Dybala reaches 100 Serie A goals for Roma, targeting first Olimpico strike since December

Rodrigo Mora is set to win the third attacking slot for Roma's Serie A trip to Como on Sunday, according to Sky Sport's Angelo Mangiante. The Portuguese midfielder impressed in a training match at Trigoria this morning against Sorianese alongside Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen, who has recovered from injury. Mora appeared in sharp form following his appearances with Portugal Under 21 and has convinced head coach Gian Piero Gasperini to deploy him at the Sinigaglia stadium. The selection would complete an attacking trident built on technique, quality and ability to move between the lines. Mora is seizing his opportunity after a productive international break with Portugal's youth side.

Roma held a friendly match against Sorianese, a team from the Eccellenza division, at Trigoria on the morning of 8 October as Gian Piero Gasperini's squad continued preparations for Sunday's trip to Como. The most significant development came with Donyell Malen and Wesley returning to full group training after working only partially with their teammates in recent sessions, confirming their progress towards the Sinigaglia fixture. Manu Koné and Rodrigo Mora also trained with the squad after returning from international duty. Gasperini is close to having almost his entire squad available just days before the league resumes, with Matías Soulé, Santiago Castro and Leonardo Balerdi undergoing a recovery session following their long journey back from Argentina. From tomorrow the coach should have virtually the full group at his disposal, with the exception of the injured Bryan Cristante.

Roma's squad completed a training session at Trigoria on 8 October ahead of Sunday's 12:30 kickoff against Como at the Sinigaglia. Donyell Malen and Wesley trained fully with the group and are set to start, while Manu Koné and Rodrigo Mora have just returned from international duty and participated in the session. The Argentine players Leonardo Balerdi, Matías Soulé and Santiago Castro underwent a recovery session. The Roma squad was bolstered by the return of Koné and Mora after their national team commitments. Malen and Wesley's availability is a significant boost for Sunday's fixture. The training included a friendly match against Sorianese, a team from Italy's top regional division.

Rodrigo Mora is set to win the third attacking slot for Roma's Serie A trip to Como on Sunday, according to Sky Sport's Angelo Mangiante. The Portuguese midfielder impressed in a training match at Trigoria this morning against Sorianese alongside Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen, who has recovered from injury. Mora appeared in sharp form following his appearances with Portugal Under 21 and has convinced head coach Gian Piero Gasperini to deploy him at the Sinigaglia stadium. The selection would complete an attacking trident built on technique, quality and ability to move between the lines. Mora is seizing his opportunity after a productive international break with Portugal's youth side.

Roma's radio stations have weighed in on Lorenzo Pellegrini's role in Gian Piero Gasperini's fast-moving squad ahead of the Serie A match against Como. The debate centres on whether the midfielder can adapt to the club's new, high-intensity style of play. Lorenzo Pes of Tele Radio Stereo said: "It intrigues me to see how Pellegrini can fit into a Roma that goes a thousand miles per hour. It seems like a squad somewhat far removed from how this player operates. He limited the damage in a Roma that wasn't playing at this pace; now honestly, I struggle to imagine him in this team. I think he needs to take steps to play in a Roma that plays this kind of football." Piero Torri of Radio Manà Manà countered that Pellegrini should not be underestimated, pointing to strong seasons including the Conference League campaign. "The competitors for that role on the pitch are Soulé and Mora, who have been on international duty. I'm becoming convinced that Lorenzo can start from the beginning," Torri said. Angelo Mangiante of Radio Manà Manà reported that Gasperini fielded Mora and Dybala behind Malen in a trial against Sorianese, with the Portuguese winger in excellent form for the Como clash. Mario Hermoso is expected to replicate last season's performance against Nico Paz at the Olimpico. Roberto Pruzzo of Radio Radio noted that Paz and Dybala could be the tactical key to the match, with Niccolò Pisilli offering a midfield alternative if Marten de Roon's selection makes Roma too predictable against Como's quality. Simone Valdarchi cautioned that the title race is premature despite any confidence gained from the Como fixture.

Rome's radio stations dissected Lorenzo Pellegrini's prospects and Santiago Castro's playing time in depth on 8 October, with studio hosts split on whether the midfielder can justify his renewed contract under Gasperini's high-tempo system. Mario Corsi stated bluntly: "Pellegrini knows inside himself that this is the moment where he either succeeds or fails. This is his last chance, because if he has another opaque season I don't think he'll stay at Roma. From a player like Pellegrini it isn't enough to have one good match — he was Roma's captain, and people expect him to make a difference." Lorenzo Pes offered a contrasting view of the tactical fit: "I'm very curious to see how Pellegrini will slot into a Roma going at full speed. He seems a player who is a bit removed from how this team is shaped. He managed the damage in a Roma that wasn't playing at this rhythm, but honestly I struggle to imagine him in this squad." Paolo Cosenza countered that Pellegrini's ability to play vertically and his vision suited Gasperini's approach. Alessio Nardo framed the renewal as a high-stakes gamble: "The society has placed this squad and its fate in Gasperini's hands. All the players were approved by the coach — he and D'Amico are jointly responsible for the players signed, sold and renewed. Dybala has proved he deserved his renewal 100 per cent. Now we will evaluate Pellegrini on the pitch. If Pellegrini doesn't deliver, we will have to hold Gasperini to account for it, because he has always defended him." CCastro's limited first-team action also drew comment. Checco Oddo Casano explained the transfer fee: "Castro cost 35 million partly because Bologna was the only club willing to take Dovbyk, a player with continuous physical problems, absorbing his entire wage and including a purchase option. When a young but promising player has a low wage, he often costs you more in transfer fee." Gianluca Piacentini observed that Donyell Malen was scoring a goal per game, making him a regular starter, but argued Castro deserved playing time to develop. David Rossi advocated for Castro's inclusion: "He's an ambitious player, and you can see it when he takes the pitch. If at the end of the season Malen plays 38 times as a starter and Castro comes on 38 times for five minutes, he'll tell you he made a mistake, because he wants to be the main man." Roberto Pruzzo highlighted the tactical duel in the upcoming Como match: "Think of Nico Paz and Dybala — that could be the key to the game. Pisilli is in form and can give you a midfield alternative in a very static situation, because if De Roon plays, it becomes very readable against Como, who make their quality their best weapon." Nando Orsi predicted Paz would be benched, saying Fabregas uses the bench to punish occasional indolence. The match is scheduled for 12:30, with Orsi defending the early kickoff as standard in English football for years.