Cristante's value lies in the details, and Gasperini has rediscovered the midfielder who knows the game

Roman radio pundits have been debating the Serie A title race, with several arguing Roma can genuinely challenge for the scudetto and that Lazio's surge should not be dismissed as a miracle. Rete Sport's David Rossi said the negative reaction after the Manchester defeat was undeserved by the club and by Gasperini. He said: "The negativity after Manchester was not deserved, neither by us nor by Gasp. Roma on Saturday offer another performance; they have become a team that always wins these matches. If you lose against the top 5 and win against the others, with a few draws here and there, you win the scudetto with ninety points… We not only win these games, we win them well." He added that against Sassuolo, Malen did not want to score and missed a couple of important chances, and that the first half could have been closed out 5 or 6 nil. Gianluca Piacentini, also on Rete Sport, discussed Kvernadze, who has a €4 million release clause in July, saying a January deal could cost between €10 and €12 million. On the Champions League race, he said Roma are in the mix, having reached the 11th matchday, alongside Lazio and Milan, which he said he did not expect. He noted that Napoli and Juventus are well behind. Piacentini argued that finishing second rather than fourth matters for the club's growth: "If you finish fourth you feel you have taken a step back; finish second and you have taken one forward. It is a matter of growth, so second is better than fourth." Checcо Oddo Casano, also on Rete Sport, praised the club's fitness record compared with other sides. He said: "Roma have held up well compared with other teams in terms of injuries. The work done by Gasperini and his staff is aimed at minimising injuries. Up to now, people who are always injured have stopped, such as Pellegrini and Dybala. Svilar has been unlucky with a broken foot, as has Koné… This squad runs, recovers, and we see a much more productive team than in previous years. This is down to better training. The intensity of the match is the result of the intensity of the weekly work. Competition for places has also raised the level of training, because no one is certain of his place." Mario Corsi of Tele Radio Stereo said this league is Inter and Roma, as it was at the start, and that Como can come back. He warned about Milan: "Be wary of Milan. Not so much this year, although anything can happen. Voices from Milan are talking about the January market, and beyond, they are also talking about next year. The madman (Cardinale, ed.) could build a team… I would not want Inter to win the scudetto this year and Milan next year." He added that Roma will do something in January, as the sporting director has said, and that Mora always scores, knowing where to place himself with an educated foot. Francesca Ferrazza, also of Tele Radio Stereo, praised Koné for turning down France, saying those matches do not count for much, and said Hermoso has become one of Gasperini's fixed points. She added that Gasperini had made his position clear, saying he will not sign for second place. Lorenzo Pes, also of Tele Radio Stereo, said the club now has a technical guide with clear ideas from the first day, and that Gasperini has accelerated the project. He said: "Now Roma have a technical guide with clear ideas from day one. For years we have heard about projects and building; now all of this has been accelerated by Gasperini from the first season. He has never hidden the real objective, which is to shorten the timelines as much as possible." Alessio Nardo, also of Tele Radio Stereo, said Roma should be among the top four and that finishing from fifth down would be a drama, adding that he would also be disappointed if Roma did not reach at least the Champions League playoff. Roberto Pruzzo of Radio Radio said Lazio play well and have an identity, and that they play only once a week, which helps them. On Roma, he said the side walk over weaker teams, and that Dybala, who has not played for two months, needs to be recovered. On Milan, he said they should leave Europe, as a double commitment would be a problem. On Mora, he said: "His growth is not something you see, because his height is what it is… joking aside, he still has half an hour of stamina." He said Mora is at his best against this type of team and becomes decisive in the final metres, though in other games he bounces and must be ready to be substituted after half an hour. On Hermoso, he admitted he had been wrong to think his career was finished, saying he had bounced back spectacularly. Nando Orsi of Radio Radio said he never doubted Roma would fight for the scudetto, and that Lazio are playing well with one match a week, describing them as a humble, convinced and empathetic side. He said: "It cannot just be a miracle; miracles do not last long. This is a team that must go all the way, or at least try. Napoli and Atalanta are far away." Mario Mattioli, also of Radio Radio, said Roma have more players but also more fixtures, while Lazio have a coach who is more realistic than the king in judging what happens on the pitch. He said: "I believe Lazio will last; whether they last longer than Roma, I don't know."

Wesley has become far more than a traditional attacking full-back for Roma, according to an in-depth assessment of the Brazilian's development under Gian Piero Gasperini. The 23-year-old has channelled his disappointment at missing the World Cup through injury into a sharper, more complete game, adding creativity, reading of the game and defensive awareness to the running that has always been his main asset. The article notes that Gasperini has been instilling a never-give-up mentality in his Roma side, capable of bouncing back after the Real Madrid defeat and reacting after the heavy beating in Manchester. Wesley embodies that approach. Early in the season some had questioned whether he was falling short of expectations, and his goals have not yet arrived compared with last season. The writer argues that stopping there would be a mistake, because Wesley now offers much more: he creates, defends with greater attention, beats his man and poses a constant threat to opposing defences. The statistics underline the change. Wesley has created 23 chances in Serie A, level with De Bruyne, and the article describes this as the figure that best captures his evolution. Last season he created 33 chances across the whole campaign. He also has 57 passes that break lines, 45 balls won back and 14 successful crosses. He now creates 2.81 chances per game, compared with 1.21 last season. Gasperini said before the trip to Manchester: "Sta facendo bene, è cresciuto" (He is doing well, he has grown). The article adds that Roma are enjoying Wesley, and Gasperini even more so. Carlo Ancelotti, who continues to select him for Brazil, has also noticed his progress. Last season, the article says, Wesley was more raw: he ran tirelessly, scored and had begun showing early signs of his talent, but his work was far from finished. Now he covers more defensively and, when attacking, drifts inside, breaks opposition lines and becomes an extra option for team-mates. The relationship with Mora is described as increasingly important. The two understand each other on the pitch. Wesley starts on the flank but does not stay tied to the line, moving into central areas between the lines and supporting attacks as an additional offensive presence. Mora can exploit these runs to find more space and freedom in the final third without having to guarantee width and depth himself. Wesley attacks, Mora creates, and Roma gain two extra options in the same area of the pitch. The article acknowledges that he is not, for obvious reasons, a De Bruyne, but says this version of Wesley fits Gasperini's Roma perfectly. The coach wanted him strongly and has no intention of giving him up. Off the pitch, the article says Wesley seems to have found his place at Trigoria: he enjoys himself, goes live on social media and always smiles. Gasperini sees him as the hidden gold this squad needed.

Radio pundits across Rome's airwaves have heaped praise on Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma, with several arguing the team is increasingly built in the coach's image as it piles up goals early in the 2026-27 season. Radio Bruno commentator Verdenelli wanted attention focused on Bryan Cristante, who he said has been outstanding since returning to the club, adding that he had been treated badly in Rome for saying so. "Sooner or later somebody will have to apologise to this lad, our captain," Verdenelli said. Pedrelli, also on Radio Bruno, described a "perfect Roma" collecting three important points and noted that the side has become only the fourth since 1961 to score more than 30 goals in the first 11 league matches of a season. He pointed out that Roma keep finding a different scorer each time despite the absences, working in harmony with the coach and driven on by their fans. Ferri, also on Radio Bruno, said the team has real awareness and can fight for the top places in the table until the end, adding he was sure two quality reinforcements would arrive in January. Carina, speaking on Radio Radio, said Roma and Lazio have finally made their mark again in Italian football, though he questioned how long it would last. He believes Roma are better equipped than Lazio, which has enthusiasm and plays well, and he called a Lazio Scudetto challenge too much. "Roma is increasingly 'Gasperinian': just look at the numbers, it had never scored this many goals in its history," he said. He argued the coach has turned mid-table fixtures into matches to be passed through, with the points already in the bag, and that Cagliari could have been a trickier test but Roma still scored four goals. Carina added that Gasperini says he changed nothing in the physical preparation, but he believes something was done during the three-week long break. He said Mora has grown beyond scoring, pointing to assists for Malen against Madrid and for Soulé in Manchester, but feels he has not yet found his definitive position on the pitch. Pruzzo, also on Radio Radio, said Inter have done their job so far and that it will be seen whether they keep it up over the holidays. He contrasted Lazio's clear identity, playing once a week, with Roma's double competitions, which he said make the team look as if it is taking strolls. He suggested Roma could find something more in the transfer market and recover Dybala, which he believes would make Inter struggle. He said Mora has a stamina level of 30 minutes, and that he is at his best in games against open defences, while in matches where he bounces off opponents he must be ready to be substituted. "The most in-form attacker at Roma is Mario," Pruzzo said. Orsi, on Radio Radio, said Roma can fight for the Scudetto as they are meeting expectations, and that Lazio look a convinced and empathetic side that can go all the way in the Champions League race. He said Roma played badly against Manchester in the second half, and the same against Madrid, adding the goals were not the goalkeeper's fault and were a team error. He said Roma lost nothing because Svilar was not in goal. Pes, speaking to Teleradiostereo, said there has never been a technical leadership with such clear ideas. He said Gasperini has never hidden his objective of shortening the time between building up and scoring. "Never have we heard such clear statements," Pes said, adding that Roma have the best attack and second-best defence in their second year under the coach. He said the team has lost twice badly but always responded, and that despite injuries Roma have a strong identity. He said Svilar will be confirmed at Parma, has some doubts over Dybala but does not expect him to be unavailable, and was surprised by the impact of Balerdi, whom he had expected to be a good signing but not to make such a big impact.

Thirteen Roma players have been called up by their national teams for the November international break, a sign of the squad's growing standing at the highest level, according to Il Messaggero's Daniele Aloisi. Trigoria will be almost empty in the early part of the week, with the gates reopening on Wednesday, leaving Gian Piero Gasperini to prepare for the resumption with a heavily reduced group. Gasperini had already made clear his view of the break, calling the upcoming international fixtures "amichevoli o poco più" (friendlies or little more) after the match against Sassuolo. Argentina, the runners-up at the World Cup, begin a new cycle without Lionel Messi and have recalled Matías Soulé, Leonardo Balerdi and Santiago Castro for friendlies against Uruguay and Costa Rica. Wesley faces a much longer trip, travelling to Singapore with Brazil for games against the hosts and Japan. Italy boss Roberto Mancini has opted for youth for the Nations League matches against France and Belgium. Niccolò Pisilli and Daniele Ghilardi will join up at Coverciano, while Bryan Cristante remains at Trigoria. Donyell Malen has also been called up and will meet Xavi, the new Netherlands coach, for the first time. Rodrigo Mora returns to the senior national team a year after his last call-up, which coincided with the campaign that ended in victory in the Nations League.

Radio pundits across Rome's airwaves have heaped praise on Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma, with several arguing the team is increasingly built in the coach's image as it piles up goals early in the 2026-27 season. Radio Bruno commentator Verdenelli wanted attention focused on Bryan Cristante, who he said has been outstanding since returning to the club, adding that he had been treated badly in Rome for saying so. "Sooner or later somebody will have to apologise to this lad, our captain," Verdenelli said. Pedrelli, also on Radio Bruno, described a "perfect Roma" collecting three important points and noted that the side has become only the fourth since 1961 to score more than 30 goals in the first 11 league matches of a season. He pointed out that Roma keep finding a different scorer each time despite the absences, working in harmony with the coach and driven on by their fans. Ferri, also on Radio Bruno, said the team has real awareness and can fight for the top places in the table until the end, adding he was sure two quality reinforcements would arrive in January. Carina, speaking on Radio Radio, said Roma and Lazio have finally made their mark again in Italian football, though he questioned how long it would last. He believes Roma are better equipped than Lazio, which has enthusiasm and plays well, and he called a Lazio Scudetto challenge too much. "Roma is increasingly 'Gasperinian': just look at the numbers, it had never scored this many goals in its history," he said. He argued the coach has turned mid-table fixtures into matches to be passed through, with the points already in the bag, and that Cagliari could have been a trickier test but Roma still scored four goals. Carina added that Gasperini says he changed nothing in the physical preparation, but he believes something was done during the three-week long break. He said Mora has grown beyond scoring, pointing to assists for Malen against Madrid and for Soulé in Manchester, but feels he has not yet found his definitive position on the pitch. Pruzzo, also on Radio Radio, said Inter have done their job so far and that it will be seen whether they keep it up over the holidays. He contrasted Lazio's clear identity, playing once a week, with Roma's double competitions, which he said make the team look as if it is taking strolls. He suggested Roma could find something more in the transfer market and recover Dybala, which he believes would make Inter struggle. He said Mora has a stamina level of 30 minutes, and that he is at his best in games against open defences, while in matches where he bounces off opponents he must be ready to be substituted. "The most in-form attacker at Roma is Mario," Pruzzo said. Orsi, on Radio Radio, said Roma can fight for the Scudetto as they are meeting expectations, and that Lazio look a convinced and empathetic side that can go all the way in the Champions League race. He said Roma played badly against Manchester in the second half, and the same against Madrid, adding the goals were not the goalkeeper's fault and were a team error. He said Roma lost nothing because Svilar was not in goal. Pes, speaking to Teleradiostereo, said there has never been a technical leadership with such clear ideas. He said Gasperini has never hidden his objective of shortening the time between building up and scoring. "Never have we heard such clear statements," Pes said, adding that Roma have the best attack and second-best defence in their second year under the coach. He said the team has lost twice badly but always responded, and that despite injuries Roma have a strong identity. He said Svilar will be confirmed at Parma, has some doubts over Dybala but does not expect him to be unavailable, and was surprised by the impact of Balerdi, whom he had expected to be a good signing but not to make such a big impact.

Mario Hermoso has become one of the most surprising symbols of Gian Piero Gasperini's tactical revolution at Roma, having turned from a pure defender into a complete player who combines marking solidity with a striker's instinct. He is now an established starter, has earned the coach's full trust, and the club has moved to work on a renewal that would tie him to the giallorossi for the long term. According to Il Corriere dello Sport, his development is one of the masterpieces of Gasperini's work. Before a decisive meeting in July 2025, Hermoso's future looked uncertain. Since then his approach to the role has changed completely: aggressive and alert when defending, he becomes an extra attacker as soon as he crosses the halfway line. The numbers back this up. He has scored seven goals under Gasperini, three of them so far this season, including the strike that unlocked the match against Sassuolo. That output places him among the best goalscoring defenders in Europe, directly behind names such as van Dijk and Querfeld, and far surpasses what he produced in his years at Atletico Madrid. His impact is considerable, in some ways comparable to what Kolasinac had at Gasperini's Atalanta, but enhanced by superior technical quality and a more pronounced goal sense. In his thirteen starts he has, alongside his tackles and interceptions, made 120 entries into the opposition box and produced close to a thousand touches, a level of involvement no other Roma player matches. Gasperini described him as "cold as a number nine". Il Corriere dello Sport reports that such a high level of performance made it inevitable to address his contract. Now that the deadline tied to the Champions League clause has passed, Roma and the player are reportedly very close to an agreement running until 2029, with an option for 2030. Hermoso would also have accepted a reduction in his salary, following the example of senior players such as Mancini, Cristante, Dybala and Pellegrini. The gesture is a strong signal of both parties' desire to continue together.