very important and is growing with every match. Pugliese noted that Gasperini always selects Cristante and then the other ten outfield players. He said Cristante has earned the trust of the coach over the years and is a fundamental player for the team's balance. Pugliese described Manchester United as a side in disarray. "It will be a difficult match, but it is not a prohibitive trip, because the emotional states are completely different and everyone is leaning towards Roma," he said. The views were gathered as part of Romanews.eu's daily column reviewing comments from Rome radio speakers and pundits on Roma.

Roma have gone five matches without Manu Koné and Paulo Dybala and have collected 13 points in that stretch, a record that shows the squad's depth under Gasperini. Bryan Cristante was also briefly absent, and the club have coped with the losses of several key players. The article notes that Pisilli, de Roon, Rodrigo Mora, Pellegrini and Castro started on the bench at times against the most reliable opponents, which it describes as a fact that applies to every team in the world. Gasperini has insisted that "they are all starters". Even with several important names unavailable, Roma have kept their level high. Koné and Dybala are described as perhaps the two best players in the squad alongside Svilar and Malen. Last season, the French and Argentine midfielder and forward were both missing together in 9 matches across Serie A and the Europa League, and Roma collected 13 points from 3 wins, 4 draws and 2 defeats. As of Sunday 1 November, the five matches without the pair have yielded 13 points against Genoa, Napoli, Cagliari, Udinese and Slovan Bratislava. That is an average of 2.6 points per game, compared with 1.44 in the earlier spell. Cristante was also out in two of those five games. Svilar has missed seven matches, and his injury marks the last time Roma fielded their full first-choice side, on 19 September, a 2-2 draw with Inter. The article credits the squad's improved maturity and quality, partly due to the summer work of D'Amico. It describes Pisilli as having a year more experience, de Roon as a professor with a titanium physique, and Soulé as back at top level. Rodrigo Mora is raising his standard, Gollini has regained confidence in his role after a long spell without playing, Lulli is a "terrible" young talent, and Balerdi often looks like a gladiator. The overall level of the team has risen considerably. After the international break, Gasperini is expected to have all his players available for the trip to Parma.

Roma's 5-2 win at Udine is more than another victory for Gian Piero Gasperini's side, with the numbers showing a team that is growing and remarkably consistent. After ten matchday rounds, Roma have scored 28 goals, the best attack in Serie A, and have a goal difference of +18. Their last league defeat came as far back as last April, away to Inter. Against the same opponents they faced last season, Roma have also collected seven more points. ForzaRoma.info highlights one of the most significant statistics: 14 different players have already scored. Donyell Malen remains the standout, reaching 11 goals in 12 appearances and 811 minutes played across the league and cup competitions. Roma effectively settled the match in the first half, going into the interval 4-0 up at the Bluenergy Stadium. That control allowed them to drop the tempo after the break, perhaps too much. Goals from Zaniolo and Palma did irritate Gasperini, especially when Unai Gomez came close to making it 3-4. After several counterattacks went unexploited, Ghilardi sealed the result deep into stoppage time, scoring his first goal in the giallorossi shirt. Gasperini said: "Mi rivedo completamente nei concetti di gioco della mia squadra. Questo è un gruppo fantastico che ha grande voglia di migliorarsi." Roma's next test is a significant step up: Manchester United at Old Trafford on Tuesday evening.

Donyell Malen's scoring run continues, with his goal on Sunday taking him to 22 in 27 matches, more than any other player in the top five European leagues and ahead of Harry Kane, the newly crowned Ballon d'Or winner. Yet Roma's 24 points from 10 matches owe more than that to the Dutchman alone, as he has failed to score in five of the club's league games, roughly half of them. Others have stepped up, including players Gasperini and others had expected more from compared with last season, and the coach has been satisfied so far. The two starters on Sunday, Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé, were central to the win. Mora, who is Portuguese and a former Porto youngster, scored his first goal while starting a match and has been taking on an increasingly important role. In 59 minutes he completed 85% of his passes, won back 6 balls, created a big chance and completed 100% of his dribbles. Those numbers, together with two goals in five days, are clear signs of growth that is pleasing everyone, especially with Paulo Dybala currently out. Soulé has done the most to drive the team forward, returning from the physical problems that had limited him for months. The difference is clear: the Argentine has been involved in 8 goals in 13 matches, with 3 goals and 5 assists, while Malen has been involved in 14 goals overall. With Ndicka and Ghilardi, 14 different players have now scored since the start of the season, a true goalscoring cooperative. Some heavyweight names are still missing from the scoresheet, including Wesley, Mancini, Pellegrini and above all Dybala. Even so, all of these players, each in his own role, have a clear feel for goal, and that will only add to the firepower of a Roma side full of scorers.

Roma held a training session at Udinese's sports centre in Udine this morning, a day after their 5-0 win over the hosts, with the club thanking Udinese on social media for their hospitality. The squad trained in Udine, with those who played the previous day doing a recovery session while the others worked as a group. Dybala, Koné and Svilar are out. The Giallorossi are already looking ahead to Tuesday's UEFA Champions League fixture against Manchester United. The team fly to England this afternoon. Gasperini's press conference takes place tomorrow at 18:20 (Italian time), followed by the pre-match training session at 19:00. Around 3,000 Roma supporters are expected to fill the away end at Old Trafford.

Roma have gone five matches without Manu Koné and Paulo Dybala and have collected 13 points in that stretch, a record that shows the squad's depth under Gasperini. Bryan Cristante was also briefly absent, and the club have coped with the losses of several key players. The article notes that Pisilli, de Roon, Rodrigo Mora, Pellegrini and Castro started on the bench at times against the most reliable opponents, which it describes as a fact that applies to every team in the world. Gasperini has insisted that "they are all starters". Even with several important names unavailable, Roma have kept their level high. Koné and Dybala are described as perhaps the two best players in the squad alongside Svilar and Malen. Last season, the French and Argentine midfielder and forward were both missing together in 9 matches across Serie A and the Europa League, and Roma collected 13 points from 3 wins, 4 draws and 2 defeats. As of Sunday 1 November, the five matches without the pair have yielded 13 points against Genoa, Napoli, Cagliari, Udinese and Slovan Bratislava. That is an average of 2.6 points per game, compared with 1.44 in the earlier spell. Cristante was also out in two of those five games. Svilar has missed seven matches, and his injury marks the last time Roma fielded their full first-choice side, on 19 September, a 2-2 draw with Inter. The article credits the squad's improved maturity and quality, partly due to the summer work of D'Amico. It describes Pisilli as having a year more experience, de Roon as a professor with a titanium physique, and Soulé as back at top level. Rodrigo Mora is raising his standard, Gollini has regained confidence in his role after a long spell without playing, Lulli is a "terrible" young talent, and Balerdi often looks like a gladiator. The overall level of the team has risen considerably. After the international break, Gasperini is expected to have all his players available for the trip to Parma.

Donyell Malen's scoring run continues, with his goal on Sunday taking him to 22 in 27 matches, more than any other player in the top five European leagues and ahead of Harry Kane, the newly crowned Ballon d'Or winner. Yet Roma's 24 points from 10 matches owe more than that to the Dutchman alone, as he has failed to score in five of the club's league games, roughly half of them. Others have stepped up, including players Gasperini and others had expected more from compared with last season, and the coach has been satisfied so far. The two starters on Sunday, Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé, were central to the win. Mora, who is Portuguese and a former Porto youngster, scored his first goal while starting a match and has been taking on an increasingly important role. In 59 minutes he completed 85% of his passes, won back 6 balls, created a big chance and completed 100% of his dribbles. Those numbers, together with two goals in five days, are clear signs of growth that is pleasing everyone, especially with Paulo Dybala currently out. Soulé has done the most to drive the team forward, returning from the physical problems that had limited him for months. The difference is clear: the Argentine has been involved in 8 goals in 13 matches, with 3 goals and 5 assists, while Malen has been involved in 14 goals overall. With Ndicka and Ghilardi, 14 different players have now scored since the start of the season, a true goalscoring cooperative. Some heavyweight names are still missing from the scoresheet, including Wesley, Mancini, Pellegrini and above all Dybala. Even so, all of these players, each in his own role, have a clear feel for goal, and that will only add to the firepower of a Roma side full of scorers.