AS Roma return to the Stadio Olimpico on 17 October knowing that a strong start to the Serie A season has created a different kind of pressure. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side are third after six matches, unbeaten on 14 points and separated from the league’s early leaders by only two points.
Roma have scored 14 goals and conceded only three in their opening six Serie A matches, a record that has pushed them into the early title picture. The numbers will shape the view on betting sites, but the more immediate issue is Donyell Malen’s red card in Sunday’s goalless draw at Como. The Dutch forward has supplied six league goals already, so his expected absence against Genoa changes the task for a team that has relied heavily on his pace and directness.
The match comes after Roma host Real Madrid in Europe on Wednesday night. That makes the Genoa fixture more than a routine game against a side near the bottom of the table. It is an early test of Roma’s squad depth and their ability to keep league momentum through a demanding week.
A draw that came at a cost
Roma left Como with a point, but the afternoon became much harder after Malen was sent off in the 53rd minute. He received a straight red card for a challenge on full back Kaiki, leaving the visitors to protect the draw with ten men.
The result extended Roma’s unbeaten league run to six matches. Gasperini could point to resilience, especially as Como have made an encouraging start and sit in the top half. Roma had to defend for a long spell, with Mile Svilar again showing his value in goal.
Still, the match altered the mood around the club. A clean sheet and another point kept Roma in a strong position, yet the dismissal removed their most productive attacker from the next domestic selection.
Malen has been central to the opening weeks. His goals have given Roma a reliable outlet when opponents press high or leave space behind their defence. He can run the channels, carry the ball at speed and finish quickly after a turnover. Those qualities suit Gasperini’s football, which asks forwards to attack space early rather than wait for a slow build-up.
Roma will now need other players to carry more of that threat.
Dybala and Soulé can change the shape
Paulo Dybala moved into the central role after Malen’s departure at Como. It was a practical decision, but it also offered a glimpse of one possible solution for Genoa.
Dybala does not play the same way as Malen. He is more likely to drop between midfield and attack, look for a pass around the corner and draw defenders out of position. That can help Roma control a match at the Olimpico, particularly against opponents likely to sit deep and deny easy space.
Matías Soulé becomes even more important in that setup. The 23 year old has three Serie A goals and has provided the kind of close control that can unsettle a packed defence. If Dybala operates centrally, Soulé has a chance to attack the right side, cut inside and connect with wing backs arriving beyond him.
Santiago Castro is another option. Roma brought the Argentine in during the summer to add competition up front, and a home meeting with Genoa would be a useful chance to show that the team does not need to reshape everything around one unavailable striker.
The decision will depend partly on what happens against Real Madrid. Gasperini may need to manage minutes carefully in midweek, especially for Dybala, who remains Roma’s most inventive player in tight matches. The manager must balance the attraction of using his strongest side in Europe with the need to keep enough freshness for the league.
Genoa arrive with a need for points
Genoa have made a poor start and sit 17th after six games, with four points and 11 goals conceded. Their only league win came against Fiorentina, while defeats to Parma and Como have left them with little margin for error.
That position can make an opponent awkward. Genoa are unlikely to arrive in Rome looking for an open contest. A disciplined defensive block, long periods without the ball and quick breaks into the channels are a far more likely plan.
Roma must avoid allowing frustration to dictate the match. Their early league record has been built on a clear mix of attacking output and defensive control. They have scored in every game apart from the draw at Como, and four clean sheets in six rounds show why they are in the title conversation at this early stage.
The challenge against Genoa is to make possession count without becoming careless. When a side protects the centre of the pitch, Roma’s wing backs need to provide width and deliver quality into the area. Midfield runners also need to arrive at the right moment instead of leaving the central striker isolated against several defenders.
Set pieces could be significant too. Gianluca Mancini gives Roma a real aerial option, while players such as Bryan Cristante can attack second balls around the penalty area. A match that remains level after an hour could turn on one corner or one poorly defended free kick.
The table gives Roma a real opportunity
Roma’s league position deserves attention. Inter and Lazio are level on 16 points, while Roma are on 14, with AC Milan and Juventus close behind. It is far too early to make firm conclusions about the title race, but the opening six rounds have given Gasperini’s team a platform.
The defensive record is especially encouraging. Conceding only three goals across six fixtures gives Roma a base that many recent versions of the team lacked. Even when performances have not been perfect, they have been difficult to beat.
The attack has also spread responsibility beyond Malen. Soulé has contributed goals, while Dybala’s influence remains clear even when he is not on the scoresheet. Roma have options, but the Genoa match will show how complete those options are without their leading scorer.
Napoli away follows on 24 October, then Cagliari visit the Olimpico three days later. Dropping points against Genoa would increase the pressure before that tougher sequence. A controlled win, in contrast, would let Roma travel to Naples with their early-season belief intact.
Malen’s dismissal has made the week more complicated, but it has also given Roma an immediate chance to demonstrate that their progress is not dependent on one forward.
