Soulé shines in Napoli comeback as Gasperini finds extra weapon

Roma face Cagliari tomorrow, the first of a run of fixtures that should be relatively manageable, at least in Serie A. Gasperini is expected to rotate the side as he did against Genoa, though not too heavily. Ghilardi and Balerdi are likely to have at least one of them in defence, while Wesley could rest on the flank. Lulli is ready to return at right-back, with Molina or the Brazilian on the left. The real question mark is in the number ten role, where Rodrigo Mora could get another opportunity. If that happens, Cristante would drop back into midfield, probably alongside Pisilli, to give de Roon a breather. Up front, Soulé and Malen are confirmed in the starting line-up, while Dybala is likely to start from the bench. The match comes straight after the crazy 1-1 draw at Napoli, so the focus now turns quickly back to the pitch. Gasperini's approach, as shown against Genoa, is to rest key players without overdoing it. The fixtures that follow are seen as relatively accessible, at least in the league, which gives the coach room to balance fitness and form across the squad. The main selection debate centres on the attacking midfield, where Mora's form will be tested. Cristante's possible switch to midfield would also reshape the engine room, offering de Roon some rest while keeping a settled shape around Pisilli.

Leonardo Balerdi scored two goals in Roma's win over Napoli, and Matías Soulé has become a tactical weapon on the right, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. With Paulo Dybala absent from the spotlight, the Argentine trio of Balerdi, Soulé and Castro has taken centre stage for the Giallorossi. Balerdi, a defender, had already impressed in Roma's opening matches with his defensive displays. In Naples, though, he went forward with courage and conviction to claim the glory in the opposition box, and his two goals reflect a strong, precise team mentality. Gazzetta writer Alessio D'Urso described him as a boxer who refused to go down, and the Argentine core rallied around him. Soulé is also playing superbly and has become a tactical weapon, especially on the right flank. Molina and Castro, who came on as substitutes like Balerdi, brought hunger and fire to the side, pushing Roma beyond their most critical moments. The article describes Balerdi's display on Saturday evening as the source of joy for Roma supporters.

Roma have not lost a Serie A match in 15 games, a run that continued after a crazy 3-3 draw at Napoli's Maradona stadium. Gian Piero Gasperini analysed the result on the night, saying: "We are in a great moment, we have great conviction, we play good football, we try to carry it forward, the morale is high. We have more the feeling of having lost two points, but it went well even like this." In the hours after the match, fans were divided on social media and in bars between regret at not taking all three points and the belief that Roma are a strong side able to overcome any difficulty and give everything even in the toughest games. The statistic underlines the progress of Gasperini's project. Roma's last league defeat, counting back into the previous season, came on 5 April, when Inter beat Gasperini's side 5-2 at San Siro. Since then, the chase for Champions League qualification has produced only wins against Pisa, Bologna, Fiorentina, Parma, Lazio and Verona, plus a home draw with Atalanta. This season's record is similar: five wins and three draws against the other three Champions League sides, Inter, Como and, most recently, Napoli. The run also helped Gasperini reach 300 Serie A wins, achieved against Genoa last week. The Napoli match ended 3-3, a result that left the supporters torn between frustration and pride in a team that refuses to fold under pressure.

Roma face Cagliari tomorrow, the first of a run of fixtures that should be relatively manageable, at least in Serie A. Gasperini is expected to rotate the side as he did against Genoa, though not too heavily. Ghilardi and Balerdi are likely to have at least one of them in defence, while Wesley could rest on the flank. Lulli is ready to return at right-back, with Molina or the Brazilian on the left. The real question mark is in the number ten role, where Rodrigo Mora could get another opportunity. If that happens, Cristante would drop back into midfield, probably alongside Pisilli, to give de Roon a breather. Up front, Soulé and Malen are confirmed in the starting line-up, while Dybala is likely to start from the bench. The match comes straight after the crazy 1-1 draw at Napoli, so the focus now turns quickly back to the pitch. Gasperini's approach, as shown against Genoa, is to rest key players without overdoing it. The fixtures that follow are seen as relatively accessible, at least in the league, which gives the coach room to balance fitness and form across the squad. The main selection debate centres on the attacking midfield, where Mora's form will be tested. Cristante's possible switch to midfield would also reshape the engine room, offering de Roon some rest while keeping a settled shape around Pisilli.

Leonardo Balerdi scored two goals in Roma's win over Napoli, and Matías Soulé has become a tactical weapon on the right, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. With Paulo Dybala absent from the spotlight, the Argentine trio of Balerdi, Soulé and Castro has taken centre stage for the Giallorossi. Balerdi, a defender, had already impressed in Roma's opening matches with his defensive displays. In Naples, though, he went forward with courage and conviction to claim the glory in the opposition box, and his two goals reflect a strong, precise team mentality. Gazzetta writer Alessio D'Urso described him as a boxer who refused to go down, and the Argentine core rallied around him. Soulé is also playing superbly and has become a tactical weapon, especially on the right flank. Molina and Castro, who came on as substitutes like Balerdi, brought hunger and fire to the side, pushing Roma beyond their most critical moments. The article describes Balerdi's display on Saturday evening as the source of joy for Roma supporters.

Gian Piero Gasperini is preparing further changes for Roma's home match against Cagliari, with Paulo Dybala close to a return and Mile Svilar possibly back sooner than expected. The fixture comes after Roma's costly 3-3 draw at the Maradona, and the kickoff at the Stadio Olimpico is at 20:45 tomorrow evening. The schedule leaves no time to rest, and Gasperini is set to rotate across the pitch. Emanuele Lulli is the favourite to start at right-back in place of Devyne Rensch, and the young full-back's contract renewal to 2031 is also drawing closer. In midfield, Gasperini is considering resting either Marten de Roon or Niccolò Pisilli, with Bryan Cristante moving back into the middle. Rodrigo Mora is a candidate to start alongside Matías Soulé behind Donyell Malen, adding quality and creativity in the final third. In defence, Leonardo Balerdi is heading for a starting place after his outstanding brace against Napoli. The Argentine could replace one of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka or Mario Hermoso, with Hermoso coming off a difficult display at the Maradona. Gasperini wants to exploit the form of the former Marseille defender while also giving some of his first-choice players a chance to recover energy. Pierluigi Gollini will be confirmed in goal. The most anticipated news concerns Paulo Dybala. The Joya trained with his teammates yesterday for part of the session after passing fitness tests on the pitch to check his recovery from a slight calf injury. Today's final training session will settle the last doubts, and the Argentine is close to a place in the squad for Roma-Cagliari. He is expected to start on the bench, with the aim of gradually regaining match rhythm and being ready to start on Saturday against Udinese. His recovery is also important ahead of the Champions League trip to Manchester United on 3 November. Encouraging signs also come from Mile Svilar. The goalkeeper is completing his rehabilitation in Belgium after a stress fracture to the fifth toe of his right foot. New checks are planned in the coming days to assess his healing and establish when he can return to working on the pitch. The latest reports leave open the possibility of an earlier return than initially forecast, which had him available only after the November break. The first target remains the match against Sassuolo on 7 November, but an availability for the trip to Manchester on 3 November is not ruled out entirely, a scenario still to be verified medically. UEFA regulations offer a route here: a goalkeeper temporarily replaced on the list for a long-term injury can be reinstated once recovered, subject to a minimum period of 30 days and the necessary formalities. For Svilar, a Champions League return is therefore not excluded in principle, but it will depend on his actual recovery and the regularity of his position on the list. Further back in their rehabilitation are Manu Koné and Lorenzo Pellegrini. The Frenchman will try to be available again before the November break, with the games against Manchester United and Sassuolo in his sights. Pellegrini's timeline is considerably longer, as he is dealing with a serious injury to his right thigh: the midfielder faces a layoff of at least two months, with a possible surgical procedure still to be evaluated. Gasperini will present Roma-Cagliari at a press conference today at 13:30 and is awaiting further updates from the medical staff. The immediate priority is managing energy levels and finding new solutions to beat the Sardinians, but the gradual return of injured players could give Roma fundamental alternatives for the games ahead. After weeks of crisis, some good news is finally emerging for the Giallorossi boss.

Roma face Cagliari tomorrow, the first of a run of fixtures that should be relatively manageable, at least in Serie A. Gasperini is expected to rotate the side as he did against Genoa, though not too heavily. Ghilardi and Balerdi are likely to have at least one of them in defence, while Wesley could rest on the flank. Lulli is ready to return at right-back, with Molina or the Brazilian on the left. The real question mark is in the number ten role, where Rodrigo Mora could get another opportunity. If that happens, Cristante would drop back into midfield, probably alongside Pisilli, to give de Roon a breather. Up front, Soulé and Malen are confirmed in the starting line-up, while Dybala is likely to start from the bench. The match comes straight after the crazy 1-1 draw at Napoli, so the focus now turns quickly back to the pitch. Gasperini's approach, as shown against Genoa, is to rest key players without overdoing it. The fixtures that follow are seen as relatively accessible, at least in the league, which gives the coach room to balance fitness and form across the squad. The main selection debate centres on the attacking midfield, where Mora's form will be tested. Cristante's possible switch to midfield would also reshape the engine room, offering de Roon some rest while keeping a settled shape around Pisilli.

Matías Soulé has become an indispensable figure in Gian Piero Gasperini's tactical setup, and Paulo Dybala is closing in on a return to the attack alongside him. Soulé put in a top-class display in the draw against Napoli, with four key passes, an 88% pass completion rate, four duels won, four dribbles and a high number of balls recovered. With three goals and one assist in eight league matches, the 2003-born forward appears transformed, more daring, incisive and decisive in the big games. Soulé's rise comes after a complicated summer marked by transfer rumours and the after-effects of a groin problem (pubalgia) that kept him sidelined for much of last season. Now he is set to form a potent attacking partnership with Dybala again. La Joya has almost recovered from a slight calf injury picked up against Real Madrid and has trained partly with the group, and he is pushing hard to be fit for the home match against Cagliari. In Gasperini's 3-4-2-1, the two Argentines require specific balance. When Dybala is on the pitch, Soulé is shifted to the right flank, a position that does not curb his forward runs but demands constant coordination. The coach nonetheless values the versatility and total willingness to sacrifice of both players, which are key to keeping Roma's attack competitive. The squad continues its preparations for the next league fixture. On the injury front, Koné will have to wait a few more days for a full recovery, although his condition is improving markedly. Attention is also being paid to travel ahead of the next Champions League fixture against Manchester United: after the match in Udine, the team will fly directly to England from Trieste, a decision planned by the coaching staff to manage energy levels and avoid travel stress for the players.

Leonardo Balerdi scored two goals in Roma's win over Napoli, and Matías Soulé has become a tactical weapon on the right, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. With Paulo Dybala absent from the spotlight, the Argentine trio of Balerdi, Soulé and Castro has taken centre stage for the Giallorossi. Balerdi, a defender, had already impressed in Roma's opening matches with his defensive displays. In Naples, though, he went forward with courage and conviction to claim the glory in the opposition box, and his two goals reflect a strong, precise team mentality. Gazzetta writer Alessio D'Urso described him as a boxer who refused to go down, and the Argentine core rallied around him. Soulé is also playing superbly and has become a tactical weapon, especially on the right flank. Molina and Castro, who came on as substitutes like Balerdi, brought hunger and fire to the side, pushing Roma beyond their most critical moments. The article describes Balerdi's display on Saturday evening as the source of joy for Roma supporters.

Roma face Cagliari tomorrow, the first of a run of fixtures that should be relatively manageable, at least in Serie A. Gasperini is expected to rotate the side as he did against Genoa, though not too heavily. Ghilardi and Balerdi are likely to have at least one of them in defence, while Wesley could rest on the flank. Lulli is ready to return at right-back, with Molina or the Brazilian on the left. The real question mark is in the number ten role, where Rodrigo Mora could get another opportunity. If that happens, Cristante would drop back into midfield, probably alongside Pisilli, to give de Roon a breather. Up front, Soulé and Malen are confirmed in the starting line-up, while Dybala is likely to start from the bench. The match comes straight after the crazy 1-1 draw at Napoli, so the focus now turns quickly back to the pitch. Gasperini's approach, as shown against Genoa, is to rest key players without overdoing it. The fixtures that follow are seen as relatively accessible, at least in the league, which gives the coach room to balance fitness and form across the squad. The main selection debate centres on the attacking midfield, where Mora's form will be tested. Cristante's possible switch to midfield would also reshape the engine room, offering de Roon some rest while keeping a settled shape around Pisilli.

Leonardo Balerdi scored two goals in Roma's win over Napoli, and Matías Soulé has become a tactical weapon on the right, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. With Paulo Dybala absent from the spotlight, the Argentine trio of Balerdi, Soulé and Castro has taken centre stage for the Giallorossi. Balerdi, a defender, had already impressed in Roma's opening matches with his defensive displays. In Naples, though, he went forward with courage and conviction to claim the glory in the opposition box, and his two goals reflect a strong, precise team mentality. Gazzetta writer Alessio D'Urso described him as a boxer who refused to go down, and the Argentine core rallied around him. Soulé is also playing superbly and has become a tactical weapon, especially on the right flank. Molina and Castro, who came on as substitutes like Balerdi, brought hunger and fire to the side, pushing Roma beyond their most critical moments. The article describes Balerdi's display on Saturday evening as the source of joy for Roma supporters.

Roma's Argentine contingent is taking on an ever-greater role under Gian Piero Gasperini, and the latest proof came in the dramatic comeback at the Maradona, where all three goals were scored by Argentines. Leonardo Balerdi and Matías Soulé have become key figures in the giallorossi side, and Paulo Dybala is set to return to the squad. Balerdi's rise has been the most surprising story. He arrived from Marseille in the final days of August, greeted with little enthusiasm given the doubts that had surrounded his spell in France. Gasperini and sporting director D'Amico nonetheless saw a modern, technical centre-back, quick in recovery, physically strong and with the personality of a leader. Roma took him on loan for around one million euros, with a redemption fee that, according to various press reconstructions, is between 14 and 16 million euros. It is a far less glamorous move than other summer investments, but it risks becoming one of the most successful deals of the window. His performances had already impressed, but his breakthrough came in Naples. Coming off the bench after the break, Balerdi scored first with a left-foot strike and then with a commanding header, earning two draws and stopping Roma from giving up. He does not merely protect his area: he pressures opponents, can play out from the back and is not afraid to join the attack, exactly the kind of defender Gasperini wants for an aggressive defence that plays far from its own goal. His redemption is therefore considered increasingly likely. Soulé, meanwhile, confirms the talent of a player who now appears to have found consistency and maturity. Only a few months ago his future looked far from certain, with a possible sale discussed concretely in the summer and Roma prepared to listen to important offers. The transfer market did not bring a departure, and that stay now seems to carry a completely different meaning. At 23, Soulé is showing clear growth in the consistency of his performances, his ability to make an impact and the personality with which he handles the toughest games. Against Real Madrid, Genoa and Napoli, the Argentine was among Roma's most dangerous players. In the Champions League he served two assists against the Blancos, while at the Maradona he reopened a game that seemed lost with a superb left-foot strike after a exchange with Malen. It is his third league goal, after those scored against Lecce and Atalanta. Beyond the numbers, his growth in possession and in taking responsibility stands out. Soulé no longer lives only on individual flashes: he looks for the decisive pass, takes part in build-up play and carries the weight of the attack on his shoulders. Starting from the right, where he can cut inside onto his left foot, he is becoming one of Gasperini's most valuable weapons. Nahuel Molina and Santiago Castro, who came on in the second half against Napoli alongside Balerdi, also helped change the face of the match with energy, aggression and fresh attacking options. Counting Dybala, that makes five Argentines, and they are giving Roma something beyond technical quality. Molina said after the draw at the Maradona: "Having five in the squad is beautiful, we give our blood, we always want to win even when we start from the bench." Dybala's return is now on the horizon. The Argentine responded positively to the latest tests on the pitch and yesterday resumed training with his teammates after the calf problem suffered against Real Madrid. According to Angelo Mangiante, the Joya will be called up for tomorrow evening's Roma-Cagliari, initially from the bench. His recovery is a valuable boost ahead of the trip to Udine on Saturday and, above all, the Champions League clash at Manchester United on 3 November. Dybala has yet to score this season, but before his injury he was one of the team's main attacking reference points, thanks to his ability to create chances and raise quality in the final thirds. His return also opens tactical possibilities. Gasperini can alternate Dybala and Soulé, manage their energy, or look for solutions that let the two left-footers coexist, adding unpredictability and quality in the final third. Behind them, Balerdi is claiming more space, while Molina and Castro offer important alternatives. This Argentine Roma is no longer just Dybala's: it has become a collective resource built on talent, personality and the grit that stopped the giallorossi from surrendering at the Maradona.