Malen banned for one match, will miss Genoa but face Napoli

The Sporting Judge's ruling on his red card in Como-Roma means Gasperini's forward is free to play at the Maradona on 24 October.

by Gennaro SanninoTuesday 13 October, 19:11 CET· 3 hours ago

Villarreal-Napoli — Foto: sports.yahoo.com

Roma forward Malen has been handed a one-match ban by the Sporting Judge (Italian football's disciplinary panel) for the red card he picked up in Como-Roma. He will miss the next league game against Genoa, but will be back in contention for the trip to Napoli.

The lighter-than-expected sanction changes the picture ahead of 24 October at the Maradona. Malen will be available for Gasperini to pick for the big match, with Roma currently third on 14 points, two behind the leading pair of Inter and Lazio.

Napoli, eighth on 10 points after six matchdays, will reach that fixture in the middle of a busy run of European and league games. First comes the Champions League trip to Villarreal on Tuesday 13 October, then the home game against Bodø/Glimt at the Maradona on 20 October. Ticket sales for the Roma match also opened on Tuesday 13 October, with season-ticket holders and Fidelity Card members given priority before general sale.

It remains to be seen whether Gasperini will start Malen straight away on his return or manage him carefully after weeks without league football — a call that will be made closer to 24 October.