Torino vs Roma: September 14 returns, and Giallorossi have become Granata's nemesis

Rodrigo Mora's decisive header against Cagliari has delighted Roma supporters and revived regret among Porto fans over the midfielder's departure. Before Tuesday evening, the young Portuguese had had an uneven spell in the capital. He arrived in August with high expectations after an initial outlay of €25 million, alternating flashes of talent with less convincing displays and even finding himself on the bench in recent weeks. Then came a superb header at the Olimpico, followed by the assist that set up Malen's 4-2, which changed the picture overnight. His performance was noticed in Portugal too. As Il Romanista reports, the debate over a sale that some Porto supporters have never accepted has resurfaced on social media. One fan wrote: "Mora was sold because of Farioli, and now he is showing why everyone said 50 million was a bargain... Roma are lucky." Another went further, saying: "Great technique and grit, the place in Portugal's team must be his, not Ronaldo's." A third took a swipe at Roma: "He is too great a talent for a club that doesn't know how to value its players." Among the regret, though, there is also pride from those who watched Mora grow in the blue and white shirt. One Porto supporter wrote: "Even though there remains regret over how he could have become with us with more time, seeing him score like this makes us proud. May he keep growing, shining and showing the qualities we already knew. Talent has never been in doubt!" The message shows how much the player left his mark on the Dragão, despite a departure marked by controversy and division. Gian Piero Gasperini continues to manage him carefully. Mora has made 10 appearances in the first 12 matches, totalling 425 minutes, numbers that reflect a talent still seeking full consecration. The coach has always defended him, pointing out that he must improve above all physically and in his stamina over 90 minutes. After the Cagliari game, however, Gasperini described him as "una mina vagante", a wildcard. The header was his seventh goal of a young career, scored despite his height of 168 centimetres. Mora said: "I dream of being a decisive player." A first start could come soon, on Saturday at Udine, with Paulo Dybala absent. It is a chance to show that the Cagliari performance was not an isolated flash. Roma hope they have found a future protagonist, while in Porto some still wonder whether a mistake was made in letting him go so early.

Roma have scored more late goals than almost anyone in Serie A this season, with only Inter having a better record in the closing stages of matches. Their latest late surge came against Cagliari, where Rodrigo Mora and Malen struck in the final five minutes. Roma have now scored seven goals after the 75th minute in nine league matches, two fewer than Inter, who beat the Giallorossi yesterday. The pattern marks a clear change from last season. Writing in Il Tempo, Lorenzo Pes noted that Gasperini's first Roma side struggled badly to overturn results and often lost games once they fell behind. This season's team attacks with order even when little time remains, and it has shown a hunger for major targets. The comeback at Napoli was followed by another late strike against Cagliari, and the squad has rallied in the closing stages of several games. Gasperini can now draw on important options from the bench, and the numbers show that substitutes have often decided matches. Two of the late goals came against Cagliari from Mora and Malen. Balerdi made the difference at Napoli, Soulé did so against Atalanta, and Pisilli did so in the first matchday against Fiorentina.

Roma's win over Cagliari has underlined how central the club's young players have become to Gian Piero Gasperini's project. The Giallorossi rely confidently on their Under-23 players, who have made decisive contributions at key moments of matches, as shown by the performances and goals of those who came through the youth sector and have been developed by the coach. Among the positives is the steady progress of Emanuele Lulli, who recently renewed his contract until 2031. The 2005-born defender scored his second consecutive league goal in front of the Curva Sud, and has established himself as a valuable asset and an important presence in the rotation. Alongside him, Niccolò Pisilli has become a consolidated certainty in midfield, combining consistent performances with a nose for goals. According to Il Tempo, the Olimpico clash was also the night of breakthrough for Rodrigo Mora. The 19-year-old Portuguese, who was initially greeted with scepticism over his market valuation, unlocked the match by scoring his first goal in front of the Roma crowd. Gasperini himself praised the young Portuguese's technical qualities after the game, stressing that his imagination is a fundamental factor for the season. The young group is completed by the gradual integration of players such as Koulierakis and Castro, who are asked to provide valid alternatives in a squad that blends the freshness of the youth ranks with the maturity of the senior players. For Gasperini's Roma, young players are no longer just a future prospect but a solid reality capable of making the difference.

Roman radio pundits debated Roma's squad depth, Paulo Dybala's fitness and the Udinese and Manchester United fixtures in a round-up of the capital's football talk shows. David Rossi of Rete Sport said he was worried that Roma are short of players, pointing to Matías Soulé and Niccolò Pisilli, who he said have been playing three matches a week for some time. He said Roma play a demanding style and that the midfield is very thin: if Roma rest Roon, who is not in good shape, Cristante still has to play against Udinese, and then in Manchester he asked what would happen without him. Rossi called the decision to use four midfielders, attributed to Gasperini and D'Amico, an enormous error of judgement. He said Gasperini had wanted the contracts of Dybala and Pellegrini, adding that Roma would be in a better position had they signed two players who were alive, even if less talented. On Dybala, Rossi said: "Dybala was a beast here, a beast there, but now Gasperini has realised he has the pain threshold of a 5-year-old child. Mora has done more than Dybala, the same as Soulè, but you can't say it..." Fabio Petruzzi of Rete Sport said Roma have clearly improved on last year, showing they are a strong side. He said last year you struggled and created little, while now Roma look like a stronger Atalanta. He said they have reached the top but can improve in the transfer market with two wide players and a midfielder. He said Roma were less of a team than usual against Cagliari but still won, and that Cagliari had given them more problems than Como and Inter. He added that some tiredness is to be expected. Claudio Moroni, also of Rete Sport, argued that Dybala should be sacrificed on the left with Soulè on the right, saying Soulè's best form comes from the right and that Dybala's performance hardly changes between the two flanks. Mario Corsi of Tele Radio Stereo praised Mora for a fine headed goal, but warned against calling him a new Messi. Turning to Juventus, he said their crisis was 80% the team's fault and 20% Spalletti's, adding that Conte was not being considered and that Pioli is the available option. Lorenzo Pes of Tele Radio Stereo said Dybala only did physiotherapy yesterday but he remains convinced the player wants to play the Champions League match against Manchester United. He said the injury has healed, that Dybala can theoretically train and has overcome the physical problem. He said the medical staff and the player's own feelings will decide, and that Dybala would probably try to rejoin the group partially today. He said keeping the door open for Manchester is important, and that having him on the bench for Udine would also be valuable. Piero Torri of Manà Manà Sport said Roma were robbed in yesterday's match against Venezia. He said Udinese have shown signs of revival, having recovered most of their players including Zaniolo, and that the fixture worries him. If Balerdi has recovered, he expects him to start, with Ghilardi possibly replacing Mancini, and expects Lulli alongside Wesley and Pisilli with Cristante. On Como, he said they have always been title candidates and that anyone who thinks otherwise is wrong, given their strong players, great football and a fine coach. Roberto Pruzzo of Radio Radio said he had backed Castro but that a player who has not played for two months cannot simply step in and become a star. He said the transfer market has brought Roma reserves, good alternatives who are not able to play as starters, and that when Malen is missing you notice straight away. Nando Orsi of Radio Radio questioned whether Roma are too dependent on Malen, pointing out that he brought Roma into the Champions League. He said that when he has been absent, Roma have struggled to score, but that Roma are not bottom of the table despite heavy absences, noting Lazio are top despite missing four key players. Ilario Di Giovambattista of Radio Radio named the Roma players he would take for Lazio: Malen, Svilar, and Ghilardi, whom he said he adores. He would also take Koné for midfield, and said that for Soulè he would keep Isaksen and put Soulè on the bench.

Rodrigo Mora's decisive header against Cagliari has delighted Roma supporters and revived regret among Porto fans over the midfielder's departure. Before Tuesday evening, the young Portuguese had had an uneven spell in the capital. He arrived in August with high expectations after an initial outlay of €25 million, alternating flashes of talent with less convincing displays and even finding himself on the bench in recent weeks. Then came a superb header at the Olimpico, followed by the assist that set up Malen's 4-2, which changed the picture overnight. His performance was noticed in Portugal too. As Il Romanista reports, the debate over a sale that some Porto supporters have never accepted has resurfaced on social media. One fan wrote: "Mora was sold because of Farioli, and now he is showing why everyone said 50 million was a bargain... Roma are lucky." Another went further, saying: "Great technique and grit, the place in Portugal's team must be his, not Ronaldo's." A third took a swipe at Roma: "He is too great a talent for a club that doesn't know how to value its players." Among the regret, though, there is also pride from those who watched Mora grow in the blue and white shirt. One Porto supporter wrote: "Even though there remains regret over how he could have become with us with more time, seeing him score like this makes us proud. May he keep growing, shining and showing the qualities we already knew. Talent has never been in doubt!" The message shows how much the player left his mark on the Dragão, despite a departure marked by controversy and division. Gian Piero Gasperini continues to manage him carefully. Mora has made 10 appearances in the first 12 matches, totalling 425 minutes, numbers that reflect a talent still seeking full consecration. The coach has always defended him, pointing out that he must improve above all physically and in his stamina over 90 minutes. After the Cagliari game, however, Gasperini described him as "una mina vagante", a wildcard. The header was his seventh goal of a young career, scored despite his height of 168 centimetres. Mora said: "I dream of being a decisive player." A first start could come soon, on Saturday at Udine, with Paulo Dybala absent. It is a chance to show that the Cagliari performance was not an isolated flash. Roma hope they have found a future protagonist, while in Porto some still wonder whether a mistake was made in letting him go so early.

Roma have scored more late goals than almost anyone in Serie A this season, with only Inter having a better record in the closing stages of matches. Their latest late surge came against Cagliari, where Rodrigo Mora and Malen struck in the final five minutes. Roma have now scored seven goals after the 75th minute in nine league matches, two fewer than Inter, who beat the Giallorossi yesterday. The pattern marks a clear change from last season. Writing in Il Tempo, Lorenzo Pes noted that Gasperini's first Roma side struggled badly to overturn results and often lost games once they fell behind. This season's team attacks with order even when little time remains, and it has shown a hunger for major targets. The comeback at Napoli was followed by another late strike against Cagliari, and the squad has rallied in the closing stages of several games. Gasperini can now draw on important options from the bench, and the numbers show that substitutes have often decided matches. Two of the late goals came against Cagliari from Mora and Malen. Balerdi made the difference at Napoli, Soulé did so against Atalanta, and Pisilli did so in the first matchday against Fiorentina.

Mile Svilar will not return early from his injury: the Roma goalkeeper underwent instrumental tests on his fifth toe today, but doctors did not clear him to play, and he will be back only after the November international break. The Belgian, who has not recovered from a foot problem he suffered in training on 2 October, will miss the matches against Udinese, Manchester United and Sassuolo. His next target is the trip to Parma on 21 November. In his absence, Pierluigi Gollini continues in goal, having not disappointed in Roma's recent matches. Head coach Gasperini is hoping to have Paulo Dybala and Manu Koné available at least for the Sassuolo fixture, while Dybala would like to be fit for the trip to England, where Roma face Manchester United. The update leaves Gasperini with a reduced goalkeeping options for the coming weeks, with Gollini the only senior keeper named as the first choice while Svilar works his way back to full fitness.

Paulo Dybala will not be available for Roma's away trip to Udinese on Saturday 31 October at 18:00 at the Bluenergy Arena, despite head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's optimism about his recovery. Roma are facing a demanding run of fixtures and arrive at the match with several important absences. According to Il Tempo, Gasperini is waiting for the Argentine forward, known as La Joya, to return. Dybala was left out of the squad for the match against Cagliari, despite rejoining the group training on Sunday. He has suffered no setbacks and the injury has fully healed, but he was not called up as a precaution. Before the Cagliari game he had felt a minor discomfort, and the medical staff preferred not to take a risk. The focus now is on getting Dybala back for the UEFA Champions League clash with Manchester United on 3 November.

Roman radio pundits debated Roma's squad depth, Paulo Dybala's fitness and the Udinese and Manchester United fixtures in a round-up of the capital's football talk shows. David Rossi of Rete Sport said he was worried that Roma are short of players, pointing to Matías Soulé and Niccolò Pisilli, who he said have been playing three matches a week for some time. He said Roma play a demanding style and that the midfield is very thin: if Roma rest Roon, who is not in good shape, Cristante still has to play against Udinese, and then in Manchester he asked what would happen without him. Rossi called the decision to use four midfielders, attributed to Gasperini and D'Amico, an enormous error of judgement. He said Gasperini had wanted the contracts of Dybala and Pellegrini, adding that Roma would be in a better position had they signed two players who were alive, even if less talented. On Dybala, Rossi said: "Dybala was a beast here, a beast there, but now Gasperini has realised he has the pain threshold of a 5-year-old child. Mora has done more than Dybala, the same as Soulè, but you can't say it..." Fabio Petruzzi of Rete Sport said Roma have clearly improved on last year, showing they are a strong side. He said last year you struggled and created little, while now Roma look like a stronger Atalanta. He said they have reached the top but can improve in the transfer market with two wide players and a midfielder. He said Roma were less of a team than usual against Cagliari but still won, and that Cagliari had given them more problems than Como and Inter. He added that some tiredness is to be expected. Claudio Moroni, also of Rete Sport, argued that Dybala should be sacrificed on the left with Soulè on the right, saying Soulè's best form comes from the right and that Dybala's performance hardly changes between the two flanks. Mario Corsi of Tele Radio Stereo praised Mora for a fine headed goal, but warned against calling him a new Messi. Turning to Juventus, he said their crisis was 80% the team's fault and 20% Spalletti's, adding that Conte was not being considered and that Pioli is the available option. Lorenzo Pes of Tele Radio Stereo said Dybala only did physiotherapy yesterday but he remains convinced the player wants to play the Champions League match against Manchester United. He said the injury has healed, that Dybala can theoretically train and has overcome the physical problem. He said the medical staff and the player's own feelings will decide, and that Dybala would probably try to rejoin the group partially today. He said keeping the door open for Manchester is important, and that having him on the bench for Udine would also be valuable. Piero Torri of Manà Manà Sport said Roma were robbed in yesterday's match against Venezia. He said Udinese have shown signs of revival, having recovered most of their players including Zaniolo, and that the fixture worries him. If Balerdi has recovered, he expects him to start, with Ghilardi possibly replacing Mancini, and expects Lulli alongside Wesley and Pisilli with Cristante. On Como, he said they have always been title candidates and that anyone who thinks otherwise is wrong, given their strong players, great football and a fine coach. Roberto Pruzzo of Radio Radio said he had backed Castro but that a player who has not played for two months cannot simply step in and become a star. He said the transfer market has brought Roma reserves, good alternatives who are not able to play as starters, and that when Malen is missing you notice straight away. Nando Orsi of Radio Radio questioned whether Roma are too dependent on Malen, pointing out that he brought Roma into the Champions League. He said that when he has been absent, Roma have struggled to score, but that Roma are not bottom of the table despite heavy absences, noting Lazio are top despite missing four key players. Ilario Di Giovambattista of Radio Radio named the Roma players he would take for Lazio: Malen, Svilar, and Ghilardi, whom he said he adores. He would also take Koné for midfield, and said that for Soulè he would keep Isaksen and put Soulè on the bench.