Castro and Soulé earn first Argentina caps

Konstantinos Koulierakis earned widespread praise from Greek media after producing a commanding display in Greece's 0–0 draw against Germany yesterday, a result that kept the Greek national team top of a competitive group also featuring the Netherlands and Serbia. Playing alongside Mavrapanos, the Roma defender contained the attacking threats of Wirtz and his teammates in a performance described as a defensive wall. It was a high-profile outing for a player who has struggled for league minutes at Roma since the club signed him when Wolfsburg were relegated. Gasperini and sporting director D'Amico had targeted him during the transfer window despite initially looking for a winger rather than a central defender; his profile had been tracked for several years, and the opportunity to bring him to the capital proved irresistible. At Roma, Koulierakis has featured in precseason but has been limited in Serie A action, totalling just 22 minutes against Fiorentina and 9 minutes against Inter. The competition is fierce, with Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso forming the starting trio and Balerdi and Ghilardi also in the squad. However, Gasperini has mentioned Koulierakis in recent press conferences as an example of a player who will receive greater playing time as the fixture schedule intensifies. At 1.88 metres tall, the left-footed defender is a solid, physical presence strong in anticipation, aerial play and marking, though he must refine his aggression and continue learning Gasperini's defensive requirements. His strengths include ball-playing ability alongside his defensive attributes. Koulierakis is part of a new generation lifting Greek football, alongside fellow young players Tzolakis, Karetsas, Mouzakitis, Koustolas, Tzolis, Douvikas and Pavlidis.

Matías Soulé has turned a turbulent summer into one of the brightest periods of his Roma career. Within days, the forward celebrated the birth of his first child and earned his maiden cap for Argentina, coming on at half-time in a friendly against Burkina Faso alongside Roma teammate Leonardo Balerdi. The moment, witnessed by his family in the stands, marked the culmination of a dramatic reversal in his fortunes at the club. From the end of last season through the recent transfer window, Soulé had been repeatedly linked with a departure. Roma considered him both a potential source of revenue ahead of the 30 June deadline and a possible sacrificial chip to fund moves for different attacking profiles. Despite multiple approaches from other clubs, neither Roma nor Soulé's representatives received offers they deemed adequate, and he remained at Trigoria under Gian Piero Gasperini's management. A complete recovery from the pubic pain that had hampered his performances in the second half of the 2025-26 season has accelerated his turnaround. In this opening stretch of the 2026-27 campaign, Soulé has claimed a prominent role in Gasperini's tactical setup. Across six matches in Serie A and the Champions League, he has started in four of them, rotating with Rodrigo Mora as support for Paulo Dybala and striker Donyell Malen. His impact has been immediate: he has scored against Atalanta and Lecce. Since joining Roma from Juventus for an investment of nearly €30 million, he has made 87 appearances, recording 14 goals and 14 assists. After his appearance in the celebratory match marking Lionel Messi's international retirement, Soulé will return to Rome to prepare for the upcoming away fixture at Como.

Roma sporting director Tony D'Amico has reopened contact with the representatives of Endrick, Real Madrid's Brazilian forward, during the international break to explore the 18-year-old's availability. Endrick has indicated openness to joining Roma, though AC Milan remain active competitors for his signature. Both clubs had conducted extensive checks on the player during the summer transfer window, but then-Real Madrid manager José Mourinho blocked any departure. Endrick's opening weeks at Madrid have been hampered by a muscle injury that disrupted his pre-season. The left-footed Brazilian has accumulated only four minutes of competitive football in the white shirt, a shortage of playing time that has prompted him to consider alternative options. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has identified the player as his preferred solution to a long-standing search for an attacking midfielder to operate on the centre-left, behind the main striker. Gasperini envisions using Endrick in that hybrid role to support play and create chances for Donyell Malen, a pairing the coach believes would deliver unpredictability, acceleration and lethal finishing. Roma are studying a deal structure centred on a loan with a purchase option, a formula consistent with the club's commitment to financial balance. The opportunities to accelerate negotiations will come soon: Roma and Real Madrid meet at the Stadio Olimpico on 14 October for a Champions League match. The arrival of Real Madrid's leadership in the capital will allow D'Amico to enter substantive talks and attempt to move the transfer forward.

Roma's Under-23 side is no longer a concept. Following John Galantic's announcement at the Festival dello Sport in Trento, the Friedkin Group is developing the intermediate step between the Primavera and first team that currently does not exist, matching the structure already in place at Juventus, Atalanta, Milan and Inter. Galantic said: "We need more Lulli and more Pisilli, we must invest in the youth academy. And then we need a growth stage between Primavera and first team. So we need an Under-23 side." The project aims to prevent the academy's best products from being sold or loaned out during the most sensitive phase of their development, while also incorporating possible synergies with Cannes. Two major obstacles remain. The first is the stadium: Tre Fontane does not currently meet all necessary requirements, and Roma is evaluating a renovation. The alternative is Stadio Stella Polare, the ground used by Ostiamare. The second concerns the cost of the operation. The total investment needed is estimated at around 20 million euros, with annual running costs between 2.5 and 3.5 million euros for salaries, staff, travel and logistics. Serie C admission requires a non-repayable contribution of 720,000 euros, provided a place becomes available in the league. While significant, this investment aligns with the club's sustainability strategy and is viewed favourably under UEFA financial rules. The Under-23 would allow Roma to manage directly the development of young players, filling the gap that often emerges when a player outgrows the Primavera but is not yet ready for regular Serie A football. The club's philosophy reflects this commitment: forming more players at Trigoria, guiding them toward professional football, and making the academy a structural component of the sporting and economic project. This approach is evident in recent recruitment, with signings including Rodrigo Mora, Koulierakis, Vaz and Santiago Castro, all with significant development potential.

Roma are planning to establish an under-23 team in Serie C to bridge the gap between their youth academy and first team. Chief Executive Galantic announced the initiative at the Festival dello Sport, stating: "We will create an under-23 team to launch new young players. It is not enough to live only on player sales. We need more Lulli and more Pisilli — we have to focus on the youth academy." The club has studied the model already implemented by Juventus, Milan, Inter and Atalanta. The Friedkin Group has been considering this transition from Primavera to under-23 football for around two years, partly to avoid situations like the Romano case. Two key elements remain to be resolved in the coming months. First, a suitable stadium: Tre Fontane currently does not meet all requirements and is being evaluated for restructuring, with Stella Polare — where Ostiamare play — as an alternative. Second, the financial investment, estimated at around €20 million, plus average annual spending of €3 million for salaries, logistics and travel, plus registration fees. Galantic also noted possible synergies with Cannes, also owned by the Friedkin Group. The total outlay is considered "virtuous" by UEFA and would support the club's financial fair play position. Roma's recent transfer activity has focused on young talent. From January onwards, the club signed Rodrigo Mora (19), Konstantinos Koulierakis (22), Vaz (19) and Santiago Castro (21). Future winter market targets include profiles such as Van Bommel, Endrick, Kvernadze and Bakola. Meanwhile, Matías Soulé and Castro have earned their first Argentina national team caps.

Roma and AC Milan have both set their sights on Endrick, the Brazilian forward seeking greater opportunities after limited playing time at his current club. The Milan side hold a slight advantage in the race to sign him, with the competition expected to intensify in the coming weeks. Castro and Soulé, both Roma players, marked special nights with their debuts for Argentina's national team. Castro struck the post during the match, while Soulé produced several noteworthy moments. The pair now await Argentina's fixture against Benin, which will also serve as Lionel Messi's farewell appearance with the national team. Back at Roma, Gasperini is preparing the squad for an upcoming match against Como at the Sinigaglia stadium. Fabregas, Como's manager, recently offered praise for the Roma coach. Gasperini has also turned his attention beyond the Como fixture, directing a message toward Gattuso.

Konstantinos Koulierakis earned widespread praise from Greek media after producing a commanding display in Greece's 0–0 draw against Germany yesterday, a result that kept the Greek national team top of a competitive group also featuring the Netherlands and Serbia. Playing alongside Mavrapanos, the Roma defender contained the attacking threats of Wirtz and his teammates in a performance described as a defensive wall. It was a high-profile outing for a player who has struggled for league minutes at Roma since the club signed him when Wolfsburg were relegated. Gasperini and sporting director D'Amico had targeted him during the transfer window despite initially looking for a winger rather than a central defender; his profile had been tracked for several years, and the opportunity to bring him to the capital proved irresistible. At Roma, Koulierakis has featured in precseason but has been limited in Serie A action, totalling just 22 minutes against Fiorentina and 9 minutes against Inter. The competition is fierce, with Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso forming the starting trio and Balerdi and Ghilardi also in the squad. However, Gasperini has mentioned Koulierakis in recent press conferences as an example of a player who will receive greater playing time as the fixture schedule intensifies. At 1.88 metres tall, the left-footed defender is a solid, physical presence strong in anticipation, aerial play and marking, though he must refine his aggression and continue learning Gasperini's defensive requirements. His strengths include ball-playing ability alongside his defensive attributes. Koulierakis is part of a new generation lifting Greek football, alongside fellow young players Tzolakis, Karetsas, Mouzakitis, Koustolas, Tzolis, Douvikas and Pavlidis.

Roma's defensive record has become one of the Serie A's most impressive assets under Gian Piero Gasperini, continuing the momentum built in the previous season. The team has conceded just 5 goals in the opening 6 matches of the 2026-27 campaign, averaging 0.83 per game—a rate that mirrors the defensive solidity of last season, when Roma finished with the second-best defence in the league after shipping 31 goals across the campaign. The strength lies not in defensive caution but in an aggressive approach to ball recovery. Roma leads Serie A in regains on the attacking third, averaging 11.8 balls won per match in the final third of the pitch. This high pressing directly feeds the attack: the side has created 17 shots directly from possession won in advanced areas. Mile Svilar has anchored a centre-back unit that Gasperini can rotate among six centrals of comparable quality—a tactical advantage as Roma juggle domestic and European fixtures. Ahead of the trip to Como, international commitments will shape team selection. Evan N'Dicka is primed for a starting berth at centre-back after representing Ivory Coast, expected back at Roma's training ground Trigoria on Tuesday and able to complete a full week under Gasperini's staff. Leonardo Balerdi will not arrive until Thursday following Argentina's South American duties, limiting his availability. Konstantinos Koulierakis, who has managed only 22 minutes of action so far, stands to gain further opportunity as the congested fixture schedule develops across the coming weeks.

Gian Piero Gasperini has praised Roma's defensive unit as a group of "gladiators", a characterization that reflects the rearguard's emergence as one of Serie A's strongest this season. After five matches, Roma's defence ranks among the league's best, a position earned through sustained excellence rather than a single run of form. Roma's back line finished last season in second place defensively, conceding 31 goals across the campaign—an average of 0.82 per match—behind only Como, who managed 29. Como, however, has since conceded six goals in five matches this season, underlining the durability of Roma's defensive structure. The strength of the unit rests on both tactical discipline and personnel. Roma's high pressing game, played man-to-man across the pitch, generates consistent pressure. The four central defenders—Evan N'Dicka, Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Balerdi and Mario Hermoso—represent an exceptional collection; no other Serie A club, including defending champions Inter, can match that calibre at centre-back. Supporting them is goalkeeper Mile Svilar. The defensive setup is further bolstered by fullbacks Daniele Ghilardi and Konstantinos Koulierakis, creating a unit built to sustain both offensive recovery and positional solidity.

Konstantinos Koulierakis earned widespread praise from Greek media after producing a commanding display in Greece's 0–0 draw against Germany yesterday, a result that kept the Greek national team top of a competitive group also featuring the Netherlands and Serbia. Playing alongside Mavrapanos, the Roma defender contained the attacking threats of Wirtz and his teammates in a performance described as a defensive wall. It was a high-profile outing for a player who has struggled for league minutes at Roma since the club signed him when Wolfsburg were relegated. Gasperini and sporting director D'Amico had targeted him during the transfer window despite initially looking for a winger rather than a central defender; his profile had been tracked for several years, and the opportunity to bring him to the capital proved irresistible. At Roma, Koulierakis has featured in precseason but has been limited in Serie A action, totalling just 22 minutes against Fiorentina and 9 minutes against Inter. The competition is fierce, with Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso forming the starting trio and Balerdi and Ghilardi also in the squad. However, Gasperini has mentioned Koulierakis in recent press conferences as an example of a player who will receive greater playing time as the fixture schedule intensifies. At 1.88 metres tall, the left-footed defender is a solid, physical presence strong in anticipation, aerial play and marking, though he must refine his aggression and continue learning Gasperini's defensive requirements. His strengths include ball-playing ability alongside his defensive attributes. Koulierakis is part of a new generation lifting Greek football, alongside fellow young players Tzolakis, Karetsas, Mouzakitis, Koustolas, Tzolis, Douvikas and Pavlidis.

Roma's defensive record has become one of the Serie A's most impressive assets under Gian Piero Gasperini, continuing the momentum built in the previous season. The team has conceded just 5 goals in the opening 6 matches of the 2026-27 campaign, averaging 0.83 per game—a rate that mirrors the defensive solidity of last season, when Roma finished with the second-best defence in the league after shipping 31 goals across the campaign. The strength lies not in defensive caution but in an aggressive approach to ball recovery. Roma leads Serie A in regains on the attacking third, averaging 11.8 balls won per match in the final third of the pitch. This high pressing directly feeds the attack: the side has created 17 shots directly from possession won in advanced areas. Mile Svilar has anchored a centre-back unit that Gasperini can rotate among six centrals of comparable quality—a tactical advantage as Roma juggle domestic and European fixtures. Ahead of the trip to Como, international commitments will shape team selection. Evan N'Dicka is primed for a starting berth at centre-back after representing Ivory Coast, expected back at Roma's training ground Trigoria on Tuesday and able to complete a full week under Gasperini's staff. Leonardo Balerdi will not arrive until Thursday following Argentina's South American duties, limiting his availability. Konstantinos Koulierakis, who has managed only 22 minutes of action so far, stands to gain further opportunity as the congested fixture schedule develops across the coming weeks.

Gian Piero Gasperini has praised Roma's defensive unit as a group of "gladiators", a characterization that reflects the rearguard's emergence as one of Serie A's strongest this season. After five matches, Roma's defence ranks among the league's best, a position earned through sustained excellence rather than a single run of form. Roma's back line finished last season in second place defensively, conceding 31 goals across the campaign—an average of 0.82 per match—behind only Como, who managed 29. Como, however, has since conceded six goals in five matches this season, underlining the durability of Roma's defensive structure. The strength of the unit rests on both tactical discipline and personnel. Roma's high pressing game, played man-to-man across the pitch, generates consistent pressure. The four central defenders—Evan N'Dicka, Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Balerdi and Mario Hermoso—represent an exceptional collection; no other Serie A club, including defending champions Inter, can match that calibre at centre-back. Supporting them is goalkeeper Mile Svilar. The defensive setup is further bolstered by fullbacks Daniele Ghilardi and Konstantinos Koulierakis, creating a unit built to sustain both offensive recovery and positional solidity.