Roma vs Slovan Bratislava: Ghilardi and Balerdi start in a reshaped defence

Slovan Bratislava are looking to spoil Roma's night, with both sides still chasing their first win in this season's Champions League. Slovan's coach Yaya Touré spoke to Sky Sport shortly before kick-off, reflecting on his return to the stadium where he won the Champions League with Barcelona. Touré said: "I was on the pitch, it is always a pleasure and I am happy. I have wonderful memories, it was a special evening and a special final against United. We managed to win, but today is a different match and as a coach. We will see how my team plays, I am curious too." Asked what he expected from the Roma game, he said: "We have enormous respect for Roma, it is a very big club. We know it will be difficult. Against Real Madrid they were unlucky, they deserved to win and instead the game was decided in the last 10 minutes. It was a disappointment for them, but we know they will want to react. We will try to test them and we will see if we can take the result home."

Francesco Totti was at the Stadio Olimpico again for Roma's home Champions League game against Slovan Bratislava, a week after attending the match against Real Madrid. The former Roma captain had promised head coach Gian Piero Gasperini that he would return, and he kept his word. Before entering the stadium, Totti had a long conversation with Paulo Dybala, who is injured and unavailable for tonight's match. He then greeted and embraced Donyell Malen, who will start from the first minute and lead the attack. Behind Malen, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Rodrigo Mora will play in midfield. This is Roma's second Champions League game, and their second at home. Totti's return to Trigoria is not currently on the table, but he wants to enjoy the magic of the Champions League.

Roma return to Champions League action at the Stadio Olimpico against Slovan Bratislava, after a 2-0 win over Genoa in Serie A that restored their league form. Gian Piero Gasperini's side needed points in the Champions League to climb the league-phase standings. The Giallorossi got a result from their second-string players against Genoa, with Castro scoring a spectacular goal to unlock the game. Roma opened their European campaign with a draw against Fenerbahce in Turkey, and then suffered the sting of a comeback by Real Madrid in front of their own fans. Slovan Bratislava are considered a side well within Roma's reach, but one that can hide dangers. Roma's Champions League fixture against Slovan Bratislava is being played at the Olimpico. Fans can follow the match on Sky and Prime, with official line-ups, kickoff time and the current league-phase table all included in pre-match coverage.

Roma head to Bratislava for their third Champions League match looking for a first win of the campaign, after a draw with Fenerbahce and a defeat to Real Madrid. Gian Piero Gasperini has left Evan N'Dicka and Gianluca Mancini out of the starting line-up, with Daniele Ghilardi and Leonardo Balerdi starting in defence. Donyell Malen leads the attack, with Rodrigo Mora and Lorenzo Pellegrini behind him. Roma line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation: Pierluigi Gollini in goal; Ghilardi, Balerdi and Mario Hermoso in the back three; Nahuel Molina, Marten de Roon, Niccolò Pisilli and Wesley in midfield; Mora and Pellegrini in the attacking pair; and Malen up front. On the bench are Giorgio De Marzi, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Mancini, N'Dicka, Devyne Rensch, Emanuele Lulli, Di Nunzio, Bryan Cristante, Matías Soulé and Santiago Castro. Slovan Bratislava, coached by Yaya Touré, set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Takac starts in goal, protected by Blackman, Bajric, Markovic and Sandro Cruz. Pokorny and Gajdos form the double pivot, with Barseghyan, Ibrahim and Suleman Camara behind Marcelli.

Roma led Slovan Bratislava 4-0 at the Stadio Olimpico in their third League Phase match of the Champions League, with Hermoso (21'), Molina (38'), Pisilli (52') and Malen (57') on the scoresheet. Roma had dominated the first half, and the game had long since been settled by the time of the latest update. Roma came into the match with one point from their first two games, a draw at Fenerbahçe and a 4-3 defeat to Real Madrid in a chaotic game. Slovan, coached by Yaya Touré, had made a difficult start to their European campaign, losing 6-1 to Paris Saint-Germain and 3-0 to Stuttgart. More than 60,000 Roma fans were expected at the stadium. Gian Piero Gasperini's side lined up in a 3-4-2-1, with Gollini in goal, Ghilardi, Balerdi and Hermoso in defence, and Molina, Pisilli, De Roon and Wesley in midfield. Mora and Pellegrini were behind Malen, who was back from a league suspension. Hermoso opened the scoring with a header at 21', from a free kick by Pellegrini that Ghilardi nodded across for him to finish at the far post. Molina doubled the lead at 38', following up to on the rebound after Malen's right-footed strike was blocked by Takác. Pellegrini had earlier shot wide from the edge of the box at 28', and Takác made a diving save. Pellegrini had a problem at 50' and was replaced by Soulé at 51'. Pisilli made it 3-0 at 52' with a left-footed finish under the keeper, playing in on a pass from Malen after a mistake by the Slovan defence. Wesley was brought down in the area at 56', and Malen converted the resulting penalty at 57' with a right-footed shot into the corner. Wesley had a chance at 32', going past his man and delivering a fine ball to the second post, where Molina's volley went over the bar. Roma made two changes at 58', with Wesley and Malen replaced by Castro and Rensch. Slovan made three changes at 68', bringing off Ibrahim, Gajdos and Suleiman Camara for Mustafic, Martinez and Maros. Barseghyan was booked for simulation at 20', and Suleiman Camara was cautioned at 65' for holding Rensch. The match was refereed by Sandro Schärer of Switzerland, with Fedayi San as VAR. At 70', Rensch tried his luck with a low right-footed shot from the edge of the box, and the effort went just wide.

Former Roma midfielder Angelo Di Livio, speaking to Retesport a few hours before Roma's match against Slovan Bratislava, said the team must play with intelligence and without rushing, as they did against Genoa, which he called the model performance for today. He said there is only one result that matters, and that Bryan Cristante is back tonight, with Gasperini having guaranteed him around twenty minutes, which will be a test for Napoli. Di Livio said the win over Genoa was less attractive because many players had little playing time. He called it an important game and said De Rossi's side did not have a single shot on target in the second half. On Matías Soulé, he said he liked the flashes of quality against Genoa but that the forward had long spells of inactivity. He named Emanuele Lulli as the best player on the pitch against Genoa. On Paulo Dybala, Di Livio was blunt: "Non ci puoi fare affidamento, gioca 4-5 partite e poi rimane fuori." On Lulli, he urged caution, saying the defender could potentially become a star but should be allowed to grow calmly. He noted that against Genoa Lulli won back a lost ball, earned a corner, and showed grit and a fighting spirit. On Daniele Ghilardi, Di Livio said that when trained and prepared well he also has the legs to play as a fifth defender.

Leonardo Balerdi has spoken to Sky Sport ahead of Roma's match against Slovan Bratislava, praising head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and setting out the team's ambitions. Balerdi is playing as a central defender today, and he said he feels good in a back line where the boss makes many changes. Asked about Gasperini, the Argentine defender was effusive. He said the coach is a strong figure who knows exactly what he wants to do, and he admired his passion and his training sessions. Balerdi added that players feel full of confidence on the pitch, which he considers very important. On settling in with the other Argentines in the squad, Balerdi said there are many of them. He explained that his compatriots had messaged him before he arrived in Rome and told him to join the club. He said he has been welcomed very well and is happy. He concluded: "Dobbiamo vincere e lasciare la Roma più in alto possibile", meaning the team must win and leave Roma as high as possible.

Roma head to Bratislava for their third Champions League match looking for a first win of the campaign, after a draw with Fenerbahce and a defeat to Real Madrid. Gian Piero Gasperini has left Evan N'Dicka and Gianluca Mancini out of the starting line-up, with Daniele Ghilardi and Leonardo Balerdi starting in defence. Donyell Malen leads the attack, with Rodrigo Mora and Lorenzo Pellegrini behind him. Roma line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation: Pierluigi Gollini in goal; Ghilardi, Balerdi and Mario Hermoso in the back three; Nahuel Molina, Marten de Roon, Niccolò Pisilli and Wesley in midfield; Mora and Pellegrini in the attacking pair; and Malen up front. On the bench are Giorgio De Marzi, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Mancini, N'Dicka, Devyne Rensch, Emanuele Lulli, Di Nunzio, Bryan Cristante, Matías Soulé and Santiago Castro. Slovan Bratislava, coached by Yaya Touré, set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Takac starts in goal, protected by Blackman, Bajric, Markovic and Sandro Cruz. Pokorny and Gajdos form the double pivot, with Barseghyan, Ibrahim and Suleman Camara behind Marcelli.

Roma led Slovan Bratislava 4-0 at the Stadio Olimpico in their third League Phase match of the Champions League, with Hermoso (21'), Molina (38'), Pisilli (52') and Malen (57') on the scoresheet. Roma had dominated the first half, and the game had long since been settled by the time of the latest update. Roma came into the match with one point from their first two games, a draw at Fenerbahçe and a 4-3 defeat to Real Madrid in a chaotic game. Slovan, coached by Yaya Touré, had made a difficult start to their European campaign, losing 6-1 to Paris Saint-Germain and 3-0 to Stuttgart. More than 60,000 Roma fans were expected at the stadium. Gian Piero Gasperini's side lined up in a 3-4-2-1, with Gollini in goal, Ghilardi, Balerdi and Hermoso in defence, and Molina, Pisilli, De Roon and Wesley in midfield. Mora and Pellegrini were behind Malen, who was back from a league suspension. Hermoso opened the scoring with a header at 21', from a free kick by Pellegrini that Ghilardi nodded across for him to finish at the far post. Molina doubled the lead at 38', following up to on the rebound after Malen's right-footed strike was blocked by Takác. Pellegrini had earlier shot wide from the edge of the box at 28', and Takác made a diving save. Pellegrini had a problem at 50' and was replaced by Soulé at 51'. Pisilli made it 3-0 at 52' with a left-footed finish under the keeper, playing in on a pass from Malen after a mistake by the Slovan defence. Wesley was brought down in the area at 56', and Malen converted the resulting penalty at 57' with a right-footed shot into the corner. Wesley had a chance at 32', going past his man and delivering a fine ball to the second post, where Molina's volley went over the bar. Roma made two changes at 58', with Wesley and Malen replaced by Castro and Rensch. Slovan made three changes at 68', bringing off Ibrahim, Gajdos and Suleiman Camara for Mustafic, Martinez and Maros. Barseghyan was booked for simulation at 20', and Suleiman Camara was cautioned at 65' for holding Rensch. The match was refereed by Sandro Schärer of Switzerland, with Fedayi San as VAR. At 70', Rensch tried his luck with a low right-footed shot from the edge of the box, and the effort went just wide.