Roma have the experience to thrive in Champions League, Gasperini and Dybala to lead the way

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.

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.

Paulo Dybala is ready to return to the squad for Gian Piero Gasperini, with fresh positive tests on the pitch at Trigoria today confirming his progress in recovering from a problem to his right calf. The Argentine forward, according to Filippo Biafora, took part partially in group training today. According to Angelo Mangiante of Sky Sport, La Joya will be called up for Roma-Cagliari, scheduled for Tuesday 27 October at 20:45 at the Stadio Olimpico. He will initially start on the bench, with Gasperini potentially giving him a few minutes during the second half. This is an important recovery, and faster than initially expected. After the muscle problem he suffered against Real Madrid, follow-up checks had revealed a small injury to the gastrocnemius (calf muscle), raising fears of a longer layoff. The improvement in his physical condition has instead allowed Dybala to speed up his recovery. Barring setbacks, he will finally return on Tuesday among the attacking options available to the Giallorossi boss. The news is a welcome boost for Gasperini ahead of the Cagliari fixture, as Dybala's return adds another attacking option to the coach's selection. Mangiante's report is the source of the Sky Sport information on his availability.

Balerdi's stoppage-time equaliser at 89 minutes, which earned Roma a 3-3 draw at Napoli, was ruled valid by the leading Italian newspapers' match reviews, despite Napoli's protests over contact with Beukema. The referee was Andrea Colombo, who handled several contentious moments without a decisive error according to the press. The Napoli protest centred on contact between Balerdi and Beukema at the start of the move. The reviews judged the touch too light to justify disallowing the goal. Balerdi also got back up after falling and rejoined the move before going down again. Roma's earlier equaliser, which made it 2-2, was also deemed legitimate: Castro struck the ball with his face rather than his arm, so there was no offence in either of the two Roma goals Napoli had contested. Other incidents were reviewed too. Rafa Marin's challenge on Wesley in the early minutes earned a yellow card that was considered correct, with no grounds for a red. Colombo also rightly played on at the 34th minute, when Gollini came out of his area to challenge De Bruyne and touched the ball with an arm; the reviews found the arm was close to the body, so no penalty or sanction against the Roma goalkeeper was warranted. Late on, Massimiliano Allegri was sent off for protesting after Balerdi's goal, while De Roon was booked for disputing a free kick awarded to Napoli. The referee's marks were broadly satisfactory, with some differences between papers. La Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere dello Sport both gave Colombo 6.5, praising his handling of the key incidents and the consistency of his approach. Il Messaggero was more cautious with a 6, saying some whistles were unconvincing but that he made no decisive errors on the big calls, helped by technology. Il Romanista gave the harshest verdict, a 5.5, arguing that some decisions had helped inflame the match, while acknowledging that the refereeing did not directly affect the final result.

Balerdi scored the first brace of his career as Roma fought back to take a point at the Maradona, with the Argentine defender turning into an extra forward once he came on around the hour mark in an attempt to avoid defeat. Balerdi arrived in the final days of the transfer window on loan for €1 million, and he has made an immediate impression with his pace, sense of anticipation and two goals. The performance has been one of the standout moments of Roma's start to the season, and it came at a delicate time for the club. The Argentine is quick to credit the coaching staff for the freedom he has been given. He has been working on timing his runs into the box in the way that Mancini and Hermoso do, and he said he had settled in quickly at the club. Gasperini has also been pleased with the defender's influence, and he said that Balerdi and De Roon had not needed long to fit in, with their contribution being extraordinary. For Roma, the outcome has added depth and attacking options from the back line at a crucial point in the campaign. Balerdi, the former Marseille defender, told DAZN: "The coach is teaching me to get into the box like Mancini and Hermoso do. He gives me the freedom to go forward and get close to the opposition goal. We wanted to win, but at least we're bringing a point home." On his goals, he said: "It's the first time I've scored a brace. I feel really good in this team. They welcomed me in the best way from the first day. It feels like I've been here two or three years, and that has given me the strength to play the way I am." Gasperini said: "He and De Roon didn't take long to settle in, and their contribution has been extraordinary. Balerdi knows football, and he has crazy energy. He's a great reinforcement for us." Balerdi, in the words of the coach's praise, looks like the summer's standout signing so far, an extra starter who has made an immediate difference.

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.

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."

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.