Xavi hails Malen as Nations League clash with Greece approaches

Roma and Bologna are set to hold talks in the coming weeks to discuss the future of striker Artem Dovbyk, according to Matteo Moretto. Bologna are reportedly beginning to doubt that Dovbyk is the right striker for their side, in light of the difficulties he has encountered settling in so far. Roma, however, have not planned for the Ukrainian's return in January. The Giallorossi have set their annual sporting plan without including the reintegration of the former Girona forward at mid-season. The upcoming talks between the two clubs will establish the best solution for all parties involved. Dovbyk joined Roma in July 2024 from Girona in a deal worth €38m, and he is on loan at Bologna. The coming discussions will decide whether the centre-forward's situation is resolved before the winter window.

Bologna are reportedly weighing up whether to end Artem Dovbyk's loan early during the January transfer window, with talks between the Emilian club and Roma expected in the coming weeks. The report, attributed to Matteo Moretto on Fabrizio Romano's YouTube channel, says the Ukrainian striker has not fully convinced Bologna. Dovbyk left Rome last summer in search of more regular football, but his time at Bologna has fallen short of expectations. Injuries and a change of coach have limited his minutes. Roma, for their part, do not currently consider Dovbyk a priority within their technical project, so the two clubs will discuss the best solution for the striker's future. The Italian report notes that Dovbyk could see his situation change again in January, with the two clubs due to meet to take stock of the position.

Bologna are considering ending Artem Dovbyk's loan early, with a return to Roma possible as soon as January, according to market expert Matteo Moretto. After five matches and just one goal, the club is reportedly unhappy with the Ukrainian striker's performances, and at Casteldebole there is growing doubt that he is the right forward to build around for the rest of the season. He has not managed to fit into the system of coach Palladino. Roma have not factored the scenario into their plans. The Giallorossi set up the season without counting on the Ukrainian, and an early return would risk upsetting those plans. As Moretto reported, talks between the two clubs are planned to review the situation and establish the best solution. Dovbyk's future is back in the balance, and January could bring a new twist.

Roma have three players capable of igniting matches in attacking midfield, and Gasperini now has a difficult but welcome choice to make. Dybala, Soulé and Mora form a trio described as a fairytale unit, ready to set up goals for Malen. The balance shifted when Dybala was injured: Soulé became the ace and Mora the joker Gasperini cannot do without. Dybala is now back and wants to start against Parma. The answer to who should make way lies in the data. Mora wins the ball in the opponent's final third, averaging 2.3 recoveries per match, a trait that neither Soulé nor Dybala matches in the same way, and no one else at Roma does it as he does. In Gasperini's high-pressing system, pressing is everything, and Mora keeps the team pushed up, pushing opponents away from his own half and creating chances in theirs. He is small in stature but has enormous talent, not only with the ball at his feet. Four goals and two assists count for something, but Gasperini is looking at more than goals: his system needs perfect interpreters, and Mora fits that description today, even though he is not the winger Gasperini had in mind. Mora has four goals and two assists, while Dybala's return gives the coach a dilemma that every manager would welcome. The question is whom to leave out, and the statistics point towards Mora being indispensable in the pressing game.

Roma radio pundits used the latest edition of the On Air roundup to debate the club's January transfer plans, with Daniele Lo Monaco of Radio Romanista claiming that Roma would win the Scudetto if they could sign Gittens and Endrick. He added: "If I could have Gittens and Endrick today, Roma would win the Scudetto. Or at least they would fight it out until the last matchday with Inter." The Italian headline also carries comments from Lorenzo Pes and Checco Oddo Casano on the UEFA financial verdict and its effect on the market. The main backdrop is the Financial Fair Play case. Gianluca Piacentini of Rete Sport said the UEFA ruling will come in May, and that the parameters had already been reported: the reduction of the squad cost and Roma's virtuous process, helped by Champions League money. He said: "I take it as good news, Roma are on a virtuous path." Casano disagreed on the market impact, saying: "Nobody has ever talked about a blocked market. Nobody at Trigoria is certain of a budget to spend in January, regardless of the UEFA matter." He added: "Not knowing what kind of verdict you will get, you cannot go to Real in January and say: 'Here are 70 million for Endrick'. You would risk worsening your position in the eyes of your judge." On the squad, Roberto Pruzzo said: "Roma have reacted well to the absences: Soulè has played very well and has at times taken the team in hand, while the striker up front has dropped off a little, but it seems to me you have absorbed the injuries well. Now you can restart with more certainties." Lo Monaco argued that Castro and Malen struggle to play together, as they do more or less the same things, and that Endrick could be the alternative to Dybala with Mora as a trequartista. Andrea Pugliese said Soulè and Dybala do their best work on the right and asked where Soulè would play once Dybala returns to the starting line-up, adding that Dybala would be almost certain to start in Parma. Petruzzi said Mora has scored 4 goals and Soulè has also scored, and that Dybala will play whenever he is at 100%. On Lookman, Mario Corsi said: "With Gasperini I would take Lookman. He has scored only one goal at Atletico Madrid, and maybe that is why they are ready to sell him." Pes said: "If I had to sign someone who can really help you, it would be Lookman. If there were the chance to work together again, the old grudges would be smoothed over." He also said that Gasperini does not want a Greenwood-type player but someone who can help, and that a midfield reinforcement may be needed given Koné's injury record and Pellegrini's absence. Pes added that a major sale is hard to see at this point of the season. Pes said the official FPF sanction will arrive in the spring, but that Roma will probably know something in the coming weeks. On the January window, he said: "We cannot take anything for granted, but something will be done." Nando Orsi, also of Radio Radio, defended Svilar, arguing that his absence has not cost Roma points in Serie A or the Champions League, and that the only goalkeeper without blame against Real was the goalkeeper himself.

Former Roma striker Abel Balbo has praised Matías Soulé's personality, saying it has surprised him, and said Santiago Castro will have the chance to prove his worth behind Donyell Malen. Speaking exclusively to Retesport, Balbo also reflected on playing in the club's Scudetto-winning season. Balbo said being part of that campaign, even briefly, was the crowning moment of his career, as he had arrived near the end of it. Asked about the number of Argentines now at Roma, he said: "The Argentine player has certain characteristics, he has personality and technical qualities. They are people who form a group. We are presumptuous, we are not afraid, and we always push forward to reach a goal. They are all functional to Gasperini's game, and they will do great things." On Soulé, Balbo said: "I expected his growth because he has enormous talent and has everything to do great things. I did not think he could have so much personality. He is a young lad, he is not afraid, he goes at people and creates situations whether it is Real Madrid or the team at the bottom of the table. He is very mature in this respect and it has surprised me." On Balerdi, he said: "Very functional to Gasperini's game. He is fast, aggressive and sees the goal, scoring because he is strong in the air. He comes from Boca, has many matches behind him with Marseille and in the German league: he has experience, he is doing and will do well. Then mistakes can be made, as happened in Manchester, it can happen." Asked how it feels to play alongside a striker like Malen, and about Castro, Balbo said: "It is painful because logically he has been paid a lot, and there is a lot of expectation. He will have time, Malen is doing extraordinary things. He will have the chance to prove his value. He is not a great goalscorer but he gives his life for the team. He will be loved by Roma fans." Balbo also recalled a derby from his time at the club. "It was one derby among others, but they wrote us off because Lazio were flying while we were not. We played a great game and we played with force. Cervone even grabbed one of them by the neck, lifting him inside the small area (laughs). Mazzone deserved it, he suffered so much every Sunday: he was coach of his beloved team and did not want to make mistakes. Everyone talked about Zeman and his attacking football, and about the catenaccio of Mazzone, so it was a huge satisfaction." On the fans, he added: "Before there was a beautiful, direct and sincere relationship with the supporters, sometimes it even went too far: it is a pity that things have changed now. My football was much better from this point of view."