Argentina routs Burkina Faso 7–0; Castro and Soulé make debuts

Donyell Malen will be fit and ready for Roma's fixture against Como in a week's time, having recovered from the knee issue that ruled him out of the Netherlands' international commitments. The Dutch forward is hunting a second consecutive goal after finding the net in his previous outing. Malen's only goalless performance since joining Roma came last season on 15 March, when he scored a penalty that Como overturned through Douvikas and Diego Carlos in a 2–1 defeat. That setback aside, his output has been extraordinary. Gasperini has been pushing him further, saying: "No one thought the numbers could be like this. I always tell him what he's done isn't enough—someone scored 36 in the past. But if he reaches 30, I'm happy." The coach's reference points are Gonzalo Higuaín and Ciro Immobile, who hold the Serie A seasonal goal record. Malen is outpacing both at a rate of 1.20 goals per match, having enjoyed a better campaign start than either. Reaching 30 goals would set an all-time Roma record in Serie A; the current benchmark belongs to Edin Dzeko, who scored 29 times in the 2016–17 season.

Roma's women's team secured a comfortable 3–1 victory over Lazio in the Derby della Capitale at Tre Fontane, bouncing back after a heavy defeat to Barcelona in their Women's Champions League opener. Goals from Doms (41'), Corelli (71') and Pilgrim (87') put the match beyond doubt, with Monnecchi scoring for Lazio in the 94th minute. The result extends Roma's winning streak in the league to two consecutive victories, following their opening-day triumph against Sassuolo. Manager Gianpiero Piovani's side dominated the encounter, conceding only a late consolation goal.

Bryan Cristante's absence through injury poses Roma's first serious tactical problem of the season, forcing Gian Piero Gasperini to decide not just who replaces him but how the midfield will function without him. Cristante has been one of the squad's most-used players and, as Gasperini described him at the Festival dello Sport, operates as the team's "control room"—providing positioning, reading, coverage and defensive balance that allows Manu Koné to focus on breaking lines and driving forward. Simply inserting the next midfielder from the bench will not replicate those functions. Gasperini has three principal options. Marten de Roon, familiar with the coach's system from their time together, would offer the most conservative approach: changing the player while preserving the team's on-field balance. Niccolò Pisilli, a product of Roma's academy, brings running power, aggression and attacking thrust, but would require Koné to shoulder greater responsibility in defensive positioning. A third path would shift Koné lower into the holding role he has played for France, giving Pisilli more freedom. The choice carries extra weight because Como, managed by Cesc Fabregas, will build from the back and draw out opposition pressure—exactly where Cristante's absence could prove most costly. Gasperini has already stated he expects both teams to play to win, demanding both aggression in winning the ball back and composure once the initial press breaks. The fixture at Como represents more than three points. Until now, Gasperini has established clearly defined hierarchies within his squad; now he must demonstrate multiple ways to maintain the same equilibrium. With nine matches in 28 days ahead, Gasperini will need to confirm that his "control room" can function through different circuits. De Roon guarantees continuity, Pisilli raises tempo and vertical play, Koné can shift roles. The solution chosen will signal what kind of Roma the coach envisions when real rotation begins.

Matías Soulé and Santiago Castro made their official Argentina debuts in a 7–0 victory over Burkina Faso, with Leonardo Balerdi also featuring for the Albiceleste. All three Roma players came off the bench in the second half: Soulé and Balerdi were substituted on at the 46th minute when Argentina already led 5–0, while Castro replaced Lautaro Martínez at the 69th minute. The goals came from Lautaro Martínez (two), Prestianni, Nico Paz, Julián Álvarez, Mastantuono and Giuliano Simeone. For Castro, the Roma number 9, the appearance held particular significance as his first senior international cap. He marked the occasion with a post on Instagram celebrating the milestone, writing: "There are moments that stay with you forever, and today I had the chance to live one. Wearing this shirt for the first time and representing my country is a pride difficult to explain. Thank you to everyone who accompanied me on this journey. As a child I dreamed of this moment, and today I can say it came true. An unforgettable day. May it be the first of many." For Soulé, the appearance was equally momentous—a first senior call-up and debut for Argentina after joining Roma in summer 2024. Balerdi, who arrived at the club in the same window, continues to develop his international presence alongside his club commitments.

Matías Soulé and Santiago Castro made their senior Argentina debuts in a commanding 7-0 victory over Burkina Faso at the Monumental, with Leonardo Balerdi also featuring in the second half. Argentina had already settled the contest by half-time, leading 5-0. Lautaro Martínez, Gianluca Prestianni, Nico Paz, Julián Álvarez, Franco Mastantuono and Giuliano Simeone scored, along with an own goal from Moumouni Diallo. Coach Lionel Scaloni used the second period to rotate his squad. Soulé and Balerdi entered immediately after the interval, while Castro came on in place of Lautaro Martínez in the 69th minute. Soulé played 45 minutes in his debut, Castro featured for just over 20 minutes and struck the woodwork late in the match, while Balerdi completed the full second half in a fixture where Argentina's defence faced minimal pressure. Burkina Faso fielded a largely Under-23 side following logistical chaos that engulfed their senior team. A charter flight organised from Morocco suffered a technical fault, forcing the federation to arrange their youth squad's late replacement. The African delegation arrived in Buenos Aires just five hours before kick-off after nearly 12 hours of travel. For Roma, the significance lies in Soulé and Castro's successful debuts with the Selección, and Balerdi adding a further 45 minutes at national team level. Argentina's next match will be against Benin, an occasion marking Lionel Messi's farewell to international football.

Matías Soulé could make his Argentina debut in a friendly against Burkina Faso on the night of 3 October, after remaining on the bench for the 4–0 win over Bolivia despite praise from coach Scaloni in the build-up. The Burkina Faso side is expected to arrive in Argentina only hours before the match at the Monumental in Buenos Aires, despite logistical difficulties. Soulé, wearing number 18 for Roma, may start alongside Enzo Fernández and Medina after watching from the sidelines at Córdoba. Leonardo Balerdi, the third Roma player in the Argentina squad, was the only one to feature in the Bolivia match on Thursday 1 October and is now pushing to challenge Martínez for a defensive spot. Santiago Castro is also pressing for a first-team opportunity but faces competition from Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez in the forward line. ESPN Argentina reported on Soulé's prospects, while Olé covered Balerdi's claims on the defence.

Matías Soulé and Santiago Castro made their official Argentina debuts in a 7–0 victory over Burkina Faso, with Leonardo Balerdi also featuring for the Albiceleste. All three Roma players came off the bench in the second half: Soulé and Balerdi were substituted on at the 46th minute when Argentina already led 5–0, while Castro replaced Lautaro Martínez at the 69th minute. The goals came from Lautaro Martínez (two), Prestianni, Nico Paz, Julián Álvarez, Mastantuono and Giuliano Simeone. For Castro, the Roma number 9, the appearance held particular significance as his first senior international cap. He marked the occasion with a post on Instagram celebrating the milestone, writing: "There are moments that stay with you forever, and today I had the chance to live one. Wearing this shirt for the first time and representing my country is a pride difficult to explain. Thank you to everyone who accompanied me on this journey. As a child I dreamed of this moment, and today I can say it came true. An unforgettable day. May it be the first of many." For Soulé, the appearance was equally momentous—a first senior call-up and debut for Argentina after joining Roma in summer 2024. Balerdi, who arrived at the club in the same window, continues to develop his international presence alongside his club commitments.

Matías Soulé and Santiago Castro made their senior Argentina debuts in a commanding 7-0 victory over Burkina Faso at the Monumental, with Leonardo Balerdi also featuring in the second half. Argentina had already settled the contest by half-time, leading 5-0. Lautaro Martínez, Gianluca Prestianni, Nico Paz, Julián Álvarez, Franco Mastantuono and Giuliano Simeone scored, along with an own goal from Moumouni Diallo. Coach Lionel Scaloni used the second period to rotate his squad. Soulé and Balerdi entered immediately after the interval, while Castro came on in place of Lautaro Martínez in the 69th minute. Soulé played 45 minutes in his debut, Castro featured for just over 20 minutes and struck the woodwork late in the match, while Balerdi completed the full second half in a fixture where Argentina's defence faced minimal pressure. Burkina Faso fielded a largely Under-23 side following logistical chaos that engulfed their senior team. A charter flight organised from Morocco suffered a technical fault, forcing the federation to arrange their youth squad's late replacement. The African delegation arrived in Buenos Aires just five hours before kick-off after nearly 12 hours of travel. For Roma, the significance lies in Soulé and Castro's successful debuts with the Selección, and Balerdi adding a further 45 minutes at national team level. Argentina's next match will be against Benin, an occasion marking Lionel Messi's farewell to international football.

Marco Materazzi, the former Inter player and 2006 World Cup winner with Italy, has publicly backed Gianluca Mancini as the best defender in Serie A. Speaking at the Trento Festival to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Materazzi demonstrated his affection for the Roma defender, whom he has long been an idol to — Mancini wears the number 23 both for Roma and for Italy in tribute. Mancini is no stranger to Materazzi's admiration. When asked to rank Serie A's top defenders, Materazzi named Mancini ahead of Bisseck, Rrahmani, Akanji, Chalobah, Pavlovic, Balerdi, Ramón, Solet, Gila, Hermoso and Alaba. For Balerdi he noted: "You know he's a fan of mine and I'm his idol, so Mancini." On Gila he said: "I can't vote for a Milanista." When it came to Inter players, however, Materazzi's heart took over. Asked to choose between Mancini and John Stones, he replied: "Stones, he's Inter." The English defender prevailed over Scalvini and Bremer, but ultimately finished behind Alessandro Bastoni in Materazzi's final ranking.