Cristante: Gasperini's Ever-Present Midfielder Awaits Como Trip

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.

Roma's training ground atmosphere remained positive on 30 September, with Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina among the smiling faces in footage released by the club. The pair had been withdrawn the previous day from an event organised in Argentina to mark Lionel Messi's retirement, a decision that appeared to cause no ill feeling based on the images distributed by the club. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini maintains a calm environment despite ongoing absences. Wesley, Donyell Malen and Bryan Cristante have not yet returned to full group training and continue their recovery programmes, while international players remain away on duty with their national teams. Lorenzo Pellegrini is working hard to regain peak condition during the extended break and may feature in a friendly against the Primavera to build match fitness ahead of competitive action. Roma face Como in eleven days, providing Gasperini with adequate time to prepare for the Sinigaglia fixture and monitor the recovery of unavailable players. The objective is to have the largest possible squad available when the league campaign resumes.

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.

Gian Piero Gasperini has changed his approach to Roma's three-week break between the Inter match and the Como fixture on 11 October. The coach had previously indicated he wanted to arrange two friendlies at Trigoria to keep the squad sharp during the layoff, telling reporters: "We would like to do two." However, Gasperini has now opted instead to organize only an internal match against the Primavera. The decision stems from a shortage of available players. Several squad members are away on international duty, while Bryan Cristante, Wesley and Donyell Malen are dealing with injury problems. Rather than attempting to arrange competitive warm-up matches under these circumstances, Gasperini judged a single training fixture against Roma's youth team the more practical solution.

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.

Roma's decision to prevent Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina from travelling to Argentina for Lionel Messi's farewell celebration has drawn widespread commentary from Italian radio pundits, with most backing the club's position as a demonstration of institutional resolve. Rossomando told Radio Manà Manà Sport that the choice was expected but that Roma's decision to issue an official statement surprised and pleased him. "The Roma has demonstrated itself to be a strong and present society," he said. "It is important to have Dybala at Trigoria during the entire break. Behind this decision I believe there is also Gasperini." The club's resolve comes at a sensitive point in the season, with a match against Como described as important and delicate by radio commentators. Other radio voices offered varied perspectives on the decision. Jacobelli at Radio Radio Mattino stated: "The choice of Roma not to let Dybala and Molina go to Argentina is absolutely understandable. One thing is official commitments, another is celebrations like this one for Messi that could have been organised at another moment in the season." Camelio at Radio Radio pomeriggio characterised it as "a shared choice: by Roma, by the players and by Gasperini," noting that it was unlikely Dybala would have been a starter had he returned Friday evening anyway. Ferrajolo disagreed with the restriction, arguing that "a true professional, when he returns, gives his best," though he added that Roma would "neither win nor lose the championship for this." Squad availability for the upcoming fixture remains fluid. Several commentators discussed potential lineup changes during the international break. Valdarchi suggested Gasperini could rotate the three players who departed with Argentina, noting that Castro's absence posed minimal concern given Donyell Malen's status. In defence, he anticipated Mario Hermoso's presence, Evan N'Dicka's early return and Gianluca Mancini's limited exertion would mean Leonardo Balerdi would not start. Carina highlighted Marten de Roon's potential role during the congested fixture schedule, observing that his athletic condition had improved since arrival and would prove useful.