Roma beat Sassuolo as Hermoso scores and Mora shines; Gasperini says the title race is on

Roma closed their run of fixtures before the international break with a 3-0 win over Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini has granted the squad three days of rest. Eleven Giallorossi will join their respective national teams in the coming days, while the players who remain in the capital will return to work. Roma players who are not called up will resume training at Trigoria on Wednesday afternoon, when preparation for their next commitments begins. The rest period gives Gasperini a clear window to plan the work ahead of the club's upcoming fixtures. The Italian original also carries links to the club's free news channels on Telegram and WhatsApp, which are not part of the match or training report.

Rodrigo Mora produced a standout performance, finishing with a precise, low strike at the near post, aimed at the bottom-right corner past Muric. The goal came after he had been controlling the ball beautifully in tight spaces, as his teammates looked for him. Throughout the match, Mora was repeatedly seen cushioning passes into the path of teammates, either in support or in the final third, with a touch as light as a feather that always seemed to find the right spot. At times he attempted switches of play with a confidence that occasionally bordered on risky, but it came from a clear awareness of his technical ability. The style was described as delicious as well as effective. The writer compared Mora's game to a simple, well-made pasta dish with butter and parmesan, which turned into something richer when he finished with a fine white truffle touch with his goal. The piece praises the way his display has won over the supporters, leaving Roma fans with plenty to enjoy from the 20-year-old's contribution.

Mario Hermoso spoke to reporters after Roma's win over Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico, the Eleventh-round Serie A fixture just concluded. The Roma defender reflected on the team's mentality following a difficult evening and stressed the importance of the result. Hermoso said: "This is something the coach wants. Sometimes when these things happen, modern football doesn't give you time to think. The team wants to win and stay at the top. For us it was too important to win today, and we did." He also scored a goal in the match, one that was described as the finish of a pure striker. Asked whether Gian Piero Gasperini is also developing the defenders, Hermoso said: "The coach gets you physically ready to find this kind of situation. We have the quality to get there, pass it well or shoot at goal."

Rodrigo Mora has said he knew early on how strong his Roma teammates were, speaking to Sky Sport after scoring. Asked to comment on his goal, he praised the pass from Donyell Malen, saying it was a really good ball. When asked whether he expected this team to be so strong straight away, Mora said: "We must certainly keep going like this. But I noticed during training how strong my teammates were, and I knew it." Mora also reflected on his own start at the club. He admitted he did not play as he had expected at first, and said that is simply how football works. "That's football. At the beginning you don't play and you think you should be playing. Then suddenly you start to play," he said, describing how his role changed once he settled in. The Portugal international's comments point to a squad he believes is capable of more and a player who has moved from the bench to a regular place in the side. His message to the squad is to build on what they are doing now rather than let up.

Rodrigo Mora spoke to the media after Roma's 2-something victory over Sassuolo...

Rodrigo Mora produced a standout performance, finishing with a precise, low strike at the near post, aimed at the bottom-right corner past Muric. The goal came after he had been controlling the ball beautifully in tight spaces, as his teammates looked for him. Throughout the match, Mora was repeatedly seen cushioning passes into the path of teammates, either in support or in the final third, with a touch as light as a feather that always seemed to find the right spot. At times he attempted switches of play with a confidence that occasionally bordered on risky, but it came from a clear awareness of his technical ability. The style was described as delicious as well as effective. The writer compared Mora's game to a simple, well-made pasta dish with butter and parmesan, which turned into something richer when he finished with a fine white truffle touch with his goal. The piece praises the way his display has won over the supporters, leaving Roma fans with plenty to enjoy from the 20-year-old's contribution.

Gian Piero Gasperini praised his Roma side after a 3-0 win over Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico in the eleventh round of Serie A, with Gianluca Hermoso's goal from the centre-forward position unlocking a stubborn Sassuolo defence. Roma scored three goals through central routes. Gasperini said: "No, tante cose, tutte quante messe insieme. Ci sono state prestazioni notevoli questa sera. È chiaro che il gol di Hermoso è stato un gran gol, anche per come ha gestito la palla e per come ha calciato. È quello che ha sbloccato la partita e non era facile, perché loro si chiudevano molto. Però abbiamo avuto pazienza, abbiamo giocato con qualità." On the club's habit of responding quickly to defeat, the coach agreed but drew a distinction. Roma lost to Real Madrid and Manchester United, the latter at Old Trafford, and the coach said those defeats came after performances of the highest level against teams of real quality. Roma drew with Como and at Napoli before a run of victories. Gasperini said: "Sì, è vero, però ci sono sconfitte e sconfitte. È chiaro che questa striscia di partite è stata veramente incredibile: nove partite in 27 giorni. Abbiamo perso quelle due partite contro il Real Madrid e il Manchester United, però abbiamo fatto anche un'altra striscia di vittorie. Abbiamo pareggiato col Como e a Napoli, poi abbiamo sempre vinto. Quelle due sconfitte bruciano perché sono maturate nel finale e in quel modo, ma sono arrivate al termine di prestazioni di altissimo livello, contro squadre di assoluto valore." Asked about the need for a character response after Old Trafford, Gasperini rejected the premise. He said: "Devo dire che sul discorso della risposta non sono molto d'accordo, perché questa squadra continua a dare delle conferme, non ha bisogno di dare risposte. Poi si può anche perdere una partita, magari per come è andata. Ricordiamoci che c'è stato un episodio sfortunato con Balerdi e che la partita è cambiata per un rigore assurdo. Forse è meglio dirlo anche, no? Su certi campi non è facile giocare, quindi ci sta." On second place, he said: "Guarda, brutale no. Però ti dico che è bello giocarlo questo campionato. Noi ce lo stiamo veramente giocando. Non bisogna mai avere illusioni e mai delusioni. Non bisogna illudersi troppo delle cose, ma neanche deludersi quando si sta facendo un percorso come quello che stiamo facendo noi. Non so cosa saremo capaci di fare." On the title race he said: "Io credo che l'Inter, come dicono giustamente tutti, sia la squadra più accreditata. Per tutto il resto ce la possiamo giocare noi, come tutte le altre che sono nelle prime posizioni. Anche la Lazio: se fa nove vittorie su dieci partite, io la metto tra quelle. E poi tutte le squadre che sono lì davanti. Se l'Inter sbaglia un po', tutte se la possono giocare." Inter play Como tomorrow at 18:00. Asked whom he would favour, he said: "Forse per il pareggio! Ma noi non guardiamo, non ci interessa. Siamo tutti sul trespolo, come i gufi." He will be in Genoa at that time to collect an award, a city where he lived for many years, adding: "sarò informatissimo sui risultati!" On development, Gasperini said: "Ci sono sempre cose da migliorare e sicuramente anche noi cerchiamo in questo momento di toglierci qualche difetto, anche se stasera ne abbiamo avuti veramente pochi, se non quello di aver sbagliato qualche gol di troppo. Però dobbiamo avere anche la soddisfazione di vedere questa squadra che a tratti gioca bene, gioca veramente un buon calcio e cerca sempre il gol." Asked whether this is the strongest side he has coached, having led Atalanta to very high levels, he said: "Questa è una squadra forte, ma ogni squadra è diversa e non si possono fare paragoni, anche perché sono diversi gli avversari." He added that the aim this season is to improve. On the transfer market, asked whether the club had discussed signing a striker in January, he said: "Non lo so. In questo momento seguo il campionato, seguo la mia squadra e la mia rosa. Sono preoccupato di recuperare al meglio i nostri giocatori, perché è abbastanza evidente che, anche per giocare così tante partite, siamo coperti in tanti reparti, mentre davanti un po' meno. Quello che si potrà fare a gennaio, eventualmente, si vedrà. Per adesso non ne abbiamo parlato." On Koné's return, Gasperini said: "Siamo molto contenti di averlo ritrovato. Ci è mancato molto. Si era fatto male con il Real Madrid, praticamente all'inizio della partita, dopo un quarto d'ora, e quindi lo abbiamo perso per sette partite." He noted that injuries have not been excessive compared with other clubs, but that a player out for twenty days typically misses six or seven matches when a squad plays this often.

Mario Hermoso spoke to reporters after Roma's win over Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico, the Eleventh-round Serie A fixture just concluded. The Roma defender reflected on the team's mentality following a difficult evening and stressed the importance of the result. Hermoso said: "This is something the coach wants. Sometimes when these things happen, modern football doesn't give you time to think. The team wants to win and stay at the top. For us it was too important to win today, and we did." He also scored a goal in the match, one that was described as the finish of a pure striker. Asked whether Gian Piero Gasperini is also developing the defenders, Hermoso said: "The coach gets you physically ready to find this kind of situation. We have the quality to get there, pass it well or shoot at goal."

Roma eased past Sassuolo 3-0 at the Stadio Olimpico this evening in their Serie A matchday 11 fixture, a comfortable win that was never in serious doubt. Gian Piero Gasperini's side took the lead through Mario Hermoso, who controlled the ball in the area, set it onto his left foot and drove it into the net, a goal that broke open a difficult game. Malen's cross-field play led to an own goal that doubled the lead, and Rodrigo Mora finished off the 3-0 scoreline in the second half. The result came against a Sassuolo side that offered little in attack. Roma struggled to break down their wall for long spells, which made Hermoso's finish all the more important. Gasperini's team were not at their most fluent, but they controlled the match and showed the qualities and organisation that have marked their season. Arriving at the international break with this level of performance, despite a crowded fixture schedule and several absences, is a strong return for the squad. In the player ratings, Hermoso earned a 7.5 for his goal and a display of quality, with openings and illuminating touches. Balerdi was rated a 7 for a commanding performance, going close with a central run that Muric turned behind for a corner. Koné also received a 7, providing balance in midfield and offering dangerous central runs, while Cristante rose to a 7 after a shaky start, taking control of the midfield in the second half. Mora, also rated 7, was described as having a special touch, with a finish in the second half that was far from straightforward. Gasperini himself was given a 7. Ndicka and Molina both earned 6.5, Ndicka for a solid defensive display and Molina for growing into the game after a quiet first half. Wesley and Soulé were each rated 6.5. Wesley worked tirelessly but lacked the final ball, while Soulé kept possession well without a goal or assist. Vásquez received a 6, having had little to do. Malen was rated a 6, having wasted an incredible number of chances despite his involvement in the opening goal, the own goal and the assist for Mora's third. Pisilli, who came on in the 65th minute, was also rated a 6 after several efforts that Muric stopped, and De Roon, also introduced on 65 minutes, earned a 6 for his composure in midfield. Koulierakis and Castro came on in the 76th minute, and Ghilardi replaced Balerdi in the 84th, with no ratings given for their short appearances. The result leaves Roma with a clean sheet and three goals, with Gasperini's side described as having made a significant step forward. The next Roma fixture is not covered in the report.

Rodrigo Mora has said he knew early on how strong his Roma teammates were, speaking to Sky Sport after scoring. Asked to comment on his goal, he praised the pass from Donyell Malen, saying it was a really good ball. When asked whether he expected this team to be so strong straight away, Mora said: "We must certainly keep going like this. But I noticed during training how strong my teammates were, and I knew it." Mora also reflected on his own start at the club. He admitted he did not play as he had expected at first, and said that is simply how football works. "That's football. At the beginning you don't play and you think you should be playing. Then suddenly you start to play," he said, describing how his role changed once he settled in. The Portugal international's comments point to a squad he believes is capable of more and a player who has moved from the bench to a regular place in the side. His message to the squad is to build on what they are doing now rather than let up.

Rodrigo Mora has praised Roma's strength after a win over Sassuolo, speaking to SkySport at the final whistle, and said he has scored in three consecutive league matches. He said he had been lucky to score another important goal, thanks to a fine pass from Donyell Malen. Mora said: "A great pass from Malen, I had a go and today I was lucky to score another important goal and Roma keep winning." Asked whether he expected a team this strong, Mora said: "Yes, I thought it was a strong team, I saw it in training too and we are showing it on the pitch. We have to keep going like this and it will go well." On his own role, and how things have changed since the start of the season, with more game time now, he said: "Football is crazy, sometimes you play and sometimes you don't, but you have to be ready. It's my third consecutive league goal and I'm very happy." Mora also spoke about his call-up to the Portugal squad. He said: "I'm proud, it's a pleasure to play for the national team. Ronaldo won't be there, but he is my idol, and I learned a lot from him when we shared the dressing room."

Roma continued their scoring run with a 3-0 win over Sassuolo, taking their tally to 31 goals in their first 11 matches of the season. According to Opta, only two sides have scored more in the first 11 games over the past 65 years: Juventus with 33 and Napoli with 32, both in the 2017/18 season. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has now surpassed his own record. In the 2019/20 season, he had stopped at 30 goals with Atalanta after the same number of matches, and this Roma side has moved past that mark. The win keeps the Giallorossi firing as they head into the international break. After the break, Roma travel to Parma, a ground that last year marked a turning point in their Champions League push. Malen and his teammates will look to keep the goals flowing against Parma when league action resumes.