Slovan Bratislava's Touré and Wimmer on Gasperini and Roma ahead of Champions League clash

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 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 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'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.