‘Best version of Roma, but Ferguson needs to grow’ | OneFootball

Corriere dello Sport analyses Roma’s win over Nice, highlighting that the Giallorossi put in the ‘best’ performance of the season so far, even if ‘Evan Ferguson needs to grow, and Artem Dovbyk must rediscover himself.’

Roma started their Europa League campaign with a convincing away 2-1 win in Nice on Wednesday.

Gianluca Mancini and Evan N’Dicka scored the winning goals for the Giallorossi, but strikers Dovbyk and Ferguson once again failed to impress.

Journalist impressed with Roma’s performance vs. Nice

Gianluca Mancini with the Roma third kit. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Dovbyk started for the first time this season, but was subbed off in the second half and replaced by the Irish striker, who is on loan from Brighton

“Wesley [scored] against Bologna, later Soulé [against Pisa], Pellegrini, N’Dicka and Mancini. Only Svilar, Rensch, Hermoso and Celik are missing and, in short, if Gasperini had strikers capable of putting the ball in the net, Roma wouldn’t be bad at all,” wrote Corriere dello Sport editor Ivan Zazzaroni.

Gasperini needs improvement from Roma strikers

ROME, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 21: Evan Ferguson of AS Roma argues with Reda Belahyane of SS Lazio the Serie A match between SS Lazio and AS Roma at Stadio Olimpico on September 21, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Silvia Lore/Getty Images)

“Of course, it’s still very early; five matches mean nothing. Clearly, Ferguson needs to grow, and Dovbyk must rediscover himself, but the signals coming from the pitch are not encouraging.

“That said, overall, the Roma we saw in Nice was the best of the season so far. They never ran so much, kept continuous control after the first few minutes of adjustments and once again found in Koné an extraordinary driving force and showcased a more than solid Celik, while Mancini and N’Dicka were flawless.”

Roma have also collected nine points in four Serie A matches this season.

Their next league game is at home against Hellas Verona on Sunday, September 28.