Benítez: Como–Roma will reveal the true Inter challenger

Alberto Aquilani, a former Roma midfielder, has expressed confidence in the club's championship prospects ahead of the resumption of Serie A. Speaking to Il Messaggero, Aquilani praised both the squad and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, saying Roma have the strength and depth to compete for the title. "Very strong and complete squad," Aquilani said of Roma. "It got off to the right start, it can fight for the top." On Gasperini's impact at the club, Aquilani was emphatic in his assessment: "For what he has done and communicated, he is a master—he is one in what he does. He revolutionised the way we play with all-round pressing, with his way of understanding the match and I think also training. He is an innovator." Aquilani's endorsement reflects the optimism surrounding Roma's campaign this season, with particular emphasis on Gasperini's tactical innovations and influence over the squad's approach to matches.

Radio pundits across Rome's major stations offered contrasting views on Roma's immediate prospects and Serie A title race as Gian Piero Gasperini's side prepares for a difficult run of fixtures. The central debate centred on Roma's chances against Como in the coming days and their broader credentials this season, with several voices backing the team to succeed despite midfield concerns. Lorenzo Pes argued that Roma has the tools to win both the Como match and later the Real Madrid fixture, though he cautioned against rushing Lorenzo Pellegrini back too soon. "I don't really expect Pellegrini to start, even though the Como match calls more for a trequartista," Pes said. "But putting a player who hasn't played since mid-April into a match that will be very intense doesn't seem wise." Mario Corsi framed Gasperini's anxiety around injury prevention as evidence of the manager's belief in the squad's potential. "Gasperini has a terror of losing players to injury," Corsi explained, "because he is convinced that this Roma with all its full complement can do something frightening. The injury to Cristante is not a tragedy; the tragedies would be injuries to Malen, Dybala or Svilar." Other contributors highlighted the volatility of post-international-break football. Fabio Petruzzi noted that both Como and Roma had individual duels to determine the outcome: "Where is the mismatch? Perhaps the head, how you prepare psychologically. I see Gasperini calm. He is a pain in the neck, in the good sense of the term, but he transmits tranquility to me; he seems like someone who knows he has something important in his hands." Alessio Nardo recalled Roma's poor record returning from breaks, citing defeats to Torino (0–1 in September), Inter (0–1 in October) and a 5–2 loss at San Siro in March of the previous season. On the title race, Roberto Pruzzo held firm to the view that Inter held a structural advantage despite a compressed table. "Despite the league being very tight at the moment, I still think Inter has 10 points of advantage over the others, but then it must put those points together and that isn't easy." Nando Orsi disagreed sharply, countering that Roma had nearly closed the gap and positioning the two teams as the likeliest contenders for the championship, with Como as a dark horse.

Evan N'Dicka is no longer an automatic pick at Roma, a shift underlined by competition from Leonardo Balerdi since the Argentine's arrival at Trigoria this season. The Ivorian defender, previously relied upon across multiple coaching regimes from José Mourinho to Gian Piero Gasperini, faces a genuine rival for his place — a change entirely new to his Roma experience. The two have never started together so far this season, though they have appeared in the same match during Roma's games against Fenerbahçe and Inter. Against Fenerbahçe, N'Dicka started while Balerdi entered at the 74th minute; against Inter, Balerdi started and was replaced at the 66th minute, with N'Dicka coming on at the 60th. The shift reflects both Balerdi's rapid impact with the club and the improved defensive depth now available to Gasperini — something previous coaches lacked, forcing them to stretch N'Dicka repeatedly. Though the defender has responded well overall with only occasional dips in form, this season brings a structural change. Roma have a four-day window before facing Como, who sit three points behind the Giallorossi in the table, but standings matter less than Gasperini's stated priority: finding consistency, confirming performance quality, and cementing the entire squad's ability to operate at the required level. The head coach has made clear there are no fixed hierarchies and no automatic starters, which has allowed him to rotate the defence more freely than his predecessor could — particularly when Roma attack, he can modify the back line without severely compromising the team. N'Dicka's position has not been helped by what the article describes as a condition not yet optimal and occasional minor errors. The numbers tell the story: the starting berth he held as untouchable throughout his Roma career is now genuinely contested. With Balerdi not yet back from continental travel, N'Dicka will look to the Como match to regain top form and reassert himself in Gasperini's plans, aiming to reclaim the indispensable role he has always held at the club.

Radio pundits across Rome's major stations offered contrasting views on Roma's immediate prospects and Serie A title race as Gian Piero Gasperini's side prepares for a difficult run of fixtures. The central debate centred on Roma's chances against Como in the coming days and their broader credentials this season, with several voices backing the team to succeed despite midfield concerns. Lorenzo Pes argued that Roma has the tools to win both the Como match and later the Real Madrid fixture, though he cautioned against rushing Lorenzo Pellegrini back too soon. "I don't really expect Pellegrini to start, even though the Como match calls more for a trequartista," Pes said. "But putting a player who hasn't played since mid-April into a match that will be very intense doesn't seem wise." Mario Corsi framed Gasperini's anxiety around injury prevention as evidence of the manager's belief in the squad's potential. "Gasperini has a terror of losing players to injury," Corsi explained, "because he is convinced that this Roma with all its full complement can do something frightening. The injury to Cristante is not a tragedy; the tragedies would be injuries to Malen, Dybala or Svilar." Other contributors highlighted the volatility of post-international-break football. Fabio Petruzzi noted that both Como and Roma had individual duels to determine the outcome: "Where is the mismatch? Perhaps the head, how you prepare psychologically. I see Gasperini calm. He is a pain in the neck, in the good sense of the term, but he transmits tranquility to me; he seems like someone who knows he has something important in his hands." Alessio Nardo recalled Roma's poor record returning from breaks, citing defeats to Torino (0–1 in September), Inter (0–1 in October) and a 5–2 loss at San Siro in March of the previous season. On the title race, Roberto Pruzzo held firm to the view that Inter held a structural advantage despite a compressed table. "Despite the league being very tight at the moment, I still think Inter has 10 points of advantage over the others, but then it must put those points together and that isn't easy." Nando Orsi disagreed sharply, countering that Roma had nearly closed the gap and positioning the two teams as the likeliest contenders for the championship, with Como as a dark horse.

Como-Roma ranks among the most anticipated fixtures of Serie A's sixth round, resuming after the international break. Rafa Benitez, the former Napoli and Inter manager, has framed the encounter between Como's Cesc Fabregas and Roma's Gian Piero Gasperini as a potential statement match. Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Benitez said: "I imagine it spectacular, fought over, rich in tactical solutions and inventions." Benitez believes the match will offer crucial readings on the league's pecking order without being decisive in itself. "It won't certainly be a knockout match, but an anti-Inter contender can in some way emerge. They are the two most credible teams to sit alongside the Italian champions," he explained. He highlighted Roma's expression of Gasperini's tactical vision: full-court football, high pressing, and immediate vertical passes. The former coach also noted the stylistic similarities between the two sides—strong squads united in the pursuit of spectacle and guided by tactically aligned managers despite their age difference. Benitez singled out Roma's attacking threat. "An attacker like Malen, exalted by the schemes and devastating; Dybala who has returned to his levels; Koné in midfield who demolishes and pushes; Rodrigo Mora who comes in and breaks things. When they are well, you struggle to hold them," he said. He equally praised Como's young talent under Fabregas, citing Nico Paz, Baturina, Ramon—described as defending with the naturalness of a thirty-year-old despite being only 21—and Da Cunha as standouts.

As Roma prepare for Sunday's trip to Como, former manager Rafa Benitez has outlined the match as a crucial test in the title race. Benitez described Roma as "the expression of Gasp: football at full pace, high pressing, immediate vertical passes", singling out the squad for praise ahead of a fixture he believes will offer significant pointers in the race to stay alongside the defending champions. Como striker Moise Kean returned early from international duty with a muscular strain, missing Turkey's match, but optimism is growing at the club that he will be available by Sunday; he will be managed carefully in the coming days. Nico Paz is also expected back at Mozzate on Thursday from Argentina. Legend Giuseppe Giannini analysed Como's tactical approach, identifying how Roma might exploit it. "The team of Fabregas has a purely Spanish style of play, based on ball possession and a dense network of passes," Giannini said. "And it is precisely in the nature of the Giallorossi to break up the opposition's play and launch the counter-attack." He highlighted Manu Koné's growing importance to the side's balance and tactical system, noting that his recent brace against Inter has added a new dimension to his threat in the penalty area. Benitez reserved specific praise for four Roma players: "Malen is devastating, Dybala has returned to his levels, Koné demolishes and pushes, Rodrigo Mora comes in and breaks the game. When they are well, you struggle to contain them."

Radio pundits across Rome's major stations offered contrasting views on Roma's immediate prospects and Serie A title race as Gian Piero Gasperini's side prepares for a difficult run of fixtures. The central debate centred on Roma's chances against Como in the coming days and their broader credentials this season, with several voices backing the team to succeed despite midfield concerns. Lorenzo Pes argued that Roma has the tools to win both the Como match and later the Real Madrid fixture, though he cautioned against rushing Lorenzo Pellegrini back too soon. "I don't really expect Pellegrini to start, even though the Como match calls more for a trequartista," Pes said. "But putting a player who hasn't played since mid-April into a match that will be very intense doesn't seem wise." Mario Corsi framed Gasperini's anxiety around injury prevention as evidence of the manager's belief in the squad's potential. "Gasperini has a terror of losing players to injury," Corsi explained, "because he is convinced that this Roma with all its full complement can do something frightening. The injury to Cristante is not a tragedy; the tragedies would be injuries to Malen, Dybala or Svilar." Other contributors highlighted the volatility of post-international-break football. Fabio Petruzzi noted that both Como and Roma had individual duels to determine the outcome: "Where is the mismatch? Perhaps the head, how you prepare psychologically. I see Gasperini calm. He is a pain in the neck, in the good sense of the term, but he transmits tranquility to me; he seems like someone who knows he has something important in his hands." Alessio Nardo recalled Roma's poor record returning from breaks, citing defeats to Torino (0–1 in September), Inter (0–1 in October) and a 5–2 loss at San Siro in March of the previous season. On the title race, Roberto Pruzzo held firm to the view that Inter held a structural advantage despite a compressed table. "Despite the league being very tight at the moment, I still think Inter has 10 points of advantage over the others, but then it must put those points together and that isn't easy." Nando Orsi disagreed sharply, countering that Roma had nearly closed the gap and positioning the two teams as the likeliest contenders for the championship, with Como as a dark horse.

Como-Roma ranks among the most anticipated fixtures of Serie A's sixth round, resuming after the international break. Rafa Benitez, the former Napoli and Inter manager, has framed the encounter between Como's Cesc Fabregas and Roma's Gian Piero Gasperini as a potential statement match. Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Benitez said: "I imagine it spectacular, fought over, rich in tactical solutions and inventions." Benitez believes the match will offer crucial readings on the league's pecking order without being decisive in itself. "It won't certainly be a knockout match, but an anti-Inter contender can in some way emerge. They are the two most credible teams to sit alongside the Italian champions," he explained. He highlighted Roma's expression of Gasperini's tactical vision: full-court football, high pressing, and immediate vertical passes. The former coach also noted the stylistic similarities between the two sides—strong squads united in the pursuit of spectacle and guided by tactically aligned managers despite their age difference. Benitez singled out Roma's attacking threat. "An attacker like Malen, exalted by the schemes and devastating; Dybala who has returned to his levels; Koné in midfield who demolishes and pushes; Rodrigo Mora who comes in and breaks things. When they are well, you struggle to hold them," he said. He equally praised Como's young talent under Fabregas, citing Nico Paz, Baturina, Ramon—described as defending with the naturalness of a thirty-year-old despite being only 21—and Da Cunha as standouts.

As Roma prepare for Sunday's trip to Como, former manager Rafa Benitez has outlined the match as a crucial test in the title race. Benitez described Roma as "the expression of Gasp: football at full pace, high pressing, immediate vertical passes", singling out the squad for praise ahead of a fixture he believes will offer significant pointers in the race to stay alongside the defending champions. Como striker Moise Kean returned early from international duty with a muscular strain, missing Turkey's match, but optimism is growing at the club that he will be available by Sunday; he will be managed carefully in the coming days. Nico Paz is also expected back at Mozzate on Thursday from Argentina. Legend Giuseppe Giannini analysed Como's tactical approach, identifying how Roma might exploit it. "The team of Fabregas has a purely Spanish style of play, based on ball possession and a dense network of passes," Giannini said. "And it is precisely in the nature of the Giallorossi to break up the opposition's play and launch the counter-attack." He highlighted Manu Koné's growing importance to the side's balance and tactical system, noting that his recent brace against Inter has added a new dimension to his threat in the penalty area. Benitez reserved specific praise for four Roma players: "Malen is devastating, Dybala has returned to his levels, Koné demolishes and pushes, Rodrigo Mora comes in and breaks the game. When they are well, you struggle to contain them."

Como-Roma ranks among the most anticipated fixtures of Serie A's sixth round, resuming after the international break. Rafa Benitez, the former Napoli and Inter manager, has framed the encounter between Como's Cesc Fabregas and Roma's Gian Piero Gasperini as a potential statement match. Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Benitez said: "I imagine it spectacular, fought over, rich in tactical solutions and inventions." Benitez believes the match will offer crucial readings on the league's pecking order without being decisive in itself. "It won't certainly be a knockout match, but an anti-Inter contender can in some way emerge. They are the two most credible teams to sit alongside the Italian champions," he explained. He highlighted Roma's expression of Gasperini's tactical vision: full-court football, high pressing, and immediate vertical passes. The former coach also noted the stylistic similarities between the two sides—strong squads united in the pursuit of spectacle and guided by tactically aligned managers despite their age difference. Benitez singled out Roma's attacking threat. "An attacker like Malen, exalted by the schemes and devastating; Dybala who has returned to his levels; Koné in midfield who demolishes and pushes; Rodrigo Mora who comes in and breaks things. When they are well, you struggle to hold them," he said. He equally praised Como's young talent under Fabregas, citing Nico Paz, Baturina, Ramon—described as defending with the naturalness of a thirty-year-old despite being only 21—and Da Cunha as standouts.

As Roma prepare for Sunday's trip to Como, former manager Rafa Benitez has outlined the match as a crucial test in the title race. Benitez described Roma as "the expression of Gasp: football at full pace, high pressing, immediate vertical passes", singling out the squad for praise ahead of a fixture he believes will offer significant pointers in the race to stay alongside the defending champions. Como striker Moise Kean returned early from international duty with a muscular strain, missing Turkey's match, but optimism is growing at the club that he will be available by Sunday; he will be managed carefully in the coming days. Nico Paz is also expected back at Mozzate on Thursday from Argentina. Legend Giuseppe Giannini analysed Como's tactical approach, identifying how Roma might exploit it. "The team of Fabregas has a purely Spanish style of play, based on ball possession and a dense network of passes," Giannini said. "And it is precisely in the nature of the Giallorossi to break up the opposition's play and launch the counter-attack." He highlighted Manu Koné's growing importance to the side's balance and tactical system, noting that his recent brace against Inter has added a new dimension to his threat in the penalty area. Benitez reserved specific praise for four Roma players: "Malen is devastating, Dybala has returned to his levels, Koné demolishes and pushes, Rodrigo Mora comes in and breaks the game. When they are well, you struggle to contain them."

Roma have resumed training at Trigoria following a three-day break granted by head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, with preparations underway for Sunday's big match against Como. Gasperini has welcomed back most of the squad's international players. Italian internationals Gianluca Mancini, Daniele Ghilardi, Niccolò Pisilli and Emanuele Lulli, along with Evan N'Dicka, Konstantinos Koulierakis and young goalkeeper Giorgio De Marzi, completed recovery work. Manu Koné was expected to rejoin training today, with Rodrigo Mora to follow. Leonardo Balerdi, Matías Soulé and Santiago Castro attended Lionel Messi's farewell celebration with the Argentine national team during the night. The three Argentina internationals are due back in Rome tomorrow, though Gasperini is likely to see them on the pitch on Friday.