Roma thrash Slovan Bratislava 4-0 for first Champions League win

Roma secured their first Champions League League Phase win with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Slovan Bratislava. Hermoso opened the scoring in the 21st minute, heading home after a header from Ghilardi from a free kick drawn by Pellegrini. Molina doubled the lead, and after the break Pisilli made it 3-0 in the 52nd minute, working off Malen's run. Malen then converted a penalty won by Wesley in the 58th minute to complete the scoring. The result came in a match that never looked in doubt. The article describes Slovan as clearly inferior in quality and intensity, a side that would likely struggle to hold a place in Serie A. Roma's credit, it argues, lies in not allowing a comfortable fixture to become complicated, attacking throughout without any drop in tension. The win arrives after a 1-1 draw with Fenerbahce and a defeat to Real Madrid, in which a 3-1 lead became 3-4 within minutes, so the three points were close to mandatory. The four goals could prove valuable in the league table's goal difference. Gasperini started Ghilardi and Balerdi in defence, Molina on the flank, and Rodrigo Mora behind Malen alongside Pellegrini. The article says Gasperini wants a wide Roma, with as many players as possible genuinely involved rather than sitting on the bench, a principle seen against Genoa and again against Slovan. Following the Real Madrid defeat, Roma beat Genoa 2-0 and Slovan 4-0, scoring six goals without conceding, and the article judges that the Real result did not leave fears or lingering doubts. Hermoso's goal reflected the defenders' growing role in both build-up and finishing. The main concern was injury. Pellegrini had to leave the pitch with a muscle problem. Dybala is still sidelined and Koné is unavailable, narrowing Roma's attacking options and rotation. Mora, Soulé, Malen and Castro are the forwards currently available, and Gasperini must now assess the extent of Pellegrini's problem. Roma's next assignment is Saturday's trip to Napoli, coached by Allegri, at the Maradona. The article calls it a test of a different intensity, quality and pressure, and a chance to show how far Roma's growth has progressed.

Roma defender Daniele Ghilardi said his Champions League debut was a huge emotional moment and that the squad also wants to win against Napoli. Ghilardi said: "Tanta emozione per l'esordio in Champions. Vogliamo vincere anche col Napoli", which translates as: "A lot of emotion for the Champions League debut. We want to win against Napoli too." The comments follow Roma's 4-0 win over Slovan Bratislava, which the Italian coverage rated in player ratings that picked out Ghilardi and Hermoso, with Malen also singled out. Roma's Champions League campaign has begun with that result, and the club now turns its attention to Napoli. Elsewhere in the club's news, Gian Piero Gasperini said of team selection: "Chi gioca deve essere all'altezza della Roma. Spero di riavere presto Dybala, davanti siamo pochi", meaning those who play must be up to the standard of Roma, and he hopes to have Dybala back soon as the attack is thin. Lorenzo Pellegrini has a muscle injury, and Gasperini said: "Nulla di grave, ma rischia di stare out 20 giorni", meaning it is nothing serious but he could be out for 20 days. Niccolò Pisilli said wearing the Roma captain's armband is an honour and that he has grown a lot under Gasperini.

Mario Hermoso produced another top-level display in Roma's win over Slovan Bratislava, neutralising the Slovak side's attacking threat while also posing danger in the opposition box, and he scored in the match. Aldair, the Roma legend, lavished praise on the Spaniard on Instagram. Aldair said Hermoso's performances often go almost unnoticed because he has accustomed everyone to a very high standard. As a defender himself, Aldair said he especially values the solidity Hermoso brings to Roma, describing the self-assurance that only great players can pass on to the whole team. Aldair said: "Le sue prestazioni passano quasi inosservate perché ci ha abituati a un livello altissimo. Da difensore, apprezzo tanto la solidità che ha dato alla Roma. Quella sicurezza che solo i grandi giocatori sanno trasmettere a tutta la squadra. E poi la grinta, la cattiveria agonistica con cui lotta su ogni pallone. Bravo Mario, continua così." English translation: "His performances almost go unnoticed because he has accustomed us to a very high level. As a defender, I really appreciate the solidity he has given Roma. That confidence that only great players know how to transmit to the whole team. And then the grit, the competitive aggression with which he fights for every ball. Well done Mario, keep it up."

Roma secured a convincing 4-0 win over Slovan Bratislava at the Stadio Olimpico in their third League Phase match of the UEFA Champions League, dominating the contest for 90 minutes. Having taken just one point from their opening two games, Gian Piero Gasperini's side needed a response, and they delivered. Hermoso opened the scoring in the 21st minute, Molina doubled the lead in the 39th, Pisilli made it three in the 51st and Malen completed the rout in the 58th. Barseghyan was booked for Slovan in the 18th minute. The result lifts Roma to four points after three matches. Slovan Bratislava arrived in Rome reeling from defeats to Paris Saint-Germain and Stuttgart, and their coach Yaya Touré could not find a way past a Roma side that controlled possession and territory throughout. Gasperini made several changes with the trip to Napoli in mind. Hermoso lined up alongside Balerdi and Ghilardi in a back three, Molina returned at right wing-back, and Mora and Pellegrini were paired behind Malen in attack. Roma's starting line-up was: Gollini; Ghilardi, Balerdi, Hermoso (78' Koulierakis); Molina, de Roon (78' Mancini), Pisilli, Wesley (59' Rensch); Mora, Pellegrini (51' Soulé); Malen (59' Castro). Substitutes on the bench included De Marzi, Koulierakis, Mancini, N'Dicka, Rensch, Lulli, Di Nunzio, Cristante, Soulé and Castro. Slovan Bratislava lined up in a 4-2-3-1 with Takac in goal and Marcelli leading the line, with Yaya Touré in charge of the side.

Roma head to Bratislava for their third Champions League match looking for a first win of the campaign, after a draw with Fenerbahce and a defeat to Real Madrid. Gian Piero Gasperini has left Evan N'Dicka and Gianluca Mancini out of the starting line-up, with Daniele Ghilardi and Leonardo Balerdi starting in defence. Donyell Malen leads the attack, with Rodrigo Mora and Lorenzo Pellegrini behind him. Roma line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation: Pierluigi Gollini in goal; Ghilardi, Balerdi and Mario Hermoso in the back three; Nahuel Molina, Marten de Roon, Niccolò Pisilli and Wesley in midfield; Mora and Pellegrini in the attacking pair; and Malen up front. On the bench are Giorgio De Marzi, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Mancini, N'Dicka, Devyne Rensch, Emanuele Lulli, Di Nunzio, Bryan Cristante, Matías Soulé and Santiago Castro. Slovan Bratislava, coached by Yaya Touré, set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Takac starts in goal, protected by Blackman, Bajric, Markovic and Sandro Cruz. Pokorny and Gajdos form the double pivot, with Barseghyan, Ibrahim and Suleman Camara behind Marcelli.

Roma host Slovan Bratislava at the Stadio Olimpico in their Champions League fixture, looking to bounce back after a dramatic defeat to Real Madrid. Kickoff is at 21:00. Gian Piero Gasperini's side have also beaten Genoa in Serie A since that loss, and the Slovan Bratislava match is presented as a more accessible opponent. Roma's starting XI is set to be a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Gollini in goal and a back three of Ghilardi, Balerdi and Hermoso. Molina, de Roon, Pisilli and Wesley make up the midfield, with Mora and Pellegrini in support of Malen. Slovan Bratislava line up in a 4-2-3-1 under coach Yaya Touré, with Takac in goal and Marcelli leading the attack. Roma scored four times without reply. Hermoso opened the scoring in the 21st minute, Molina doubled the lead in the 39th, Pisilli made it three in the 51st and Malen completed the rout with a goal in the 58th. Barseghyan was booked for Slovan Bratislava in the 18th minute. Wesley was replaced by Rensch in the 59th minute, Pellegrini by Soulé in the 51st and Malen by Castro in the 59th. On the bench for Roma were De Marzi, Koulierakis, Mancini, N'Dicka, Lulli, Di Nunzio, Cristante and Soulé.