Ticket restrictions for Roma fans for Torino trip

Former Roma midfielder Matteo Brighi has said Gian Piero Gasperini's side are title contenders, describing them as the most consistent team in the league so far and the one playing the best football. Brighi, who played 140 matches for Roma and scored 13 goals, spent his career at the club from the summer of 2007 after three years on loan at Chievo. He became a dependable midfield presence under Luciano Spalletti, competing for a starting place alongside De Rossi, Pizarro and Perrotta, and went on to win the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana in his first season. In 2008-09 he scored three decisive Champions League goals, including a brace against Cluj, which earned him a recall to the senior Italy squad. Under Claudio Ranieri in 2009-10 he was a quiet but irreplaceable pillar as Roma came close to a historic Scudetto against the Inter side of the Triplete. On the current season, Brighi said: "So far it has been the most consistent team and the one that plays the best football. Inter are strong but have had some ups and downs in matches, whereas Gasp's side haven't, at least in the league. Injuries and condition will be decisive, and they will certainly be a nuisance until the end. I am sure of it." Asked about the midfield, where Koné and Cristante are missing or doubtful from the start, he said: "Koné and Cristante are two pillars of Gasperini's game, but the other pairing has shown it has done very well. The secret of this team is cohesion, everyone knows what they have to do. De Roon knows Gasp well and Pisilli is growing enormously." Brighi also addressed Gasperini's use of Mancini in midfield: "Gasperini tried it, but that was with the game already decided against Slovan. It's fine to try different things, but we are talking about an emergency situation. It's fine for the coach to experiment given the situation." On Niccolò Pisilli, whom he coached in the Under-21s over the past two seasons, he said: "I know Niccolò well. He is a modern midfielder who can do everything. He is proving useful in every zone. I hope he gets closer to Perrotta than to me (laughs), also in terms of his path with the national team. He is a guarantee and Gasperini is counting on him a lot." On the squad, he added: "I'm very sorry for Pellegrini. Unfortunately, with so many matches a wide squad is needed. Gasperini knows how to manage both plenty and difficult moments. The decision rests only with the coach. If he thinks other players are needed, then returning to the market is the right thing to do."

Inter and AC Milan have reportedly made initial exploratory approaches for Roma winger Wesley, according to reports from the English outlet TeamTalk, as Premier League clubs also reportedly track the Brazilian. The interest is said to be at the level of expressions of interest only, with no official offers submitted to Roma so far. Wesley has become an important part of Gian Piero Gasperini's tactical plans, and his performances have drawn the attention of several European clubs. Roma are in a strong contractual position: Wesley is tied to the Giallorossi until 30 June 2030, which allows the club to handle any market interest without particular urgency. According to the same TeamTalk reports, convincing Roma's management to consider a sale would require an offer close to 60 million euros.

Former Roma defender Antonio Carlos Zago has said Roma would have been certain winners against Napoli had the match been played at the Stadio Olimpico. Speaking to Il Tempo ahead of the trip to the Stadio Maradona, he said: "If the match had been at the Olimpico, I would have told you Roma would win 100%. At the Maradona it will be a bit more difficult, as Napoli will do everything to get out of this difficult situation. For them it could be the match that turns things around." Zago praised head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who he said has brought a winning mentality to the club. He said: "Gasperini works tremendously hard and bases his game on intensity and triangular passing. I consider him one of the three best coaches of recent years." Zago also judged Roma's summer transfer business to have been excellent. Asked whether Gasperini should keep trusting Mora even in Naples, Zago replied: "I believe Mora can be the ideal replacement for Dybala. He has started well, showing he is a strong player." On Endrick, Zago said: "He still has to fully prove his value and find his ideal role on the pitch. He would be useful to Roma, and I have no doubt he would grow a lot working with Gasperini."