Roma dream run under Gasperini: record start across Serie A and Champions League

Former coach Andrea Stramaccioni has praised Donyell Malen, likening the Dutch forward's movement to that of Andriy Shevchenko, as Roma prepare to face Napoli at the Maradona. Speaking to Corriere dello Sport, Stramaccioni also highlighted the way Gian Piero Gasperini's side defends by attacking. Roma's form has been strong, with a clear identity, a productive attack and an effective defensive phase. Stramaccioni said: "It is impressive, ever more in tune with the verticality of Roma's final pass. His half-moon of movement away from his marker, the first controlled touch oriented forward, and the speed with which he does it remind me, with the appropriate comparisons, of the movements Andriy Shevchenko liked to make." He then turned to the team as a whole: "Roma have scored with 11 different players, and Dybala, Mancini, Wesley and Pellegrini are still missing. But the out-of-possession phase stands out more: Gasperini's side 'defends by attacking' while controlling the ball. It is the best defence in Serie A (and two of the three goals conceded came against Inter) and has the best goal difference in the league." On the Napoli fixture, Stramaccioni said: "He is too experienced, he knows that at Napoli the level of difficulty is very high. He will find a side 'wounded', which cannot afford to lose again and will play to the death in front of their very hot crowd. And Gasp knows this well. He will prepare a high-intensity match, taking time and space away from Napoli's build-up, meaning limiting Lobotka and De Bruyne. And trying to exploit the vertical spaces that may open up." He also pointed to a potential weakness. "Roma have conceded little when defending in a set shape, but have suffered from second balls from dead-ball situations: look at Inter and Real Madrid. On the other side, isolating the attackers one-on-one in open space and forcing Allegri's wide players to chase Wesley and company can cause Napoli problems." On squad depth, Stramaccioni said: "Without injuries I would have said Napoli, although they are a little short in midfield. But now, with Roma missing key players, I see them as similar. Roma's real advantage is a year of work with Gasperini: more certainty and enthusiasm." Finally, he assessed the ambitions of both clubs. "Napoli are a great potential in search of certainty, continuity and solidity. Roma are a group full of enthusiasm who have plenty of certainty, but to stay up there they must win matches like this one."

Roma's electric start to the season has drawn praise from every quarter, and former coach Stramaccioni has singled out Donyell Malen, comparing the Dutch forward's movement to that of Andriy Shevchenko. Speaking to Corriere dello Sport, Stramaccioni, now a pundit, said: "He is impressive, increasingly in tune with the verticality of Roma's final pass. His half-moon run to get free, the first oriented touch and the speed with which he does it remind me, with the due comparisons, of the movements Shevchenko loved to make." Roma have played with flair, scoring and convincing, and have shown no obvious weak spots. Their only slip came against Real Madrid, and they have won every game since. Stramaccioni also highlighted Roma's defensive solidity, noting that the side have scored with 11 different players. "Gasperini's team 'defends by attacking'. It has the best defence and the best goal difference in Serie A," he said. Now comes a tough test, as Napoli visit the Stadio Olimpico. Stramaccioni warned that Roma will face a wounded side: "They will find a team that is hurt, that cannot afford to lose again, and will play to the death in front of their very hot home crowd." He views limiting Lobotka and De Bruyne, denying Napoli time and space in build-up, and exploiting chances to counter vertically as the key to the game. For Stramaccioni, Roma's advantage lies in the work done under Gasperini, which has brought "more certainty and enthusiasm". Yet he believes a further step is needed to stay at the top. "Roma is a group full of enthusiasm that has plenty of certainty, but to stay up there it must win matches like this one."

Former Roma midfielder Gigi Di Biagio, who made 140 appearances for the club and is now in Saudi Arabia, has told La Gazzetta dello Sport that Inter remain the favourites for the Scudetto, while insisting Roma can mount a serious challenge. The interview was given a few hours before Napoli v Roma. Di Biagio, who has also been Italy's U20 and U21 coach and interim head coach of the senior national team, praised Roma's progress this season. He said he had seen a clear improvement in the team compared with last year, and he singled out the squad's depth. "I always say that it is not the starting XI that wins championships, but the 25th man, the bench," he said. "And this year Gasperini certainly has more players he can count on. Roma entertain, dominate their opponents and involve the whole squad. That makes the difference." On the title race, Di Biagio said: "Of course Roma can fight for the Scudetto. However, I have to admit that Inter remain the favourites, and have been for five or six years. If they have not won every title in that period, it is because something happened that should not have. In terms of squad, they have no equals in Italy. That said, as happened with Napoli's Scudetti, if certain dynamics come together, why not? I am very attached to both teams." On the midfield, he acknowledged the impact of Manu Koné's absence. "The emergency is certainly there. But when you put play and mentality at the centre of the project, players who have never played together, like Pisilli and De Roon, can also do well. Koné and Cristante are players of the highest level and they are missed over the long run, but Pisilli is showing he is on that path and has an incredible understanding with the Dutchman." Di Biagio also expressed sympathy over the injury to Lorenzo Pellegrini. "I feel really sorry for him. I have a soft spot for him and I simply do not understand the criticism he has faced over the years. I saw him play brilliantly against Slovan and he could also play in that role in midfield. I hope he returns as soon as possible." Finally, asked whether Gianluca Mancini could be used in midfield after he was tried there in the closing stages against Slovan, Di Biagio offered an anecdote. "Very few people know this, but Mancio was playing in midfield at 16-17 years old. When I coached him in the Under-21s he could also play that role. He has total empathy with Gasperini and he would certainly not refuse, but we are talking about an emergency situation. He is at his best as a proactive and charismatic defender, which he is."