Roma embrace Gasperini's identity in Champions League return against Fenerbahçe

Roma scouts were among those watching Porto against PSV Eindhoven at the Estádio do Dragão in the Champions League, as the club keeps working ahead of the January transfer window to strengthen Gian Piero Gasperini's squad. Sporting director D'Amico is looking for talent to complete the attack and the wide areas, where a left-sided midfield winger is still missing. Scouts from Everton, Manchester United, Brentford and Nottingham Forest were also present, according to English outlet Sport Witness. Many talents featured for PSV as well as for Porto, who are coached by Farioli. Among the possible targets Roma are monitoring is Sven Mijnans, an attacking midfielder born in 2000 who had already been followed in the summer. Also on the list is Bajraktarević, a Bosnian left-sided winger born in 2005. Roma will keep working on these ideas in the coming weeks, as a side that has made a top start still needs reinforcements. Porto's young standouts also drew attention. Oscar Pietuszewski, a right-footed winger born in 2008, is very young. Alberto Costa, a 23-year-old full-back, was close to joining Roma in January 2025.

Roma's defence has been named in the Sofascore Team of the Week for the latest Champions League round, with Mario Hermoso, Leonardo Balerdi and Daniele Ghilardi all selected and dominating the back line of the ideal side. The trio's performance earned the recognition after they kept a clean sheet against Slovan Bratislava, the club's first clean sheet in Europe this season, and gave nothing away to Yaya Touré's side. The spotlight on the defence comes as Roma prepare for a big match against Napoli, with the squad continuing its work at Trigoria. The back line has been one of the strengths of the start to the campaign, conceding just three goals in the first seven Serie A matches. The Italian report adds that the award reflects the solid form of a unit that has been central to Roma's strong start, with the three defenders combining for a shutout that underlined the club's improved resilience at the back. Roma are next in action against Napoli, with the squad focused on maintaining that defensive record.

Roma's central defenders Hermoso, Balerdi and Ghilardi have been named in Sofascore's Team of the Week for the latest Champions League round, after a performance that kept Slovan Bratislava out completely. The three Roma defenders gave away nothing to the side coached by Yaya Touré. Roma have conceded only three goals in their first seven Serie A matches, a record built on a back line that is growing more solid despite the absence of several players who were fundamental in recent years. The arrivals of Balerdi and Koulierakis, and the continued development of Ghilardi, have given Gasperini the option to rest two first-team regulars, Ndicka and Mancini. Sofascore's selection was described as deserved. The Team of the Week's defence, drawn from the best side in the League Phase, was dominated by Gasperini's Roma backline. The selection also includes attackers Doué, Nico Paz, Foden and Ngumoha from the wider group of top clubs in the competition.

Matías Soulé was the standout performer as Roma beat Napoli at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium, scoring his third Serie A goal of the season. The Argentine forward carried the side on his shoulders, and the strike is considered one of the finest he has scored since joining the club. Soulé scored the same number of league goals at this stage last season, but this season he looks like a different player: more of a leader, and not missing Paulo Dybala's absence. Sofascore's data underline his all-round display: four key passes, an 88% pass completion rate, eight duels won, four successful dribbles and the same number of ball recoveries. He was valuable both in attack and in defensive work. This summer Soulé came close to leaving the club. Arab clubs knocked on the door, but he never wanted to leave Roma and chose to stay in football's biggest arena. It is an understandable decision for a 23-year-old. Next up is Tuesday's match against Cagliari, where he is again expected to lead the line. Dybala is improving and will be called up, but he is expected to return from the first minute against Udinese. Soulé is ready to lead the attack alongside Donyell Malen. The groin problem (pubalgia) that held him back last year is no longer an issue, and he has also earned a place in the Argentina national team.

Gian Piero Gasperini will face the media on Tuesday at 13.30 ahead of Roma's home match against Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico. The head coach is returning to press conferences after missing the one held on the eve of the trip to Maradona, where Roma drew with Napoli. Roma are back in action straight after that draw with Napoli, and the Cagliari fixture comes quickly. Paulo Dybala is in good spirits after training partially with the group today. Manu Koné, Mile Svilar and Lorenzo Pellegrini are ruled out. Rodrigo Mora could be handed a place in the starting line-up, expected to play behind Donyell Malen in a partnership with Matías Soulé.

Leonardo Balerdi earned the top rating in the Italian newspapers after scoring a brace that rescued Roma in their 3-3 draw at the Maradona. Matías Soulé was next best, with his goal starting the comeback and a performance full of quality. Molina also received a solid mark of 6.50. Among the players rated below par, Pisilli had the lowest average at 5.25, followed by Rensch on 5.50 and Hermoso and Malen on 5.58. Gasperini finished with an average of 6.60. The newspapers largely agreed on the key refereeing decisions in the Napoli 3-3 Roma match. Balerdi's first equaliser for the 2-2 was ruled valid, with Castro striking the ball with his face in the build-up. The final 3-3 also stood, as the contact between the Argentine and Beukema was judged too light to justify a penalty. Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere dello Sport both gave Colombo 6.5, Il Messaggero awarded him a 6, and Il Romanista was harsher with a 5.5. Il Romanista's verdict on Colombo read: "He irritates everyone, but in the end he does not directly affect the result."

Matías Soulé was the standout performer as Roma beat Napoli at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium, scoring his third Serie A goal of the season. The Argentine forward carried the side on his shoulders, and the strike is considered one of the finest he has scored since joining the club. Soulé scored the same number of league goals at this stage last season, but this season he looks like a different player: more of a leader, and not missing Paulo Dybala's absence. Sofascore's data underline his all-round display: four key passes, an 88% pass completion rate, eight duels won, four successful dribbles and the same number of ball recoveries. He was valuable both in attack and in defensive work. This summer Soulé came close to leaving the club. Arab clubs knocked on the door, but he never wanted to leave Roma and chose to stay in football's biggest arena. It is an understandable decision for a 23-year-old. Next up is Tuesday's match against Cagliari, where he is again expected to lead the line. Dybala is improving and will be called up, but he is expected to return from the first minute against Udinese. Soulé is ready to lead the attack alongside Donyell Malen. The groin problem (pubalgia) that held him back last year is no longer an issue, and he has also earned a place in the Argentina national team.

Paulo Dybala trained partially with the squad at Trigoria this morning, a strong sign that he is close to full recovery from the calf muscle injury that kept him out of the matches against Genoa, Slovan Bratislava and Napoli. Gian Piero Gasperini will be pleased with the test, and Dybala is aiming to be available at least on the bench for Tuesday evening's clash with Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico. There was also positive news on Mile Svilar, who could be back in time for Roma's Champions League trip to Manchester United on 3 November. The double boost comes as Roma look to strengthen their squad ahead of a busy stretch of fixtures. Dybala's return would give Gasperini an important attacking option for the home game against Cagliari, while Svilar's availability for the trip to Old Trafford would be a welcome boost in goal for the Champions League fixture.

Gian Piero Gasperini will hold his usual eve-of-match press conference tomorrow at 13:30 ahead of Roma's Serie A ninth-round clash with Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday evening. The coach is expected to address the team's condition, the threats posed by the opponents and the recovery progress of injured players Mile Svilar, Manu Koné and Paulo Dybala, with Dybala potentially back in the matchday squad. The build-up follows a dramatic 3-3 draw away at Napoli, in which Roma twice rescued a point after falling behind. Having drawn level twice, the Giallorossi now turn their attention straight to the home fixture against Cagliari, a game that carries significant weight as the team looks to build on that resilient display. Gasperini's briefing will give supporters a first official update on the squad's fitness ahead of the midweek fixture. Dybala's possible return would be a boost for Roma's attack, while the availability of Svilar and Koné will also be closely watched as the coach finalises his selection for the match at the Olimpico.

Gian Piero Gasperini will face the media on Tuesday at 13.30 ahead of Roma's home match against Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico. The head coach is returning to press conferences after missing the one held on the eve of the trip to Maradona, where Roma drew with Napoli. Roma are back in action straight after that draw with Napoli, and the Cagliari fixture comes quickly. Paulo Dybala is in good spirits after training partially with the group today. Manu Koné, Mile Svilar and Lorenzo Pellegrini are ruled out. Rodrigo Mora could be handed a place in the starting line-up, expected to play behind Donyell Malen in a partnership with Matías Soulé.

Roma came from behind to draw 3-3 at Napoli's Maradona stadium, their third consecutive draw in a big Serie A match after a goalless game at Como. Leonardo Balerdi, who came off the bench, scored a brace, while Matías Soulé was the standout performer in attack. The evening began badly for Roma, but the team refused to give up and fought back to level the match. Italian newspapers gave Soulé between 7 and 8 out of 10, and Balerdi between 7.5 and 8. Evan Ndicka was the only member of the starting defence to come out with credit, rated 6 to 7. Gollini earned 6 to 7, Cristante 6 to 7, and de Roon 5.5 to 6.5. Malen was below par and was rated between 5 and 6. Hermoso's marks ranged from 4.5 to 6.5. Wesley was rated between 5 and 6.5, and Mancini between 5.5 and 6. Gasperini was given between 6.5 and 7 for his handling of the game. Roma made several changes during the match. At the 58th minute, Balerdi replaced Hermoso, Molina came on for Rensch, and Castro replaced Pisilli. Ghilardi entered for Mancini in the 83rd minute, and Mora came on for Malen at the same point. Molina was rated 6 to 6.5, Castro between 5 and 6.5, and Balerdi, as a substitute, was rated 7.5 to 8.

Roma came from behind to draw at Napoli's Stadio Maradona, with Balerdi scoring a brace off the bench to rescue a point in a match that began badly for the Giallorossi. It is the third draw in three big league matches for Roma, following a goalless draw at Como. Malen was absent from the lineup, and Soulé lit up the comeback. The Italian newspapers rated the performances. Soulé was the standout performer, earning 7.5 from La Gazzetta dello Sport and Il Corriere dello Sport, 7 from La Repubblica and Il Corriere della Sera, and 8 from Il Tempo. Balerdi, who came on for Hermoso at half-time, was the match-winner from the bench, rated 8 by La Gazzetta dello Sport, Il Messaggero and Il Tempo, and 7.5 by Il Corriere della Sera. Ndicka was the only starting defender to earn consistent praise, rated 7 by La Gazzetta dello Sport and Il Corriere dello Sport. Gasperini received a 7 from La Gazzetta dello Sport and Il Corriere dello Sport, and 6.5 from Il Messaggero, La Repubblica, Il Corriere della Sera and Il Tempo. Gollini was rated 6.5 by most outlets and 7 by La Repubblica. Cristante earned a 7 from Il Messaggero and 6.5 from Il Tempo. Molina came on for Rensch at half-time and was rated 6.5 by La Gazzetta dello Sport and Il Tempo, and 6 by La Repubblica and Il Corriere della Sera. Castro, who replaced Pisilli, was rated 6.5 by Il Corriere dello Sport and 6 by La Gazzetta dello Sport, Il Corriere della Sera and Il Tempo. Malen was rated between 5 and 6 across the papers. Mancini and Wesley received mixed marks, while Mora and Ghilardi came on late without ratings. The ratings show the sharpest debate over the central defensive and attacking performers, with Balerdi's impact from the bench the most discussed. The papers agree that Roma's fight in the second half changed the match.