Roma ease past Newport County with comfortable 4–1 friendly win

Gian Piero Gasperini has warned his Roma side not to lower their guard against Manchester United tonight at Old Trafford, despite the Red Devils' poor results. The main threat is Matheus Cunha, the Brazilian forward who is United's principal attacking figure. Gasperini said: "Never trust him", as reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport. United are struggling, but the quality of their squad remains intact. Cunha has not shone as he did in the past, and like the rest of the team he has been below his best. In 13 matches so far this season he has scored only two goals, against Sabah in the Champions League and against Fulham in the Premier League. Gasperini has stressed that the threat should not be underestimated. The job of containing Cunha will fall mainly to Evan N'Dicka. The Ivorian defender must work well on anticipation and get his reading of the play right, but he must also avoid mistakes when stepping out early. Cunha has pace, and if he gets away from a defender he is hard to catch, especially in open space. Roma's two midfielders, De Roon and Cristante, will also be asked to create density in front of the central defender to stop Cunha from receiving playable balls. For N'Dicka, tonight's contest rises sharply in level. The challenge is demanding, and the Roma defence will need discipline and sharp timing to keep the United forward quiet.

Gasperini is preparing to take his Roma side to Old Trafford to reverse the history against Manchester United, and the Italian papers have largely agreed on a starting eleven. The coach appears set to field a solid defence with Mancini returning to the starting lineup, while the main doubt concerns the right flank, where the choice is between Lulli and Molina. Rensch could also come into contention for that spot, but he appears the least likely to start from the first minute. In midfield, the papers are split over who will support Soulé behind Malen: Pisilli, Cristante or Mora. Across the line-ups published by the Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere dello Sport, Tuttosport, Il Messaggero, Corriere della Sera and Il Tempo, Roma are set to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation with Gollini in goal, Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso in defence, Wesley in the midfield and Soulé and Malen attacking. The papers' predicted line-ups differ in only a few places. The Gazzetta dello Sport and Il Messaggero pick Lulli at left-back, while the Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport go with Molina. The Corriere della Sera and Il Tempo both name Rensch. Il Messaggero also includes de Roon and Pisilli in midfield, with Cristante pushed further forward alongside Soulé, while Tuttosport picks Mora in the number ten role instead of Pisilli.

Roma travel to Old Trafford tonight, kickoff 21:00, aiming to end a long run of defeats at the ground against a Manchester United side in deep crisis. Gasperini's side arrive on the back of a 5-2 win over Udinese and a period of strong growth, while United have not won in nine matches and Michael Carrick's position as manager is increasingly under pressure. Roma have played four times at United's stadium and lost every time, conceding 15 goals, including the heavy 7-1 defeat in 2007 and the 6-2 loss in 2021. Carrick, now in the United dugout, scored twice in that 7-1 game. Roma supporters, around 5,000 of whom are expected to travel, dream of revenge tonight. United have looked fragile, nervous and unable to respond to difficulties in recent weeks, and a heavy 4-1 home defeat to Como exposed their limitations. Still, the English side remain rich in talent, with individuals capable of deciding a match at any moment. Old Trafford has also been a fortress: Manchester have won their last seven European matches there. The main danger for Roma, the article warns, is handing United the confidence and momentum to rediscover their rhythm, with an early goal or a fast start capable of reigniting the crowd. Gasperini said: "Ci prepariamo come se affrontassimo il miglior Manchester" ("We are preparing as if we were facing the best Manchester"). The coach's plan is to respect the opponent without giving up Roma's identity, playing with aggression, tempo and courage while taking the precautions needed to avoid giving the English attackers too much space. Gasperini knows the perils of Old Trafford well: in 2021, while coaching Atalanta, he led 2-0 before United came back to win 3-2. Roma, the article argues, have every reason to believe the result is possible, with the right moment, growing personality and Gasperini's work bearing fruit, but it will demand a very mature performance, because a wounded United can be more dangerous than a healthy one.

Gasperini is preparing to take his Roma side to Old Trafford to reverse the history against Manchester United, and the Italian papers have largely agreed on a starting eleven. The coach appears set to field a solid defence with Mancini returning to the starting lineup, while the main doubt concerns the right flank, where the choice is between Lulli and Molina. Rensch could also come into contention for that spot, but he appears the least likely to start from the first minute. In midfield, the papers are split over who will support Soulé behind Malen: Pisilli, Cristante or Mora. Across the line-ups published by the Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere dello Sport, Tuttosport, Il Messaggero, Corriere della Sera and Il Tempo, Roma are set to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation with Gollini in goal, Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso in defence, Wesley in the midfield and Soulé and Malen attacking. The papers' predicted line-ups differ in only a few places. The Gazzetta dello Sport and Il Messaggero pick Lulli at left-back, while the Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport go with Molina. The Corriere della Sera and Il Tempo both name Rensch. Il Messaggero also includes de Roon and Pisilli in midfield, with Cristante pushed further forward alongside Soulé, while Tuttosport picks Mora in the number ten role instead of Pisilli.

Roma visit Manchester United at Old Trafford tonight, with kick-off at 21:00 in the fourth matchday of the Champions League. Gasperini is expected to make several changes from the side that beat Udinese in Serie A three days ago. Pisilli is tipped to edge out Mora for a place in the midfield behind the front line. Mancini is set to return to the starting defence, alongside N'Dicka and Hermoso in a three-man back line. Wesley and Cristante are expected to keep their places, with De Roon in the middle of the midfield. Soulé and Malen are predicted to start up front alongside Pisilli in the 3-4-2-1 system. Gollini is expected to keep his place in goal. The predicted line-ups differ on the wing-back and full-back spots. Some papers pick Lulli on the left, others Rensch, and others Molina. Il Romanista goes with Balerdi on the left of the defence. La Gazzetta dello Sport, Il Messaggero and Il Corriere dello Sport all predict a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Lulli or Molina on the flanks. Corriere della Sera and Il Tempo both pick Rensch, while Romanews.Euroma and Corriere dello Sport go with Molina. For Gasperini, the choice on the flanks and in midfield will determine how Roma line up against the Premier League side at Old Trafford.

Roma's probable line-up for tonight's Champions League league-phase midpoint has been mapped out, with Niccolò Pisilli alongside Marten de Roon in midfield and Bryan Cristante ahead of Rodrigo Mora in the attacking midfield role, according to Daniele Aloisi in Il Messaggero. Mora's inclusion is not ruled out. Donyell Malen and Matías Soulé are considered untouchable up front. Wesley is expected on the left, with Devyne Rensch pushing Luca Lulli for the right-back spot. Gian Piero Gasperini is set to rely on his strongest players at the back, with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso ready to form the back three. Leonardo Balerdi is at risk after training yesterday with a prominent bandage on his right knee. Pierluigi Gollini starts in goal, a player who returns to Manchester after his spell in the youth ranks from 2012 to 2014. Mile Svilar, Manu Koné and Paulo Dybala are again out. Koné and Dybala hope to be available for Saturday's match against Sassuolo, though their involvement is not a given.

Gian Piero Gasperini has warned Roma not to be distracted ahead of their trip to face Manchester United, describing the Premier League side as strong despite a difficult run of results. Speaking at his pre-match press conference on the eve of the fixture, the Roma coach said: "Manchester in the league is going through a moment of difficulty in results, but we cannot be distracted. In any case, it is a strong team, there are players of absolute value, it is a warm and difficult environment. We are preparing as if we were facing the best Manchester." Asked what his side still lacks, Gasperini said: "Perfection does not exist for the very big teams, and not for us either. Our quality is that we always try to improve. We know our characteristics, but we know that in some situations we can do better." On the subject of dreams, he added: "Everyone has the right to dream. I try to make dreams achievable in the short term, starting from tomorrow, in a fantastic stadium famous all over the world. I hope it is achievable." Gasperini outlined the immediate problems. "If you are missing Pellegrini, Dybala and Koné in the same areas, we try to adapt a little at certain moments. We have the alternative of Castro with Malen, and in midfield we are counted. I hope it is a passing moment. We have played these seven matches on a knife's edge, but we have always had prepared players who have recovered quickly." On Mora, he said: "He is well. The 17 who are here are all ready. After the break we hope to get everyone back. It is difficult this week." On defensive options, Gasperini praised Wesley alongside Lulli, saying: "In that area Wesley is also doing very well alongside Lulli. Molina needed to play, and Rensch has also done very well. For them it is demanding, they cover a lot of ground with acceleration and speed." Asked about Manchester United's struggles under Carrick and how a big club can turn things around, Gasperini said: "Every situation is different. I do not know the Manchester situation precisely, but they have strong players. You can suffer for a certain period, but then you can restart, hopefully from the day after tomorrow. At Inter I was really there too briefly, three matches, so I would not make that comparison." On whether Italian football has closed the gap with England on a technical and tactical level, he said: "We will have to see from the results. The last time it went better, the day before not well for the Italian clubs. Italian football is expressing a good quality of play, with many teams giving satisfaction to their fans and many good matches." Gasperini admitted United's current difficulties make them dangerous: "We hope so, but it is always a big unknown. They are teams made up of very strong players who, especially in the league, have had difficulties. But you can always expect reactions and the ability to find the path they have not found until now. We hope for the opposite and to accentuate their difficulties." On his team selection, he said: "Let's see. We play so intensely between one match and the next that we have to wait until the last day to decide." Asked about Svilar, Koné and Dybala, he added: "We are travelling one step at a time. For now we play this match, then on Wednesday we return to Rome and we will assess all three to see whether it is possible to recover them for Sassuolo or after the break."

Gian Piero Gasperini has told reporters that Roma must not be distracted by Manchester United's struggles as the Giallorossi prepare for Wednesday's Champions League League Phase fourth-matchday fixture at Old Trafford, which kicks off at 21:00. Roma arrive in Manchester after a commanding 5-2 Serie A win over Udinese, and the match comes at the end of a particularly demanding run of fixtures. The Giallorossi.net editorial team is covering the head coach's press conference live from Manchester, which begins at 18:20 Italian time. Gasperini acknowledged that United are going through a difficult period in the league, but he stressed that his side cannot afford to take their opponents lightly. "Manchester is in a difficult moment in their results, but we cannot be distracted. However, it is a strong team, there are players of absolute quality, it is a warm and difficult environment. We are preparing as if we were facing the best Manchester." On whether Roma are yet perfect, Gasperini said: "Perfection does not exist for the very great teams, nor for us. Our quality is that we always try to improve ourselves. We know our characteristics, but we know that in some situations we can do better." Asked about the dream of playing at Old Trafford, the so-called Theatre of Dreams, he said: "Everyone has the right to dream. I try to make dreams that are achievable in the short term, starting from tomorrow, in a fantastic stadium famous all over the world. I hope it is achievable." On injuries, Gasperini admitted the squad is stretched. "If you are missing Pellegrini, Dybala and Koné in the same areas, we try to adapt a little at certain moments. We have the alternative of Castro with Malen, and in midfield we are counted. I hope it is a passing moment. We have played these seven matches on a knife edge. But we have always had prepared players who have recovered quickly. Mora? He is well, the 17 we have are all ready. After the break we hope to have everyone back. Difficult this week." On defensive options, he praised Lulli and Wesley. "In that area, Wesley is also doing very well alongside Lulli. Molina needed to play, and Rensch has also done very well. For them it is demanding, they cover a lot of ground with acceleration and speed." Gasperini was also asked about his own past in England and the contrast with Michael Carrick's current difficulties at United. "Every situation is different. I do not know the Manchester situation precisely, but they have strong players. You can suffer for a certain period, but then you can restart, hopefully from the day after tomorrow. I was at Inter for really too short a time, three matches, so I would not make that comparison." He was further asked whether Italian football has closed the gap with England on the pitch. "We will have to see from the results. The last time it went better, the previous day not well for the Italian sides. The Italian championship is expressing a good quality of play, with many teams giving their fans satisfaction and many good matches." On whether United's current form makes this the right moment to face them, Gasperini replied: "We hope so, but it is always a great unknown. They are teams made up of very strong players, who in the league in particular have had difficulties. But you can always expect reactions and the capacity to find the path they have not found until now. We hope the opposite, and to accentuate their difficulties." Asked whether Mora or three midfielders will start, he said: "We will see. We play so intensely between one match and the next that we have to wait until the last day to decide." Finally, on Svilar, Koné and Dybala, Gasperini said: "We are travelling one step at a time. For now we play this match, then on Wednesday we return to Rome and we will assess all three to see whether it is possible to recover them against Sassuolo or after the break."

Roma travel to Manchester United tomorrow at 21:00 for matchday four of the Champions League league phase, with Gian Piero Gasperini's side arriving in the best form of the season after a five-goal win over Udinese. Svilar, Koné and Dybala will all miss the fixture. Gasperini was speaking at his pre-match press conference, where he also addressed the situation at Old Trafford. Asked what to expect, he said: "Manchester in the league is going through a difficult moment in their results, but we cannot be distracted. In any case it is a strong team, there are players of absolute value, it is a warm and difficult environment. We are preparing as if we were facing the best Manchester." On the question of perfection, he replied: "Perfection does not exist for the very big teams, and not for us either. Our quality is that we always try to improve, we know our characteristics but we know that in some situations we can do better." Asked about his dream at Old Trafford, the "theatre of dreams", he said: "Everyone has the right to dream. I try to make dreams that are achievable in the short term, starting from tomorrow, in a fantastic stadium famous all over the world. I hope it is achievable." On the main difficulties, he said: "If you are missing Pellegrini, Dybala and Koné in the same departments, we try to adapt a little at certain moments. We have the alternative of Castro with Malen, in midfield we are short. I hope it is a moment of transition. We have played these seven matches on a knife's edge. But we have always had prepared players who have recovered quickly. Mora? He is well, the 17 who are here are all ready. After the break we hope to get everyone back. It is difficult this week." Gasperini praised Lulli's management of the defence, adding: "In that department Wesley is also doing very well alongside Lulli. Molina needed to play and Rensch has also done very well. For them it is demanding, they cover a lot of ground with acceleration and speed." He also acknowledged his own reputation in England and his time at Inter, saying: "Every situation is different. I do not know the Manchester situation precisely, but they have strong players. You can suffer for a period, but then you can restart, hopefully from the day after tomorrow. At Inter I was really there far too little, three matches, so I would not make that comparison." Speaking to Sky, Gasperini said: "We will have to see from the results. The last time it went better, the previous day not well for the Italian clubs. The Italian championship is expressing a good quality of play, with many teams giving satisfaction to their fans and many good matches." On Manchester United's struggles, he said: "We hope so, but it is always a big unknown. They are teams made up of very strong players, who in the league especially have had difficulties. But you can always expect reactions and the ability to find that road they have not found so far. We hope the opposite and to accentuate their difficulties." On whether Mora or three midfielders will start, Gasperini said: "We'll see. We play in such a pressing way between one match and the next that we have to wait until the last day to decide." On Svilar, Koné and Dybala, he added: "We are travelling one step at a time. For now we play this match, then on Wednesday we return to Rome and we will assess all three to see whether it is possible to recover them for Sassuolo or after the break."

Roma's goal-scoring machine rolled on with a five-goal haul at Udine, and the win piled pressure on defending champions Inter, who are no longer top of Serie A after Lazio's unstoppable run. Roma have now scored 28 league goals in their first ten matchdays, a new Serie A record, surpassing the 26 scored in 1960-61 and 2016-17. Across all competitions, the club have netted 36 goals in 13 matches, an average of three every ninety minutes. The figures put the team on course for around 100 goals this season. What stands out most is not just the total but the spread of scorers: fourteen different players have found the net out of the twenty available to Gian Piero Gasperini. Donyell Malen remains the sure thing up front, but the rest of the squad are eager to get involved. In Udine, two defenders joined the list. Evan N'Dicka scored at the stadium where, in April 2024, he suffered a serious scare after a collapse. Daniele Ghilardi scored for the first time in Serie A and in a Roma shirt, a reward for a season in which he has become increasingly central to Gasperini's plans. Only Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Wesley, Devyne Rensch, Gianluca Mancini and Konstantinos Koulierakis are yet to score this season.

Roma defender Konstantinos Koulierakis has opened up about his early career in Greece in an interview with Greek public broadcaster ERT on the programme Kalimera ipame?, and he has left the door open to a return to PAOK one day. The Greek centre-back, who is gradually carving out a place in Gian Piero Gasperini's squad during a particularly demanding period for Roma, described how he joined the PAOK academy. Koulierakis recalled that his trip to Thessaloniki had been cancelled several times before he finally made it. Joining the PAOK academy had been a dream, and he said he was overjoyed on hearing the news, although naturally also nervous. He was kept on from the third day, without having to complete a full week of trials. "Maybe they wouldn't have kept me if I had arrived earlier," he said. He moved to Thessaloniki alone, living for three years in the PAOK accommodation. His parents had been offered the chance to follow him, but he never asked them to come. "I wanted to face this experience on my own. From the moment I entered the academy, my goal was to reach the first team, and to make it. That's why I never thought I missed my parents. I was very aware of what I wanted." He trained with the first team at first, then took part in the pre-season preparation, and from there he broke into the senior side, where he also played. He spent two years in the first team before Wolfsburg came in, and he is now at Roma. "I had completed two full seasons at PAOK, a big club where there is pressure. We won the league, lost finals, I felt fulfilled and ready for the next step." Asked whether he would ever return to play in Greece, Koulierakis was clear about his preference. "Obviously I would like to play for PAOK. As a player you never know what the future holds, but certainly at PAOK, because I lived very beautiful moments there and PAOK made me grow. It showed me the way to become a professional."

Roma routed Udinese at the Bluenergy Stadium with an authoritative performance that left Runjaic's side well beaten, and the Italian sports dailies rewarded almost the entire squad with high marks. Molina was the exception, rated among the least impressive players on the Friulian side. In the ratings from Corriere dello Sport, Cristante earned an 8, the highest mark on the Roma side, while Ghilardi and N'Dicka both received 7.5. Mora and Soulé were also given 7.5, and Malen 7.5, with Gasperini awarded 7.5 as coach. Il Messaggero, Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica and Tuttosport all also gave Cristante an 8 or 7.5 and Ghilardi and N'Dicka solid marks of 6.5 to 7, with Mora and Malen praised in several papers. Molina was marked 6 by most dailies, and 6.5 by La Repubblica, while Wesley's ratings ranged from 6 to 7. Gasperini received 7.5 from most papers, and 7 from Tuttosport. Gollini, Hermoso and De Roon were rated more moderately, with Gollini getting a 6 across the board. Substitutes were also assessed. Pisilli came on for Mora and was given 6.5 by Corriere dello Sport and 6 by the other papers, while Castro was rated 6.5 or 6 after replacing Malen. Mancini's cameo earned a 6 from Il Messaggero and Tuttosport, and Koulierakis and Rensch were left unrated.