Brighton 0–0 Roma: Malen starts as Gasperini tests squad in final pre-season friendly

Roma and Inter produced one of the finest matches of the season, with both sides playing open, attacking football and matching each other blow for blow throughout. The standard of play was high enough to impress referee Davide Massa, who spoke to the two coaches at the final whistle. Exhausted after the match, Massa said to Gasperini and Chivu: "A spectacle you put on. A spectacle, well done. Thank you." He repeated his praise to the players who came to greet him after the final whistle: "Well done, good lads." The exchange reflects a broader shift in the atmosphere between referees, coaches and players at the start of this season, characterised by fewer interruptions to play, greater continuity in the game, and consequently more compelling football.

Niccolò Pisilli has become a crucial asset for Gasperini at Roma, combining industry with impact despite not yet commanding a regular starting place. In Roma's match against Torino, Pisilli played all 90 minutes and capped an excellent display with a goal in the closing stages. The midfielder also set an individual benchmark during that fixture: according to Sofascore data, he covered 12.53 km on the pitch—more than any other Serie A player that day. Pisilli's profile reflects Gasperini's approach to squad depth. Though further down the pecking order, the midfielder appears whenever called upon and steps into the starting XI when circumstances demand it. His willingness and work rate embody Roma's collective commitment, with every player subordinating himself to a single objective. The record distance covered underscores the team's defensive and transitional intensity across the match. Pisilli's performance against Torino stands as proof of Gasperini's ability to extract maximum value from every resource at his disposal. The midfielder will develop into a regular starter in time, but his current role—reliable, energetic, and decisive when it matters—has already established him as indispensable to Roma's campaign.

Radio Roma commentators delivered mixed verdicts on Roma's 2–2 draw with Inter, with opinion split between regret at surrendering a two-goal lead and admiration for the quality of the contest. Alessandro Vocalelli said the result left more disappointment about not winning than satisfaction at matching a leading team, noting that Inter lacked key players like Calhanoglu and that conceding two goals to a great side stung. Luigi Ferrajolo countered that this was the finest match of the season between the two best teams in the championship, but identified a structural flaw: Roma presses and attacks intensely for 45 minutes, then drops off. He questioned why Gasperini's side keeps conceding early in the second half. Franco Melli assessed both Roma and Inter as the best two sides in the league, though acknowledged the Nerazzurri remain ahead. Looking ahead to the fixture congestion after the international break, Piero Torri predicted Roma will need a full squad rotation. He expects Lorenzo Pellegrini, Santiago Castro and Marten de Roon to all feature, alongside continued roles for defensive mainstays Manu Koné, Gianluca Mancini and Paulo Dybala. Lorenzo Pes highlighted Wesley as the player most physically behind, having suffered an injury just days before the season began without the preparation afforded to teammates. "I saw him back, but I think the others are doing well and this break can help him," Pes said. He added that Pellegrini is still unused despite Gasperini suggesting a midfield role: "I think he could be a card to play." Roberto Pruzzo regarded Roma as a credible Inter rival, especially as the January market looms, and called the availability of Donyell Malen from the start—rather than mid-season—a positive signal. Luigi Salomone praised Roma's campaign but regretted they did not sharpen their defensive shape against Inter.

Roma continued their conditioning work at Trigoria on 22 September, refusing to ease off during the international break. The squad's next match is scheduled for 11 October against Como, but Gasperini kept the players sharp with athletic sessions despite the pause in fixtures. Among those training were Paulo Dybala and Mile Svilar, alongside several players using the stoppage to rebuild match fitness after recent struggles or late arrivals to the squad. Nahuel Molina, Marten de Roon and Lorenzo Pellegrini were the focus of Gasperini's attention during these weeks without competition. Molina, an Argentine midfielder, suffered fatigue from a long World Cup campaign but had recently rediscovered sufficient form; Gasperini aims to have him at peak condition for a demanding run of fixtures in October. De Roon, who joined late in the transfer window after being sidelined in Maurizio Sarri's plans at Atalanta, follows a similar recovery path. Pellegrini, the captain and number 7, earned his first squad call-up this season in the match against Torino and must complete his athletic rehabilitation after missing the summer preparation alongside his teammates. He will use these weeks without matches to conduct a mini pre-season programme. Also training were Pierluigi Gollini, Devyne Rensch, Vasquez and Giorgio De Marzi under Gasperini's close observation. Three players were absent: Bryan Cristante due to lower back pain, Donyell Malen with a knee complaint, and Wesley sidelined by a muscular strain.

Roma radio stations have dissected the team's opening weeks of the 2026-27 season, focusing on attacking output, midfield deployment, and the defensive lapses that cost them against Inter. Gianluca Piacentini noted that while the team has impressed overall, Santiago Castro has yet to score despite solid performances, and the attacking group has contributed only three goals total—two from Matías Soulé and one from Rodrigo Mora—leaving room for improvement. Donyell Malen, who remained in Rome during the international break, has been the standout performer among the forwards. The consensus is that Roma's attackers, particularly Castro, Soulé and Mora, would have benefited from staying at Trigoria rather than joining their national teams for what several commentators dismissed as unnecessary international fixtures. Francesca Ferrazza explained that criticism of Paulo Dybala's reduced shooting is misplaced: "Now they're criticising Dybala because he doesn't score and doesn't shoot, but in my opinion it's precisely a deliberate choice to shoot less in goal. A choice shared with the manager, by the way. To extend his season and his career, he plays for others more than for himself." The discussion around Lorenzo Pellegrini centred on tactical fit. Lorenzo Pes raised concerns about how Pellegrini will adapt to Gasperini's intensity: "What intrigues me is how he might fit into certain systems. When you play with a trequartista, that is his best position, perhaps in that role he's the best you have, but when you line up differently on the pitch I'm not sure how much he can adapt. Last season he did reasonably well but in a very different Roma—now it's much more intense. Gasperini says he can see him in midfield too, but in that role he's never actually put him there." Mario Corsi challenged the narrative around Gianluca Mancini's role in Inter's goal, pointing out that four Roma defenders were on the pitch yet failed to function as a unit. He argued the real issue is a lack of a player who can beat his man consistently. Piero Torri stressed that after the international break, Roma will need all available players, with Gasperini having stated the team must operate with a squad of 20 across a seven-match stretch. Roberto Pruzzo offered a positive assessment, noting that Malen's presence this season—absent last year—and Dybala's apparent full recovery give Roma credible tools to challenge Inter, especially once the remainder of the transfer window closes. Luigi Salomone suggested that had Roma's previous manager substituted a different forward earlier against Lazio, the result might have shifted dramatically. The international break will resume mid-October, after which Roma face a compressed fixture list in both Serie A and the Champions League that will test squad depth and tactical flexibility.

Radio Roma commentators delivered mixed verdicts on Roma's 2–2 draw with Inter, with opinion split between regret at surrendering a two-goal lead and admiration for the quality of the contest. Alessandro Vocalelli said the result left more disappointment about not winning than satisfaction at matching a leading team, noting that Inter lacked key players like Calhanoglu and that conceding two goals to a great side stung. Luigi Ferrajolo countered that this was the finest match of the season between the two best teams in the championship, but identified a structural flaw: Roma presses and attacks intensely for 45 minutes, then drops off. He questioned why Gasperini's side keeps conceding early in the second half. Franco Melli assessed both Roma and Inter as the best two sides in the league, though acknowledged the Nerazzurri remain ahead. Looking ahead to the fixture congestion after the international break, Piero Torri predicted Roma will need a full squad rotation. He expects Lorenzo Pellegrini, Santiago Castro and Marten de Roon to all feature, alongside continued roles for defensive mainstays Manu Koné, Gianluca Mancini and Paulo Dybala. Lorenzo Pes highlighted Wesley as the player most physically behind, having suffered an injury just days before the season began without the preparation afforded to teammates. "I saw him back, but I think the others are doing well and this break can help him," Pes said. He added that Pellegrini is still unused despite Gasperini suggesting a midfield role: "I think he could be a card to play." Roberto Pruzzo regarded Roma as a credible Inter rival, especially as the January market looms, and called the availability of Donyell Malen from the start—rather than mid-season—a positive signal. Luigi Salomone praised Roma's campaign but regretted they did not sharpen their defensive shape against Inter.

Roma radio stations have dissected the team's opening weeks of the 2026-27 season, focusing on attacking output, midfield deployment, and the defensive lapses that cost them against Inter. Gianluca Piacentini noted that while the team has impressed overall, Santiago Castro has yet to score despite solid performances, and the attacking group has contributed only three goals total—two from Matías Soulé and one from Rodrigo Mora—leaving room for improvement. Donyell Malen, who remained in Rome during the international break, has been the standout performer among the forwards. The consensus is that Roma's attackers, particularly Castro, Soulé and Mora, would have benefited from staying at Trigoria rather than joining their national teams for what several commentators dismissed as unnecessary international fixtures. Francesca Ferrazza explained that criticism of Paulo Dybala's reduced shooting is misplaced: "Now they're criticising Dybala because he doesn't score and doesn't shoot, but in my opinion it's precisely a deliberate choice to shoot less in goal. A choice shared with the manager, by the way. To extend his season and his career, he plays for others more than for himself." The discussion around Lorenzo Pellegrini centred on tactical fit. Lorenzo Pes raised concerns about how Pellegrini will adapt to Gasperini's intensity: "What intrigues me is how he might fit into certain systems. When you play with a trequartista, that is his best position, perhaps in that role he's the best you have, but when you line up differently on the pitch I'm not sure how much he can adapt. Last season he did reasonably well but in a very different Roma—now it's much more intense. Gasperini says he can see him in midfield too, but in that role he's never actually put him there." Mario Corsi challenged the narrative around Gianluca Mancini's role in Inter's goal, pointing out that four Roma defenders were on the pitch yet failed to function as a unit. He argued the real issue is a lack of a player who can beat his man consistently. Piero Torri stressed that after the international break, Roma will need all available players, with Gasperini having stated the team must operate with a squad of 20 across a seven-match stretch. Roberto Pruzzo offered a positive assessment, noting that Malen's presence this season—absent last year—and Dybala's apparent full recovery give Roma credible tools to challenge Inter, especially once the remainder of the transfer window closes. Luigi Salomone suggested that had Roma's previous manager substituted a different forward earlier against Lazio, the result might have shifted dramatically. The international break will resume mid-October, after which Roma face a compressed fixture list in both Serie A and the Champions League that will test squad depth and tactical flexibility.

Radio Roma commentators delivered mixed verdicts on Roma's 2–2 draw with Inter, with opinion split between regret at surrendering a two-goal lead and admiration for the quality of the contest. Alessandro Vocalelli said the result left more disappointment about not winning than satisfaction at matching a leading team, noting that Inter lacked key players like Calhanoglu and that conceding two goals to a great side stung. Luigi Ferrajolo countered that this was the finest match of the season between the two best teams in the championship, but identified a structural flaw: Roma presses and attacks intensely for 45 minutes, then drops off. He questioned why Gasperini's side keeps conceding early in the second half. Franco Melli assessed both Roma and Inter as the best two sides in the league, though acknowledged the Nerazzurri remain ahead. Looking ahead to the fixture congestion after the international break, Piero Torri predicted Roma will need a full squad rotation. He expects Lorenzo Pellegrini, Santiago Castro and Marten de Roon to all feature, alongside continued roles for defensive mainstays Manu Koné, Gianluca Mancini and Paulo Dybala. Lorenzo Pes highlighted Wesley as the player most physically behind, having suffered an injury just days before the season began without the preparation afforded to teammates. "I saw him back, but I think the others are doing well and this break can help him," Pes said. He added that Pellegrini is still unused despite Gasperini suggesting a midfield role: "I think he could be a card to play." Roberto Pruzzo regarded Roma as a credible Inter rival, especially as the January market looms, and called the availability of Donyell Malen from the start—rather than mid-season—a positive signal. Luigi Salomone praised Roma's campaign but regretted they did not sharpen their defensive shape against Inter.

Twelve Roma players have been called up to their respective national teams during the international break, leaving Trigoria semi-empty: Ghilardi, Mancini, Balerdi, Soulé, Castro, Mora, Pisilli, Lulli, De Marzi, Koné, N'Dicka and Koulierakis will join their countries. Bryan Cristante, Donyell Malen and Wesley will remain in Rome, though their physical problems are not causing concern and they are expected to be available for the return fixture against Como. The extended pause—roughly twenty days of useful preparation—will allow many players to recover and recharge before a demanding run of fixtures begins. Marten de Roon, who arrived at the club in the closing stages of the transfer window, stands to benefit significantly from the break. The midfielder is not yet at full fitness and has yet to start a match under Gasperini, partly due to the coach's reluctance to rotate and partly because he accumulated zero minutes in his first two appearances under Sarri at Bergamo over the summer. De Roon is an established Gasperini player who understands the manager's tactical demands, and he is gradually carving out space in the Roma squad. The upcoming international break will provide crucial recovery time before the club faces an intense fixture schedule after the Como match, when the depth of the full squad will be needed.

Serie A's governing body has issued disciplinary sanctions following the latest round of fixtures. Roma's Evan N'Dicka, Daniele Ghilardi and Konstantinos Koulierakis have each received yellow cards from the Sports Judge. The Roma club itself was fined €3,000 for supporters throwing two firecrackers onto the pitch during the match. Inter received a total fine of €4,000: €3,000 for supporters directing an offensive chant at the opposing team's manager in the 45th minute of the second half, and a further €1,000 for supporters throwing a small bottle onto the pitch.

Gianluca Mancini has become the subject of fierce criticism on social media after losing possession 50 metres from goal in Roma's recent match against Inter, a mistake that led to Lautaro Martinez scoring to reopen the contest. The backlash has been swift and unforgiving, with supporters on social networks reversing their judgment of a player they had celebrated for his derby heroics, his displays of the Roma flag to the Curva Sud, and his willingness to cut his salary to remain at the club. The shift in sentiment mirrors a broader contemporary football phenomenon: judgement rendered from the armchair, divorced from the physical realities of elite sport. The article notes that Mancini's mistake, while real, did not directly assist Inter's goal—the team had to develop the play further before Martinez finished with a technical strike. Beyond that single error, his display against Inter was not disastrous. A week earlier, at Turin, Mancini had been among Roma's best performers; in the 93rd minute, with the team defending a narrow advantage and several players exhausted, he fought on the sideline and contributed the decisive work in the build-up to Niccolò Pisilli's goal that made it 2–0. In seven days, he has moved from catalyst to liability in the court of online opinion. The article invokes a point made by Daniele De Rossi: "From the armchair everyone is good. Because from the armchair there is no tiredness, pressure, preventive marking, seventy metres covered in transition, heavy legs or opponents earning millions precisely because they know how to exploit mistakes." Mancini may indeed be fatigued; recent displays have offered subtle signs. With the arrival of Leonardo Balerdi and Konstantinos Koulierakis, coach Gian Piero Gasperini now has defensive alternatives and the freedom to rotate. The article emphasises that Gasperini, not social media, must decide whether Mancini plays less—and that decision should come from observing him in training and matches, not from a frozen frame posted on social media. The difference between critiquing an error and declaring a player suddenly incapable remains meaningful, the article concludes, "at least until the next match."

Twelve Roma players have been called up to their respective national teams during the international break, leaving Trigoria semi-empty: Ghilardi, Mancini, Balerdi, Soulé, Castro, Mora, Pisilli, Lulli, De Marzi, Koné, N'Dicka and Koulierakis will join their countries. Bryan Cristante, Donyell Malen and Wesley will remain in Rome, though their physical problems are not causing concern and they are expected to be available for the return fixture against Como. The extended pause—roughly twenty days of useful preparation—will allow many players to recover and recharge before a demanding run of fixtures begins. Marten de Roon, who arrived at the club in the closing stages of the transfer window, stands to benefit significantly from the break. The midfielder is not yet at full fitness and has yet to start a match under Gasperini, partly due to the coach's reluctance to rotate and partly because he accumulated zero minutes in his first two appearances under Sarri at Bergamo over the summer. De Roon is an established Gasperini player who understands the manager's tactical demands, and he is gradually carving out space in the Roma squad. The upcoming international break will provide crucial recovery time before the club faces an intense fixture schedule after the Como match, when the depth of the full squad will be needed.