Roma face Genoa with lineup overhaul: Lulli, Pisilli, Mora and Castro set for starts

Roma face Genoa at the Stadio Olimpico on 17 October at 20:45, with former Roma manager Daniele De Rossi in charge of the visitors. The fixture comes immediately after Roma's Champions League outing against Real Madrid, and represents a significant test for both sides. Genoa arrive buoyed by their first Serie A victory of the season, a 2–1 defeat of Fiorentina in their last match, in which Milutin Osmajic scored and provided an assist. That win broke a ten-match winless run stretching back to the end of the 2025–26 season and lifted Genoa clear of the relegation zone; across their last five league games they have recorded one win, one draw and three defeats. De Rossi's return to the Olimpico carries symbolic weight. The Genoa manager built his entire playing career at Roma, making 616 official appearances and scoring 63 goals—the second-highest appearance tally in the club's history behind Francesco Totti alone. He managed Roma's first team between January and September 2024, overseeing 30 matches before his dismissal, and this will be his second visit back as Genoa's coach. In last season's Serie A meetings between the clubs, Roma won 3–1 at home on 29 December 2025, with Matías Soulé, Manu Koné and Evan Ferguson among the scorers, before Genoa took the return 2–1 at the Ferraris on 8 March 2026, a result that remains their last victory over Roma. Roma have not lost at home to Genoa for 23 consecutive Serie A matches, a run stretching back to 17 January 1990. Osmajic has emerged as Genoa's principal attacking threat, scoring three goals in five Serie A appearances for the club. De Rossi is expected to deploy a 4–4–1–1 formation, with Junior Messias operating behind Osmajic and Stephan El Shaarawy on the left wing—another former Roma player. The midfield will centre on Morten Frendrup for intensity and ball recovery, alongside Hamed Traorè for build-up play. Genoa's last two consecutive Serie A victories over Roma came in 2011; De Rossi's side will hope to extend their momentum after a turbulent start to the season. Roma, managed by Gian Piero Gasperini, will be looking to restore their dominance at home. Genoa have won only once in their last five games and remain fragile defensively—the foundation on which Gasperini will build his approach to contain De Rossi's compact, counter-attacking setup.

Roma face a severe injury crisis ahead of their fixture with Genoa, with Gasperini left with only 16 players available — 11 starters and five substitutes. Key absences include Paulo Dybala and Bryan Cristante among five top-team players sidelined. The head coach is turning to the Primavera ranks to bolster his squad, mirroring tactics he deployed last season during difficult periods. Parco Panico, a young midfielder, is expected to be called up for the Genoa match. He will not be alone: Gasperini may also name Di Nunzio and Arena, both of whom were also called up at points in the previous season. Arena is a current squad member already registered with the first team. The move offers an opportunity for young players while providing Gasperini with additional resources to manage a fixture calendar that demands constant rotation.

Roma face Genoa at the Olimpico this evening as Gasperini looks to rebuild momentum after the Champions League defeat to Real Madrid. The mental impact of that loss poses a risk, but the coach has made clear the priority is to move forward immediately. Genoa have not won away at Roma since 17 January 1990, when they won at the Flaminio with a goal from Aguilera under Franco Scoglio. That run spans 36 years, and Gasperini intends to maintain it. The manager will hand opportunities to young players to inject fresh energy into the side. Santiago Castro and Rodrigo Mora, both hungry to make an impact, are tasked with leading Roma's attack. The Olimpico crowd is primed to back the yellow and red's young forward line.

Gasperini arrives at Roma's match against Genoa unbowed by Real Madrid's late defeat and unmoved by media noise, insisting his squad's direction is correct. Speaking at his pre-match conference, he defended the group and the dressing room, reaffirming his conviction that the tactical path is sound. Roma sit third in the table behind Inter and Lazio, a position Gasperini does not regard as accidental, though a fixture pile-up—three matches in seven days—combined with an injury list threatens to test his resolve. Absences of Koné, Cristante, Dybala and the suspended Malen force Gasperini to rebuild his starting eleven around youth and invention. De Roon and Pisilli will form a new midfield pairing, with Mora and Soulé deployed in support of Santiago Castro, set for his first start. Lulli takes a wing berth to rest Molina, and Wesley shifts to the left side; the back three remains unchanged. Beyond the tactical reshuffling, Gasperini uses the constraint to signal to the board that the modern game demands longer, more competitive squads to withstand congested calendars. No excuses, he emphasizes—Genoa, managed by De Rossi, will face a Roma side intent on immediate answers through courageous, personality-driven football that reflects the club's identity.

Roma face Genoa with squad depleted after their defeat to Real Madrid. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini has only 16 players available—11 to field and 5 substitutes—forcing tactical adjustments in defence. Emanuele Lulli is expected to replace Nahuel Molina, who was among the weakest performers against Madrid. Leonardo Balerdi will also feature prominently in the backline, providing cover in emergencies. In attack, the selection remains settled: Santiago Castro, Rodrigo Mora, and Matías Soulé are expected to start. The injury toll reflects mounting pressure on Roma's resources. Gasperini must balance squad rotation with the need for stability; the emphasis tonight will be on keeping competitive despite the absences rather than celebrating what was a significant defensive vulnerability in the previous match. Fans are also expected to remain emotionally connected to the team despite the challenge of limited personnel. Major Italian newspapers reported varying formations ahead of the match, with a consensus emerging around Castro, Mora, and Soulé in the attacking third and Lulli in the midfield. La Gazzetta dello Sport predicted a 3-4-1-2 shape; Corriere dello Sport, Messaggero, Corriere della Sera, and Repubblica all suggested 3-4-2-1 configurations; Tuttosport and Il Tempo offered alternative back-line combinations. The most frequent defensive pairing included Pierluigi Gollini as goalkeeper with Evan N'Dicka as a central fixture, though debate persisted over whether Balerdi or Mario Hermoso would partner him.

Roma host Genoa at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday 17 October at 20:45 in Serie A's seventh round, looking to recover after a 4–3 Champions League defeat to Real Madrid this week. The Giallorossi led 3–1 until the 83rd minute before the Spanish side staged a dramatic comeback. In league play, Roma are unbeaten on 14 points from six matches and sit third, having won four games and drawn with Inter and Como. Genoa arrive 18th on four points but travel to Rome buoyed by their first Serie A victory of the season, a 2–1 win over Fiorentina. The fixture carries special significance as Genoa are managed by Daniele De Rossi, who faces the club he served as both a player and later as coach. Roma face a severe injury crisis ahead of the match. Manu Koné suffered a first-degree biceps femoris strain in tests today and will be absent for several weeks, with recovery targeted before the next international break. Paulo Dybala is also unavailable—not through injury, but due to calf fatigue that has prompted Gasperini's medical staff to avoid taking risks against Genoa. Mile Svilar and Bryan Cristante remain sidelined, with Cristante still completing recovery from a knee problem and available for the following Serie A match against Napoli. Donyell Malen is suspended following his dismissal against Como. Pierluigi Gollini will continue in goal, with Leonardo Balerdi pushing Mario Hermoso for a place in the three-person defence alongside Gianluca Mancini and Evan N'Dicka. On the right wing, Emanuele Lulli and Nahuel Molina are competing for selection, while Wesley will operate on the left. Marten de Roon and Niccolò Pisilli are expected to start in midfield. Gasperini confirmed that Santiago Castro will start up front, with Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé favoured as options behind him on current indications, though Lorenzo Pellegrini is available in the attacking midfield role. Genoa will largely field the team that beat Fiorentina. Justin Bijlow starts in goal, with Otoa competing with Marcandalli to complete the back four alongside Jens Petter Østigard and Devis Vásquez. Ola Aina and Morten Frendrup operate as full-backs, with Morten Frendrup and Hamed Traorè in central midfield. Junior Messias will provide creative support, and Stephan El Shaarawy is expected to start after featuring prominently in the Fiorentina victory. Milutin Osmajić leads the Grifone attack, having scored in that recent win and currently Genoa's leading league goalscorer this season. The match will be broadcast on DAZN and Sky Sport Uno, Sky Sport Calcio, Sky Sport 251 and Sky Sport 4K, with streaming available on DAZN, Sky Go and NOW. Maurizio Compagnoni will provide commentary for Sky with Massimo Gobbi as summariser. Bookmakers heavily favour Roma despite the absences. Odds on a Giallorossi victory range from 1.47 to 1.48, a draw from 4.35 to 4.60, and a Genoa win from 6.20 to 7.00. A 2–0 Roma victory is among the most likely correct scorelines, offered at 6.75 by Bwin and 7.50 by Sisal. Roma have gone unbeaten in 39 of their last 40 home Serie A matches against Genoa.

Gasperini arrives at Roma's match against Genoa unbowed by Real Madrid's late defeat and unmoved by media noise, insisting his squad's direction is correct. Speaking at his pre-match conference, he defended the group and the dressing room, reaffirming his conviction that the tactical path is sound. Roma sit third in the table behind Inter and Lazio, a position Gasperini does not regard as accidental, though a fixture pile-up—three matches in seven days—combined with an injury list threatens to test his resolve. Absences of Koné, Cristante, Dybala and the suspended Malen force Gasperini to rebuild his starting eleven around youth and invention. De Roon and Pisilli will form a new midfield pairing, with Mora and Soulé deployed in support of Santiago Castro, set for his first start. Lulli takes a wing berth to rest Molina, and Wesley shifts to the left side; the back three remains unchanged. Beyond the tactical reshuffling, Gasperini uses the constraint to signal to the board that the modern game demands longer, more competitive squads to withstand congested calendars. No excuses, he emphasizes—Genoa, managed by De Rossi, will face a Roma side intent on immediate answers through courageous, personality-driven football that reflects the club's identity.

Roma host Genoa at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday 17 October at 20:45 in Serie A's seventh round, looking to recover after a 4–3 Champions League defeat to Real Madrid this week. The Giallorossi led 3–1 until the 83rd minute before the Spanish side staged a dramatic comeback. In league play, Roma are unbeaten on 14 points from six matches and sit third, having won four games and drawn with Inter and Como. Genoa arrive 18th on four points but travel to Rome buoyed by their first Serie A victory of the season, a 2–1 win over Fiorentina. The fixture carries special significance as Genoa are managed by Daniele De Rossi, who faces the club he served as both a player and later as coach. Roma face a severe injury crisis ahead of the match. Manu Koné suffered a first-degree biceps femoris strain in tests today and will be absent for several weeks, with recovery targeted before the next international break. Paulo Dybala is also unavailable—not through injury, but due to calf fatigue that has prompted Gasperini's medical staff to avoid taking risks against Genoa. Mile Svilar and Bryan Cristante remain sidelined, with Cristante still completing recovery from a knee problem and available for the following Serie A match against Napoli. Donyell Malen is suspended following his dismissal against Como. Pierluigi Gollini will continue in goal, with Leonardo Balerdi pushing Mario Hermoso for a place in the three-person defence alongside Gianluca Mancini and Evan N'Dicka. On the right wing, Emanuele Lulli and Nahuel Molina are competing for selection, while Wesley will operate on the left. Marten de Roon and Niccolò Pisilli are expected to start in midfield. Gasperini confirmed that Santiago Castro will start up front, with Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé favoured as options behind him on current indications, though Lorenzo Pellegrini is available in the attacking midfield role. Genoa will largely field the team that beat Fiorentina. Justin Bijlow starts in goal, with Otoa competing with Marcandalli to complete the back four alongside Jens Petter Østigard and Devis Vásquez. Ola Aina and Morten Frendrup operate as full-backs, with Morten Frendrup and Hamed Traorè in central midfield. Junior Messias will provide creative support, and Stephan El Shaarawy is expected to start after featuring prominently in the Fiorentina victory. Milutin Osmajić leads the Grifone attack, having scored in that recent win and currently Genoa's leading league goalscorer this season. The match will be broadcast on DAZN and Sky Sport Uno, Sky Sport Calcio, Sky Sport 251 and Sky Sport 4K, with streaming available on DAZN, Sky Go and NOW. Maurizio Compagnoni will provide commentary for Sky with Massimo Gobbi as summariser. Bookmakers heavily favour Roma despite the absences. Odds on a Giallorossi victory range from 1.47 to 1.48, a draw from 4.35 to 4.60, and a Genoa win from 6.20 to 7.00. A 2–0 Roma victory is among the most likely correct scorelines, offered at 6.75 by Bwin and 7.50 by Sisal. Roma have gone unbeaten in 39 of their last 40 home Serie A matches against Genoa.

Santiago Castro will make his first Roma start in the Stadio Olimpico clash with Genoa, with Donyell Malen sidelined by suspension. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has assembled a youthful attacking trident of Castro, Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora, transforming Roma's injury crisis into an opportunity for emerging talent to seize the spotlight. Castro, 22, arrives fresh from international duty with Argentina and faces an immediate chance to prove his worth at the centre of Roma's forward line. Soulé, 23, has recovered from a strong Champions League display and will anchor the attack, reconnecting with Castro—a partnership forged during their time at Vélez and now revived in Rome. Mora, 19, completes the trio after impressing against Real Madrid and attracting international media attention. The overhaul extends beyond the front three: midfield and wing positions are also filled by youth, with Niccolò Pisilli, 22, anchoring the centre, while Emanuele Lulli, 19, and Wesley provide defensive cover on the flanks. With only five squad members over 24 years old, Roma have rebuilt their entire shape around emerging players, turning absences into a springboard for immediate contribution rather than a setback.

Roma pundits weighed in on the club's performance and transfer strategy following the Real Madrid loss, with sharp debate over Gasperini's public criticism of the ownership and Nahuel Molina's contribution. Roberto Pruzzo said Roma's reserves are stronger than Genoa's starting XI and predicted a draw, citing midweek fatigue. He expressed doubt about Molina's recent form: "Molina, for what I've seen in the last few matches, maybe it would have been better to look in another direction. You have to understand and accept a market where certain roles seem questionable." Pruzzo added that Santiago Castro deserves more playing time and noted that Genoa had won only one match in six months. Sabatini said Roma must mentally move past the final ten minutes against Real Madrid, warning that "otherwise every corner kick becomes a problem." He flagged five missing regular starters and expressed curiosity about Castro's performance. Carina noted that Mancini and Hermoso are not fully fit, forcing Gasperini to field Balerdi instead of his preferred back line. Carina observed that Gasperini has now directed three substantial criticisms at ownership: first at Como–Roma on the importance of the club's presence, then in the Real Madrid pre-match with a comment about wanting the ability to buy champions, and most recently a heavyweight attack. Carina questioned the €16 million plus bonuses spent on a sixth centre-back who never plays. He highlighted Roma's lack of mobile players and expressed concern about Rodrigo Mora's physical performance against Real Madrid's attacks, though acknowledged Mora could make a difference in Serie A. Luis Orsi pushed back, saying: "Gasperini, when he loses a match, starts saying they didn't buy him a player." He argued that while Gasperini bears no responsibility for the Real loss, Roma has conducted strong business and is performing well. Orsi stressed that the market was shaped by Gasperini too: "It seems he was satisfied for 80%. It's hard to think a coach gets 100% satisfaction unless he's at Real Madrid, PSG, or even bigger clubs." He noted Roma has eleven players, nine of whom could start, and that Castro faces competition from Donyell Malen, who scores regularly.

Gian Piero Gasperini has demanded energy, courage and an immediate victory as Roma prepare to face Genoa on the back of a 3–4 defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League. Speaking at his pre-match press conference, the Roma head coach made clear his intention to shield the group and chart a swift course back to winning ways, acknowledging the emotional toll of the heavy loss but insisting the objective is to continue playing with courage and freedom rather than chase the Champions League or the Scudetto. The squad faces a significant injury crisis. Manu Koné is sidelined with a muscle injury, Paulo Dybala is recovering from fatigue, and five other key players are unavailable, forcing Gasperini to draw on Roma's youth academy. The squad of outfield players has been reduced to sixteen, prompting the head coach to send a message to the club: modern football demands at least twenty players of similar calibre to withstand the pace of cup competition. Santiago Castro, Rodrigo Mora and other academy graduates are ready to turn the difficult moment into a chance for their futures. Gasperini highlighted Roma's ability to compete with anyone—evidenced by recent matches against Inter, Como and Real Madrid—but stressed the need to eliminate the lapses in concentration that have cost them. He also noted Genoa's greater tactical organisation compared to Real Madrid's approach.

Roma face Genoa at the Olimpico this evening as Gasperini looks to rebuild momentum after the Champions League defeat to Real Madrid. The mental impact of that loss poses a risk, but the coach has made clear the priority is to move forward immediately. Genoa have not won away at Roma since 17 January 1990, when they won at the Flaminio with a goal from Aguilera under Franco Scoglio. That run spans 36 years, and Gasperini intends to maintain it. The manager will hand opportunities to young players to inject fresh energy into the side. Santiago Castro and Rodrigo Mora, both hungry to make an impact, are tasked with leading Roma's attack. The Olimpico crowd is primed to back the yellow and red's young forward line.