Como players saw more international action than Roma's squad ahead of Serie A restart

Donyell Malen was a special guest at the Stadio Tre Fontane on 30 September 2026, attending Roma Women's debut in the UEFA Women's Champions League against Barcelona. The Roma forward arrived with his partner Delisha and took a seat in the stands. When spotted by supporters, he stopped to sign autographs and pose for photographs with fans of all ages. Roma's social media captured his arrival at the stadium. Malen's presence at the fixture had a particular purpose: to watch his partner's sister, Silver Van Hetten, who has recently signed with Roma's women's youth academy (Primavera femminile). Van Hetten will train and compete alongside the Roma Women squad.

Manu Koné addressed speculation about a potential move away from Roma during a France national team press conference ahead of their match against Italy on Friday 2 October at 20:45. The midfielder acknowledged the late summer transfer window interest but reaffirmed his commitment to the club. "Things happened… I'm at Roma, I'm focused, we have objectives. I'm a Roma player and I'll give 100% for this club," Koné said. Roma are preparing to mark their centenary year, which begins in 2027. The club will launch the celebrations at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday 2 January when they face Frosinone. In a significant gesture, Roma will wear a special one-off commemorative shirt for that fixture—a kit designed exclusively to honour the club's hundred years since foundation and distinct from the kits that will be used throughout the 2027–28 season. Midfielder Nicolò Pisilli spoke separately about a recurring date in his career. "10 October is my date—it's a day bringing me luck in recent years," he told Vivo Azzurro TV in the Generazione Azzurra format. "In 2024 I made my senior Italy debut at the Olimpico, my club's stadium and my home city. In 2025 I scored my first Under-21 double." Pisilli added that his ambitions include winning a Serie A title with Roma and a World Cup with Italy.

Portugal are one step away from qualifying for the next Under-21 European Championship. Tonight's match against Gibraltar at 21:00 is effectively a decider, with Rodrigo Mora confirmed in the starting lineup wearing the number 10. The Roma midfielder will be keen to play a leading role as Portugal look to secure qualification. Victory would take Portugal to 22 points, four clear of the Czech Republic who have already completed their fixtures. With only one round of matches remaining in qualifying Group B, a win would guarantee Portugal's place at the Euros and secure them as group winners, earning automatic passage to the tournament.

Manu Koné addressed speculation over his Roma future while on international duty with France ahead of a Nations League match against Italy on Friday 2 October at 20:45. Speaking in a press conference before training, the midfielder acknowledged transfer interest during the summer window but confirmed his commitment to the club. "For me some things happened, but I am at Roma, I am focused," Koné said. "What happened has happened. I give 100% for this club, I will give everything to meet expectations, and that is all." Koné joined Roma on loan with an obligation to buy from Borussia Mönchengladbach in August 2024. The midfielder has become a regular fixture in Gian Piero Gasperini's squad this season and reflected on his development since arriving in Italian football at age 23. "Coming to Italy brought maturity to my playing style," he explained. "I became more focused. Tactically I did not have the abilities I have now. I also improved energy management, which made me the player I am today. I was going through a difficult period at Borussia Mönchengladbach (where I played from 2021 to 2024) and Roma sought me out; I am very grateful to them." Koné also discussed his recent performance at defensive midfield for France against Turkey. "A midfielder must be able to play anywhere," he said. "I have already played in that position, several times at my previous clubs, but also at Roma. It is not something that changes much for me; I enjoyed it. It was a fairly complicated match, with different demands, especially in terms of duels, so I think I tried to be up to the situation. I manage my matches based on the squad and I was asked to contribute to a certain style of play. I try to give my best and I am very proud of myself." Teammates Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante, both Roma players, have told him that Friday's match against Italy will be important, and Koné expects France to focus on their own performance rather than their opponents' current difficulties.

Roma radio commentators have weighed in on squad selection for the fixture on 11 October, with particular focus on players on international duty with Argentina. Lorenzo Pes of Teleradiostereo stated that Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina did not force their way into the Buenos Aires trip for Lionel Messi's farewell, and there will be no lasting friction from the club's decision to keep them in Rome. Pes added: "The players did not push to be in Buenos Aires for Messi's goodbye. Roma has a delicate and important match on 11 October and the club's statement shows the strength of the ownership." Simone Valdarchi of Radio Manà Manà predicted Gian Piero Gasperini will make tactical adjustments based on the return of Argentina internationals. He suggested Santiago Castro poses no selection problem in attack, as he would not have dislodged Donyell Malen anyway. In defence, Valdarchi expects Mario Hermoso's continued presence at Trigoria, Evan N'Dicka's early return, and the measured workload of Gianluca Mancini to mean Leonardo Balerdi will not start. He forecast the usual competition between Matías Soulé for a forward berth. Pes also reflected on Lorenzo Pellegrini's form, stating: "Pellegrini did not fully meet expectations. His first year under Mourinho went very well, then he stopped a bit. He has not managed to capture people's hearts." Rome's radio coverage underscores the complexity of balancing international commitments with domestic fixture demands.

Bryan Cristante remains Gian Piero Gasperini's fixture in midfield at Roma, continuing a pattern that has defined his tenure across multiple managers. A midfielder often criticised by supporters but consistently deployed by coaches—from Di Francesco, Ranieri, Fonseca, Mourinho, De Rossi and Juric to Gasperini, who praised him as a roaming attacking midfielder during his time at Bergamo—Cristante has again started the season strongly. He scored on Roma's return to the Champions League and delivered positive displays from the opening Serie A fixture, with a standout first-half performance against Inter alongside Manu Koné, where he matched the quality of the Nerazzurri's midfield. Gasperini awaits Cristante's return following back problems that prevented him from answering Italy national team manager Mancini's call-up. The midfielder's durability and physical presence have made him an indispensable shield in midfield across successive regimes, valued for both his structural contribution and reading of the game without the ball. His prominence this season underscores his continued importance to Roma's tactical setup.

Italy bounced back from their defeat to Belgium with a 4-1 away victory over Turkey in the Nations League on 28 September, claiming their opening three points of the competition. Bastoni, Frattesi and Kayode scored three goals in the opening thirty minutes before Yilmaz halved the deficit early in the second half. Pio Esposito restored Italy's three-goal lead to seal the win. Daniele Ghilardi spent all 90 minutes on the bench, while Gianluca Mancini was not included in the squad at all. France beat Belgium 1-0 on the same day with Oliver Olise scoring in the 88th minute. Manu Koné came off the bench in the closing moments as a replacement for Da Cunha in that fixture. Italy's next Nations League fixture is scheduled for Friday against France.

Italy take on Turkey in the Nations League second round after a heavy defeat to Belgium on Friday, with manager Vincenzo Montella in charge. Daniele Ghilardi starts on the bench, while Gianluca Mancini has not been called up to the squad. Bastoni and Scalvini form the central defensive pairing, with a front three comprising the Esposito brothers and Raspadori. In parallel, Manu Koné is unavailable for France's match against Belgium, with Como midfielder Da Cunha starting in his place. The absences of both Roma players reflect the demands of the international calendar during the Nations League group phase.

Italy defeated Turkey 4–1 in a Nations League fixture at Belediye Stadyumu in Bursa on 28 September 2026, with goals from Bastoni, Frattesi, Kayode and Pio Esposito. The result came in the second matchday, with Italy seeking to recover after a home loss to Belgium. Kayode and Sebastiano Esposito made their debuts for the national team, while Ruggeri also earned a first cap. Roberto Mancini's side established control early: Bastoni opened the scoring from a corner in the ninth minute, Frattesi doubled the lead in the 22nd minute after Kayode's initial effort was parried, and Kayode himself added the third in the 27th. Turkey reduced the deficit through Yilmaz in the 47th minute before Pio Esposito headed in a fourth from Tonali's rebound in the 51st minute. From a Roma perspective, Gianluca Mancini was not included in the Italy squad, while Daniele Ghilardi was named on the bench. The match was significant for Italy's Nations League campaign, with a win essential to avoid relegation to League B. Turkey, managed by Vincenzo Montella, had lost their opening fixture to France. Italy's lineup featured Donnarumma in goal with Kayode at right-back, Scalvini and Bastoni as centre-backs, and Ruggeri at left-back. Frattesi, Tonali and Fagioli operated in midfield, with Raspadori, Pio Esposito and Sebastiano Esposito in attack. Italy's bench included Ghilardi, Calafiori, Di Lorenzo, Mandragora, Romano, Doumbia, Cambiaghi, Vergara, Kean and Scamacca.

Evan N'Dicka has recovered from a hamstring injury sustained in the derby against Lazio and has now re-established himself as a key player for Ivory Coast's defence. The Roma defender missed all four matches of his country's World Cup campaign but has since featured in two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, recording outstanding individual displays in victories over Ghana and Somalia, both ending 2–0. N'Dicka was sidelined by injury for Roma's match against Torino but came on as a substitute in the club's last fixture before the international break, the meeting with Inter. At Trigoria, head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is monitoring the defender's progress as he manages competition for places in the Roma defence. Leonardo Balerdi, a recent arrival, has already won over the Roma fanbase, but Gasperini has repeatedly stated that there is no formal hierarchy in defence—selection depends on form and match fitness. Against Ghana six days ago, N'Dicka made 99 touches, functioning almost as a midfielder. He recorded four defensive blocks, one interception, one blocked shot and seven recoveries, with 91% passing accuracy across 78 successful passes from 86 attempts (per SofaScore) and one key pass that went unconverted. Against Somalia, the 1999-born player asserted his physical dominance, winning 100% of his aerial duels—six from six. He made five recoveries and two interceptions with a crucial defensive clearance, maintaining 97% passing accuracy with only three errors across 90 attempts.

Matías Soulé is thriving under Gasperini's system after a strong start to the 2026–27 season. The 23-year-old has scored two goals and provided one assist in his first five league matches, matching his output from the same stage last season. The improvement comes after a difficult first year at Roma—his first goal arrived at the eleventh match in 2024–25, and his progress was further disrupted by a two-month pubalgia injury that cost him a place in the World Cup. This season, continuity is the aim. Last summer he began brilliantly and was the team's top scorer before Malen's arrival, but the injury derailed his campaign. Now, with Scaloni's new Argentina cycle underway, Soulé has been recalled to the national squad and is a candidate for a starting place against Bolivia. He previously made clear his commitment to Argentina: "No to Italy, I want only the Selección." Off the pitch, the birth of his first son, Bautista, has added to a golden spell. Soulé will be among the last to return from international duty, alongside Balerdi and Castro. Argentina play a friendly against Benin on 6 October, with Roma players due back at Trigoria on 8 October—just 72 hours before the fixture against Como. That tight turnaround concerns Gasperini, who has an open selection battle with Rodrigo Mora. Soulé has started the last three matches, but the Portuguese midfielder is pressing for inclusion, particularly if Gasperini opts for a 3-4-1-2 formation. The coach has time to settle on his team; Soulé's focus now is delivering for Argentina.

Roma radio commentators have weighed in on squad selection for the fixture on 11 October, with particular focus on players on international duty with Argentina. Lorenzo Pes of Teleradiostereo stated that Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina did not force their way into the Buenos Aires trip for Lionel Messi's farewell, and there will be no lasting friction from the club's decision to keep them in Rome. Pes added: "The players did not push to be in Buenos Aires for Messi's goodbye. Roma has a delicate and important match on 11 October and the club's statement shows the strength of the ownership." Simone Valdarchi of Radio Manà Manà predicted Gian Piero Gasperini will make tactical adjustments based on the return of Argentina internationals. He suggested Santiago Castro poses no selection problem in attack, as he would not have dislodged Donyell Malen anyway. In defence, Valdarchi expects Mario Hermoso's continued presence at Trigoria, Evan N'Dicka's early return, and the measured workload of Gianluca Mancini to mean Leonardo Balerdi will not start. He forecast the usual competition between Matías Soulé for a forward berth. Pes also reflected on Lorenzo Pellegrini's form, stating: "Pellegrini did not fully meet expectations. His first year under Mourinho went very well, then he stopped a bit. He has not managed to capture people's hearts." Rome's radio coverage underscores the complexity of balancing international commitments with domestic fixture demands.