Roma Strike Four Again: Malen Shines as Gasperini's Side Terrorises Lecce

Serie A's seventh round takes place from Friday 16 to Monday 19 October, with Frosinone leading Sassuolo 4–2 after goals from Calò (9'), Raimondo (26', 30', 57') and Thorstvedt (37') for the visitors, with Berardi scoring twice for Sassuolo (15', 37'). Roma's attention turns to their home fixture against Genoa on Saturday 17 October at 20:45 at Stadio Olimpico, where former manager Daniele De Rossi will return as an opponent. The weekend also features Bologna–Inter, Milan–Atalanta, and Juventus–Lazio among the round's highlight matches.

Roma face Genoa on Saturday at 20:45 at the Olimpico, three days after a defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini said in his pre-match press conference: "We must broaden the squad. Now the young players must make us win." Gasperini will draw on Primavera reinforcements, with Panico highlighted as a midfield option. The first team faces forced selections in midfield and attack, with Soulé and Mora operating as playmakers behind Castro on the trequarti. Both were recruited for significant fees during the summer and are now expected to justify that investment immediately. Defenders Balerdi and Lulli will return to the starting line-up. Stephan El Shaarawy will feature in a significant personal moment on his return to Roma. The club has not won after the international break since 2024, a streak Gasperini's side will look to end.

Roma will face Genoa at the Stadio Olimpico on 17 October in Serie A matchday 8, with Daniele De Rossi in charge of the visiting side. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has named his squad, with Rodrigo Mora returning to the starting lineup after providing an assist in the Champions League against Real Madrid. Matías Soulé will play alongside the Portuguese midfielder, while Emanuele Lulli is expected to replace Nahuel Molina at left-back, with Wesley confirmed on the opposite flank. Pierluigi Gollini will start in goal behind a three-man defence of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso, with Leonardo Balerdi pressing for a place. Niccolò Pisilli and Marten de Roon complete the midfield four. Santiago Castro leads the attack. Roma's expected formation: 3-4-2-1.

Gian Piero Gasperini has flagged Roma's squad depth as a major concern ahead of the match against Genoa, with four key players unavailable. Donyell Malen is suspended, while Manu Koné, Paulo Dybala and Bryan Cristante are all sidelined through injury. Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Gasperini said: "Tomorrow I am worried about the fact that we have few substitutes and we will have to face the match in some positions with someone from the Primavera." The coach emphasised that European football demands a larger squad: "Whoever plays in the cups cannot have the squad of five years ago, numerically." Koné is sidelined by a first-degree muscle injury sustained against Real Madrid, with recovery targeted for the Sassuolo fixture. Dybala, dealing with fatigue in his calf, is closer to fitness; Gasperini said: "We hope to get him back next week." Cristante, troubled by inflammation of the knee, is aiming for the Napoli match but the coach is cautious: "I don't want to put his recovery at risk." Goalkeeper Mile Svilar faces a longer layoff due to a stress fracture of the finger and is expected back after the international break. Roberto Pruzzo, speaking exclusively to Romanews, framed the fixture from Genoa's perspective, noting their confidence after a win over Fiorentina: "The victory has unblocked the team's mind, so, despite the limits it has, Genoa will give battle." For Roma, Pruzzo stressed the importance of a response: "Beating Genoa would mean immediately starting to march again." He praised Gasperini's tactical choices, highlighting Lorenzo Pellegrini's deployment in midfield and Santiago Castro's opportunity to replace Malen: "He is a centre-forward—if not now, when?" The article also reflected on José Mourinho's return to the Olimpico as an opponent during the Real Madrid match, describing the warmth shown by Roma's supporters. Mourinho thanked the crowd on Instagram: "When the finest moments of a long career are not goals or victories, but rather emotions for which I can only humbly express my gratitude. Thank you Roma, thank you Roma fans. Emotions and eternal gratitude to you."

Antonio Cassano has criticized Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen while praising Gian Piero Gasperini in an appearance on Viva El Futbol. The former Roma striker was unsparing in his assessment of the squad: "Dybala has been dragging along for 2–3 years. Malen? I don't like him. If Malen scores more than 20 goals, Roma are in the top four — otherwise? But Dybala scored 3 goals last season." Cassano reserved high praise for the head coach, however. "For me Gasperini is a phenomenon — he and Sacchi changed football," he said. Yet he acknowledged the demands Gasperini places on his players: "But I would never want to be coached by him, not even in my prime, because he makes you run so much."

Donyell Malen says his understanding with Paulo Dybala emerged almost immediately after arriving at Roma, crediting their quick connection to a mix of intelligent movement and quality playmaking from both players. In an interview with podcast Tutto in Piazza, Malen reflected on the partnership despite the language barrier—Malen does not speak Spanish and Dybala does not speak Dutch. "From the first or second training session together," he said when asked when the understanding was born. "I think it's a combination of the two things. Sometimes I move well, other times he plays excellent football. It's something we try to exploit to be dangerous during matches." Malen has impressed since joining Roma, and he attributes his goal-scoring form to maturity, squad cohesion, and the environment. "I naturally have played a lot of football in my career and I believe I'm in the right place, with the right people. I feel a lot of confidence from the coach and my teammates," he said. "I think all these factors together create the ideal conditions to perform at my best." Malen explained that he chose to leave Aston Villa because he wanted to play every weekend in a role where he felt important. On Italian football's tactical differences from England, he noted that Italian sides organize defensively with compactness, whereas English football favours more open play: "Here, some teams organise differently. For example, they know how to defend with five players and build a very compact defensive block, which becomes difficult to overcome. It's a big difference from England, where there is a greater tendency to play man-to-man and attack, with more open matches. Here it's not always like that." Malen praised Roma's squad depth, mentioning Niccolò Pisilli as very young but talented, alongside Matías Soulé and others. He highlighted Gasperini's demanding training methods as physically tough but beneficial: "They're really very hard. That's why I learned that word [for tired]. The training sessions are hard and Gasperini doesn't mess around, but it's a positive thing for the squad. Everyone is in shape and I feel very good physically." He confirmed his preferred position is central, where he feels most comfortable and dangerous. Reflecting on his youth career, Malen played for Ajax in the Netherlands from ages 9 to 16, then Arsenal until 18, before returning to PSV in the Dutch second and first divisions. "Having the chance to grow in different youth sectors was really important for me," he said. Malen also noted that summer heat in Italy affects the pace of play compared to England's cold and rain, and he dismissed claims he is a simulator or argues with referees, saying he prefers to stay focused. His standout moment this season came in the opening match, where he scored a hat-trick, though he emphasised the squad's strength and unity: "I think the first match went very well. Of course scoring a hat-trick was important, but I believe that, as a team, we are very strong and united on the pitch."

An exhibition dedicated to Giorgio Rossi, AS Roma's historic masseur who died in 2018, was inaugurated today at Centro Culturale Espositivo 'La Vaccheria' by Roma Club Eur Torrino on the occasion of the club's 25th anniversary. Rossi spent 55 years at Roma, from 1957 to 2012, working with generations of the club's greatest players including Agostino Di Bartolomei, Bruno Conti, Giuseppe Giannini, Francesco Totti and Daniele De Rossi. He remains the only person to appear in photographs of both Roma's 1983 Serie A title and their third Scudetto in 2001, eighteen years later. During his career Rossi witnessed 12 AS Roma presidents, 26 managers, 15 captains and over one thousand players. He accumulated 18 trophies across Serie A titles, cups and supercups — more than any other Roma player in the club's history. The exhibition traces his life through photographs, newspaper articles and memorabilia, with the upper floor housing a dedicated section featuring signed shirts, pennants from the Scudetto-winning seasons, his historic tracksuit and a banner that hung in the Tribuna Tevere during his final match at the Olimpico on 5 May 2012. Former Roma defender Ubaldo Righetti, speaking on behalf of Mayor Gualtieri, said: "It has been the greatest honour, deeply moved that I cannot be here. Being here today is an immense emotion, I wear two roles and both speak of affection, esteem and gratitude — and perhaps in this too I must thank Giorgio. He was the historic and unforgettable masseur of Roma. A man who for years with his hands, his commitment, his smile and above all his love for Roma accompanied moments of our sporting and human history. He did not cure us only physically but also mentally. To his family goes our closeness and the most sincere thanks of the entire community for what Giorgio gave to each of us." Righetti recalled his first encounter with Rossi: "Once the changing rooms between youth and first team were divided by the massage room. Giorgio gave massages there, sometimes I would pass by and look in and he would tell me 'it is not yet time, go go'... my greatest objective was to get on that bed. When I succeeded for the first time it was the most beautiful day of my life." Former Roma athletic trainer Vito Scala said: "He was a master for me, every day I stole with my eyes what he did and how he conducted himself. If I became Vito Scala it is thanks to him. Not only in the professional aspect, but in the human and protective aspect, he treated all the boys the same way." Bruno Conti concluded with a wish: "Giorgio was a great man, always smiling and never angry. My hope, even if I am no one to make this happen, is that we might name the physiotherapy centre at Trigoria after Giorgio Rossi." A film documenting Rossi's life, featuring testimonies from Giuseppe Giannini, Daniele De Rossi and Francesco Totti, is available for viewing during the exhibition.

Roma face Genoa on Saturday at 20:45 at the Olimpico, three days after a defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini said in his pre-match press conference: "We must broaden the squad. Now the young players must make us win." Gasperini will draw on Primavera reinforcements, with Panico highlighted as a midfield option. The first team faces forced selections in midfield and attack, with Soulé and Mora operating as playmakers behind Castro on the trequarti. Both were recruited for significant fees during the summer and are now expected to justify that investment immediately. Defenders Balerdi and Lulli will return to the starting line-up. Stephan El Shaarawy will feature in a significant personal moment on his return to Roma. The club has not won after the international break since 2024, a streak Gasperini's side will look to end.

Roma will face Genoa at the Stadio Olimpico on 17 October in Serie A matchday 8, with Daniele De Rossi in charge of the visiting side. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has named his squad, with Rodrigo Mora returning to the starting lineup after providing an assist in the Champions League against Real Madrid. Matías Soulé will play alongside the Portuguese midfielder, while Emanuele Lulli is expected to replace Nahuel Molina at left-back, with Wesley confirmed on the opposite flank. Pierluigi Gollini will start in goal behind a three-man defence of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso, with Leonardo Balerdi pressing for a place. Niccolò Pisilli and Marten de Roon complete the midfield four. Santiago Castro leads the attack. Roma's expected formation: 3-4-2-1.

Roma face Genoa on Saturday at 20:45 at the Olimpico, three days after a defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini said in his pre-match press conference: "We must broaden the squad. Now the young players must make us win." Gasperini will draw on Primavera reinforcements, with Panico highlighted as a midfield option. The first team faces forced selections in midfield and attack, with Soulé and Mora operating as playmakers behind Castro on the trequarti. Both were recruited for significant fees during the summer and are now expected to justify that investment immediately. Defenders Balerdi and Lulli will return to the starting line-up. Stephan El Shaarawy will feature in a significant personal moment on his return to Roma. The club has not won after the international break since 2024, a streak Gasperini's side will look to end.

Roma will face Genoa at the Stadio Olimpico on 17 October in Serie A matchday 8, with Daniele De Rossi in charge of the visiting side. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has named his squad, with Rodrigo Mora returning to the starting lineup after providing an assist in the Champions League against Real Madrid. Matías Soulé will play alongside the Portuguese midfielder, while Emanuele Lulli is expected to replace Nahuel Molina at left-back, with Wesley confirmed on the opposite flank. Pierluigi Gollini will start in goal behind a three-man defence of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso, with Leonardo Balerdi pressing for a place. Niccolò Pisilli and Marten de Roon complete the midfield four. Santiago Castro leads the attack. Roma's expected formation: 3-4-2-1.

Gian Piero Gasperini has few selection dilemmas for Roma's match against Genoa, with absences forcing his hand in midfield and attack. Leonardo Balerdi is set to start in defence, while Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora will operate behind Santiago Castro in the forward line. The Roma manager is without Mile Svilar, Bryan Cristante, Manu Koné and Paulo Dybala through injury or unavailability, and Donyell Malen serves a suspension. Emanuele Lulli is also in line for a starting berth as Roma manage their personnel constraints.