Roma return to Champions League in Istanbul as Gasperini backs squad for Fenerbahce test

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.

Roma secured a draw at Napoli's Stadio Diego Armando, the Maradona, thanks to a comeback driven by their Argentine players. All three of Roma's goals came from Argentines: Matías Soulé and Leonardo Balerdi, who scored a brilliant brace. Gasperini has had little success against Allegri, and the head-to-head record offered little hope before kick-off, with the two most experienced coaches in Serie A facing each other. Gasperini avoided defeat through his substitutions, the team's response and the fierce determination of the Argentines. Roma remain unbeaten in Serie A. Balerdi came on in the second half alongside Castro and Molina to add fresh impetus. Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini were both injured and missing. Roma struggled early on to press with their usual aggression in midfield, and in the first half a magnificent bicycle kick from Anguissa upset the coach's tactical plans. At the start of the second half, the familiar dip in intensity allowed Napoli to double their lead quickly, and Roma also showed too many errors in build-up play. Without Dybala, Pellegrini, Koné and Svilar, the side lacked dynamism and creativity. Soulé was the only one regularly looking for Malen, who was often far from the area and struggled through the tight lines of the Napoli defence. Guido D'Ubaldo noted that this squad needs a few more players and a longer bench to provide constant alternatives, particularly in attack. Despite the difficulties, and a Napoli side that were struggling in the league but remained tough opponents, the response after the break was that of a great team. Roma scored two goals in four minutes, and then Balerdi struck the decisive goal two minutes from time. The draw, coming after results against Inter and Como, keeps Roma firmly close to the top of the table. It shows that, with the anger and quality of the Argentines, the path the club has taken is the right one.

Gian Piero Gasperini has spoken to Dazn ahead of Roma's match against Napoli, praising Bryan Cristante's return as an important boost for the squad. Roma have lost Lorenzo Pellegrini, but Gasperini says Cristante's value to the team is significant. Gasperini described the fixture as a match between sides of quality, adding: "Napoli-Roma is a match between teams of quality. They are two of the best in the league, it is an important game." Cristante is a key return, and the coach explained the reasoning behind his impact on the side. Gasperini said: "Yes, because in that area we have often played with the same men. His value is important. It makes the team more versatile, we can play him in the deeper midfield role. It gives us the chance to have variations." Asked how much the match could shape the season, he said: "It is difficult to say now, but if we win today it is a further step in awareness. It would be a great boost."

Napoli beat Roma 2-1 at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Serie A's eighth round, with Anguissa and McTominay scoring for the hosts and Matías Soulé pulling one back for Roma. Gian Piero Gasperini's side were without Mile Svilar, Manu Koné, Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini. Gasperini did, however, have Bryan Cristante back in the starting XI and Donyell Malen available again after serving a one-match suspension. Massimiliano Allegri started Højlund, supported by Politano and Lang, while Rrahmani was ruled out by flu and did not make the bench. Roma's starting line-up was Gollini; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Rensch, De Roon, Pisilli, Wesley; Cristante; Soulé, Malen. Rensch lined up at right-back, and Cristante was pushed further forward, with Pisilli alongside him in midfield. Napoli: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rafa Marin, Badiashile, Olivera; Anguissa, De Bruyne, McTominay; Politano, Højlund, Lang. Colombo of Como refereed, with Bindoni-Rossi M. and Sacchi J.L. as assistants, Aureliano on VAR and Meraviglia as VAR assistant. Rafa Marin was booked after three minutes for a heavy challenge on Wesley, and Cristante and Rensch were also cautioned, in the 28th and 45th minutes. Roma had early chances through Soulé, who fired a left-footed effort wide in the 8th minute, and Cristante, whose powerful right foot struck the outside of the net in the 20th minute. Malen went close from the edge of the box in the 24th minute, when Meret saved with his foot. Gollini kept Roma in the game with a pair of saves, first rushing out to deny De Bruyne in the 34th minute and then stopping Olivera at close range in the 43rd. Cristante hit the left-hand post with a header in the 44th minute. Hermoso had a shooting chance in the 37th minute that was deflected wide. Napoli took the lead in the 27th minute when Anguissa scored with an overhead kick in the Roma area, although Gollini was unable to do anything. The move had started from a free kick that appeared to have no foul on De Bruyne. Before half-time Malen wasted a good opening for Roma. Napoli doubled their lead in the 47th minute, when Politano's right-wing cross was headed in by McTominay, who got ahead of Rensch. Gollini then made a save to deny Politano in the 56th minute, after Wesley had lost possession. Badiashile limped off with an injury in the 51st minute and was replaced by Beukema. Roma made three changes in the 58th minute, bringing on Molina, Balerdi and Castro for Rensch, Pisilli and Hermoso. Napoli also made a substitution in the 65th minute, with Giovane replacing Politano. Soulé reduced the deficit in the 69th minute with a left-footed strike from a tight angle, set up by Malen, to make it 2-1. Napoli held on to take the three points.

Roma secured a draw at Napoli's Stadio Diego Armando, the Maradona, thanks to a comeback driven by their Argentine players. All three of Roma's goals came from Argentines: Matías Soulé and Leonardo Balerdi, who scored a brilliant brace. Gasperini has had little success against Allegri, and the head-to-head record offered little hope before kick-off, with the two most experienced coaches in Serie A facing each other. Gasperini avoided defeat through his substitutions, the team's response and the fierce determination of the Argentines. Roma remain unbeaten in Serie A. Balerdi came on in the second half alongside Castro and Molina to add fresh impetus. Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini were both injured and missing. Roma struggled early on to press with their usual aggression in midfield, and in the first half a magnificent bicycle kick from Anguissa upset the coach's tactical plans. At the start of the second half, the familiar dip in intensity allowed Napoli to double their lead quickly, and Roma also showed too many errors in build-up play. Without Dybala, Pellegrini, Koné and Svilar, the side lacked dynamism and creativity. Soulé was the only one regularly looking for Malen, who was often far from the area and struggled through the tight lines of the Napoli defence. Guido D'Ubaldo noted that this squad needs a few more players and a longer bench to provide constant alternatives, particularly in attack. Despite the difficulties, and a Napoli side that were struggling in the league but remained tough opponents, the response after the break was that of a great team. Roma scored two goals in four minutes, and then Balerdi struck the decisive goal two minutes from time. The draw, coming after results against Inter and Como, keeps Roma firmly close to the top of the table. It shows that, with the anger and quality of the Argentines, the path the club has taken is the right one.

Leonardo Balerdi scored a brace as Roma fought back to draw 2-2 with Napoli, with Paulo Dybala's team-mate Matías Soulé also finding the net. Balerdi's double rescued coach Gian Piero Gasperini's side and took him to 12 goals this season. Soulé provided a moment of quality for the Giallorossi, but it was Balerdi who turned the match. Balerdi became the first Roma player to score twice in a match this season, and his goals take him to 12 for the campaign. Roma had trailed to Napoli before the Argentine defender hauled them back, and the point was a result that kept the team in touch with the leaders. Balerdi joined the club in August, and he has quickly established himself as one of the team's leaders. Balerdi said: "It's the first time I've scored two goals in the same game. I get further forward, and I saw it from Mancini and Hermoso. We wanted to win, but at least we're bringing a point home." On settling in, he added: "I'm very happy here, I said it from the first day. It feels like I've been here two or three years. That gives me the strength to play the way I am playing." His form has made the question of a permanent deal look straightforward. Reaching the threshold of playing 55% of matches (at least 45 minutes) would trigger the obligation to buy at €14 million. The former Marseille defender has won over everyone in just a few weeks. Nahuel Molina also made a decisive contribution after coming on. Molina said: "I've always played on the right, but I'm fine on the left too. Wherever I play, I'm happy. I came to help the team in every way possible. We don't win the big matches? We could have done more, but the important thing is that we have never lost." Roma now host Cagliari on Tuesday at the Stadio Olimpico, with the aim of collecting three points to keep pace with Inter and Lazio. Dybala is also expected to return to the squad for the Cagliari game.

Leonardo Balerdi scored twice off the bench as Roma came back to draw 3-3 at Napoli's Stadio Maradona on Saturday afternoon, the last day of daylight saving time in 2026. The defender's second goal came in the 89th minute and salvaged a result that looked lost. The match was a six-goal, end-to-end contest that the Italian commentary describes as chaotic yet disciplined, and it left Roma with a sense of growing maturity. The brace is notable beyond the scoreline. The article recalls that the last Roma player to score two goals in a match at Napoli was Agostino Di Bartolomei, who netted a double in a 5-2 win on 20 February 1983, when Roma were chasing the Scudetto. The statistic has been dormant for more than four decades. The Italian writer frames the result as a test of character for Gasperini's side, which played without Paulo Dybala, a significant absence on the day. Roma were two goals down early on, struggling with a poor start in which clarity seemed to be missing. Roma's response after going 3-2 down was the key point of the article. McTominay scored the goal that appeared to settle the match, and the writer argues that this was the moment Roma should have collapsed. Instead, the players kept their shape and their patience, and the bench provided energy. The article says neither side can feel entirely satisfied. Napoli could regret failing to protect their lead twice, while Roma could look back on the opening hour as poor. Still, the writer says Roma left with the lesson that the team can absorb blows without losing its balance. The piece closes with the image of a team that looked into the abyss, remembered who it was, and chose to rewrite the story, with the feet of a defender and the head of a great side.

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.

Leonardo Balerdi scored a brace as Roma fought back to draw 2-2 with Napoli, with Paulo Dybala's team-mate Matías Soulé also finding the net. Balerdi's double rescued coach Gian Piero Gasperini's side and took him to 12 goals this season. Soulé provided a moment of quality for the Giallorossi, but it was Balerdi who turned the match. Balerdi became the first Roma player to score twice in a match this season, and his goals take him to 12 for the campaign. Roma had trailed to Napoli before the Argentine defender hauled them back, and the point was a result that kept the team in touch with the leaders. Balerdi joined the club in August, and he has quickly established himself as one of the team's leaders. Balerdi said: "It's the first time I've scored two goals in the same game. I get further forward, and I saw it from Mancini and Hermoso. We wanted to win, but at least we're bringing a point home." On settling in, he added: "I'm very happy here, I said it from the first day. It feels like I've been here two or three years. That gives me the strength to play the way I am playing." His form has made the question of a permanent deal look straightforward. Reaching the threshold of playing 55% of matches (at least 45 minutes) would trigger the obligation to buy at €14 million. The former Marseille defender has won over everyone in just a few weeks. Nahuel Molina also made a decisive contribution after coming on. Molina said: "I've always played on the right, but I'm fine on the left too. Wherever I play, I'm happy. I came to help the team in every way possible. We don't win the big matches? We could have done more, but the important thing is that we have never lost." Roma now host Cagliari on Tuesday at the Stadio Olimpico, with the aim of collecting three points to keep pace with Inter and Lazio. Dybala is also expected to return to the squad for the Cagliari game.