AnalysisOpinion● AI
3h agoRoma pundits praise Gasperini's side as Lazio and Roma both challenge at the top
Radio pundits across Rome's airwaves have heaped praise on Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma, with several arguing the team is increasingly built in the coach's image as it piles up goals early in the 2026-27 season. Radio Bruno commentator Verdenelli wanted attention focused on Bryan Cristante, who he said has been outstanding since returning to the club, adding that he had been treated badly in Rome for saying so. "Sooner or later somebody will have to apologise to this lad, our captain," Verdenelli said.
Pedrelli, also on Radio Bruno, described a "perfect Roma" collecting three important points and noted that the side has become only the fourth since 1961 to score more than 30 goals in the first 11 league matches of a season. He pointed out that Roma keep finding a different scorer each time despite the absences, working in harmony with the coach and driven on by their fans. Ferri, also on Radio Bruno, said the team has real awareness and can fight for the top places in the table until the end, adding he was sure two quality reinforcements would arrive in January.
Carina, speaking on Radio Radio, said Roma and Lazio have finally made their mark again in Italian football, though he questioned how long it would last. He believes Roma are better equipped than Lazio, which has enthusiasm and plays well, and he called a Lazio Scudetto challenge too much. "Roma is increasingly 'Gasperinian': just look at the numbers, it had never scored this many goals in its history," he said. He argued the coach has turned mid-table fixtures into matches to be passed through, with the points already in the bag, and that Cagliari could have been a trickier test but Roma still scored four goals. Carina added that Gasperini says he changed nothing in the physical preparation, but he believes something was done during the three-week long break. He said Mora has grown beyond scoring, pointing to assists for Malen against Madrid and for Soulé in Manchester, but feels he has not yet found his definitive position on the pitch.
Pruzzo, also on Radio Radio, said Inter have done their job so far and that it will be seen whether they keep it up over the holidays. He contrasted Lazio's clear identity, playing once a week, with Roma's double competitions, which he said make the team look as if it is taking strolls. He suggested Roma could find something more in the transfer market and recover Dybala, which he believes would make Inter struggle. He said Mora has a stamina level of 30 minutes, and that he is at his best in games against open defences, while in matches where he bounces off opponents he must be ready to be substituted. "The most in-form attacker at Roma is Mario," Pruzzo said.
Orsi, on Radio Radio, said Roma can fight for the Scudetto as they are meeting expectations, and that Lazio look a convinced and empathetic side that can go all the way in the Champions League race. He said Roma played badly against Manchester in the second half, and the same against Madrid, adding the goals were not the goalkeeper's fault and were a team error. He said Roma lost nothing because Svilar was not in goal.
Pes, speaking to Teleradiostereo, said there has never been a technical leadership with such clear ideas. He said Gasperini has never hidden his objective of shortening the time between building up and scoring. "Never have we heard such clear statements," Pes said, adding that Roma have the best attack and second-best defence in their second year under the coach. He said the team has lost twice badly but always responded, and that despite injuries Roma have a strong identity. He said Svilar will be confirmed at Parma, has some doubts over Dybala but does not expect him to be unavailable, and was surprised by the impact of Balerdi, whom he had expected to be a good signing but not to make such a big impact.