Cristante ruled out of international duty with muscle fatigue; Mancini calls up Ricci

Bryan Cristante will not join Italy's national team camp after sustaining a lower back problem in Roma's Serie A match against Inter. The Italian Football Federation confirmed his withdrawal and called up Samuele Ricci of Como as his replacement. Roma identified the issue as lumbalgia, keeping the midfielder sidelined from international duty. Cristante's absence leaves two Roma players in the squad: Gianluca Mancini and Daniele Ghilardi, both of whom remain available for selection. The Italian national team will gather this evening at the Coverciano Technical Centre to begin preparations for the opening four matches of the UEFA Nations League group phase, with the first training session scheduled for tomorrow. The full Italia squad sees goalkeepers Marco Carnesecchi (Atalanta), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City), Massimo Pessina (Bologna) and Guglielmo Vicario (Juventus); a 11-player defence line including the two Roma representatives; midfielders Nicolò Barella (Inter), Issa Doumbia (Sporting CP), Nicolò Fagioli (Fiorentina), Davide Frattesi (Lazio), Rolando Mandragora (Torino), Ricci, Alessandro Romano (Cagliari) and Sandro Tonali (Tottenham); and ten forwards led by Nicolò Zaniolo (Udinese), Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta) and Moise Kean (Como).

Wesley will miss Brazil's upcoming fixtures after sustaining a right thigh muscle strain in recent days. The Brazilian Football Federation confirmed his exclusion from Carlo Ancelotti's squad, with Monaco's Vanderson called up as his replacement. The Roma defender will remain in Rome during the international break, where the club's medical staff can monitor his condition and assess his recovery. The coming days will clarify the severity of the strain and the timeline for full recovery. This marks Wesley's second muscle injury with Brazil in recent months. He previously suffered a left thigh strain in June that forced him to leave the squad during the World Cup. This time the problem affects his right thigh instead. He will stay with Roma's medical team rather than join the Seleçao at their training camp.

Wesley has been excluded from Brazil's squad for the upcoming international break after suffering a right thigh strain. The Confederação Brasileira de Futebol announced the decision on the night of 19 September, omitting the Roma full-back from Carlo Ancelotti's list and naming Monaco's Vanderson as his replacement. Roma confirmed the nature of the injury in a statement: a thigh strain that, while not serious, requires Wesley to remain at Trigoria for recovery rather than travel with the national team for friendlies against Australia and India. Wesley played all 90 minutes of Roma's 2–2 draw against Inter at the Olimpico on 19 September, before the injury was diagnosed. The absence marks another setback in his international career; he previously missed the World Cup through injury. The timing offers Roma's medical staff a chance to manage his rehabilitation directly during the international window rather than waiting for his return from national team duties. The CBF's initial statement described Wesley only as "injured" without specifying the problem, leaving Roma to clarify the details themselves. Ancelotti had originally included Wesley in his squad list before the injury forced his withdrawal.

Bryan Cristante will not join Italy's national team camp after sustaining a lower back problem in Roma's Serie A match against Inter. The Italian Football Federation confirmed his withdrawal and called up Samuele Ricci of Como as his replacement. Roma identified the issue as lumbalgia, keeping the midfielder sidelined from international duty. Cristante's absence leaves two Roma players in the squad: Gianluca Mancini and Daniele Ghilardi, both of whom remain available for selection. The Italian national team will gather this evening at the Coverciano Technical Centre to begin preparations for the opening four matches of the UEFA Nations League group phase, with the first training session scheduled for tomorrow. The full Italia squad sees goalkeepers Marco Carnesecchi (Atalanta), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City), Massimo Pessina (Bologna) and Guglielmo Vicario (Juventus); a 11-player defence line including the two Roma representatives; midfielders Nicolò Barella (Inter), Issa Doumbia (Sporting CP), Nicolò Fagioli (Fiorentina), Davide Frattesi (Lazio), Rolando Mandragora (Torino), Ricci, Alessandro Romano (Cagliari) and Sandro Tonali (Tottenham); and ten forwards led by Nicolò Zaniolo (Udinese), Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta) and Moise Kean (Como).

The decision to loan young players to gain first-team experience often seems straightforward, but recent cases show it is far more nuanced. Some talents thrive away and return strengthened; others should never have left in the first place. AS Roma exemplifies both outcomes. The club released Alessandro Romano, arguably one of the finest academy graduates of recent years, on a loan with an obligation to buy to Cagliari over the summer. He scored on his debut, has been consistently among Cagliari's best players, and has earned a senior national team call-up. Yet Roma's midfield — Cristante, Koné, Pisilli and De Roon — are all accomplished players with deep experience and quality. The club's results vindicate the decision-makers, but Romano could have proved useful. An observer called him "very similar to Strootman". The question remains open. Elsewhere, the trend cuts differently. Antonio Raimondo, a Bologna forward born in Ravenna, scored two doubles in his first four matches this season after Bologna opted to start Artem Dovbyk—who endured a difficult year with Roma—and Roberto Piccoli instead. Dominic Vavassori, meanwhile, has netted twice in early-season matches for Palermo on loan from Atalanta after the club chose not to displace the Scamacca-Krstovic partnership, which delivered European qualification last season. Yet Milan handled a similar situation deftly: Cissè and Liberali played in Catanzaro last season and have since been elevated to the first team, their loan spell having served its purpose. There is no universal rule. Success depends on the club, the player and context. Sometimes a loan advances a young career; often clubs misjudge. The challenge lies in reading each case correctly.

Manu Koné scored twice against Inter on 20 September 2026, silencing a long-standing criticism that he lacked a cutting edge in the final third. The French midfielder's double, which sent the Stadio Olimpico into raptures and left Inter's defence in disarray, came as a direct result of a tactical adjustment by head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The system—Cristante positioned deep to handle defensive cover while Koné pushed higher—gave the midfielder the freedom to attack continuously and arrive near the opposition area with regularity. By shifting Bryan Cristante into a shadow role on Inter's most advanced players, Gasperini effectively added an attacker to Roma's shape without extra personnel. Cristante's assignment was to track whoever led Inter's charge, whether Jones or Lautaro; his effort freed Koné from defensive duties and allowed the midfielder to climb into dangerous positions. The tactical masterstroke worked precisely as designed. Roma discovered numerical superiority in central areas where Inter least expected it, and Koné was central to that dominance throughout the opening period. His two finishes were clinical insertions into the box, completed with the precision of a player operating without defensive shackles. The plan gradually unravelled after Lautaro's introduction and Koné's departure, dimming the magic that had seized the match early on. Yet the concept—and more importantly, the two goals scored by the French midfielder—remained, proof that Gasperini's study of the opposition and willingness to reshape his midfield balance had yielded tangible dividends at a crucial juncture.

Bryan Cristante will not join Italy's national team camp after sustaining a lower back problem in Roma's Serie A match against Inter. The Italian Football Federation confirmed his withdrawal and called up Samuele Ricci of Como as his replacement. Roma identified the issue as lumbalgia, keeping the midfielder sidelined from international duty. Cristante's absence leaves two Roma players in the squad: Gianluca Mancini and Daniele Ghilardi, both of whom remain available for selection. The Italian national team will gather this evening at the Coverciano Technical Centre to begin preparations for the opening four matches of the UEFA Nations League group phase, with the first training session scheduled for tomorrow. The full Italia squad sees goalkeepers Marco Carnesecchi (Atalanta), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City), Massimo Pessina (Bologna) and Guglielmo Vicario (Juventus); a 11-player defence line including the two Roma representatives; midfielders Nicolò Barella (Inter), Issa Doumbia (Sporting CP), Nicolò Fagioli (Fiorentina), Davide Frattesi (Lazio), Rolando Mandragora (Torino), Ricci, Alessandro Romano (Cagliari) and Sandro Tonali (Tottenham); and ten forwards led by Nicolò Zaniolo (Udinese), Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta) and Moise Kean (Como).

Leonardo Balerdi has emerged as one of this summer's most underrated signings, establishing himself as indispensable to Gasperini's Roma within three weeks of arriving in the final days of the transfer window. Two brief appearances against Atalanta and Fenerbahce were enough to convince the coach that Roma cannot function without the Argentine defender. Against Torino he was the best player on the pitch; against Inter, while Koné claimed the MVP award, Balerdi played as a wall. Despite facing opponents of increasing calibre—from Simeone to Lautaro Martínez—the former Marseille centre-back showed no drop in level. His statistics support the impression: six defensive recoveries, four duels won out of five, and two tackles won out of three before an hour of play when cramps forced his withdrawal. Gasperini's enforced substitution disrupted the manager's plans, but the coach knows he has access to a top-level centre-back. Balerdi's rapid integration has placed him at the heart of Roma's defence. Gianluca Mancini—who has made two errors already this season—and Evan N'Dicka risk losing their places should the Argentine's form continue. The Como fixture looms as the next test, and it seems unlikely Gasperini will drop him. Balerdi has settled well into the squad and wants to stay at the club. The Argentine arrived on loan with conditions to trigger a permanent transfer. If he plays at least 55% of Roma's matches across all competitions—with a minimum of 45 minutes per game, a threshold he has already met twice—an obligation to buy will activate at €14 million. A variable mechanism reduces the fee if his involvement is more limited: between 40% and 55% of matches, the obligation triggers at €11 million. A further clause protects Marseille against deliberate restrictions on his playing time in the second half of the season—if he appears in just 20% of matches in that period, the obligation becomes €9 million. Given his current performances, meeting these thresholds appears inevitable.

Roma have earned 7.5 points in their opening five matches of the 2026-27 season, establishing themselves as serious contenders. Victories over Fiorentina and Atalanta—sides representing the upper-middle tier of Serie A—plus wins against Lecce and Torino, combined with a competitive draw against Inter, paint an encouraging picture despite some regrets about how the Inter result unfolded. Mile Svilar continues as Serie A's strongest goalkeeper, providing constant assurance without being called upon for spectacular saves. Gianluca Mancini has suffered minor technical injuries against Atalanta and Inter but remains too valuable for his leadership and interpretation of the coach's attacking defensive phase, particularly evident in his display during the Torino victory. Evan N'Dicka maintains a regular standard, though he now faces genuine competition for his place. Mario Hermoso has emerged as perhaps Gasperini's most indispensable centre-back, despite occasional lapses; defenders in this system are calculated risk-takers. Leonardo Balerdi has made an instant impression with a handful of interventions, earning fans' affection with his spirit of a great South American defender and securing his status as a regular starter. Konstantinos Koulierakis is gradually introducing himself to the pitch, while Daniele Ghilardi continues his development curve. Emanuele Lulli offers freshness on the flanks, a year after failing to be a regular starter in the Primavera. Wesley, returning from injury and a difficult pre-season, has struggled to regain match sharpness after missing nearly a year; he will return to his previous standards. Bryan Cristante stands as a monument to consistency, never missing a match despite the rotation around him. Manu Koné produced a display in the first half against Inter worthy of his quality, reaching peaks never achieved before, though he lacks Cristante's reliability. Niccolò Pisilli missed much of pre-season and it shows, yet his timing in transitions remains sharp, with two goals from part-time playing. Marten de Roon has seen limited action—unsurprising given Gasperini's habit of recalling him at the last moment when tactical changes demand it. Paulo Dybala lacks goals and the signature shots that made him special, though his assists and unrecognizable fitness levels mean Gasperini receives no questions about his rest requirements. Matías Soulé, who appeared destined for departure and began on the bench, decided the clash with Atalanta and now competes as a more regular starter. Rodrigo Mora started explosively with quality, as the coach highlighted, and will reward patience. Donyell Malen has scored six goals in six matches, giving Roma a one-goal advantage on average; alongside Lautaro, he represents the tournament's finest striker. Santiago Castro, small like Malen, brings unrelenting intensity when introduced and lives for goals—once he finds that breakthrough, added serenity will carry him far.

Roma's wing positions are now secure. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini no longer faces the tactical problem that troubled him last season: the absence of a quick, technical player on the opposite flank from Wesley. Last year, with Wesley as one of Serie A's strongest defenders on one side, Gasperini had to adapt by repositioning Zeki Çelik elsewhere. That constraint has lifted. Emanuele Lulli, young and rapid, is already providing assurances and proves ready for this campaign. But Roma have also landed another signing that drew less attention yet showed its value yesterday: Nahuel Molina. The Argentine is rising in fitness; the residual effects of the World Cup are passing. In the match against Inter, he was perfect. He contained Diouf, supported the attack, and was decisive in the final third with an assist for Manu Koné's first-half goal. Molina's skillset is there; consistency is the next step. He does not yet have 90 minutes in his legs, but the flanks now have valid masters. Wesley leads them, followed by the former Udinese player and Lulli. Gasperini can rely on all three without losing quality. The improvement from last season is enormous. The Piedmont-born coach plays through the flanks, favouring attacking football with pushing players who can contribute in front of goal. Now he has them on both sides. Molina is a top-level player. Lulli will be. The flanks have an owner on each side, and Gasperini can only be pleased.

Konstantinos Koulierakis has been called up by Greece coach Ivan Jovanovic for the start of the national team's Nations League A campaign, following his appearance against Inter yesterday when he came on in the second half. The Roma defender will feature in four upcoming matches against Serbia, Germany (twice) and the Netherlands as Greece enters a significant test of their progress. With Wesley reportedly unavailable due to a muscle complaint and unable to answer Brazil's call, Koulierakis will start for Roma in the coming period. The former Wolfsburg player is now a regular starter for the Giallorossi, making the Nations League fixtures an important opportunity to demonstrate his form at international level.

Wesley will miss Brazil's upcoming fixtures after sustaining a right thigh muscle strain in recent days. The Brazilian Football Federation confirmed his exclusion from Carlo Ancelotti's squad, with Monaco's Vanderson called up as his replacement. The Roma defender will remain in Rome during the international break, where the club's medical staff can monitor his condition and assess his recovery. The coming days will clarify the severity of the strain and the timeline for full recovery. This marks Wesley's second muscle injury with Brazil in recent months. He previously suffered a left thigh strain in June that forced him to leave the squad during the World Cup. This time the problem affects his right thigh instead. He will stay with Roma's medical team rather than join the Seleçao at their training camp.