Roma's record-breaking attack leads Serie A with 31 goals in 11 matches

Former Roma defender Vincent Candela has written a letter to Il Messaggero backing Gian Piero Gasperini's message that the club must not be satisfied, and argues the side can still push for the title. Candela, a Serie A champion with Roma in 2001, says the team has every reason to believe it can compete until the end of the season, even though Inter have the strongest squad on paper and may win the league. Candela praised the way Roma play, writing: "Watching them play is a spectacle: they score, they entertain, and they show an intensity and quality that is not common, especially in Serie A." He credited Gasperini directly: "The credit goes to Gian Piero: his work is a guarantee." He also highlighted the coach's relationship with the city, saying he had approached it quietly and had already built a strong sense of belonging. Candela went through the squad in detail. He said the attack is firing on all cylinders, that Soulé has returned to making the difference, and that Cristante, de Roon and Koné are a guarantee in midfield. He added that Lulli and Pisilli bring freshness, and that the defence offers many guarantees. He also pointed to the start to the season with Malen as something that can make a difference. Candela concluded: "If you have clear ideas and give a couple of the pieces this squad is missing, you can enjoy yourselves even more. I am certain the club will do it."

Former Roma player Vincent Candela has written in a letter published by Il Messaggero that Roma should believe they can contend for the Serie A title until the end of the season, backing Gian Piero Gasperini's approach that the club should not settle for less. Candela wrote that Inter may win the league given they have the strongest squad, but that Roma have all the qualities to fight for it to the final day. Candela praised the way Roma play, saying watching them is a spectacle: they score, entertain and show an intensity and quality that is not common, especially in Serie A. He credited Gasperini for the team's progress, describing his work as a guarantee. He also praised the coach's relationship with the city, saying he approached it humbly and has already built a strong sense of belonging. Candela highlighted several players. He said the attack is firing on all cylinders, that Soulé has returned to making the difference, and that Cristante, de Roon and Koné in midfield are a guarantee. He added that Lulli and Pisilli bring freshness, and that the defence offers many guarantees. Starting the year with Malen, he said, can make the difference. He concluded that if the club keeps its ideas clear and adds a couple of pieces the squad is missing, the team can enjoy itself even more. He said: "I am certain the club will do it."

Gian Piero Gasperini can count on the return of Mile Svilar and Paulo Dybala for Roma's Serie A trip to Parma on 21 November, barring setbacks. The international break gives the coach a welcome boost as Roma aim to stay near the top of Serie A and climb the table in the Champions League. After two rest days granted by Gasperini, Roma reconvene at Trigoria tomorrow afternoon and train until Saturday morning. Dybala and Svilar will gradually rejoin the group. Svilar is due a further check-up after recovering from a stress fracture to the fifth toe of his foot. His rehabilitation, carried out between Belgium and Italy, has gone well, and he is set to be in goal against Parma on 21 November. Manu Koné and Nahuel Molina will also remain at Trigoria. Molina's omission has been decided by Roma; Scaloni has accepted the situation, making do with Balerdi, Soulé and Castro. La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that the break comes at the right moment to recover Dybala, the Joya, who is one of the key players for the squad. Roma are looking to stay in contention at the top of Serie A while working their way back up the Champions League standings.