Roma look beyond Dybala as Mora steps up on the left

Roma's summer recruits have been involved in 36.5% of the club's goals this season, with 15 of the team's 41 strikes involving one of them. Gian Piero Gasperini has relied heavily on seven players who were not part of the squad in the last match of the previous campaign: Nahuel Molina, Marten de Roon, Leonardo Balerdi, Rodrigo Mora, Emanuele Lulli, Santiago Castro and Konstantinos Koulierakis. Lulli came up from the Primavera. Molina has been the most-used player, with 751 minutes, one goal and two assists. He is followed by De Roon (732 minutes), Balerdi (639), Mora (595), Lulli (546), Castro (370) and Koulierakis (225). Gasperini has given minutes to every summer arrival, including the Primavera graduate, showing confidence in the quality of the new players. Mora has been the most productive, with four goals and two assists. His recent form, with a sharp improvement in the latest matches, has eased doubts about the investment made in the summer, reported at €25 million plus 50% of a future resale, for a valuation of €50 million. Across all competitions, the new players have taken part in 15 of Roma's 41 goals. By comparison, at the same stage of last season, Massara's summer signings from that campaign had contributed to just three goals: Wesley with one goal, Ferguson with one assist and Tsimikas with one assist.

Former Roma player Stefano Desideri, speaking exclusively to Retesport, has backed Gian Piero Gasperini's side and said the gap to Inter is closing. He said he was proud to have worn the Roma shirt and described the current team as strong, with players focused and committed on the pitch. "Roma of Gasperini? A strong side, a joy to watch on the pitch. All the players are focused and on it, it's really a beautiful Roma." He added that he is enjoying watching the team after years of matches that were less enjoyable. Desideri drew comparisons with his own Roma side, which surprised opponents with a zonal press using one fewer forward and one extra midfielder, removing the markers of their opponents. He said the players then were willing to step forward, much as Gasperini's players are doing now. On the gap with Inter, he said something is always missing and that a few more players would help, but the club must find players capable of absorbing Gasperini's work, which he said is producing exceptional things. "We must keep trusting the coach," he said. He added: "I'm not afraid of anyone, I'm confident in this Roma. Lazio are the biggest surprise, Inter are a battleship but have levelled off a little, while the giallorossi have improved, so the gap is closing." On Lorenzo Pellegrini's fellow midfielder Niccolò Pisilli, Desideri said: "Good player, a complete midfielder who is good in the tackle and gets forward. He just needs to play as much as possible. A serious lad from Rome, I am proud of him." On European competition, he said the team lacks experience, with many players having little of it. He said that against Real Madrid the side played excellently with personality for 84 minutes, but then experience was lacking. "Managing the result is not part of this team's DNA." On Donyell Malen, Desideri compared him to Voller, describing him as a driving force for the team with different characteristics. "He has an execution speed that leaves defenders stranded, a fundamental quality. We have discovered a strong player." On Rodrigo Mora, he said: "A talent, he struggled at first. In recent outings we have seen him chasing opponents, he is entering the coach's mentality and it is perfect for him."

Former Roma forward Antonio Cassano has spoken highly of Rodrigo Mora, comparing the Portuguese midfielder to an earlier version of Benfica's João Félix and saying he is "much stronger" than Alajbegovic. Speaking on Viva El Futbol, Cassano said Mora "reminds me a lot of the first João Félix, the one from Benfica." Cassano said he is a big fan of Mora, who is still developing physically because he is 18. He questioned head coach Gian Piero Gasperini over why Mora is often substituted, saying: "I would ask Gasperini why he manages him like this, since he often takes him off." He added: "He is devastating, in one-on-one situations he always gets away." Cassano also said that people at Trigoria tell him Mora is a great worker, "a maniac for work." Looking ahead, Cassano predicted a long career for the player. "If he doesn't get himself into trouble, I think he can make the world talk about him for the next 15-16 years, and with the good I wish Roma, he will be destined to take other paths with teams of a certain level. He has disproportionate talent. If I have to choose between him or Alajbegovic, I take Mora for life. He is much stronger."

Former Roma defender Vincent Candela has said that a return of Francesco Totti to the club's management would make Roma even stronger, and that Gian Piero Gasperini can bring the Scudetto back to Trigoria. Speaking to La Repubblica, Candela said: "Ormai io e Francesco siamo anche compagni di penna. Spero di rivederlo presto nel club, che quest'anno lotterà per lo scudetto fino alla fine. Con Totti, sono sicuro che la Roma diventerebbe ancora più forte." Candela refused to accept that Roma should settle for second place. He praised Gasperini as a "special" coach and said he was convinced the manager could deliver the title, but he stressed that the race would go to the end against Inter, whom he described as a stronger and better-balanced side than Roma. Asked whether he would play for Roma again if he could, Candela said: "Giocare nella Roma di Gasperini sarebbe un sogno. Sono convinto che farei il titolare." On Roma's recurring problem of late collapses, especially in Europe, he said: "Come dice il tecnico, è importante allargare la rosa, ma è fisiologico perdere contro Real Madrid e Manchester United. La Roma non è ancora pronta per fronteggiare alla pari le grandi del calcio europeo." Finally, asked which player brings back his memories of playing, Candela pointed to Paulo Dybala: "Ogni volta che Dybala tocca il pallone mi batte il cuore e ringiovanisco. Paulo andrebbe proclamato patrimonio mondiale del calcio."

Roma sporting director Tony D'Amico is already working on January moves, with the winter window opening early on 28 December and the aim of adding two attacking players. The club's priority is to strengthen the attack while keeping to the owners' sustainable line, with wage demands not exceeding 4 million euros a season, and while monitoring a UEFA ruling expected between late November and early December. The top name on the list remains Endrick, who has been pursued for months and returned to the spotlight after comments at the Brazil national team camp, where the forward stressed his need for more playing time. He has played only 141 minutes so far across La Liga and the Champions League with Real Madrid, including a goal and an assist against Roma. Talks between officials ahead of the European fixture reportedly included Roberto Carlos for the Madrid side, and the player is keen to leave, although José Mourinho prefers to keep him. Milan, who are in the Premier League in the article's wording, and Sporting CP, coached by former Roma boss Paulo Fonseca, are also reportedly moving for the 2006-born striker. Beyond the Brazilian, Trigoria's list includes several wide attacking options and left-sided players. Jamie Gittens of Chelsea is among them; he was a summer target who slipped away in the final hours of the window and is currently out of Xabi Alonso's plans. Other names include van Bommel of PSV Eindhoven and Leweling, whose move to Roma was reportedly close before repeated second thoughts. For the left flank, Balde of Barcelona has been offered, although that lead is currently frozen. In Germany, Stuttgart would reportedly demand no less than 30 million for Kvernadze, a player being tracked but not seen as a January priority. Gasperini expects two signings up front and is willing to give up a backup for Wesley in the summer by blocking the sale of Rensch, who remains as the fourth winger in the squad. Training resumes at Trigoria this afternoon, with Paulo Dybala among those most eagerly awaited as he shakes off a knock and aims for the trip to Parma. Mile Svilar has a medical check to have the protective boot removed from his right foot after a fifth-finger injury that forced him to miss the last match and a national team call-up. His availability for Parma remains in doubt, with a definitive verdict due in the coming days. Ticket sales for the Tardini trip are temporarily suspended pending decisions from the authorities.

Paulo Dybala is pushing to be available for Roma's trip to Parma, but his return to full group training will be gradual. Roma resume training this afternoon at Trigoria after three days of rest granted by Gasperini, and the squad is without its 13 players on international duty. Dybala has recovered from the calf injury that kept him out of action from the Roma-Real Madrid match onwards. Mile Svilar is due to undergo fresh checks in the coming hours, which should clear the way for his return to play and the removal of the boot on his right foot. Marcus Mancini's recovery from a right hamstring strain is considered a formality, while Devyne Rensch is still recovering from an adductor injury. The update was reported by Simone Valdarchi in Il Corriere della Sera.

Porto's finance director has confirmed a clause in the Rodrigo Mora deal that could cost Roma well over the initial €25 million. José Pedro Pereira da Costa said the Portuguese club holds an option to collect another €25 million. Porto keep 50% of Mora's future resale, but can also ask Roma to buy that stake. The revelation puts the midfielder's future back in the spotlight. Away from the transfer detail, Repubblica reports that Gasperini would like to rebuild a more direct relationship with Dan and Ryan Friedkin. That contact has become less frequent since the arrival of chief executive John Galantic. The coach stresses there is no rift with the club, but wants to share strategy more closely ahead of the January window. Gasperini regards the owners' backing as essential to the team's progress. Elsewhere, Ekrem Konur reports that Roma made a €25 million offer for Brazilian winger Samuel Lino, which Flamengo rejected. The 1999-born player is valued for his pace and ability to beat opponents, but the Brazilian club will not discount him. Juventus, Napoli and several English clubs are also tracking him. Bild reports that Stuttgart would sell Leweling for €30 million, down from the €35 million combined offer Roma made in August. Leweling has two goals and one assist in 14 appearances. The clubs have had no new contact for now. Roma's January plans are also taking shape. An offensive winger remains the priority, though Gasperini may also seek a midfielder. Gittens, Wiafe, Bakola and Højbjerg are among the targets. Financial constraints point towards loan deals with an obligation to buy, on the model of Malen. No deal has been agreed yet. Former Roma player Antonio Cassano praised Mora on Viva El Futbol: "È un giocatore meraviglioso, stratosferico". He predicted Mora would go on to play for even bigger clubs. Cassano also criticised the frequent substitutions made by Gasperini, while acknowledging the growth of the 19-year-old. Mora has scored in each of the last three league matches and has also been called up to the senior Portugal squad. His output is making him one of the key figures in Gasperini's Roma, although his minutes are still being managed carefully. Endrick, the Real Madrid forward, has said: "Voglio solo giocare, essere felice e aiutare i miei compagni", adding that he does not know what will happen in January. D'Amico is ready to consider a loan, but Mourinho continues to oppose the departure of the 20-year-old.

A Porto executive has insisted that the Rodrigo Mora deal is worth €50 million overall, even though the initial transfer was set at a lower figure. He said the club had invested €37 million in the 2026/27 summer window, compared with around €110 million the previous summer, and had made sales worth €78 million, counting Mora at €50 million. He explained the structure: "It was 25 million euros for 50%, but we have an option that depends solely on our will. For us it is a 50 million euro operation." Roma's attention is now turning to the left flank, where the squad is reportedly short of a player with pace. Sporting director D'Amico, formerly of Atalanta, is looking to Brazil to give Gian Piero Gasperini a new piece to complete the squad and make it more competitive. According to market expert Ekrem Konur, Roma like Flamengo's Samuel Lino, and the club have reportedly already offered €25 million, which Flamengo have rejected. Kostas Manolas has looked back on his time in the Capital, with personal memories, behind-the-scenes market stories and views on some of the figures from that period, speaking to Betardes. On Roma's Champions League semi-final against Liverpool, which followed the comeback against Barcelona, he still has regrets. "We go to Liverpool and I have the worst dream I could have in my life. I dream that a tooth falls out. I believe in these things. When I had that dream, I understood it would be a very difficult day. One or two of their goals were offside, but we were very poor. And I was very poor too. I can tell you that it was one of my worst Champions League matches. I was really terrible." Back at the Olimpico, he disputed several refereeing decisions: "We should have won. El Shaarawy shoots and Alexander-Arnold pushes the ball away with his hand before it goes in. It is a penalty and a red card. We could have made it 3-2 in the 55th minute and turned the game around. Then there is another incident: a penalty that is not given for an offside that does not exist. There is no offside. If there had been VAR, we would have gone to the final. We had come back against Barcelona and we would have come back against Liverpool too." Roma are also still tracking Endrick of Real Madrid, a target pursued at length over the summer, who has scored his only goal of the season against Roma. Speaking to GloboEsporte, the 20-year-old said: "I am only 20, so I will see how things evolve. I just want to play, be happy and help my teammates. I don't know what will happen in January; it is in God's hands. I only ask for what is best for my career." He added: "Whatever is meant to happen will happen. I will keep my feet on the ground and continue to give my absolute best. Madrid is a wonderful city, but I will always do whatever is necessary to advance my career."

Roma's summer recruits have been involved in 36.5% of the club's goals this season, with 15 of the team's 41 strikes involving one of them. Gian Piero Gasperini has relied heavily on seven players who were not part of the squad in the last match of the previous campaign: Nahuel Molina, Marten de Roon, Leonardo Balerdi, Rodrigo Mora, Emanuele Lulli, Santiago Castro and Konstantinos Koulierakis. Lulli came up from the Primavera. Molina has been the most-used player, with 751 minutes, one goal and two assists. He is followed by De Roon (732 minutes), Balerdi (639), Mora (595), Lulli (546), Castro (370) and Koulierakis (225). Gasperini has given minutes to every summer arrival, including the Primavera graduate, showing confidence in the quality of the new players. Mora has been the most productive, with four goals and two assists. His recent form, with a sharp improvement in the latest matches, has eased doubts about the investment made in the summer, reported at €25 million plus 50% of a future resale, for a valuation of €50 million. Across all competitions, the new players have taken part in 15 of Roma's 41 goals. By comparison, at the same stage of last season, Massara's summer signings from that campaign had contributed to just three goals: Wesley with one goal, Ferguson with one assist and Tsimikas with one assist.