Roma face Genoa as Curva Sud honours Peppone

Daniele De Rossi and Stephan El Shaarawy were both given standing ovations by the Stadio Olimpico crowd during the team-sheet reading before Roma's match against Genoa on 17 October. De Rossi, now Genoa's head coach, and El Shaarawy, returning to face his former club for the first time as an opponent, were applauded as their names were announced. El Shaarawy scored a crucial goal in May that secured Roma's place in the Champions League, and started in the match against the Giallorossi. Both men remain important figures in Roma's history. De Rossi managed the club until 2025, while El Shaarawy departed after six years in his second spell at the club. The reception underlined the affection Roma supporters hold for both players despite their current positions on opposing benches.

D'Amico spoke to DAZN minutes before Roma's match against Genoa, reflecting on the squad's recent Champions League campaign and their preparations for the fixture ahead. On Roma's performance against Real Madrid, D'Amico said: "It left us with the awareness of having played a really great match for 82 minutes, of having expressed good football, we were truly proud. The last ten minutes teach you lessons, because the Champions League does this — it makes you stronger even in defeat." Regarding Santiago Castro's arrival at the club, he added: "Santi came with great enthusiasm. We wanted him strongly for these moments. As the manager says, opportunities come, and we are convinced he will do well because he has everyone's confidence." D'Amico emphasized that squad depth remains a priority as Roma balance multiple competitions. "We expect something beautiful from the whole squad," he explained. "For us, the group is the driving element of the work. We are coming from a particular evening and tonight's will be even more difficult. The theme of squad depth exists when you face these competitions, but it is a step to reach if we want to maintain and play in the Champions League."

Rodrigo Mora expressed Roma's determination to bounce back from their Champions League defeat to Real Madrid, ahead of the Serie A fixture against Genoa on matchday seven. Speaking ahead of tonight's match, the midfielder emphasised that despite the disappointing result in Europe, the team's performance merited praise. "A part from the result, which clearly wasn't positive, I think the squad did really excellent work. I believe we played an excellent match against a team of Real's level. Then in 10 minutes we conceded three goals, but we did good work," Mora said. "Tonight we want to continue like that to get three points." Mora will line up in attack alongside Matías Soulé and Santiago Castro, a first-time pairing for the midfielder with Castro. He has already played alongside Soulé and expressed enthusiasm about the attacking unit. Mora stressed that Roma's confidence has not wavered despite the European setback. "Today what matters is winning. Our self-belief doesn't change—it stays high: we know our capabilities," he said. He added that the younger players in the squad are determined to raise their level, noting that head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has faith in them and that they are convinced they can perform at Roma's high standard.