Roma line up youth-focused Under-23 project alongside new stadium plan

Francesco Totti paid an emotional tribute to Sinisa Mihajlovic during the presentation of the book 'Oltre', in front of Mihajlovic's wife Arianna. Totti said: "For me it was fundamental, he arrived at the right moment." The former Roma number 10 spoke of Mihajlovic as a true friend, saying that for him the late coach is still here with them. The tribute came at a book launch, with Mihajlovic's widow in the audience, and it is one of the most personal reflections Totti has offered on a figure from his own time in the Roma dressing room. The moment will resonate strongly with Giallorossi supporters, who remember Mihajlovic as a fierce competitor and a deeply respected presence in Italian football. Totti's words underline the bond that remains between the club's former players and those who shaped their careers, and the warmth of the reception in the room reflected that shared affection.

Former Atalanta forward Aleksandar Pesic, now at Fatih Karagumruk, has described Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini as the best coach he has ever worked under, calling him "unreachable". Pesic made the comments to the MeridianSport website. He played for Atalanta in the 2016-17 season, when Gasperini was in charge of the club. Pesic ranked Gasperini above every other coach he has played for. Asked to name the best, he said: "He is number one, with Farioli right after him." He has been coached by many leading managers, including Diaz, Slaven Bilic, Farioli and Casanova, but he said he still tells everyone that Gasperini is unreachable. Pesic also allowed for a rival to catch up. He said: "It is possible that Farioli will manage to surpass him in terms of results, but Gian Piero remains number one."

Roma supporters living in Lazio will once again be barred from attending the match at the Maradona stadium against Napoli. The fixture is scheduled for Saturday 24 October with a 6pm kickoff and counts for matchday eight of Serie A. The decision was taken by the Naples prefect, Michele di Bari, on the recommendation of the Committee for the Analysis of Security at Sporting Events, after the police headquarters flagged high risk to public order and safety. The ban is not new, given the tension that has surrounded this fixture for years, but it marks yet another restriction on Roma fans travelling to Naples. Gian Piero Gasperini's side will face a hostile atmosphere at a ground where away supporters have repeatedly been limited. The restriction applies specifically to Roma supporters resident in the Lazio region, who will not be permitted to travel to the Maradona for the match.

Roma's probable starting line-up for their meeting with Slovan has been published, with Gian Piero Gasperini reportedly bringing back the No. 23 and Mario Hermoso returning to the defence. Gianluca Mancini is expected to start, while Soulé and Pellegrini are set to operate behind Malen. The central defensive berth is a contest between Leonardo Balerdi and Evan N'Dicka. Molina is pushing Lulli for a place at right-back, and in midfield Marten de Roon and Niccolò Pisilli are expected to start. Beyond the selection, the wider build-up has also produced news on the injury front. Paulo Dybala has a small tear and is expected to be out for a period, while Gasperini has said Roma need 10 points to qualify for the playoffs and that Dybala's recovery will take longer.

Roma host Slovan Bratislava at the Stadio Olimpico tomorrow at 21:00, and Gian Piero Gasperini is expected to make several changes to the side that played Genoa in the last league match. Slovan Bratislava are coached by Yaya Toure, according to the report. According to Sky Sport, Mancini and Hermoso return to start in defence, with N'Dicka confirmed at centre-back. Molina and Wesley are set to return on the flanks, while De Roon and Pisilli are expected in midfield. Soulé and Pellegrini are likely to support Malen up front. The probable Roma line-up in a 3-4-2-1 formation is: Gollini; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Pisilli, De Roon, Wesley; Soulé, Pellegrini; Malen.

Roma host Slovan Bratislava at the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday 20 October in the Champions League league phase, a third-matchday fixture kicking off at 21:00, as Gian Piero Gasperini's side look for their first win in the competition. Roma have one point from two games after a draw with Fenerbahce and a 4-3 defeat to Real Madrid, while Slovan are still on zero points. Roma return to Europe on the back of a 2-0 Serie A win over Genoa, coached by Daniele De Rossi, at the Olimpico on Saturday, with goals from Castro and Lulli in the second half. Gasperini rotated heavily after the demanding Real Madrid game. Slovan have lost both opening matches heavily, 6-1 to Paris Saint-Germain and 3-0 to Stuttgart, before a 3-0 away win over Spartak Trnava in the league. Roma's injury list remains long. Mile Svilar is out with a stress fracture to the fifth toe of his foot, so Pierluigi Gollini is expected to keep his place in goal. Manu Koné is sidelined by a first-degree muscle tear suffered against Real Madrid, and Bryan Cristante is aiming to be back for the Serie A match against Napoli. Paulo Dybala has also been ruled out: he initially seemed set to attempt a return for the Champions League, but the latest tests revealed a small calf injury, and Gasperini said he will be out for about another two weeks. The expected Roma side is a 3-4-2-1 with Gollini; Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso in defence; Lulli, de Roon, Pisilli and Wesley in midfield; Soulé and Pellegrini behind Malen. Balerdi remains a possible option in central defence, while Lulli is favoured over Molina for the wing-back berth. Pellegrini is in contention with Mora for a place alongside Soulé. Roma's bench would include De Marzi, Vásquez, Balerdi, Koulierakis, Ghilardi, Rensch, Molina, Mora and Castro. Slovan Bratislava are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 under Yaya Touré, the formation they used in their recent European outings. Takac is in goal, with Blackman, Bajric, Markovic and Sandro Cruz in defence, and Mustafic and Pokorny in front of them. Barseghyan, Cristian Martinez and Camara are favoured for the attacking midfield, with Sporar leading the line and Griger pushing for a start. Slovan report no suspended players and no significant absences, and should have most of their squad available. The two clubs have met only twice in European competition, in the 2011/12 Europa League play-offs. Slovan won 1-0 away, and Roma could only draw 1-1 at the Olimpico, sending the Slovaks through 2-1 on aggregate. Tuesday's match is the first meeting between the two sides in the Champions League. The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sport and streamed via Sky Go and NOW. Official line-ups will be confirmed about an hour before kickoff at 21:00 on Tuesday 20 October, and will be available as a live update on the Romanews page.

Roma host Slovan Bratislava at the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday 20 October in the Champions League league phase, a third-matchday fixture kicking off at 21:00, as Gian Piero Gasperini's side look for their first win in the competition. Roma have one point from two games after a draw with Fenerbahce and a 4-3 defeat to Real Madrid, while Slovan are still on zero points. Roma return to Europe on the back of a 2-0 Serie A win over Genoa, coached by Daniele De Rossi, at the Olimpico on Saturday, with goals from Castro and Lulli in the second half. Gasperini rotated heavily after the demanding Real Madrid game. Slovan have lost both opening matches heavily, 6-1 to Paris Saint-Germain and 3-0 to Stuttgart, before a 3-0 away win over Spartak Trnava in the league. Roma's injury list remains long. Mile Svilar is out with a stress fracture to the fifth toe of his foot, so Pierluigi Gollini is expected to keep his place in goal. Manu Koné is sidelined by a first-degree muscle tear suffered against Real Madrid, and Bryan Cristante is aiming to be back for the Serie A match against Napoli. Paulo Dybala has also been ruled out: he initially seemed set to attempt a return for the Champions League, but the latest tests revealed a small calf injury, and Gasperini said he will be out for about another two weeks. The expected Roma side is a 3-4-2-1 with Gollini; Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso in defence; Lulli, de Roon, Pisilli and Wesley in midfield; Soulé and Pellegrini behind Malen. Balerdi remains a possible option in central defence, while Lulli is favoured over Molina for the wing-back berth. Pellegrini is in contention with Mora for a place alongside Soulé. Roma's bench would include De Marzi, Vásquez, Balerdi, Koulierakis, Ghilardi, Rensch, Molina, Mora and Castro. Slovan Bratislava are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 under Yaya Touré, the formation they used in their recent European outings. Takac is in goal, with Blackman, Bajric, Markovic and Sandro Cruz in defence, and Mustafic and Pokorny in front of them. Barseghyan, Cristian Martinez and Camara are favoured for the attacking midfield, with Sporar leading the line and Griger pushing for a start. Slovan report no suspended players and no significant absences, and should have most of their squad available. The two clubs have met only twice in European competition, in the 2011/12 Europa League play-offs. Slovan won 1-0 away, and Roma could only draw 1-1 at the Olimpico, sending the Slovaks through 2-1 on aggregate. Tuesday's match is the first meeting between the two sides in the Champions League. The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sport and streamed via Sky Go and NOW. Official line-ups will be confirmed about an hour before kickoff at 21:00 on Tuesday 20 October, and will be available as a live update on the Romanews page.

Roma's radio debate on the capital's stations centred on the coming Champions League clash with Slovan Bratislava, with several pundits questioning the coach's choices in defence and attack. David Rossi of Rete Sport wondered what Ghilardi had done to Gasperini, arguing that Roma bought Koulierakis for 18 million and then also signed Balerdi, the sixth centre-back, which suggested Gasperini had little faith in Ghilardi. Rossi said: "Domani contro lo Slovan devi vincere assolutamente, e per questo giocherà la squadra migliore possibile. Koulierakis mi sembra uno che deve giocare al centro, mi sembra uno alla Smalling, alto, grosso, che non sa impostare così bene. Fra l'altro non mi sembra nemmeno uno così freddo quando va sotto pressione. Mi chiedo: ma cosa gli ha fatto Ghilardi a Gasperini? Quando la Roma compra Koulierakis e lo paga 18 milioni, in quel momento era il quinto centrale. E non contenta prende anche il sesto, che è Balerdi, e ti viene da pensare "pensa quanto gli fa schifo Ghilardi se deve prendere il sesto centrale che fa il braccetto di destra"…" The defence was not the only talking point. Roberto Pruzzo of Radio Radio said Mora was too far behind in the pecking order and that Roma should look for a solution in January, adding: "Su Mora io a gennaio ci penserei a trovargli una soluzione, non mi sembra che sia il tempo per avere una prospettiva…secondo me è troppo indietro. Quando lo fa entrare, gioca un tempo, quando lo gioca. Magari trovi una soluzione più fisica. E a centrocampo andava fatto uno sforzo, perchè De Roon da solo non può bastare…" Pruzzo also backed Castro to play alongside Malen, saying: "Io a suo tempo dissi che Castro poteva essere il Muriel di Gasperini e sono stato bocciato totalmente perchè ha caratteristiche diverse. Io lo penso tutt'ora che possa interagire insieme a Malen, tenuto conto della necessità di avere una soluzione diversa." Gianluca Piacentini of Rete Sport liked the idea of a double centre-forward and suggested Lulli may have earned a starting place. He said the win over Genoa, where the reserves played, had reassured him, and that Roma had needed only 20-25 minutes to secure Saturday's result. Piacentini added: "Se giochi quei 70 minuti che hai fatto contro il Real Madrid, nel campionato italiano possono bastare per molte squadre…" Fabio Petruzzi of Rete Sport admitted he had initially thought Gasperini made too many changes, but then praised the decision, saying: "Inizialmente non ero d'accordo con tutti quei cambi fatti da Gasperini, per me erano troppi, ma poi invece applausi a scena aperta: hai portato a casa i tre punti e hai risparmiato 6-7 giocatori titolari." He also highlighted Soulé's ability to hold the ball near the touchline and said Koulierakis was still far behind in Gasperini's game. In the Champions League, Ilario Di Giovambattista of Radio Radio said the young Roma side had surprised him, adding that the team had recovered from the Champions League setback while missing seven players. He put forward the theory that Roma must leave the Champions League to fight for the title. Francesca Ferrazza of Tele Radio Stereo said the competition demands dignity, but that Roma must think about the league, adding: "Anche a costo di sacrificare la Champions…" Lorenzo Pes of Tele Radio Stereo said Pellegrini had done well against Genoa, that he could not go much further at 30, and that Wesley was expected back, with Ndicka possibly rested. Alessio Nardo of Tele Radio Stereo said Pellegrini, not yet at 100 per cent, could give a dignified display, noting that with only De Roon and Pisilli in midfield he could be useful as a substitute. On the league, Mario Corsi of Tele Radio Stereo predicted that Roma would finish first or second, three or four points behind Inter, crediting Gasperini as the key factor, and said he would be disappointed by anything less than second. Nando Orsi of Radio Radio said Roma had no excuses and must win at Napoli, while Mario Mattioli of Radio Radio said the club should think about January signings, pointing to the need for a midfielder and a left winger. Piero Torri of Manà Manà Sport expected Malen to start with Castro on the bench, and said the Slovan match would require goals as well as a win, since goal difference could decide qualification.

Roma's young centre-back Daniele Ghilardi has reportedly caught the eye of Milan, with the Rossoneri said to be looking for defensive reinforcements in January and including his name among the profiles they are monitoring. The report comes from transfer journalist Matteo Moretto on his YouTube channel. Ghilardi came on in the final minutes of Roma's 2-0 win over Genoa at the Stadio Olimpico, a result that reflected the work Gian Piero Gasperini has done in developing young players and the depth of the squad. From Trigoria, the position is said to be clear: Roma are unlikely to part with the 2003-born defender. Ghilardi is regarded as an excellent prospect for both the present and the future of the club, and Gasperini rates him on a par with the other members of the defensive unit. Barring a dramatic change of course, the player is expected to remain at Roma to fight for his chances and carve out a larger role for himself. The win over Genoa was built on Roma's young resources and squad depth, and Ghilardi's late appearance was used to protect the result. Milan's interest is framed around the winter transfer window in January, when the Rossoneri are seeking to strengthen their back line. Roma's stance, as reported, is that Ghilardi is a key part of the defensive group rather than a player available to leave.

Roma host Slovan Bratislava at the Stadio Olimpico tomorrow at 21:00, and Gian Piero Gasperini is expected to make several changes to the side that played Genoa in the last league match. Slovan Bratislava are coached by Yaya Toure, according to the report. According to Sky Sport, Mancini and Hermoso return to start in defence, with N'Dicka confirmed at centre-back. Molina and Wesley are set to return on the flanks, while De Roon and Pisilli are expected in midfield. Soulé and Pellegrini are likely to support Malen up front. The probable Roma line-up in a 3-4-2-1 formation is: Gollini; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Pisilli, De Roon, Wesley; Soulé, Pellegrini; Malen.

Roma host Slovan Bratislava at the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday 20 October in the Champions League league phase, a third-matchday fixture kicking off at 21:00, as Gian Piero Gasperini's side look for their first win in the competition. Roma have one point from two games after a draw with Fenerbahce and a 4-3 defeat to Real Madrid, while Slovan are still on zero points. Roma return to Europe on the back of a 2-0 Serie A win over Genoa, coached by Daniele De Rossi, at the Olimpico on Saturday, with goals from Castro and Lulli in the second half. Gasperini rotated heavily after the demanding Real Madrid game. Slovan have lost both opening matches heavily, 6-1 to Paris Saint-Germain and 3-0 to Stuttgart, before a 3-0 away win over Spartak Trnava in the league. Roma's injury list remains long. Mile Svilar is out with a stress fracture to the fifth toe of his foot, so Pierluigi Gollini is expected to keep his place in goal. Manu Koné is sidelined by a first-degree muscle tear suffered against Real Madrid, and Bryan Cristante is aiming to be back for the Serie A match against Napoli. Paulo Dybala has also been ruled out: he initially seemed set to attempt a return for the Champions League, but the latest tests revealed a small calf injury, and Gasperini said he will be out for about another two weeks. The expected Roma side is a 3-4-2-1 with Gollini; Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso in defence; Lulli, de Roon, Pisilli and Wesley in midfield; Soulé and Pellegrini behind Malen. Balerdi remains a possible option in central defence, while Lulli is favoured over Molina for the wing-back berth. Pellegrini is in contention with Mora for a place alongside Soulé. Roma's bench would include De Marzi, Vásquez, Balerdi, Koulierakis, Ghilardi, Rensch, Molina, Mora and Castro. Slovan Bratislava are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 under Yaya Touré, the formation they used in their recent European outings. Takac is in goal, with Blackman, Bajric, Markovic and Sandro Cruz in defence, and Mustafic and Pokorny in front of them. Barseghyan, Cristian Martinez and Camara are favoured for the attacking midfield, with Sporar leading the line and Griger pushing for a start. Slovan report no suspended players and no significant absences, and should have most of their squad available. The two clubs have met only twice in European competition, in the 2011/12 Europa League play-offs. Slovan won 1-0 away, and Roma could only draw 1-1 at the Olimpico, sending the Slovaks through 2-1 on aggregate. Tuesday's match is the first meeting between the two sides in the Champions League. The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sport and streamed via Sky Go and NOW. Official line-ups will be confirmed about an hour before kickoff at 21:00 on Tuesday 20 October, and will be available as a live update on the Romanews page.

Roma held a training session ahead of their Champions League match against Slovan, with Lorenzo Pellegrini leading the rondo and Rodrigo Mora joking with Wesley. The giallorossi took to the pitch in the build-up to the Champions League fixture against the Slovak side. The session comes as Roma prepare for a European test against Slovan, with the club competing in the Champions League this season. The Italian report also points to a busy spell of news around the squad, including a rondo session led by Pellegrini and light-hearted moments involving Mora.