Soulé steps up as Dybala's absence leaves Roma reliant on his creativity

Gian Piero Gasperini may struggle to start both of his senior strikers in the coming fixtures before the international break, with Dybala not yet at full fitness and Soulé having been asked for a significant extra effort in recent matches and possibly needing a breather from the start. If the two Argentines begin on the bench, the article outlines two possible set-ups. The first is Pellegrini and Mora in midfield with Malen leading the line. The second is a 4-1-4-1 formation with a central attacking midfielder who will also man-mark the Slovan regista, with Castro and Malen paired up front. The Slovan reference points to Roma's Champions League opponents, with the first matchday set for 8 September 2026. The Italian report frames these as the most likely options rather than settled decisions, with the ideas centred on how Gasperini balances rotation against Dybala's fitness and Soulé's workload in the Champions League.

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.

Mario Hermoso has become one of the undisputed leaders of Roma under Gian Piero Gasperini, and the coach may now use the defender in a different role as the club's midfield is depleted. Hermoso is the most-used player of the season with 506 minutes, ten more than Paulo Dybala. He has also been central to the team's defensive performances, and the Roman side's defence was reported to have lost its shape when he was substituted off against Real Madrid. Against Genoa, Gasperini asked Hermoso to make his presence felt, telling him "Fatti sentire" before he came on. The brief was to keep the tension high and give the team solidity, and the defender delivered that against the Rossoblù. The article notes that Gasperini's trust in the Spaniard is absolute, and that his versatility could now prove useful. Roma are in an emergency in midfield: Niccolò Pisilli and Marten de Roon are the only available options in the centre of the park, with Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné both out. Against Genoa a Primavera player, Di Nunzio, was fielded. Moving a defender into midfield is therefore the logical solution, especially as Hermoso has already been tried in that area. The experiment came in a pre-season friendly against Newport, where Gasperini first tried him in midfield in what was a completely new role for the Spaniard. Hermoso scored a goal and won a penalty in that match, although the opponent was modest. Reflecting on the switch, Hermoso said: "È stato strano, capire i movimenti, ma alla fine mi sono trovato bene" ("It was strange, understanding the movements, but in the end I found my feet"). He has already started to learn Gasperini's movements and tactical demands. Gasperini is considering the idea, and Hermoso is ready.

Paulo Dybala's return from injury has been pushed back after Roma discovered a small tear in the twin calf muscle of his right leg, which was hidden by swelling in the first scan. The Argentine forward had come off at half-time of the match against Real Madrid. Initial sensations were reassuring and the first tests showed no lesions, so in the following days there was talk of a quick recovery and even a possible call-up for the Champions League game against Slovan Bratislava. The problem had not fully disappeared, however. On Sunday and Monday Dybala tried to increase his training loads again at Trigoria, but during the session he felt a slight discomfort in the calf again. The medical staff then decided not to take any risks and ordered a new magnetic resonance scan. It was the second check that clarified the situation: a very small tear to the gemello, already in the healing phase, which had been concealed in the first scan by the presence of oedema. This is why the problem was initially classified as simple fatigue. The good news is that there is no serious alarm. The tear is mild and is not considered comparable to the muscle problems that in the past forced Dybala into much longer spells out of action. However, the timetable inevitably changes: Dybala will miss the Slovan game and his recovery will be managed with greater caution. The precise timing will be set in the coming days, including through further checks. Corriere dello Sport indicates a possible return in about a week, with the Udinese match and then the trip to Manchester as the targets. Roma will not force his comeback. Gasperini will therefore have to wait a little longer before having the Dybala and Malen partnership available again. This time the scare seems to have lasted only as long as needed to establish what was really behind the discomfort. No drama, but a lesson in caution: the calf was not yet ready, and the second scan explained why.

Roma are chasing their first win in the Champions League as they prepare to face Slovan Bratislava, with Gian Piero Gasperini set to be without Svilar, Cristante, Koné and Dybala. Malen is the only player returning from the Genoa league fixture and will start tonight, with Soulé and Pellegrini behind him. Evan N'Dicka may be rested. On the right side of the defence, Nahuel Molina and Emanuele Lulli are in a straight fight for a place. The Italian newspapers' predicted line-ups are split on the pick: Corriere dello Sport, Il Messaggero, Il Tempo and Corriere della Sera all name Lulli, while La Gazzetta dello Sport and Leggo go with Molina. All of them set Roma up in a 3-4-2-1 with Gollini in goal, Mancini, Balerdi and Hermoso across the back three, and Wesley, de Roon and Pisilli in midfield alongside the right-back option. The home side are without several first-team regulars, so the selection call on the flank and the rotation of N'Dicka will shape how Gasperini sets his back line. Roma are still searching for their first Champions League victory of the season, and tonight's fixture gives them the chance to address that.

Roma need a win against Slovan Bratislava at the Stadio Olimpico, with only one point from their first two Champions League league-phase matches. Following a draw in Istanbul against Fenerbahce and a painful late comeback by Real Madrid at the Olimpico, the Giallorossi arrive at the third matchday with just a single point, which is too little for those hoping to continue their European journey. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has set out the target clearly: at least 10 points, and probably 10 to 11, will be needed to secure a place in the playoffs. Roma-Slovan Bratislava therefore already carries the weight of a fixture that cannot be lost. The points dropped in the first two matchdays mean Roma must make the most of their home games. Gasperini has warned his players not to regard the match as already won. Slovan are a dynamic side, physically well prepared and with some interesting individual talents. Slovan are still on zero points after two defeats in their opening two matchdays, and Roma cannot allow them the chance to get off the mark at the Olimpico. Compared with the win over Genoa, Gasperini will return to some of his trusted options. Malen, who was suspended in the league, will take back his place in the centre of attack, while Wesley is ready to return to the starting line-up on the flank. A return to the XI for some players rested on Saturday is also possible. Svilar, Koné, Cristante and Dybala will not be available. Cristante's return to group training is approaching, and the aim is to have him back for Napoli. Dybala's timeline is longer: Gasperini had initially hoped to have him back against Slovan, possibly at least on the bench, but the latest scan revealed a small muscle tear in the calf. The complication will extend his recovery by about another two weeks. Dybala's absence also reopens the question of attacking options. Santiago Castro scored against Genoa with a goal that showed all of his qualities, and Gasperini has not ruled out playing him alongside Malen, although he is unlikely to change a department that has found important balance so far. The two-striker system could become a weapon to use during the match if more presence in the box is needed. Gasperini must balance the need to win with the need to manage energy, because after Slovan comes another demanding away trip, to Napoli. The article's message is that Roma have already shown against Real Madrid that they can compete with Europe's strongest sides. Now they must win matches in which they are the favourites. Qualification will not be built only on big nights against Real Madrid, Manchester United or Paris Saint-Germain, but mainly by not wasting the chances the fixture list provides. Roma-Slovan Bratislava is one of those chances, and Roma need to win it.