Roma lead Serie A in dribbling efficiency as Malen and Soulé shine under Gasperini

Roma's league-leading position rests not only on 14 goals scored—six of them by Donyell Malen and four assists from Paulo Dybala—but fundamentally on their command of dribbling, a technical foundation where the club struggled badly last season. Roma's successful dribbling rate has soared from 39.2% in the 2025–26 campaign to 61.73% in this opening stretch of Serie A, precisely the area Gasperini identified for improvement. The coach hopes to accelerate that progress further in January, when sporting director D'Amico will attempt to secure a left-footed attacking midfielder playing on the right side. The scale of the transformation is stark. Last season Roma ranked 19th overall in dribbling completion; they now lead the league. This tactical shift reflects Gasperini's complete commitment to an attacking-minded approach, beginning with high pressure and ball recovery, and relying on instinct, pure technique and creative play rather than conventional structure. Malen and Soulé top Roma's individual dribbling charts with 2.6 completed dribbles per match apiece. Rodrigo Mora ranks third with 2.1 per match, and Daniele Ghilardi—a defender—sits fourth with 1.9. Dybala, despite his four assists, ranks eighth in the Roma squad with a modest 0.9 dribbles completed per match, converting only 30.8% of his attempts.

Roma have made an emphatic start to the 2026-27 season, claiming four wins and two draws across their opening six matches without defeat, and their attacking shape under Gian Piero Gasperini is becoming increasingly defined. The side have generated one of Serie A's strongest offensive phases, producing 111 total shots over six matches—an average of 20.6 per game—with 68% coming from the central area, 18% from the left and 15% from the right. Gasperini's system combines aggressive pressing, high tempo and collective play with relentless shot creation, generating 14 goals so far: 12 from open play, one from a set piece and one on the counter. Donyell Malen has emerged as the attacking focal point, already on six goals with 20 shots (10 on target) as Roma's primary reference point in the box. However, the creative engine runs through Paulo Dybala on the right flank. The Argentine leads Serie A for chances created (22) and assists (4), and has completed 201 successful passes, underscoring his centrality to Roma's build-up play. Gasperini's tactical identity also involves using inverted wingers—Wesley, for instance, frequently plays on the left to cut inside onto his right foot, a pattern that generated his goal against Juventus last season in a 3-3 draw at the Olimpico. In the match against Inter, Nahuel Molina, deployed on the left, finished with three shots. While Roma shoot most from the centre, the right flank proves most productive in creating opportunities, generating 39% of offensive chances. The combination of Dybala's creativity and the movement patterns Gasperini has installed suggest Roma's attacking threat remains multifaceted and difficult to defend, grounded in the manager's clear strategic blueprint of aggressive, high-tempo football that prioritises collective movement and continuous offensive production.

Roma's attacking threat from full-back positions has transformed under Gian Piero Gasperini this season, with the discoveries of Emanuele Lulli and the arrival of Nahuel Molina — described as a clear upgrade on Zeki Çelik — providing multiple offensive weapons beyond Wesley alone. Last season the giallorossi often struggled on the wings, but now rank among Serie A's most dangerous teams in wide areas. Lulli has created 4 chances, Molina 7 and Wesley 13 from their full-back positions, totalling 24 opportunities for Gasperini's side. This figure is surpassed in Italy only by Inter, whose wing-backs Dimarco and Diouf have combined for 26.

Roma's league-leading position rests not only on 14 goals scored—six of them by Donyell Malen and four assists from Paulo Dybala—but fundamentally on their command of dribbling, a technical foundation where the club struggled badly last season. Roma's successful dribbling rate has soared from 39.2% in the 2025–26 campaign to 61.73% in this opening stretch of Serie A, precisely the area Gasperini identified for improvement. The coach hopes to accelerate that progress further in January, when sporting director D'Amico will attempt to secure a left-footed attacking midfielder playing on the right side. The scale of the transformation is stark. Last season Roma ranked 19th overall in dribbling completion; they now lead the league. This tactical shift reflects Gasperini's complete commitment to an attacking-minded approach, beginning with high pressure and ball recovery, and relying on instinct, pure technique and creative play rather than conventional structure. Malen and Soulé top Roma's individual dribbling charts with 2.6 completed dribbles per match apiece. Rodrigo Mora ranks third with 2.1 per match, and Daniele Ghilardi—a defender—sits fourth with 1.9. Dybala, despite his four assists, ranks eighth in the Roma squad with a modest 0.9 dribbles completed per match, converting only 30.8% of his attempts.

Bryan Cristante has been withdrawn from Italy's Nations League squad after sustaining an injury in Roma's Serie A match against Inter, forcing manager Roberto Mancini to call up Samuele Ricci as his replacement. Cristante was originally selected for the campaign but the physical problem forced him to withdraw from the squad for the clash against Belgium, which marks the start of Italy's new Nations League cycle. The absence provides an opportunity to examine Cristante's relationship with the Nations League and Italy's overall performance with and without him. Across 22 Nations League matches in the period examined, Cristante has appeared eight times. In the other 14 occasions, he has been unavailable: 12 times through non-selection and twice through remaining on the bench. When the Roma midfielder has featured, Italy have recorded four wins, two draws and two defeats. In the 14 matches where Cristante did not play, the Azzurri collected seven wins, six draws and just one loss. Looking specifically at the last six Nations League Finals matches analysed, Cristante appeared in exactly half of them—three times—while not being selected twice and remaining on the bench on one occasion. With Cristante on the pitch, Italy faced Belgium, Spain and the Netherlands, securing two victories and one defeat. A notable detail involving Roma's current squad emerged from the Netherlands match: Cristante started that fixture while Donyell Malen started for the opposition. Both players now share Roma's dressing room under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. In the three matches of that cycle where Cristante was not used, Italy recorded two losses against Germany and Spain, alongside a draw against Germany.

Roma have made an emphatic start to the 2026-27 season, claiming four wins and two draws across their opening six matches without defeat, and their attacking shape under Gian Piero Gasperini is becoming increasingly defined. The side have generated one of Serie A's strongest offensive phases, producing 111 total shots over six matches—an average of 20.6 per game—with 68% coming from the central area, 18% from the left and 15% from the right. Gasperini's system combines aggressive pressing, high tempo and collective play with relentless shot creation, generating 14 goals so far: 12 from open play, one from a set piece and one on the counter. Donyell Malen has emerged as the attacking focal point, already on six goals with 20 shots (10 on target) as Roma's primary reference point in the box. However, the creative engine runs through Paulo Dybala on the right flank. The Argentine leads Serie A for chances created (22) and assists (4), and has completed 201 successful passes, underscoring his centrality to Roma's build-up play. Gasperini's tactical identity also involves using inverted wingers—Wesley, for instance, frequently plays on the left to cut inside onto his right foot, a pattern that generated his goal against Juventus last season in a 3-3 draw at the Olimpico. In the match against Inter, Nahuel Molina, deployed on the left, finished with three shots. While Roma shoot most from the centre, the right flank proves most productive in creating opportunities, generating 39% of offensive chances. The combination of Dybala's creativity and the movement patterns Gasperini has installed suggest Roma's attacking threat remains multifaceted and difficult to defend, grounded in the manager's clear strategic blueprint of aggressive, high-tempo football that prioritises collective movement and continuous offensive production.

Lorenzo Pellegrini is stepping up his recovery from a long injury layoff with the aim of forcing his way back into Gian Piero Gasperini's starting plans. The Roma midfielder has not played since 10 April, when he suffered an injury against Pisa and was substituted at half-time—a gap of 184 days that represents the longest absence of his career. After a setback while attempting to recover in time for the derby, Pellegrini underwent surgery in Finland, but he is now accelerating his rehabilitation ahead of the resumption of the Serie A campaign. Gasperini has previously indicated his intention to use the extended break productively, stating: "The long break will be an opportunity to do something more." Pellegrini, who renewed his contract for one year on a salary of €2.5 million per season, is working to reach full fitness and return to the squad rotation. Last season he started in 25 of his 37 appearances, underscoring his importance as one of the senior figures in the dressing room. The club backed his contract renewal significantly, with Gasperini pushing the management hard to retain him. Pellegrini's bid to reclaim a regular role comes amid competition for midfield places from Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora. His rehabilitation will accelerate in the coming days, according to reporting, as he targets readiness for when the campaign resumes and aims to contribute minutes while building match fitness through a busy fixture schedule.

Roma's league-leading position rests not only on 14 goals scored—six of them by Donyell Malen and four assists from Paulo Dybala—but fundamentally on their command of dribbling, a technical foundation where the club struggled badly last season. Roma's successful dribbling rate has soared from 39.2% in the 2025–26 campaign to 61.73% in this opening stretch of Serie A, precisely the area Gasperini identified for improvement. The coach hopes to accelerate that progress further in January, when sporting director D'Amico will attempt to secure a left-footed attacking midfielder playing on the right side. The scale of the transformation is stark. Last season Roma ranked 19th overall in dribbling completion; they now lead the league. This tactical shift reflects Gasperini's complete commitment to an attacking-minded approach, beginning with high pressure and ball recovery, and relying on instinct, pure technique and creative play rather than conventional structure. Malen and Soulé top Roma's individual dribbling charts with 2.6 completed dribbles per match apiece. Rodrigo Mora ranks third with 2.1 per match, and Daniele Ghilardi—a defender—sits fourth with 1.9. Dybala, despite his four assists, ranks eighth in the Roma squad with a modest 0.9 dribbles completed per match, converting only 30.8% of his attempts.

Roma are monitoring Giorgi Kvernadze, Frosinone's Georgian winger, as a potential solution to their search for a left-sided attacker with a right foot. The 2003-born winger has scored 5 goals and provided 2 assists across Serie A and the Coppa Italia in recent matches observed by Roma scouts. Frosinone have valued Kvernadze at around €25 million and are unwilling to allow him to leave without a substantial offer. Napoli are also tracking his situation. Roma have made an excellent start to the season with 13 points from 15 available, level on points with Inter and Lazio at the top of the table. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has successfully integrated the summer additions — Balerdi, Molina, Mora, Koulierakis and De Roon — into his system. However, the club recognises that further reinforcements are needed, particularly in the wide attacking position, and has begun preparations for the January transfer window. According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport and confirmed by Il Tempo and Nicolò Schira, Kvernadze has caught the attention of Roma's recruitment staff. The club will face competition from Napoli as they pursue the Frosinone winger ahead of the winter market.

Roma have made an emphatic start to the 2026-27 season, claiming four wins and two draws across their opening six matches without defeat, and their attacking shape under Gian Piero Gasperini is becoming increasingly defined. The side have generated one of Serie A's strongest offensive phases, producing 111 total shots over six matches—an average of 20.6 per game—with 68% coming from the central area, 18% from the left and 15% from the right. Gasperini's system combines aggressive pressing, high tempo and collective play with relentless shot creation, generating 14 goals so far: 12 from open play, one from a set piece and one on the counter. Donyell Malen has emerged as the attacking focal point, already on six goals with 20 shots (10 on target) as Roma's primary reference point in the box. However, the creative engine runs through Paulo Dybala on the right flank. The Argentine leads Serie A for chances created (22) and assists (4), and has completed 201 successful passes, underscoring his centrality to Roma's build-up play. Gasperini's tactical identity also involves using inverted wingers—Wesley, for instance, frequently plays on the left to cut inside onto his right foot, a pattern that generated his goal against Juventus last season in a 3-3 draw at the Olimpico. In the match against Inter, Nahuel Molina, deployed on the left, finished with three shots. While Roma shoot most from the centre, the right flank proves most productive in creating opportunities, generating 39% of offensive chances. The combination of Dybala's creativity and the movement patterns Gasperini has installed suggest Roma's attacking threat remains multifaceted and difficult to defend, grounded in the manager's clear strategic blueprint of aggressive, high-tempo football that prioritises collective movement and continuous offensive production.

Roma's attacking threat from full-back positions has transformed under Gian Piero Gasperini this season, with the discoveries of Emanuele Lulli and the arrival of Nahuel Molina — described as a clear upgrade on Zeki Çelik — providing multiple offensive weapons beyond Wesley alone. Last season the giallorossi often struggled on the wings, but now rank among Serie A's most dangerous teams in wide areas. Lulli has created 4 chances, Molina 7 and Wesley 13 from their full-back positions, totalling 24 opportunities for Gasperini's side. This figure is surpassed in Italy only by Inter, whose wing-backs Dimarco and Diouf have combined for 26.

Nahuel Molina has become one of Gasperini's most dangerous players in Roma's opening Serie A fixtures, proving to be a decisive summer acquisition for €13 million. The Argentine has demonstrated his impact through aggressive ball recovery in advanced positions—notably helping create Manu Koné's opening goal—and his consistent threat from distance. After five league matches, Molina ranks among Serie A's best for chances created (2.9 per 90 minutes, behind only Dybala and Wesley in giallorosso), ball recoveries (5.04 per 90), and possessions won in the opponent's third (0.78 per 90), according to Sofascore data. Roma have finally secured a right-sided threat matching Gasperini's tactical demands, addressing a weakness from last season when the club saw only sporadic contributions from a combination of Zeki Çelik and Kostas Tsimikas on that flank. Alongside other key acquisitions—Donyell Malen, Paulo Dybala and Leonardo Balerdi—Molina is reshaping the team's profile. Some observers outside Rome had already suggested he represented a downgrade compared to Çelik, but offensive and defensive statistics offer no room for interpretation. Molina's record through early September demonstrates substantial improvement across all phases: key passes, dribbling, expected assists, ball recoveries and possessions won in the advanced third all favour the Argentine over his predecessor.