Roma banish Manchester ghosts with Sassuolo win, Gasperini sees a strong group

Roma beat Sassuolo convincingly at the Stadio Olimpico, with Mario Hermoso standing out as the man who was everywhere on the pitch, while Esposito was kept quiet and frustrated. The match report and player ratings from the Italian press highlight the performances of Gasperini's side in a comfortable win.

Roma eased to a 3-0 home win over Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico, with 64,674 spectators inside the stadium on Friday evening, as the team continued their run of attacking football under Gian Piero Gasperini. Sassuolo, coached by former Roma midfielder Aquilani, conceded three goals but could count themselves fortunate given that Roma took 28 shots. The win leaves Roma with a comfortable afternoon on the sofa, and the three points take them forward in the season. The result means Roma have scored 31 goals after 11 matchdays. At the current rate, that projects to 107 goals by the end of the Serie A season, an offensive output that is close to unprecedented for the club. Roma's attacking display has become the talking point of their campaign, with the Olimpico crowd enjoying what Il Corriere della Sera's Simone Valdarchi described as the club's 'amusement park'. Valdarchi, writing for Il Corriere della Sera, captured the mood inside the stadium, describing Gasperini's side as a band delivering another ride for an enthusiastic home crowd. Roma's dominance in shots and the three goals scored against Sassuolo underline a side that has taken its attacking identity to a new level this season.

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.

Rodrigo Mora has scored three consecutive Serie A goals for Roma, and has earned his first senior call-up to the Portugal national team for Nations League matches against Denmark (14 November) and Wales (17 November). The 19-year-old's latest strike came against Sassuolo, a left-footed...

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.