Rodrigo Mora on his purple patch and first Portugal call-up

Mario Hermoso scored from midfield as Roma thrashed Sassuolo 3-0 at the Stadio Olimpico, and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is pushing to tie the Spaniard down to a new contract beyond his current deal, which runs to 2027. Hermoso's versatility has made him a standout figure, and he is now part of the core group Gasperini often refers to. Gasperini, who backed Hermoso at Trigoria a year ago, has repeatedly called him "the perfect example". The Spaniard has played as a centre-back, full-back, winger and attacking midfielder, and the dialogue over keeping him is reported to be well advanced. Aged 31, Hermoso is seen as a central pillar of the dressing room, a figure described as almost the mainmast of the group, both for his attitude on and off the pitch and for his numbers. Across Serie A and the Champions League, Hermoso has missed only one match, against Cagliari, and has celebrated a goal three times: against Atalanta, Slovan Bratislava and Sassuolo. The article was written by Niccolò Maurelli for La Repubblica.

Roma routed Sassuolo 3-0 at the Stadio Olimpico, leaving Gian Piero Gasperini's side second in Serie A, one point behind leaders Lazio. The match was one-sided from start to finish, with the giallorossi comfortably in control at home. The result keeps Roma firmly in the title race as the derby rivals sit at the top of the table. With Lazio the only side ahead on the same points tally, the three points take Roma to within touching distance of the summit.

Donyell Malen failed to score in Roma's match against Sassuolo, a rare occurrence for the Dutch forward, who is usually a prolific goalscorer. Yesterday he still proved decisive, providing the assist for Rodrigo Mora's goal. His form is being talked about widely, though not everyone agrees with the praise. Luca Toni, speaking in an interview with the Gazzetta dello Sport, dedicated a passage to Malen and compared his own career with the Serie A of a few years ago. Toni's comments came after Borriello said: "Kolo Muani with Gasperini would score more." Asked whether he agreed, Toni replied: "No. Strikers score more or less the same goals everywhere. Malen is having an exploit, from the start he has shown personality. But I was more of a goalscorer than he is: once Serie A was a different thing. Only Zeman multiplied the goals of strikers." The comparison reflects a wider debate about how goalscoring has changed in Italy's top flight. Malen's contribution, even without a goal, underlines the role he has taken on in Gasperini's side. Toni's remarks give Roma supporters a view from a former striker who played in an earlier era of the league.

Donyell Malen failed to score in Roma's match against Sassuolo, a rare occurrence for the Dutch forward, who is usually a prolific goalscorer. Yesterday he still proved decisive, providing the assist for Rodrigo Mora's goal. His form is being talked about widely, though not everyone agrees with the praise. Luca Toni, speaking in an interview with the Gazzetta dello Sport, dedicated a passage to Malen and compared his own career with the Serie A of a few years ago. Toni's comments came after Borriello said: "Kolo Muani with Gasperini would score more." Asked whether he agreed, Toni replied: "No. Strikers score more or less the same goals everywhere. Malen is having an exploit, from the start he has shown personality. But I was more of a goalscorer than he is: once Serie A was a different thing. Only Zeman multiplied the goals of strikers." The comparison reflects a wider debate about how goalscoring has changed in Italy's top flight. Malen's contribution, even without a goal, underlines the role he has taken on in Gasperini's side. Toni's remarks give Roma supporters a view from a former striker who played in an earlier era of the league.

Roma eased to a 3-0 win over Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico, a result that came just days after a painful defeat at Old Trafford. The Giallorossi were never in danger in a match that the article describes as never in doubt, ending a run of nine games in 27 days before the international break. The result matters because Roma have shown they can move on quickly from setbacks under Gian Piero Gasperini. The article notes that, in past seasons, such collapses often led to lingering tension and outbursts around Trigoria, but this squad has handled the Manchester defeat with maturity and composure. Roma, the piece argues, are a team that will be in the title race until the end of the Serie A season. Gasperini set up in a 3-4-2-1 and kept nine players from the Manchester game. Balerdi started as a clear sign of unwavering trust, a deliberate message to remove any doubt about his position after his costly error a few days earlier. Sassuolo's coach Aquilani, making his first competitive appearance as a head coach at the Olimpico, lined up with Matic in midfield, Thorstvedt as the anchor and a three-man midfield when defending. The external duels were Wesley against Cinquegrano and Molina against Doig, while Mora and Soulé drifted inside to link up with Malen. Roma were patient in possession, moving the ball quickly with rapid triangles, although spaces were tight. Sassuolo's first real chance came from a venomous low drive from Matic from 16 metres, which Vásquez stretched to save. Vásquez was ready again later, and the article notes that his replacements have shown Roma have not suffered without Svilar, who is likely to miss the last Serie A game in his absence. Against a deep Sassuolo block, the wide midfielders and wing-backs had to support Malen, while the speed of Esposito and Laurienté in transition posed a danger. Hermoso broke the deadlock after 30 minutes with a forceful finish, and Malen soon doubled the lead with a fortunate goal. Sassuolo kept four players on the halfway line at corners, and the article suggests Roma could have used blocks or quick short passing routes to create better chances in those moments. Roma's possession and territorial dominance before half-time gave them a reassuring two-goal cushion. Aquilani switched to a 3-4-3 at half-time, bringing on Bowie for Matic and Cinquegrano, with Van den Brempt operating as right wing-back. Roma responded immediately, with Soulé finishing a superb move after a sumptuous through ball from Cristante, although Malen missed an incredible chance into an empty goal. Koné marked Thorstvedt and Cristante marked Sulemana. Malen then provided a delightful assist for Mora to make it 3-0. Gasperini made several changes to manage energy levels: Pisilli and De Roon came on for Koné and Mora, with Pisilli playing as the anchor, Koulierakis and Castro replaced Hermoso and Malen, and Ghilardi entered for Balerdi, who received applause from the Olimpico crowd despite his earlier error. Aquilani's final 3-4-3 had no effect on the outcome.

Roma shook off the memory of their collapses against Manchester and Inter with a 3-0 win over Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico, leading 2-0 at half-time before Mora made it 3-0 thirteen minutes into the second half. Sassuolo, now on a fifth consecutive defeat and with the worst defence in Serie A, offered little resistance, but Corriere della Sera's Davide Stoppini argues the performance mattered as much as the scoreline. The win leaves Gasperini's side comfortable in second place as they wait on Napoli-Lazio and Inter-Como. Roma have scored 31 goals in 11 matches. For context, in 2019-20, the season Gasperini reached 98 goals with Atalanta, the Bergamo side had scored one fewer at this stage of the season. The goals came without the stall that had marked earlier games, with no lapse between the first and second half. Stoppini says the attitude was the real story. Roma were determined to erase the Manchester result and attacked the match from the start, and they kept pressing after the break. He notes Soulé and his teammates led that approach. For Gasperini, the display is a strong signal and further confirmation of a solid group full of certainties.