Cacciamani to test himself against Roma and Gasperini after Torino contract renewal

Marten de Roon faced a hostile reception from Atalanta's ultras during yesterday's match against Cagliari, who displayed a banner criticizing his move to Roma in the final days of the transfer window. The ultras were unhappy with both his departure and his celebration at the end of Saturday's match at the Olimpico. Gasperini moved to defend his midfielder, saying: "De Roon was for many years a player who brought honour to Atalanta and the city of Bergamo. He did something extraordinary, and now it's a privilege to have him here. As soon as he finds his best condition he will be an important player. Leaving Atalanta was not his choice, he did not fit into their plans. What was he supposed to become? An old shoe locked away in a cupboard?" De Roon remains one of Gasperini's trusted lieutenants at Roma. He will miss tomorrow's match against Torino while continuing to build fitness, but Gasperini expects him to become a key midfielder once his condition improves.

Marten de Roon's departure from Atalanta to Roma continues to provoke anger among sections of the Bergamo support. The Dutch midfielder, who returned to Gian Piero Gasperini's squad in the summer transfer window after eleven seasons in nerazzurro, has been targeted again by Atalanta supporters with a banner displayed before the Atalanta–Cagliari match. The message read: "You chose to pass into our history but not to belong to it… farewell captain." The words reflect deep dissatisfaction among the fanbase over De Roon's decision to leave Bergamo for Roma, having spent eleven seasons there and serving as both captain and a symbol of the club's most important recent cycle. This is not the first display of discontent directed at the midfielder. A previous banner appeared weeks earlier during an Atalanta match against Bologna, stating: "Thank you for these 11 years, it would have been nice to say goodbye in nerazzurro." The banners underscore how De Roon's choice to depart Bergamo has left a wound among the Atalanta faithful, despite his long and decorated service to the club.

Alessandro Romano has been sold to Cagliari for €5 million plus bonuses potentially rising to €6.5 million, but the move has reignited debate about Roma's pattern of disposing of young talent at underdeveloped stages. Signed from Winterthur in 2022 for approximately €70,000, Romano had been viewed at Trigoria as a prospect with significant potential and was developed into a Serie A-standard midfielder within a few years. From a financial standpoint, the transaction is defensible: the enormous profit relative to the initial outlay is straightforward. The deeper question, however, is whether Roma will later regret the sale. The club is not alone in facing pressure to generate revenue from youth players—academies exist partly to produce economic value, and no organization can retain all its talents indefinitely while waiting to identify which ones will flourish. Roma's position has been complicated by UEFA settlement agreement obligations in recent years, making the academy a significant revenue source; since 2022, youth departures have generated tens of millions. Yet a pattern has emerged. Davide Frattesi developed into an internationally competitive midfielder away from Rome; Riccardo Calafiori represents probably Roma's greatest regret. Romano's career trajectory will determine whether Roma sold him at the right moment or too early. The concern is not that he is currently ready to displace Manu Koné or Bryan Cristante, but that a talent still developing is precisely the type a club should attempt to maintain some form of control over when possible. The issue becomes more acute when considering Emanuele Lulli, who came close to joining Avellino during the summer in a deal that could have included a loan with an option to buy. The principle remains constant: when market conditions force a club to seek resources, young players become one of the easiest paths. Romano was sold in a summer when Roma needed to generate plusvalenzas and protect players deemed central to the first team. Romano will reveal through his career whether Roma timed the sale correctly or sold too soon. The lesson from Frattesi and Calafiori should be clear: while some young talent will inevitably escape, when Trigoria develops a player with something extra, maintaining some link to his future may ultimately be worth far more than immediate profit.

Roma face Torino in Serie A on 14 September at 18:30, four days after their Champions League return, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini managing squad rotation following the trip to Istanbul. The starting XI appears largely settled, though midfield and the right flank remain open questions. Svilar will start in goal, with the familiar trio of Mancini, Ndicka and Hermoso in defence; Ghilardi is the alternative. Wesley is expected to hold the left-back spot, while the right side is contested between Lulli and Rensch, with Lulli marginally favoured, though Gasperini indicated in his press conference that his condition would need to be assessed before the match. The main shift could come in midfield. Manu Koné picked up a knee problem against Fenerbahçe, opening the door for Nicolò Pisilli to partner Bryan Cristante; Koné has attempted recovery and remains an option. Dybala and Donyell Malen are set pieces in attack, with Matías Soulé the likely choice to complete the forward line, while Rodrigo Mora stands ready either from the start or as an in-match solution. The probable Roma formation is 3-4-2-1: Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Lulli, Cristante, Pisilli, Wesley; Soulé, Dybala; Malen.

Roma's radio stations aired widespread backing for the team ahead of today's Serie A match against Torino, with key opinion-formers emphasising fitness levels and Gasperini's tactical clarity. Simone Valdarchi noted that "Gasperini has made clear once again that Dybala is the strongest and plays whenever he is fit. Torino–Roma is rightly more important than the clash with Inter." Emanuele Lulli, who suffered gastroenteritis, was in good condition yesterday and was tested on the right flank, making him the favourite ahead of Molina. Piero Torri backed Roma's chances: "With the absences of Adams and Simeone, Torino's attacking potential is reduced considerably. If Roma is the team we saw against Atalanta, I believe they have strong chances of winning today. I expect Dybala on the pitch. It's important to secure victory to arrive at full points in the big match against Inter." Riccardo Trevisani called Torino–Roma "an extremely complicated match" and ruled out major formation changes. He said: "Roma would have deserved to win 4–0 even against Atalanta. Wesley is in doubt; Molina can do well on the left for his ability to cut inside and shoot. If Gasperini sees a player is fit, he struggles to change him. The point he makes about Dybala is perfect. I don't think Gasperini will risk Koné; it's time for Pisilli." Mario Mattioli stated: "I believe the physical impact of the Champions match is relative; four days of rest are more than sufficient for perfectly trained athletes. The physical impact won't matter except perhaps in the opening minutes. I hope Castro gets used soon—it would be a shame to lose his rhythm. But I don't believe in tiredness; Roma has the numbers to impose itself, the players have entered Gasperini's system and the squad inspires confidence." Roberto Pruzzo added that Dybala is in optimal condition and that "playing on Thursday and then in the league is complicated; there's a need for Castro and Mora to be able to change the cards."

Roma face Torino on this afternoon with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini describing the fixture schedule as running at an "infernal pace". The match comes just days after Roma's away trip to Istanbul and precedes a major clash against Inter, forcing the club to manage a fixture every four days. Roma have started the season with three Serie A wins, ten goals scored and only one conceded, plus a draw in Europe against Fenerbahce, but the tight schedule now becomes the defining challenge of maintaining their league position. Paulo Dybala remains the unchanging focal point of Gasperini's tactics, with the policy clear: the Argentine plays whenever fit and rests only when he reports fatigue. Donyell Malen is confirmed alongside him, with Rodrigo Mora a strong candidate to complete the attacking trio from the start against Torino. A series of squad rotation changes are anticipated across the pitch. Wesley has recovered from a knee injury sustained in Istanbul and is available. Leonardo Balerdi, the Argentine defender, is now ready to feature regularly in defensive rotations and may start. In midfield, Marten de Roon is improving but likely to begin on the bench, while Manu Koné will attempt to be fit to play—if unavailable, Niccolò Pisilli is prepared to deputise. Lorenzo Pellegrini has returned to the squad after a previous absence.

Roma travel to Turin on 14 September with their full squad available and Lorenzo Pellegrini in the matchday group for the first time this season after a lengthy absence. The squad selection remains fluid ahead of the fixture: the defence is expected to feature Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso, but uncertainty persists across the flanks, midfield and attack. Emanuele Lulli, Devyne Rensch and Nahuel Molina are competing for a starting place on the right, while Niccolò Pisilli and Manu Koné are in contention alongside Bryan Cristante in the middle. Up front, Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora are head-to-head for selection, though Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are guaranteed starting positions. Roma carry an open run of eight consecutive Serie A victories into the match—five secured in the closing stages of last season and three in the opening rounds of the current campaign. Gian Piero Gasperini's side will pursue a ninth straight win to reclaim the league lead. The head coach faces a contrasting duel with opposing manager Ignazio Abate: Gasperini has 640 Serie A matches on his bench, placing him fifth in the all-time standings and closing in on Nils Liedholm's tally of 644. Abate, by contrast, is appearing in only his fourth Serie A match in charge. Roma Primavera, meanwhile, play at home today: at 15:00 they face Como at the Agostino Di Bartolomei ground in Trigoria, with coverage on Sportitalia. The youth side aim to remain unbeaten in the fourth matchday following a comeback victory in the Youth League against Fenerbahce. A starting confirmation is expected for Paratici with Morucci in attack, while Cama is highlighted among young players to watch closely.

Roma's radio stations aired widespread backing for the team ahead of today's Serie A match against Torino, with key opinion-formers emphasising fitness levels and Gasperini's tactical clarity. Simone Valdarchi noted that "Gasperini has made clear once again that Dybala is the strongest and plays whenever he is fit. Torino–Roma is rightly more important than the clash with Inter." Emanuele Lulli, who suffered gastroenteritis, was in good condition yesterday and was tested on the right flank, making him the favourite ahead of Molina. Piero Torri backed Roma's chances: "With the absences of Adams and Simeone, Torino's attacking potential is reduced considerably. If Roma is the team we saw against Atalanta, I believe they have strong chances of winning today. I expect Dybala on the pitch. It's important to secure victory to arrive at full points in the big match against Inter." Riccardo Trevisani called Torino–Roma "an extremely complicated match" and ruled out major formation changes. He said: "Roma would have deserved to win 4–0 even against Atalanta. Wesley is in doubt; Molina can do well on the left for his ability to cut inside and shoot. If Gasperini sees a player is fit, he struggles to change him. The point he makes about Dybala is perfect. I don't think Gasperini will risk Koné; it's time for Pisilli." Mario Mattioli stated: "I believe the physical impact of the Champions match is relative; four days of rest are more than sufficient for perfectly trained athletes. The physical impact won't matter except perhaps in the opening minutes. I hope Castro gets used soon—it would be a shame to lose his rhythm. But I don't believe in tiredness; Roma has the numbers to impose itself, the players have entered Gasperini's system and the squad inspires confidence." Roberto Pruzzo added that Dybala is in optimal condition and that "playing on Thursday and then in the league is complicated; there's a need for Castro and Mora to be able to change the cards."

Roma face Torino in the late afternoon on 14 September with a full squad available. Gian Piero Gasperini has recalled Lorenzo Pellegrini to the squad for the first time this season after an extended absence, though the manager will need to handle his reintegration gradually. All media outlets agree on the back three protecting Svilar: Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso remain unchanged. The key debate centres on the right-back position. Lulli is favoured by three of the five newspapers surveyed—Corriere della Sera, Il Tempo and Il Messaggero—all of which lineup him alongside Cristante, Pisilli, Wesley in midfield and Soulé, Dybala, Malen in attack. Corriere dello Sport instead selects Devyne Rensch, while Il Romanista opts for Nahuel Molina, who would line up with Manu Koné in place of Pisilli and Rodrigo Mora ahead of Soulé.