Roma open Champions League campaign in Istanbul against Fenerbahce

Matías Soulé continued his outstanding form in Roma's clash with Napoli, scoring the goal that sparked the Giallorossi comeback with a powerful, precise left-foot strike from outside the box that left Meret with no chance. Former Italy midfielder and now pundit Emanuele Giaccherini, speaking in the Dazn studios after the match, lavished praise on the Argentine forward. The display reflects growing technical and mental maturity from Soulé, who is in what Giaccherini described as the prime of his career. Roma's comeback against Napoli was built on his contribution, and Giaccherini noted that the forward carried the team while Donyell Malen had not played a strong game. Giaccherini said: "He's in his prime, he's the technical driving force of this team. Malen didn't have a great game and he carried the team." On the goal, he added: "The goal is crazy, for the speed of foot and of leg it reminds me of Messi's goals. He asks for the one-two and there's very little time between the control and the shot."

Matías Soulé has been one of Roma's standout performers, and former midfielder Emanuele Giaccherini has praised the Argentine forward after his goal against Napoli. Soulé scored Roma's third goal of the season in the match, drawing compliments from across the club and beyond. Giaccherini, speaking on Dazn, said Soulé is at the peak of his powers and described him as the technical driving force of the team. Roma's play was carried by Soulé as Malen had a below-par game, according to Giaccherini's assessment. Soulé has already contributed goals, assists and key touches this season. "He's in his prime, he's the technical leader of this team. Malen didn't have a great game and he carried the team. The goal is crazy, for the speed of his feet and legs it reminds me of Messi's goals. He asks for the one-two and there's very little time between the first touch and the shot." Soulé is eager to keep his form going and is ready for Tuesday's match against Cagliari, where he is expected to start in attack alongside Malen and Mora. Dybala returns to the matchday squad.

Leonardo Balerdi was the standout performer on Saturday 24 October, when he scored twice in Roma's clash with Napoli at the Maradona and also secured a decisive point for the Giallorossi. His teammates left plenty of praise under his post on social media, but the most heartfelt message came from his partner, Giulia Ciancio, who wrote: "Vederti felice è la mia gioia. Vamos siempre amore." Balerdi's situation at the club is also in focus. His purchase option, or riscatto, is not in question at present. The deal is structured so that the obligation to buy becomes mandatory if the defender, born in 1999, plays at least 55% of the season's matches across all competitions, with at least 45 minutes on the pitch in each. The obligation would then be set at the same figure as the option. A variable mechanism has also been agreed. If Balerdi plays between 40% and 55% of the matches, the obligation is fixed at €11 million. A final clause protects Marseille from any attempt to keep the player out of the team to secure a discount: just 20% of matches played in the second half of the season would trigger the obligation at €9 million.