Gasperini: ‘Roma just getting into shape, Malen beyond expectations’
ROME, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 05: Gian Piero Gasperini, Manager of Roma, looks on before the Serie A match between AS Roma and Atalanta BC at Stadio Olimpico on September 05, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Gian Piero Gasperini gives injury updates on Roma players after the Fenerbahce draw and warns they’re ‘just starting to get into shape’ to face Torino, but stands up for Marten de Roon.
It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino in Turin on Monday at 17.30 UK time (18.30 CEST).
The Giallorossi are hoping to maintain their 100 per cent record in Serie A so far this season, but were held to a Champions League 1-1 draw by Fenerbahce midweek.
Manu Koné went off injured during that match and is likely to only be on the bench tomorrow, with Lorenzo Pellegrini also getting his first call-up.
“Koné will have a test today and we’ll see, but he ought to be in the squad,” said Gasperini in his press conference.
“Wesley got a knock to the knee in Istanbul, but I have some very strong players and they can recover in two days. Emanuele Lulli had flu, but seems to be better now, so for the first time we really do have everyone.
“Nahuel Molina arrived on August 30 and skipped pre-season training with us, so he’s improving along with Rodrigo Mora and Marten De Roon, but naturally the others who started on July 13 are at more advanced fitness levels.
“Mora is a player of great talent, but he is very young and that needs to be taken into consideration. He’s not the finished article, physically or tactically. I don’t think there are many players of his age who are greater protagonists right now.”
It is the old guard who seem to be making their mark at Roma, as Donyell Malen can’t stop scoring, while Paulo Dybala has not been this consistent in years.
“It’s extraordinary the statistics around Malen, especially for his sheer consistency. I knew that signing Malen would be an important step for us, but he’s gone well beyond any expectations,” added Gasperini.
“If Dybala is fit, then he’ll always play, without doubt. If he needs to rest, then it’s right that he is given time. I don’t like talking about hierarchies of who starts, as that’s not fair to players who are giving their all. That’s not how it works in Champions League squads, because it’s not about promoting or dropping players, that just turns it into pointless controversy.”
Santiago Castro arrived over the summer from Bologna, but is yet to find the net, despite coming close a few times.
“He is an important player and I’m glad he is with us. We’ve got to get out of this mentality where if a player doesn’t start, then he’s not doing well. I am satisfied with the mentality of the team and we’re just starting to get into shape.”
The one concern for Roma is that they struggle to keep clean sheets so far this season, something that Gasperini acknowledges.
“We need a great performance against Torino and must forget the last match. Everyone is reliable, I am not dropping or freezing anyone out, so it’s about seeing how everyone is doing from one game to the next. It’s all about looking forward, there’s no time in modern football. We do have to be more focused in avoiding goals, though.”
Atalanta played last night in a 2-1 defeat to Cagliari and their ultras held up a banner insulting former icon De Roon, who surprisingly left after making a record number of appearances to reunite with Gasperini at Roma.
The banner called him a ‘bandierina’ (a corner flag), also referencing a reduced version of the name for a club icon as bandiera (flag).
“For years he held the name of Atalanta up high, he did something extraordinary with that club, both in Italy and in Europe. I want to make it clear that we are happy to have him here, but it was not his choice to leave Bergamo. He wasn’t in Atalanta’s plans, so what was he supposed to do? Not play for any other club?
“I’m glad he’s here. He’s not a small flag, he’s a whole banner covering the whole team and city,” concluded Gasperini.
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