Xavi Hernández praises Donyell Malen ahead of Netherlands v Greece

Roma defender Emanuele Lulli is the only Giallorossi player in Italy's Under-21 squad, and coach Baldini has heaped praise on him ahead of Saturday's friendly against France at 18:30 on 13 November. Baldini said: "Lulli I didn't think would break through so quickly, but he has always been monitored." The coach's comments were the headline of his pre-match remarks, and Lulli is the Roma player at the centre of them. Baldini also spoke about two other players. On Ekhator he said: "Ekhator is very strong and more mature than his age. He can give a big hand to Juve and will have a great future." On Inacio he said: "A promising lad with great qualities, and he is doing brilliantly. He will get his chance." Baldini described the squad's atmosphere in warm terms: "Here it is a family. I make the comparison with people who work abroad and, when they come home, find celebration and harmony. When I see these boys I feel those same emotions. They are special in knowing how to separate the professionalism of work on the pitch from fun off it. There are rules, but the number one rule is cheerfulness: I want to see them joking and laughing. For me, they are a divine gift."

Xavi has heaped praise on Donyell Malen ahead of the Netherlands' Nations League fixture against Greece tomorrow, saying the forward is in excellent form and that he cannot wait to see him on the pitch. Malen missed the Netherlands' games in September due to a physical problem, but he is available for this match. Speaking at his press conference, Xavi said: "He is training very well and is really in excellent form. He has shown he feels perfectly at ease. He wants to prove his potential. He is giving his best in Italy. I am trying to give him confidence because he can become important for the team." The Netherlands boss, the former Barcelona coach, is clearly keen to build the 27-year-old's role in the side. Xavi went on to praise the Roma forward's all-round game: "He has the ability to stand out, to create chances, to be the right man and then to attack the goal at the same time. So yes, he is truly a player with many qualities who strengthens our team, and I can't wait to see him on the pitch." For Roma, the comments underline Malen's growing standing with his national side while he continues his spell at the club.

Marten de Roon has said that Paulo Dybala, Nahuel Molina and Santiago Castro have a winning mentality that the Netherlands need to learn, in a long interview with Ziggo Sport. The Roma midfielder spoke about his surprise recall to the Netherlands squad for last summer's World Cup and the national team's progress under head coach Xavi Hernández. De Roon recalled a brief conversation with Ronald Koeman in March, when the then coach told him he was not part of his plans at that time but that something could change ahead of the World Cup. He was given no guarantees. He said he occasionally saw his name in the newspapers when there were injuries, but tried not to get his hopes up. Playing regularly at Atalanta gave him confidence, and he told Koeman simply to focus on his work and that he would be available if needed. He said he had never said goodbye to the national team. When Koeman phoned him at the end of the season, De Roon said he immediately sensed good news. He recalled being asked how he was and whether he was in form, before hearing: "For me there are no doubts, come with us". "From that moment I think I had a smile on my face until the end of the World Cup." De Roon said his mindset at this World Cup was different from 2022, when he set out aiming to play as much as possible. "Compared to 2022, when I left with the aim of playing as much as possible, this time I had a different mindset. If I could have helped the team on the pitch it would have been fantastic, but I was ready to do it off the pitch too. I had been told I was important to the group, for my attitude and the experience I could pass on. I tried to bring positive energy and always make myself available. I knew exactly what my role was and tried to live every moment to the full. Unfortunately we did not achieve the result we hoped for, but I enjoyed every single moment." He also praised the tournament's organisation in the United States: "There was some scepticism before the tournament started, but I have to say everything was organised excellently. The atmosphere was fantastic, as were the facilities. We had everything a national team could need. We trained at an extraordinary sports centre and people were happy to meet us in the street. We lacked nothing, and the mood within the group was exceptional." Looking ahead under Xavi, De Roon said he had watched two of the national team's last four matches and felt the signs were positive. "The performance against Germany pleased me, and the second half against Greece was very good. Xavi's influence is already visible, and we must look to the future with optimism. The quality is there. Perhaps what we need is a little more competitive aggression, that fierce mentality that allows the Argentinians to go beyond their limits. I see it here at Roma too with players like Molina, Dybala and Castro: off the pitch they are calm people, but when they step on to the pitch they completely transform themselves in order to win. If we manage to combine our talent with greater cohesion and mentality, sooner or later we will win again."

Radio commentators have linked AS Roma with a number of attacking targets, with Kvernadze, Gittens and Endrick named as the main options for a left-sided attacker. Speaking on Radio Radio Pomeriggio, Pugliese said: "For the trip to Parma, Svilar and Dybala will be available again. Paulo will start, while Soulé could start from the bench after his commitments with Argentina. For Roma, the most important presence remains Koné." He added that Gasperini wants three players to complete the squad: a midfielder, a wide man and the much-discussed left winger. However, Pugliese believes it is very likely Roma will only be able to sign the offensive winger. On Marten de Roon, Pugliese said there is nothing concrete yet over a new contract. The player reportedly wants to stay for another season but has not spoken with the ownership since April, and no official talks are currently taking place. Pugliese said: "The main names are Kvernadze, Gittens and Endrick, but I do not rule out some surprise." Sabatini focused on Kvernadze, saying there is a release clause of around €4 million. He said: "If Roma came in with an offer of €8-10 million, they could sign him straight away." Sabatini also said Soulé has played matches at levels similar to Dybala and that their output does not double when they play together, sometimes performing better without Paulo. On goalkeepers, he said Vásquez could have been mainly responsible for the defeat at Manchester, but conceded goals he could do little about, and that Gollini has been surprising in some games. Ferrajolo said Vásquez and Gollini conceded two goals from over 25 metres, but that Svilar's composure is a different thing. He said Gollini was unlucky because he was playing well before his injury. Ferrajolo said: "I would start with Soulé and Dybala and then bring on Mora during the game, because I do not think Dybala has 90 minutes in his legs and he needs managing." Melli said Malen has blossomed under Gasperini, having previously played mainly as a winger, which explains why he does not perform for the national team as he does at Roma. He said: "Gasperini's contribution to his growth has been fundamental." Vocalelli said everyone has scored under Gasperini, and that the decision to deploy Malen as a centre-forward was decisive. He said Dybala's absence was felt more than Svilar's, and that Vásquez saved a penalty, which was retaken, and had little responsibility for the goals conceded. Orsi praised Malen as a great player whose qualities emerge especially inside the box, describing him as a true centre-forward rather than a deep-lying striker, unlike Castro, who tends to move more outside the area. He added: "Gasperini wants to strike back against Inter."

Xavi has heaped praise on Donyell Malen ahead of the Netherlands' Nations League fixture against Greece tomorrow, saying the forward is in excellent form and that he cannot wait to see him on the pitch. Malen missed the Netherlands' games in September due to a physical problem, but he is available for this match. Speaking at his press conference, Xavi said: "He is training very well and is really in excellent form. He has shown he feels perfectly at ease. He wants to prove his potential. He is giving his best in Italy. I am trying to give him confidence because he can become important for the team." The Netherlands boss, the former Barcelona coach, is clearly keen to build the 27-year-old's role in the side. Xavi went on to praise the Roma forward's all-round game: "He has the ability to stand out, to create chances, to be the right man and then to attack the goal at the same time. So yes, he is truly a player with many qualities who strengthens our team, and I can't wait to see him on the pitch." For Roma, the comments underline Malen's growing standing with his national side while he continues his spell at the club.

Roma have reportedly put the brakes on their pursuit of Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde, according to Spanish daily SPORT, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini reportedly identifying other priorities for the squad. The update, dated 11 November, comes after Roma had been linked with the Spaniard as they look to strengthen ahead of the January transfer window. Sporting director Tony D'Amico had reportedly been weighing up Balde, a left-back who could leave Barcelona as early as January. The deal was first proposed by agent Jorge Mendes, and D'Amico reportedly rated the player's qualities positively. However, Balde's high wage demands and Roma's current market needs have reportedly cooled negotiations. Gasperini has reportedly asked the club to focus on two offensive reinforcements with very specific characteristics, and is willing to drop the Balde option to concentrate resources on other targets he considers more functional to the technical project. For now, the Spaniard has reportedly fallen off Roma's list of priorities. Earlier, on 7 November, SPORT had reported that D'Amico had already made a first contact with Balde's agent to test whether the operation was feasible. At Barcelona, the need to raise funds is reportedly colliding with head coach Hansi Flick's wish to invest in a new centre-back. With only 124 minutes played so far this season, Balde has reportedly become one of the main candidates for sale. Barcelona's valuation is said to be around €40 million, though a loan with a conditional obligation to buy could reportedly suit both sides. The background is a difficult spell for Roma. Earlier, on 23 October, Il Messaggero reported that a growing injury list, including Pellegrini, Dybala, Svilar and Koné, had left Gasperini forced to rethink his attacking midfield, with only Mora and Soulé behind Malen and Cristante even considered further forward. The club was reportedly expected to invest in at least two reinforcements between attack and the flanks in January, with Gittens and Leweling on the notebook and Endrick as a complicated option. Oosterwolde was also mentioned as a left-sided target alongside Balde.