Roma start 2026-27 with 27 points after 3-0 win over Sassuolo; Toni on Malen

Roma's Primavera side host Verona at the Tre Fontane today, with kickoff at 13:00. Scala's team are looking to build on an excellent weekend for the Giallorossi, which began with a win for Gasperini's first-team squad. The Primavera side followed that by beating Inter, and they want to keep the momentum going. The Primavera are chasing Parma, who lead the table, and a win over Verona would keep Roma in the race. Verona are struggling, but Roma should not underestimate them. Scala has named Arena and Maccaroni in the starting line-up, so both will begin the match from the first minute.

Gian Piero Gasperini has said he is not content with second place, as Roma's win over Sassuolo extended their unbeaten league run to 18 matches. The result means Roma have now collected 18 useful results in a row in Serie A. Italian media note that in the last 65 years only four teams have scored more than thirty goals after eleven matchdays. Gasperini said: "I don't sign up for second place." The coach is thinking big, and the run places Roma firmly in the conversation at the top of the table as the season develops.

Roma bounced back from their heavy defeat at Old Trafford with a convincing 3-0 win over Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico, and Mario Hermoso was named the best player on the pitch in the newspaper ratings. His goal broke the deadlock at the Olimpico, a striker's finish that set the tone for the afternoon. Mora was also impressive. He scored his third consecutive Serie A goal, and the Italian press described him as an important piece in Gasperini's plans. The win was Roma's fourth goal in giallorossi colours for the midfielder. Balerdi also drew praise after recovering from his error in Manchester, with a performance the papers described as showing great personality. The ratings across the papers varied. Vásquez received a 6 in every report. Hermoso was rated between 7 and 8, Mora between 7 and 7.5, and Soulé between 6.5 and 7.5. Balerdi ranged from 6 to 7 and Ndicka from 6.5 to 7. Koné earned between 6 and 7, Cristante between 6.5 and 7, and Malen between 6 and 7. Molina and Wesley were rated 6 to 6.5. Gasperini's performance was scored between 6.5 and 7.5. Substitutes were Koulierakis, who replaced Hermoso in the 77th minute, Castro, who replaced Malen at the same time, De Roon, who came on for Koné in the 66th minute, Pisilli, who replaced Mora in the same change, and Ghilardi, who replaced Balerdi in the 85th minute. Roma lined up in a 3-4-2-1 formation.

Roma bounced back from their heavy defeat at Old Trafford with a convincing 3-0 win over Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico, and Mario Hermoso was named the best player on the pitch in the newspaper ratings. His goal broke the deadlock at the Olimpico, a striker's finish that set the tone for the afternoon. Mora was also impressive. He scored his third consecutive Serie A goal, and the Italian press described him as an important piece in Gasperini's plans. The win was Roma's fourth goal in giallorossi colours for the midfielder. Balerdi also drew praise after recovering from his error in Manchester, with a performance the papers described as showing great personality. The ratings across the papers varied. Vásquez received a 6 in every report. Hermoso was rated between 7 and 8, Mora between 7 and 7.5, and Soulé between 6.5 and 7.5. Balerdi ranged from 6 to 7 and Ndicka from 6.5 to 7. Koné earned between 6 and 7, Cristante between 6.5 and 7, and Malen between 6 and 7. Molina and Wesley were rated 6 to 6.5. Gasperini's performance was scored between 6.5 and 7.5. Substitutes were Koulierakis, who replaced Hermoso in the 77th minute, Castro, who replaced Malen at the same time, De Roon, who came on for Koné in the 66th minute, Pisilli, who replaced Mora in the same change, and Ghilardi, who replaced Balerdi in the 85th minute. Roma lined up in a 3-4-2-1 formation.

Donyell Malen has left for the Netherlands to join up with the national team after his performance against Sassuolo, with Xavi waiting for him for the upcoming Nations League fixtures. The Roma forward, known as Bobby, was among the best players on the pitch against Sassuolo. He did not score, but his perfect assist allowed Mora to complete his hat-trick and seal the match. Gasperini will be without Malen for the next two weeks because of the international break. Before departing, Malen posted a message on social media for the Giallorossi supporters. "Ci vediamo presto" (See you soon), he wrote, bidding farewell to the Roma fanbase for the time being. He also described the result as a good way to go into the break. The pause will pass quickly, and Malen is expected to be back at the disposal of Gasperini when Roma return to club duty.

Gianluca Mancini will miss Italy's international fixtures after suffering a fresh pain in his right hamstring that forced him out of Roma's clash with Sassuolo. The defender will stay at Trigoria during the two-week break to continue his recovery, with the aim of returning for the league match against Parma. Thirteen Roma first-team players have been called up by their national teams. With Mancini out, only Ghilardi and Pisilli will travel to Italy's senior squad, while young Lulli is set to feature for Baldini's Italy Under-21 side. Mancini had already reported a muscle problem in the days before the Sassuolo game. Gasperini will use the break to recharge and take stock of the injury list. He has welcomed back Koné for the Sassuolo match and is optimistic about players returning for the resumption of competitions. The international picture is wide-ranging. Vásquez returns to the Colombia squad for the first time in three years, a welcome note after a special week that saw the goalkeeper make his Champions League and Serie A debuts for Roma. Young De Marzi has been called up by the USA Under-20s. Balerdi, Castro and Soulé will answer Argentina coach Scaloni's call. Wesley joins Brazil under Ancelotti, while Malen will play under Xavi for the Netherlands for the first time. N'Dicka (Ivory Coast) and Koulierakis (Greece) have also been named. Nineteen-year-old Rodrigo Mora is ready to make his senior debut for Portugal. On the injury front, Dybala's condition is improving markedly, and the break offers him the ideal chance to regain his best form. Mile Svilar is set to return between the posts in Parma, having put his right foot fracture firmly behind him.

Roma bounced back from their heavy defeat at Old Trafford with a convincing 3-0 win over Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico, and Mario Hermoso was named the best player on the pitch in the newspaper ratings. His goal broke the deadlock at the Olimpico, a striker's finish that set the tone for the afternoon. Mora was also impressive. He scored his third consecutive Serie A goal, and the Italian press described him as an important piece in Gasperini's plans. The win was Roma's fourth goal in giallorossi colours for the midfielder. Balerdi also drew praise after recovering from his error in Manchester, with a performance the papers described as showing great personality. The ratings across the papers varied. Vásquez received a 6 in every report. Hermoso was rated between 7 and 8, Mora between 7 and 7.5, and Soulé between 6.5 and 7.5. Balerdi ranged from 6 to 7 and Ndicka from 6.5 to 7. Koné earned between 6 and 7, Cristante between 6.5 and 7, and Malen between 6 and 7. Molina and Wesley were rated 6 to 6.5. Gasperini's performance was scored between 6.5 and 7.5. Substitutes were Koulierakis, who replaced Hermoso in the 77th minute, Castro, who replaced Malen at the same time, De Roon, who came on for Koné in the 66th minute, Pisilli, who replaced Mora in the same change, and Ghilardi, who replaced Balerdi in the 85th minute. Roma lined up in a 3-4-2-1 formation.

Donyell Malen has left for the Netherlands to join up with the national team after his performance against Sassuolo, with Xavi waiting for him for the upcoming Nations League fixtures. The Roma forward, known as Bobby, was among the best players on the pitch against Sassuolo. He did not score, but his perfect assist allowed Mora to complete his hat-trick and seal the match. Gasperini will be without Malen for the next two weeks because of the international break. Before departing, Malen posted a message on social media for the Giallorossi supporters. "Ci vediamo presto" (See you soon), he wrote, bidding farewell to the Roma fanbase for the time being. He also described the result as a good way to go into the break. The pause will pass quickly, and Malen is expected to be back at the disposal of Gasperini when Roma return to club duty.

Gianluca Mancini will miss Italy's international fixtures after suffering a fresh pain in his right hamstring that forced him out of Roma's clash with Sassuolo. The defender will stay at Trigoria during the two-week break to continue his recovery, with the aim of returning for the league match against Parma. Thirteen Roma first-team players have been called up by their national teams. With Mancini out, only Ghilardi and Pisilli will travel to Italy's senior squad, while young Lulli is set to feature for Baldini's Italy Under-21 side. Mancini had already reported a muscle problem in the days before the Sassuolo game. Gasperini will use the break to recharge and take stock of the injury list. He has welcomed back Koné for the Sassuolo match and is optimistic about players returning for the resumption of competitions. The international picture is wide-ranging. Vásquez returns to the Colombia squad for the first time in three years, a welcome note after a special week that saw the goalkeeper make his Champions League and Serie A debuts for Roma. Young De Marzi has been called up by the USA Under-20s. Balerdi, Castro and Soulé will answer Argentina coach Scaloni's call. Wesley joins Brazil under Ancelotti, while Malen will play under Xavi for the Netherlands for the first time. N'Dicka (Ivory Coast) and Koulierakis (Greece) have also been named. Nineteen-year-old Rodrigo Mora is ready to make his senior debut for Portugal. On the injury front, Dybala's condition is improving markedly, and the break offers him the ideal chance to regain his best form. Mile Svilar is set to return between the posts in Parma, having put his right foot fracture firmly behind him.

Mario Hermoso is enjoying an outstanding start to the season with Roma, yet Spain coach Luis de la Fuente continues to leave him out of the national team. Hermoso scored in Roma's latest win over Sassuolo, his third goal of the season so far, and has been one of the stand-out performers in the squad under Gian Piero Gasperini. The article argues that age is not the reason. Laporte, who is 32, remains in the Spain squad despite a difficult start to his season. Hermoso's exclusion dates back to 2023, when De la Fuente took charge of Spain and left him out of the squad, despite a strong season with Atletico Madrid. Hermoso was surprised by the decision on several occasions, and a second omission followed a few months later. He then understood that he was not part of the coach's plans. De la Fuente has repeatedly said: "Gioca chi merita", meaning that the player who deserves to play is the one who plays, and that performance counts, not age. The article points to two main factors. The first is the system: Spain play with a back four, and Hermoso may not be the ideal profile for it. The second is continuity. De la Fuente has kept the 'Mondiale' defensive group together, with the exception of Jacobo Ramon of Como, a young talent whose call-up looks to the future. Hermoso remains out. The article also highlights a difference in playing styles. Hermoso is a technical defender who is good at building play, reading the game, breaking lines and contributing in the opposition half. Gasperini is making the most of these qualities at Roma. De la Fuente, however, looks for fast, aggressive centre-backs who can defend in open space and win one-on-one duels, and who can cover a lot of ground behind a high defensive line. Hermoso's qualities are a plus for Gasperini but may not be a priority for De la Fuente. For Roma, the impact is clear. Gasperini trusts Hermoso completely and only rests him when forced to. He is one of the leaders in the dressing room and a fixture in every area of the pitch. Roma lost their balance after his absences against Manchester United and Real Madrid. The article also says that talks over a contract renewal are continuing, that there are no doubts at Trigoria about wanting to continue together, and that the signing could come soon. A call-up from Spain would be the icing on the cake, but for now Hermoso has already found his own 'national team' in Rome.

Mario Hermoso scored the opening goal in Roma's 3-0 win over Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico, a strike that came almost as if from a midfielder and underlines the freedom Gasperini gives the Spaniard within the Giallorossi system. Hermoso has become one of the symbols of Gasperini's Roma, operating as a centre-back, full-back, ball-playing presence and, when needed, an attacking threat. Gasperini has repeatedly described him as "the perfect example". According to Niccolò Maurelli of La Repubblica, the coach is pushing for Hermoso's contract to be renewed. The Spaniard's deal currently runs until 2027, and dialogue over an extension is reportedly already well advanced. Hermoso is now one of the players the coach regularly calls part of the "nucleo portante", the core of the squad, and is a reference point in the dressing room for his attitude, availability and performances. Hermoso's importance is also reflected in his numbers. Across Serie A and the Champions League, he has missed only the match against Cagliari and has scored three goals, against Atalanta, Slovan Bratislava and Sassuolo. Gasperini had wanted to keep him at Trigoria a year ago, and Roma are now working to secure him for even longer. Hermoso is 31.

Roma bounced back from their heavy defeat at Old Trafford with a convincing 3-0 win over Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico, and Mario Hermoso was named the best player on the pitch in the newspaper ratings. His goal broke the deadlock at the Olimpico, a striker's finish that set the tone for the afternoon. Mora was also impressive. He scored his third consecutive Serie A goal, and the Italian press described him as an important piece in Gasperini's plans. The win was Roma's fourth goal in giallorossi colours for the midfielder. Balerdi also drew praise after recovering from his error in Manchester, with a performance the papers described as showing great personality. The ratings across the papers varied. Vásquez received a 6 in every report. Hermoso was rated between 7 and 8, Mora between 7 and 7.5, and Soulé between 6.5 and 7.5. Balerdi ranged from 6 to 7 and Ndicka from 6.5 to 7. Koné earned between 6 and 7, Cristante between 6.5 and 7, and Malen between 6 and 7. Molina and Wesley were rated 6 to 6.5. Gasperini's performance was scored between 6.5 and 7.5. Substitutes were Koulierakis, who replaced Hermoso in the 77th minute, Castro, who replaced Malen at the same time, De Roon, who came on for Koné in the 66th minute, Pisilli, who replaced Mora in the same change, and Ghilardi, who replaced Balerdi in the 85th minute. Roma lined up in a 3-4-2-1 formation.