Di Michele backs Roma's title credentials under Gasperini

Marten De Roon is poised to claim more playing time at the heart of Roma's midfield after early signs that Gian Piero Gasperini's faith in the veteran is well placed. Scepticism about his age and previous criticism of Roma has given way to recognition that the club has signed a player of genuine importance. De Roon has featured in brief spells so far, but a half-hour appearance against Torino was enough to hint at what he can deliver: composure above all else. He approaches the ball with confidence, does not hide, and never loses his head—qualities that define his profile as a midfielder more concerned with positioning and reading than the intensity and athleticism that marked his peak years at Bergamo, where he earned the nickname "the equilibrator" for his ability to operate across multiple roles, shifting between left-sided midfielder, central midfielder and even centre-back alongside Freuler. For Gasperini, De Roon has considerable scope to contribute still. In squad hierarchy he reads more as Bryan Cristante's deputy than as a partner designed to play alongside him, though the captaincy he held at Bergamo—emphasised by his appointment presentation by the coach—carries weight. What remains certain is his mastery of spatial reading and one-on-one duels, assets with few rivals, particularly within Gasperini's system. Roma's midfield carries quality but lacks numerical depth, a gap where De Roon's experience and authority can prove decisive. The comparison that emerges in popular imagination is to Seydou Keita, a "professor" of football who arrived at Roma unfortunately at the twilight of his career but delivered two seasons of the highest calibre. De Roon, in his own way, occupies that same mould—a thinking player whose game has shifted from aggression to intelligent positioning, yet capable of running a midfield from the inside.

Marten de Roon's moment is arriving at Roma. At Atalanta, where he was known as the equilibrator, he juggled multiple roles across midfield and could drop into defence if needed. Roma have seen little of him so far this season, but a half-hour appearance against Torino showed what he can deliver. Above all, he brings calm: he never loses composure, moves to meet the ball, and makes himself available. De Roon is not the athlete he was a decade ago when he returned from Middlesbrough, when intensity and physical prowess defined his game. He has evolved into a defensive midfielder focused on positioning rather than aggression, yet he still has much to offer under Gasperini. In the coach's tactical system, he appears cast more as Cristante's understudy than as a partner in the starting XI, though he reads space and contests individual duels better than almost anyone. Gasperini presented him to Roma with the rank of captain, a title De Roon held at Bergamo, signalling the esteem in which he is held. His strengths shine through in Gasperini's style of play. Some observers have drawn comparisons to Seydou Keita, who arrived at Roma late in his career but delivered two seasons of the highest quality that are still remembered fondly on the Giallorossi's bench. García and Spalletti, Roma's managers before the current regime, had different playing philosophies but both relied heavily on what they called the Professor.

Roma and Como, who meet at the Sinigaglia as Serie A resumes, were the two best defences in the 2025–26 season. Both sides qualified for the Champions League despite their attacking philosophies under Gasperini and Fabregas respectively. The defensive strength proved to be a key platform for success, showing that neither coach neglected that area despite their preference for attacking football. Roma's defensive solidity from last season will be tested again when the two sides clash.