Roma train ahead of Slovan clash as Pellegrini leads rondo session and Mora jokes with Wesley

Roma's probable starting line-up for their meeting with Slovan has been published, with Gian Piero Gasperini reportedly bringing back the No. 23 and Mario Hermoso returning to the defence. Gianluca Mancini is expected to start, while Soulé and Pellegrini are set to operate behind Malen. The central defensive berth is a contest between Leonardo Balerdi and Evan N'Dicka. Molina is pushing Lulli for a place at right-back, and in midfield Marten de Roon and Niccolò Pisilli are expected to start. Beyond the selection, the wider build-up has also produced news on the injury front. Paulo Dybala has a small tear and is expected to be out for a period, while Gasperini has said Roma need 10 points to qualify for the playoffs and that Dybala's recovery will take longer.

Roma return to Champions League action tomorrow, 20 October, when they host Slovan Bratislava at the Stadio Olimpico in matchday three of the league phase. Roma come into the game after a draw at Fenerbahce and a dramatic 4-3 defeat to Real Madrid, and they are looking for their first European win of the season. Slovan are still on zero points and sit momentarily at the bottom of the table, with one goal scored and nine conceded. Their coach Yaya Touré arrives in Rome with his side's spirits lifted by a 3-0 win over Spartak Trnava in the Slovak derby, a result the Italian report describes as important above all psychologically, coming just days after a heavy European defeat to Stuttgart. Slovan's return to the league phase has not started as they hoped. On debut they were thrashed 6-1 by Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes, with Suleiman Camara scoring their only goal. In the second matchday they lost 3-0 at home to Stuttgart. After two games the record reads zero points, one goal scored and nine conceded, a goal difference of -8. For Roma, the Olimpico trip is therefore an important chance to get their own European campaign back on track. Gasperini has warned his players not to underestimate the opponent. He said: "È una squadra sicuramente dinamica, è una squadra che, per l'aspetto atletico, è sicuramente preparata. Ha anche qualche ottimo giocatore." In English: "It is certainly a dynamic team, a team that is certainly well prepared from an athletic point of view. They also have some excellent players." The coach stressed the need to take three points to keep Roma's qualification hopes alive. Domestically, Slovan have been more competitive, though not always consistent. Their strongest signal came in the last round, when Touré's side won 3-0 away at Spartak Trnava, one of the most intense fixtures in Slovak football. Rahim Ibrahim scored a brace and Adam Griger added the other goal. Across their last five league matches Slovan have won two, drawn two and lost one, results that include a 2-0 defeat at DAC, a 3-3 draw with Zilina, a 2-1 win at Komárno, a 1-1 draw at Skalica and the 3-0 win at Spartak Trnava. The Italian report suggests a side capable of finding space, especially when they can play in transition. Touré is one of the most interesting figures in the match. The former Barcelona and Manchester City midfielder is in his first experience as head coach and took over at Slovan last summer, after also working as an assistant with the Saudi Arabia national team. The Olimpico holds special meaning for him: as a player he won the 2008/09 Champions League with Barcelona, in the final played in Rome against Manchester United. He made 70 appearances in the competition before moving into coaching. Tactically, Slovan tend to adapt closely to their opponent. Against technically superior sides they can drop deep, compact themselves in front of their box and then try to attack quickly through the wings, a approach that could lead Touré to again pick a 4-2-3-1. Slovan's main offensive reference point is Andraz Sporar, the captain and the club's top scorer last season with 12 goals. UEFA names him as one of the symbolic figures of the Slovak side. His availability against Roma is, however, in serious doubt. Touré said on the eve of the match that the striker needs a few more days and that the staff does not intend to take risks. In his absence, an alternative could be given a chance up front. The player Roma must watch most closely is Suleiman Camara, who arrived from Racing Santander in the summer. The Gambian scored twice during the qualifiers and also netted Slovan's only goal in their first two league-phase matches, against PSG. Other players to watch include Tigran Barseghyan, an experienced figure able to move between the lines, while Nino Marcelli, 21, is one of the club's most promising prospects after a season in 2025/26 with seven goals and six assists. Roma's last meeting with Slovan came in the 2011/12 Europa League play-off round, the only official double-header between the clubs. Slovan won 1-0 away through Martin Dobrotka. At the Olimpico Simone Perrotta gave Roma the lead, but Peter Stepanovský equalised late on, a 1-1 draw that eliminated Roma, then coached by Luis Enrique, on a 2-1 aggregate. Roma have never beaten Slovan in UEFA competition, with one draw and one defeat in the two previous meetings. The most likely set-up remains a 4-2-3-1. Takáč is expected in goal, with Blackman, Bajrić, Marković and Sandro Cruz forming the back line. In midfield Pokorný should be joined by either Ibrahim or Mustafić, while Barseghyan, Cristian Martínez and Suleiman Camara are the main options behind the striker. The key issue is the centre-forward: after Touré's words, Sporar's involvement looks increasingly unlikely. If he is unavailable, Griger, Maros and Yirajang are the offensive options on the Champions League list.

Roma host Slovan Bratislava at the Stadio Olimpico tomorrow evening in the third matchday of the Champions League league phase, with kick-off at 21:00. Gian Piero Gasperini's side are looking for their first win in the competition as they push to move closer to the qualification target. Roma come into the match after a draw with Fenerbahce and a bitter defeat to Real Madrid last week. Several players are absent for the hosts. Lulli is in fine form after scoring his first goal on Saturday evening, and Pellegrini is set to return to the starting line-up in the attacking midfield area. The match will be broadcast exclusively live on Sky. Viewers will need a Sky subscription, or the Sky app on a smart TV or a games console such as Xbox or PlayStation. The game will be shown on channels 201, 214 and 251, which are Sky Sport Uno, Sky Sport 4K for viewers with a 4K-capable television, and Sky Sport. Streaming is available through Sky's SkyGo and Now TV platforms. Alternatively, the match can be watched on devices including Amazon Fire TV Stick, Google Chromecast and the TIM VISION Box. Fans can also follow a live commentary on Forzaroma.info and updates on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Roma face Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League on Tuesday 20 October at 21:00 at the Stadio Olimpico, just two days after beating Genoa on Saturday evening. Gian Piero Gasperini addressed the fixture at his press conference, stressing that his side will not underestimate their opponents because they need to win to keep their qualification hopes alive. Gasperini said: "We will not underestimate the opponent because we need to win to fuel our chances of going through. To reach the playoffs we need 10 points, starting from this match." Roma go into the match with a fresh fitness concern, as Paulo Dybala is set to be out for at least two weeks. Lorenzo Pellegrini, who sat alongside Gasperini at the press conference, is likely to start tomorrow. Pellegrini said: "I'm well. The annual contract was the club's choice, my priority was Roma." Two places in the starting line-up remain open heading into the match. One is the central defensive berth, a choice between Leonardo Balerdi and Evan N'Dicka, with the former ahead in the race. The other is the right-back spot, where Emanuele Lulli or Nahuel Molina are in contention, with Lulli currently ahead. Slovan Bratislava head coach Yaya Touré also spoke at his press conference: "Great respect for Roma and for Gasp, here the details count."

Roma's probable starting line-up for their meeting with Slovan has been published, with Gian Piero Gasperini reportedly bringing back the No. 23 and Mario Hermoso returning to the defence. Gianluca Mancini is expected to start, while Soulé and Pellegrini are set to operate behind Malen. The central defensive berth is a contest between Leonardo Balerdi and Evan N'Dicka. Molina is pushing Lulli for a place at right-back, and in midfield Marten de Roon and Niccolò Pisilli are expected to start. Beyond the selection, the wider build-up has also produced news on the injury front. Paulo Dybala has a small tear and is expected to be out for a period, while Gasperini has said Roma need 10 points to qualify for the playoffs and that Dybala's recovery will take longer.

Roma host Slovan Bratislava at the Stadio Olimpico tomorrow at 21:00, and Gian Piero Gasperini is expected to make several changes to the side that played Genoa in the last league match. Slovan Bratislava are coached by Yaya Toure, according to the report. According to Sky Sport, Mancini and Hermoso return to start in defence, with N'Dicka confirmed at centre-back. Molina and Wesley are set to return on the flanks, while De Roon and Pisilli are expected in midfield. Soulé and Pellegrini are likely to support Malen up front. The probable Roma line-up in a 3-4-2-1 formation is: Gollini; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Pisilli, De Roon, Wesley; Soulé, Pellegrini; Malen.

Roma host Slovan Bratislava at the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday 20 October in the Champions League league phase, a third-matchday fixture kicking off at 21:00, as Gian Piero Gasperini's side look for their first win in the competition. Roma have one point from two games after a draw with Fenerbahce and a 4-3 defeat to Real Madrid, while Slovan are still on zero points. Roma return to Europe on the back of a 2-0 Serie A win over Genoa, coached by Daniele De Rossi, at the Olimpico on Saturday, with goals from Castro and Lulli in the second half. Gasperini rotated heavily after the demanding Real Madrid game. Slovan have lost both opening matches heavily, 6-1 to Paris Saint-Germain and 3-0 to Stuttgart, before a 3-0 away win over Spartak Trnava in the league. Roma's injury list remains long. Mile Svilar is out with a stress fracture to the fifth toe of his foot, so Pierluigi Gollini is expected to keep his place in goal. Manu Koné is sidelined by a first-degree muscle tear suffered against Real Madrid, and Bryan Cristante is aiming to be back for the Serie A match against Napoli. Paulo Dybala has also been ruled out: he initially seemed set to attempt a return for the Champions League, but the latest tests revealed a small calf injury, and Gasperini said he will be out for about another two weeks. The expected Roma side is a 3-4-2-1 with Gollini; Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso in defence; Lulli, de Roon, Pisilli and Wesley in midfield; Soulé and Pellegrini behind Malen. Balerdi remains a possible option in central defence, while Lulli is favoured over Molina for the wing-back berth. Pellegrini is in contention with Mora for a place alongside Soulé. Roma's bench would include De Marzi, Vásquez, Balerdi, Koulierakis, Ghilardi, Rensch, Molina, Mora and Castro. Slovan Bratislava are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 under Yaya Touré, the formation they used in their recent European outings. Takac is in goal, with Blackman, Bajric, Markovic and Sandro Cruz in defence, and Mustafic and Pokorny in front of them. Barseghyan, Cristian Martinez and Camara are favoured for the attacking midfield, with Sporar leading the line and Griger pushing for a start. Slovan report no suspended players and no significant absences, and should have most of their squad available. The two clubs have met only twice in European competition, in the 2011/12 Europa League play-offs. Slovan won 1-0 away, and Roma could only draw 1-1 at the Olimpico, sending the Slovaks through 2-1 on aggregate. Tuesday's match is the first meeting between the two sides in the Champions League. The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sport and streamed via Sky Go and NOW. Official line-ups will be confirmed about an hour before kickoff at 21:00 on Tuesday 20 October, and will be available as a live update on the Romanews page.

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has confirmed that Paulo Dybala will be sidelined for at least two weeks after a scan revealed a minor tear, ahead of Roma's Champions League home match against Slovan Bratislava at the Stadio Olimpico tomorrow at 21:00. Speaking at his pre-match press conference at Trigoria, Gasperini said: "We hoped it would be a bit quicker, but the latest scan he had yesterday showed a minor tear too, which will mean a stop of at least two weeks." Roma are in the Champions League, third matchday, and need three points to climb the table. Gasperini said of their opponents: "It is a dynamic team, prepared athletically, and they have some excellent players. In the Champions League they are not among the top seeds, but we will certainly not underestimate them, because tomorrow we need to win to keep our chances of going through alive." Asked about the Champions League points target, he said: "Over these three years of the new format, the line has always been around 10 points. We need to win our home games starting with tomorrow's, and there is also the chance to pick up points away, although all those grounds are difficult. The aim is certainly to get back into that bracket." On Dybala, Gasperini was also asked about Cristante, who he said should be recoverable for the Napoli match, with a return to group training possible from Wednesday or Thursday. Gasperini added that the Dybala timeline had been longer than hoped. Asked about the rotation for tomorrow night, he said: "It is normal, because we still have some absences. We recover Malen, who was suspended. On Saturday we are at Napoli and another tough run begins, with Napoli, Cagliari, Udine and Manchester, so we must also think about some rotation, although what you prepare on paper rarely happens, because something else always happens on the pitch." On the midfield, Gasperini said Pisilli and De Roon had played three matches in a week, and that Pellegrini could play as a more advanced player or in midfield while Cristante is out. He said: "I hope Hermoso stays where he is and that this need doesn't arise." Asked about Castro and Malen playing together, Gasperini praised Castro's recent goal and said: "I don't want to distort the geometry and patterns of a team that is scoring and creating many chances just for the desire to show two players together. There is an attack that works, with different characteristics, and for now that's fine." On Lulli, Gasperini said he had noticed him last year and often included him in training. He said: "He has excellent physical qualities: his speed and endurance are truly top level, above the Serie A average. He is humble and wants to improve; he has a lot to grow, but a couple of characteristics above the average. When these situations arise, they must be pursued." On Mora and Gollini, Gasperini said Mora is in the rotation and has always played when available, adding: "He has a particular physique, he is small but very young. He has a talent that shows immediately, and we need to help him grow." On Gollini, he said: "He has always been an excellent goalkeeper, and we played the Champions League together. Over his career he lacked a bit of maturity, which he has reached now at an older age." Gasperini also addressed squad rotation after making seven changes against Genoa, saying: "We have some absences still, we recover Malen who was suspended, and then on Saturday we are at Napoli." He added that the squad had been managed carefully because the Genoa game had required physical preparation after the Real Madrid match. He said Slovan Bratislava, who have lost their first two Champions League matches, could not be underestimated: "We must win because the table demands it, but we will certainly face a prepared team."

Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini has said Paulo Dybala's injury is more serious than first hoped, with the forward expected to be out for another two weeks after a scan revealed a lesion. Gasperini spoke at Trigoria ahead of Roma's Champions League match against Slovan Bratislava, which kicks off tomorrow evening at 21:00 at the Stadio Olimpico. Roma come into the game after a 2-0 win over Genoa, and they are looking to secure a valuable result in Europe. Gasperini described Slovan Bratislava as a dynamic side with some excellent players. He said: "A dynamic team with some excellent players. They are not from the top tier, but all Champions League matches are difficult and we will not underestimate the opponent. We need to win in order to move forward." Asked whether Matías Soulé's partner Santiago Castro could start alongside Donyell Malen, Gasperini said the pairing could suit the match but he did not expect them to start together, probably coming on once the game is under way. He said: "For their characteristics it could be, but I don't know if they start together, probably mid-game. I don't want to disrupt the geometry of a team that is scoring goals just for the desire to see them play together. The department works, for now it's fine like this, I don't need to find other solutions." On whether Lorenzo Pellegrini could drop deeper, Gasperini said that move had been an emergency measure when Pellegrini and Marten de Roon were unavailable. He added: "I hope there is no need to put Hermoso in that role. Lorenzo can be the midfielder while we wait to recover Cristante, who we hope will be available for Napoli." On Dybala, Gasperini said: "We hoped he would be quicker, and instead yesterday's scan shows a lesion and it will take a couple of weeks more." He also said the qualification target remains around 10-11 points, and that Roma must win their home games starting tomorrow, while still aiming to stay in that range away from home. On the squad, Gasperini said he had never doubted the players available to him. He explained that the issue was linked only to the busy fixture schedule and the depth of the squad. He said that besides those unavailable through injury or suspension, he had also rested other players against Genoa to give others a chance. He added: "Getting a result was not easy, it is never easy in Serie A." On Gabriele Lulli, Gasperini said he had already been called up many times last season. He said: "He has athletic characteristics of a high level, above average. His speed and endurance have always been high, even above the Serie A average. He is a very humble lad, he will work on the technical and tactical side, he has many things to improve, but he has many things well above average. And when there are certain qualities, you have to bring them forward." On goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini, Gasperini said: "Gollini has always been an excellent goalkeeper, and we have already played the Champions League together. Maybe he has reached maturity late, but it happens. He always had the same ability but perhaps not the same desire to improve that he has now." On Mora, he said: "Mora is in the rotations and has always played. He has a particular physique, he is still quite slight, but he is very young and has talent that shows immediately. We need to help him grow, he needs to build himself up a bit, but technically he is of a high level."

Roma host Slovan Bratislava at the Stadio Olimpico tomorrow at 21:00, and Gian Piero Gasperini is expected to make several changes to the side that played Genoa in the last league match. Slovan Bratislava are coached by Yaya Toure, according to the report. According to Sky Sport, Mancini and Hermoso return to start in defence, with N'Dicka confirmed at centre-back. Molina and Wesley are set to return on the flanks, while De Roon and Pisilli are expected in midfield. Soulé and Pellegrini are likely to support Malen up front. The probable Roma line-up in a 3-4-2-1 formation is: Gollini; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Pisilli, De Roon, Wesley; Soulé, Pellegrini; Malen.

Roma host Slovan Bratislava at the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday 20 October in the Champions League league phase, a third-matchday fixture kicking off at 21:00, as Gian Piero Gasperini's side look for their first win in the competition. Roma have one point from two games after a draw with Fenerbahce and a 4-3 defeat to Real Madrid, while Slovan are still on zero points. Roma return to Europe on the back of a 2-0 Serie A win over Genoa, coached by Daniele De Rossi, at the Olimpico on Saturday, with goals from Castro and Lulli in the second half. Gasperini rotated heavily after the demanding Real Madrid game. Slovan have lost both opening matches heavily, 6-1 to Paris Saint-Germain and 3-0 to Stuttgart, before a 3-0 away win over Spartak Trnava in the league. Roma's injury list remains long. Mile Svilar is out with a stress fracture to the fifth toe of his foot, so Pierluigi Gollini is expected to keep his place in goal. Manu Koné is sidelined by a first-degree muscle tear suffered against Real Madrid, and Bryan Cristante is aiming to be back for the Serie A match against Napoli. Paulo Dybala has also been ruled out: he initially seemed set to attempt a return for the Champions League, but the latest tests revealed a small calf injury, and Gasperini said he will be out for about another two weeks. The expected Roma side is a 3-4-2-1 with Gollini; Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso in defence; Lulli, de Roon, Pisilli and Wesley in midfield; Soulé and Pellegrini behind Malen. Balerdi remains a possible option in central defence, while Lulli is favoured over Molina for the wing-back berth. Pellegrini is in contention with Mora for a place alongside Soulé. Roma's bench would include De Marzi, Vásquez, Balerdi, Koulierakis, Ghilardi, Rensch, Molina, Mora and Castro. Slovan Bratislava are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 under Yaya Touré, the formation they used in their recent European outings. Takac is in goal, with Blackman, Bajric, Markovic and Sandro Cruz in defence, and Mustafic and Pokorny in front of them. Barseghyan, Cristian Martinez and Camara are favoured for the attacking midfield, with Sporar leading the line and Griger pushing for a start. Slovan report no suspended players and no significant absences, and should have most of their squad available. The two clubs have met only twice in European competition, in the 2011/12 Europa League play-offs. Slovan won 1-0 away, and Roma could only draw 1-1 at the Olimpico, sending the Slovaks through 2-1 on aggregate. Tuesday's match is the first meeting between the two sides in the Champions League. The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sport and streamed via Sky Go and NOW. Official line-ups will be confirmed about an hour before kickoff at 21:00 on Tuesday 20 October, and will be available as a live update on the Romanews page.

Roma's radio debate on the capital's stations centred on the coming Champions League clash with Slovan Bratislava, with several pundits questioning the coach's choices in defence and attack. David Rossi of Rete Sport wondered what Ghilardi had done to Gasperini, arguing that Roma bought Koulierakis for 18 million and then also signed Balerdi, the sixth centre-back, which suggested Gasperini had little faith in Ghilardi. Rossi said: "Domani contro lo Slovan devi vincere assolutamente, e per questo giocherà la squadra migliore possibile. Koulierakis mi sembra uno che deve giocare al centro, mi sembra uno alla Smalling, alto, grosso, che non sa impostare così bene. Fra l'altro non mi sembra nemmeno uno così freddo quando va sotto pressione. Mi chiedo: ma cosa gli ha fatto Ghilardi a Gasperini? Quando la Roma compra Koulierakis e lo paga 18 milioni, in quel momento era il quinto centrale. E non contenta prende anche il sesto, che è Balerdi, e ti viene da pensare "pensa quanto gli fa schifo Ghilardi se deve prendere il sesto centrale che fa il braccetto di destra"…" The defence was not the only talking point. Roberto Pruzzo of Radio Radio said Mora was too far behind in the pecking order and that Roma should look for a solution in January, adding: "Su Mora io a gennaio ci penserei a trovargli una soluzione, non mi sembra che sia il tempo per avere una prospettiva…secondo me è troppo indietro. Quando lo fa entrare, gioca un tempo, quando lo gioca. Magari trovi una soluzione più fisica. E a centrocampo andava fatto uno sforzo, perchè De Roon da solo non può bastare…" Pruzzo also backed Castro to play alongside Malen, saying: "Io a suo tempo dissi che Castro poteva essere il Muriel di Gasperini e sono stato bocciato totalmente perchè ha caratteristiche diverse. Io lo penso tutt'ora che possa interagire insieme a Malen, tenuto conto della necessità di avere una soluzione diversa." Gianluca Piacentini of Rete Sport liked the idea of a double centre-forward and suggested Lulli may have earned a starting place. He said the win over Genoa, where the reserves played, had reassured him, and that Roma had needed only 20-25 minutes to secure Saturday's result. Piacentini added: "Se giochi quei 70 minuti che hai fatto contro il Real Madrid, nel campionato italiano possono bastare per molte squadre…" Fabio Petruzzi of Rete Sport admitted he had initially thought Gasperini made too many changes, but then praised the decision, saying: "Inizialmente non ero d'accordo con tutti quei cambi fatti da Gasperini, per me erano troppi, ma poi invece applausi a scena aperta: hai portato a casa i tre punti e hai risparmiato 6-7 giocatori titolari." He also highlighted Soulé's ability to hold the ball near the touchline and said Koulierakis was still far behind in Gasperini's game. In the Champions League, Ilario Di Giovambattista of Radio Radio said the young Roma side had surprised him, adding that the team had recovered from the Champions League setback while missing seven players. He put forward the theory that Roma must leave the Champions League to fight for the title. Francesca Ferrazza of Tele Radio Stereo said the competition demands dignity, but that Roma must think about the league, adding: "Anche a costo di sacrificare la Champions…" Lorenzo Pes of Tele Radio Stereo said Pellegrini had done well against Genoa, that he could not go much further at 30, and that Wesley was expected back, with Ndicka possibly rested. Alessio Nardo of Tele Radio Stereo said Pellegrini, not yet at 100 per cent, could give a dignified display, noting that with only De Roon and Pisilli in midfield he could be useful as a substitute. On the league, Mario Corsi of Tele Radio Stereo predicted that Roma would finish first or second, three or four points behind Inter, crediting Gasperini as the key factor, and said he would be disappointed by anything less than second. Nando Orsi of Radio Radio said Roma had no excuses and must win at Napoli, while Mario Mattioli of Radio Radio said the club should think about January signings, pointing to the need for a midfielder and a left winger. Piero Torri of Manà Manà Sport expected Malen to start with Castro on the bench, and said the Slovan match would require goals as well as a win, since goal difference could decide qualification.