Roma are showing they can win without their best players, and that matters more than it might seem. A 2-0 victory over Genoa on Saturday lifted them to second in Serie A, just two points behind Inter, and offered a timely response to the trauma of their Champions League collapse against Real Madrid days earlier.

The Genoa win was built on squad depth and emerging talent rather than star power. Santiago Castro stepped up in the absence of Paulo Dybala, while young fullback Emanuele Lulli scored his first Serie A goal. Matias Soulé was involved in both goals, filling the creative void left by Dybala's injury. Gasperini found solutions where others might have panicked, and that is a mark of a well-organised side.

The injury situation remains a real concern. Dybala limped off at half-time against Real Madrid and is still unavailable, as is midfielder Manu Koné, who left that same game in tears in the 17th minute. Koné's tests later confirmed the injury is less severe than feared, with a return possible before the November international break. Bryan Cristante and Mile Svilar are also out, meaning Gasperini is rotating through a stretched squad.

The Real Madrid defeat still casts a shadow. Roma led 3-1 with seven minutes left before conceding three goals from corners in a collapse that drew sharp post-match exchanges between Gasperini and Mourinho. Tuesday's home Champions League fixture against Slovan Bratislava now represents a chance to stabilise in Europe.