Cristante and Pellegrini: united in difficult moments

Matías Soulé has backed Lionel Messi as the leading candidate for the 2026 Ballon d'Or after being called up to Argentina's squad during the international break. The Roma forward was intercepted by journalists upon his arrival in South America and asked for his assessment of Messi's candidacy for the award. Soulé told ESPN: "He deserves it for everything he did at the World Cup. The truth is he's a phenomenon. I don't know if he'll win it or not, but while he plays he will always be the number one candidate." Soulé has made an impressive start to the 2026-27 season with Roma and earned his place among Argentina's latest international call-ups.

Leonardo Balerdi has earned his recall to Argentina's national team after recovering from the injury that forced him to miss the World Cup, and will feature in upcoming friendlies. Intercepted by reporters at the airport before joining the national team's camp, the Roma defender spoke about his opening weeks in giallorosso and his emotion at returning to international football. Bareldi, who joined Roma in the current transfer window, has made a smooth transition to Italian football and credited the club's welcome. He acknowledged the comparison drawn by head coach Gian Piero Gasperini to Franco Baresi, but stressed his own approach: "They changed the meaning of the words a bit. He was referring above all to the characteristics Baresi had. I stay calm, humble and continue my journey. At Roma they welcomed me very well, even the Argentine lads, which helped me greatly. The truth is I'm very happy—I was very keen to play in Serie A." Bareldi said he had not yet spoken with Lionel Messi but was eager to meet him at camp, calling his final international appearance "important for Leo" and "the best thing that could happen to me." He praised Nicolas Otamendi as a role model and reflected on a recent Inter match: "I already knew him, so I knew it would be complicated… and it was! But it was a good match against Inter." On the lingering disappointment of his World Cup absence, he said: "Obviously I was left with a strong desire to wear this shirt again. It's a new challenge."

Leonardo Balerdi has reclaimed his place in the Argentina national squad after being forced to miss the last World Cup through injury. The Roma centre-back, who has made a strong start to the season with the club, spoke to reporters on his arrival in his home country, saying: "I had a huge desire to come back. That's why returning here represents a new challenge for me and I have to face it in the right way." His comments underscored his disappointment at the absence from the World Cup, which he was unable to attend due to a calf injury to his right leg. The 25-year-old has impressed Roma during the opening weeks of the 2026–27 campaign. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has drawn comparisons between Balerdi and Franco Baresi, though Balerdi was quick to clarify the context of those remarks. Balerdi said: "They changed the sense of the words a bit. He was referring mainly to the characteristics that Baresi had. I stay calm, humble and continue with my path." He also praised his integration at Roma, noting the presence of fellow Argentine players has aided his transition. "Rome welcomed me very well. There are Argentine lads, which has helped me a lot. The truth is I'm very happy—I really wanted to play in Serie A," he said. Bareldi expressed enthusiasm about Messi's final appearance for Argentina, saying: "I wanted to be here for this too. To be here, at an important moment for Leo. For us he's the maximum example, being here is the best thing that could have happened to me." He also paid tribute to Otamendi's influence as a senior defender and reflected on a recent match against Lautaro: "I already knew him, so I knew it would be complicated and it was, but it was a great match."

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.

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."

Roma radio stations analysed the club's 2–2 draw with Inter, with discussion centring on squad fitness and tactical depth ahead of a busy fixture schedule. The match was widely praised for its quality, though opinions differed on whether Roma should feel satisfied or regretful. Lorenzo Pes, speaking on Tele Radio Stereo, highlighted Wesley's physical condition as a concern. "The one who seems most in difficulty at a physical level is Wesley," Pes said. "He had the injury a few days before the season started and didn't have a chance to begin like the others. I saw him behind, but I think the others are in good shape and this break can help him." Pes also noted that Gasperini has suggested using Lorenzo Pellegrini in midfield, though he has not yet deployed him in that role during matches. Franco Melli judged Roma and Inter the two best teams in the league, with Inter still holding the edge. Luigi Ferrajolo identified the match as the season's finest but warned of structural issues: "The problem with Roma is duration. They press and attack frenetically for 45 minutes, then drop. Gasperini must also understand why so many goals are being conceded early in the second half." Alessandro Vocalelli suggested Roma's regret stemmed from failing to win rather than pride in a competitive display. Roberto Pruzzo framed Roma as credible title contenders, noting that the arrival of Donyell Malen from the start rather than mid-season strengthens the squad alongside Paulo Dybala's strong form. Piero Torri projected intense rotation in the coming weeks. "Roma will play seven matches in 20 days on returning from the break," he said, "and will need everyone. I expect all players to see action, including and especially Lorenzo Pellegrini, who has finally found form and will be an extra weapon in both the league and the Champions League. The same for Castro—he will start some matches. De Roon too. Perhaps Koulierakis in rotations, Mora, and so on. Some will remain starters because they are solid foundations of Gasperini's fixed formation, like Koné, Mancini and Dybala, but I expect significant turnover."

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.

Lorenzo Pellegrini can use the three-week international break to rediscover his form and become a crucial player for Roma under Gian Piero Gasperini. The halt in fixtures offers the midfielder time to reset and prepare for the second phase of the season, with the break potentially proving as beneficial as bringing in a new signing. Pellegrini remains a central part of Gasperini's Roma project. The international pause provides an opportunity to work on fitness, shape and tactical understanding ahead of the resumption of matches. For Roma, having Pellegrini firing on all cylinders could prove decisive as the season develops. The break comes at a significant moment in Roma's campaign. With Gasperini's philosophy now fully embedded in the squad, Pellegrini's ability to influence play and drive the team forward will be essential to the club's ambitions in the coming weeks.

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.

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.

Paulo Dybala has played more minutes than ever before under Gian Piero Gasperini this season, but the Argentine forward has yet to find the back of the net as he works his way back to full sharpness. According to Leggo, Dybala ranks third for minutes played across the 2026-27 campaign with 497 minutes, behind only Bryan Cristante and Mario Hermoso, a sign of the physical condition and extra work he has put in. The breakthrough comes after a difficult injury history: Dybala had missed 49 matches since joining in 2022, but has remained unbroken since late April. Gasperini hopes to restore Dybala's finishing touch to lift Roma's level. Dybala has effectively provided one assist per match played but the club now needs him to score to turn individual consistency into collective success.

Roma arrive at the international break on the back of an almost perfect start to the season. Gasperini's side sit top of the table with four wins in five league matches, and have impressed with a near-miss against Serie A champions Inter plus a valuable draw away at Fenerbahçe in the Champions League. During the three-week break between matchday five and matchday six, Gasperini will work with players at Trigoria, including Wesley, Malen and Cristante, who are carrying minor injuries, alongside squad members not called up by their national teams. The goal is to have all players at 100% fitness when league action resumes. According to Corriere della Sera, Roma will play two friendlies during the break. These matches will serve both to build match fitness and to involve young academy players, offering them valuable minutes and opportunities to integrate with the senior squad.