Zago on Gasperini's winning mentality and Mora as Dybala's replacement

Roma's squad depth and the fitness of key players dominated the club's radio debate, after Lorenzo Pellegrini picked up a new injury that will keep him out for a long spell. Carina, speaking on Radio Radio, said Pellegrini had been back at a high level and that the injury was a real blow. "Gasperini had talked about 20 days for Pellegrini: this injury is a real setback. He had come on very well, he played a very good half hour at Como and also against Slovan. Now the problem is that Roma have a squad that is qualitatively important, but numerically it is missing something. Roma arrive in Napoli with 16 outfield players: 11 plus 5 substitutions, and they play every three days. And you know you have a coach like Gasperini who brings these muscle injury problems with him. If you know he is that type of coach, the squad must be 22, not 20." Pruzzo, speaking on Radio Radio, focused on the attack. He said Matías Soulé was improving but needed to step up his level, and asked what role Santiago Castro could play, as he could now be the alternative. He felt Rodrigo Mora was too far behind, and said Roma had to hope Donyell Malen did not catch a cold, otherwise things would become difficult. Pes, on Teleradio Stereo, said a wider debate had opened about the length of Pellegrini's contract and how fragile players could change the shape of the squad. He named Paulo Dybala, Pellegrini and Manu Koné as players who often stop, adding that Roma were going to Napoli with 17 outfield players, which he called very few. Mattioli, also on Radio Radio, questioned whether every club should turn to the market whenever a player is injured, asking what would happen when the regular starters returned. "Every club should take refuge in the market every time it has an injury? What happens when you recover the starters? They should have foreseen that Gasperini's training sessions were not what Roma were used to. Roma now train with a capital "A", before it was not like that." Di Giovambattista, also on Radio Radio, offered a comparison with the past: "Roma with Mourinho and Ranieri trained less: Ranieri trained the mind." Pes also said Gasperini had probably intended to skip some press conferences given the number of matches, and that the coach had wanted to keep the group together, believing it could improve this season. "On Dybala and Pellegrini he has strongly wanted to keep them." The immediate test is the trip to Napoli, where Roma will be short of outfield options. Pruzzo said the priority was to reach January still in the race, and then to sign players in the market.

Former Roma forward Daniel Fonseca says Roma can challenge Inter for the Serie A title, and that Donyell Malen is "a force of nature". Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, Fonseca, who lives in Rio de Janeiro, will split his attention between Napoli and Roma when the two meet at the Maradona tomorrow, 24 October, and he will watch the match from home. He called it a clash between two strong sides and said Gasperini has stamped his mark on Roma. "Roma are doing very well," he said. Fonseca said the match matters to both teams. "Roma would keep gaining confidence and conviction, which are very important things. For Napoli, without a win, things would start to get complicated." He added that playing Napoli at the Maradona is never easy and that Allegri always finds a way to come up with something. Fonseca also looked back on his own move from Napoli to Roma in 1994. Juventus and Milan wanted him, but he turned down Moggi. Inter also made an approach, but their offer included two players, and by then Juventus had signed Boksic. That left Franco Sensi as the only club with the money. Fonseca described the Roman fans as incredible, saying the club had always finished tenth before they qualified for European competition. On Malen, Fonseca said: "Difficult to say. He is incredible, a force of nature, nobody expected something like this." He added: "In general, strong players are always difficult to mark, because if you try to block them with a double team or a preventive marking, you end up freeing up another player." Asked whether Gasperini will press high at Napoli, he said: "He is a coach who has always played with great courage, I don't think he wants to change his identity. He will go out to win, as is right. After all, if you want to win the scudetto at Napoli, you have to go and bring home a full haul." On Roma's title hopes, he said: "Yes, they can be a nuisance to Inter right to the end. The giallorossi have embarked on this path, they are in confidence and have the quality to go all the way."

Former Roma midfielder Angelo Di Livio, speaking to Retesport, said he likes the idea of playing Wesley further forward against Napoli, with Molina dropping deeper on the same flank. Di Livio believes Gasperini will be missing two important players, including Dybala, and he questioned Lorenzo Pellegrini's latest injury, asking what fault the player had for having to stop again. Di Livio said Cristante is not well and does not think he can start. He expects Gasperini to have prepared alternative plans in midfield to cover the absences. The attacking absences of Pellegrini and Dybala in the final third are what make the idea of Wesley further up the pitch appealing to him. Di Livio expects Evan Lulli...

Roma are reportedly considering Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde as a January target to strengthen the flank, according to Il Messaggero. The club's January priorities are an attacking winger, with the club also looking at a wide midfielder or wing-back role. The interest in Balde comes alongside the possible arrival of Oosterwolde, who Roma agreed terms with before the deal fell through after he suffered a serious muscle injury. Balde is considered a perfect fit for the profile Gian Piero Gasperini wants in that position. He is not part of Hansi Flick's plans at Barcelona and has barely played for several months. Jorge Mendes, Balde's agent, could be an important ally in the negotiations. Mendes pushed last summer to bring Mora to Roma, and the super agent could therefore help facilitate this deal too.

Roma are reportedly preparing to strengthen the January transfer window after a severe injury crisis left Gian Piero Gasperini with a severely depleted squad ahead of the trip to Napoli. Il Messaggero reports that the absences of Pellegrini and Dybala, along with Svilar and Koné, have created a genuine emergency at the club, and the club is expected to spend heavily to give the coach at least two reinforcements between attack and the flanks. Gasperini is being forced to reshape the attacking midfield with only Mora and Soulé behind Malen, and has even considered moving Cristante forward. Gittens and Leweling remain on the club's shortlist, without ruling out the appealing but complicated pursuit of Endrick. On the left flank, Barcelona full-back Alejandro Balde has emerged as a major new name. He has been finding limited game time under Flick, and has been put forward by agent Jorge Mendes. His name joins that of Oosterwolde, and Roma hope to conclude signings of real quality to stay competitive and keep their season ambitions alive.

Roma's squad depth and the fitness of key players dominated the club's radio debate, after Lorenzo Pellegrini picked up a new injury that will keep him out for a long spell. Carina, speaking on Radio Radio, said Pellegrini had been back at a high level and that the injury was a real blow. "Gasperini had talked about 20 days for Pellegrini: this injury is a real setback. He had come on very well, he played a very good half hour at Como and also against Slovan. Now the problem is that Roma have a squad that is qualitatively important, but numerically it is missing something. Roma arrive in Napoli with 16 outfield players: 11 plus 5 substitutions, and they play every three days. And you know you have a coach like Gasperini who brings these muscle injury problems with him. If you know he is that type of coach, the squad must be 22, not 20." Pruzzo, speaking on Radio Radio, focused on the attack. He said Matías Soulé was improving but needed to step up his level, and asked what role Santiago Castro could play, as he could now be the alternative. He felt Rodrigo Mora was too far behind, and said Roma had to hope Donyell Malen did not catch a cold, otherwise things would become difficult. Pes, on Teleradio Stereo, said a wider debate had opened about the length of Pellegrini's contract and how fragile players could change the shape of the squad. He named Paulo Dybala, Pellegrini and Manu Koné as players who often stop, adding that Roma were going to Napoli with 17 outfield players, which he called very few. Mattioli, also on Radio Radio, questioned whether every club should turn to the market whenever a player is injured, asking what would happen when the regular starters returned. "Every club should take refuge in the market every time it has an injury? What happens when you recover the starters? They should have foreseen that Gasperini's training sessions were not what Roma were used to. Roma now train with a capital "A", before it was not like that." Di Giovambattista, also on Radio Radio, offered a comparison with the past: "Roma with Mourinho and Ranieri trained less: Ranieri trained the mind." Pes also said Gasperini had probably intended to skip some press conferences given the number of matches, and that the coach had wanted to keep the group together, believing it could improve this season. "On Dybala and Pellegrini he has strongly wanted to keep them." The immediate test is the trip to Napoli, where Roma will be short of outfield options. Pruzzo said the priority was to reach January still in the race, and then to sign players in the market.

Roma are reportedly preparing to strengthen the January transfer window after a severe injury crisis left Gian Piero Gasperini with a severely depleted squad ahead of the trip to Napoli. Il Messaggero reports that the absences of Pellegrini and Dybala, along with Svilar and Koné, have created a genuine emergency at the club, and the club is expected to spend heavily to give the coach at least two reinforcements between attack and the flanks. Gasperini is being forced to reshape the attacking midfield with only Mora and Soulé behind Malen, and has even considered moving Cristante forward. Gittens and Leweling remain on the club's shortlist, without ruling out the appealing but complicated pursuit of Endrick. On the left flank, Barcelona full-back Alejandro Balde has emerged as a major new name. He has been finding limited game time under Flick, and has been put forward by agent Jorge Mendes. His name joins that of Oosterwolde, and Roma hope to conclude signings of real quality to stay competitive and keep their season ambitions alive.

Paulo Dybala's right calf has shown a clear improvement and the discomfort has almost disappeared, good news for Gian Piero Gasperini. The Argentine could return to the bench as early as Tuesday against Cagliari, possibly for a late cameo. The initial target had been the Udinese-Roma fixture, but the recovery could therefore be brought forward. Gasperini is hoping to have him back as soon as possible following the injury to Lorenzo Pellegrini. Roma are also being talked up as genuine title contenders. Former defender Zago believes the club are fully in the race for the Scudetto, saying: "It is a strong team in every department and, together with Inter, it is the favourite for the Scudetto." He has also praised Gasperini, saying: "He has brought a winning mentality. I consider him one of the three best coaches of recent years." Zago's view is that the side can get something from the trip to Napoli, where Roma face a Napoli side in the league, given the way they have been playing recently: "If Roma play the way they have been lately, they can pull it off." The flash column, which gathers short news items, rumours, anecdotes and behind-the-scenes details from across the Giallorossi world, is published on Friday 23 October 2026. The report on Dybala's fitness comes from Corriere dello Sport, while Zago's comments were reported by Il Tempo.

Roma's squad depth and the fitness of key players dominated the club's radio debate, after Lorenzo Pellegrini picked up a new injury that will keep him out for a long spell. Carina, speaking on Radio Radio, said Pellegrini had been back at a high level and that the injury was a real blow. "Gasperini had talked about 20 days for Pellegrini: this injury is a real setback. He had come on very well, he played a very good half hour at Como and also against Slovan. Now the problem is that Roma have a squad that is qualitatively important, but numerically it is missing something. Roma arrive in Napoli with 16 outfield players: 11 plus 5 substitutions, and they play every three days. And you know you have a coach like Gasperini who brings these muscle injury problems with him. If you know he is that type of coach, the squad must be 22, not 20." Pruzzo, speaking on Radio Radio, focused on the attack. He said Matías Soulé was improving but needed to step up his level, and asked what role Santiago Castro could play, as he could now be the alternative. He felt Rodrigo Mora was too far behind, and said Roma had to hope Donyell Malen did not catch a cold, otherwise things would become difficult. Pes, on Teleradio Stereo, said a wider debate had opened about the length of Pellegrini's contract and how fragile players could change the shape of the squad. He named Paulo Dybala, Pellegrini and Manu Koné as players who often stop, adding that Roma were going to Napoli with 17 outfield players, which he called very few. Mattioli, also on Radio Radio, questioned whether every club should turn to the market whenever a player is injured, asking what would happen when the regular starters returned. "Every club should take refuge in the market every time it has an injury? What happens when you recover the starters? They should have foreseen that Gasperini's training sessions were not what Roma were used to. Roma now train with a capital "A", before it was not like that." Di Giovambattista, also on Radio Radio, offered a comparison with the past: "Roma with Mourinho and Ranieri trained less: Ranieri trained the mind." Pes also said Gasperini had probably intended to skip some press conferences given the number of matches, and that the coach had wanted to keep the group together, believing it could improve this season. "On Dybala and Pellegrini he has strongly wanted to keep them." The immediate test is the trip to Napoli, where Roma will be short of outfield options. Pruzzo said the priority was to reach January still in the race, and then to sign players in the market.