Flash Roma: Training report, Totti's Genoa near-miss, and stadium progress

Paulo Dybala has played more minutes than ever before under Gian Piero Gasperini this season, but the Argentine forward has yet to find the back of the net as he works his way back to full sharpness. According to Leggo, Dybala ranks third for minutes played across the 2026-27 campaign with 497 minutes, behind only Bryan Cristante and Mario Hermoso, a sign of the physical condition and extra work he has put in. The breakthrough comes after a difficult injury history: Dybala had missed 49 matches since joining in 2022, but has remained unbroken since late April. Gasperini hopes to restore Dybala's finishing touch to lift Roma's level. Dybala has effectively provided one assist per match played but the club now needs him to score to turn individual consistency into collective success.

Gianluca Mancini has become the subject of fierce criticism on social media after losing possession 50 metres from goal in Roma's recent match against Inter, a mistake that led to Lautaro Martinez scoring to reopen the contest. The backlash has been swift and unforgiving, with supporters on social networks reversing their judgment of a player they had celebrated for his derby heroics, his displays of the Roma flag to the Curva Sud, and his willingness to cut his salary to remain at the club. The shift in sentiment mirrors a broader contemporary football phenomenon: judgement rendered from the armchair, divorced from the physical realities of elite sport. The article notes that Mancini's mistake, while real, did not directly assist Inter's goal—the team had to develop the play further before Martinez finished with a technical strike. Beyond that single error, his display against Inter was not disastrous. A week earlier, at Turin, Mancini had been among Roma's best performers; in the 93rd minute, with the team defending a narrow advantage and several players exhausted, he fought on the sideline and contributed the decisive work in the build-up to Niccolò Pisilli's goal that made it 2–0. In seven days, he has moved from catalyst to liability in the court of online opinion. The article invokes a point made by Daniele De Rossi: "From the armchair everyone is good. Because from the armchair there is no tiredness, pressure, preventive marking, seventy metres covered in transition, heavy legs or opponents earning millions precisely because they know how to exploit mistakes." Mancini may indeed be fatigued; recent displays have offered subtle signs. With the arrival of Leonardo Balerdi and Konstantinos Koulierakis, coach Gian Piero Gasperini now has defensive alternatives and the freedom to rotate. The article emphasises that Gasperini, not social media, must decide whether Mancini plays less—and that decision should come from observing him in training and matches, not from a frozen frame posted on social media. The difference between critiquing an error and declaring a player suddenly incapable remains meaningful, the article concludes, "at least until the next match."

Rome's radio stations have offered their assessment of Roma's early season form, with particular focus on the players needing to regain their fitness ahead of the international break. Lorenzo Pes of Tele Radio Stereo observed that several squad members are working to recover their form, notably Lorenzo Pellegrini, who has not yet been used by head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Pes believes Gasperini's strategy has been to start strongly in these opening matches before using the three-week break to build energy levels. Wes­ley has emerged as the player facing the greatest physical difficulty, according to Pes. The defender suffered an injury just days before the league campaign began and therefore missed the normal pre-season preparation his teammates received. "I saw him behind, but I think the others are doing well and I believe this break can help him," Pes said. Despite Gasperini having indicated he sees Pellegrini operating in midfield, the coach has not deployed him there yet, leaving that as a potential tactical option. Roberto Pruzzo of Radio Radio Mattino argued that Roma represent a credible threat to Inter, particularly given that the transfer market will offer further opportunities in January. He highlighted the impact of having Donyell Malen available from the start of matches rather than mid-game, alongside Paulo Dybala's strong performances. Luigi Salomone, also of Radio Radio Mattino, assessed Roma's campaign as excellent but suggested they need to address aspects of their display in their upcoming fixture against Inter.

Paulo Dybala has played more minutes than ever before under Gian Piero Gasperini this season, but the Argentine forward has yet to find the back of the net as he works his way back to full sharpness. According to Leggo, Dybala ranks third for minutes played across the 2026-27 campaign with 497 minutes, behind only Bryan Cristante and Mario Hermoso, a sign of the physical condition and extra work he has put in. The breakthrough comes after a difficult injury history: Dybala had missed 49 matches since joining in 2022, but has remained unbroken since late April. Gasperini hopes to restore Dybala's finishing touch to lift Roma's level. Dybala has effectively provided one assist per match played but the club now needs him to score to turn individual consistency into collective success.

Paulo Dybala has returned to peak physical condition under Gasperini's management, delivering consistent performances despite a notable absence from the scoresheet early in the 2026–27 season. The Argentine has played 497 minutes so far, more than any other outfield player except Bryan Cristante and Mario Hermoso, and has created two goals in the Inter match through his own intuition and recovery work in dangerous areas. This marks a dramatic turnaround from his injury-plagued spell before Gasperini's arrival: from 2022 to May 2026, Dybala missed 49 matches, frequently hampered by setbacks and cautious management. Gasperini believes Dybala can offer more. His technical quality in the final third remains sharp, but the breakthrough goal has eluded him. During the current international break, Gasperini intends to work on restoring Dybala's shooting instincts, encouraging him to get off the mark as he did during his peak years at Juventus.

Roma drew 2–2 with Inter in a Serie A match on which pundit Daniele Adani offered detailed analysis. Adani highlighted Roma's attacking aggression in the opening period, noting how Molina won the ball back and provided an assist for Koné, and how Hermoso and Balerdi pushed forward into the opponent's penalty area. However, he identified defensive lapses, particularly Soulé being caught out of position against Bisseck on a throw-in, and singled out Gianluca Mancini for a lapse on Lautaro Martinez's first goal. "Mancini is a bit superficial and Roma concede in numerical superiority in the area," Adani said. Adani suggested Roma would have held their advantage had they resisted another 15–20 minutes without allowing Inter back into the contest. He emphasised the tactical toll of Gasperini's system, noting that Roma defended one-on-one eighty metres from goal and allowed themselves to be beaten despite playing well. He remarked that Paulo Dybala closed down on the second post against Lautaro Martinez during the match. On Inter's comeback, Adani observed that while Inter made two substitutions at the 90-minute mark, it was Inter who rose to the occasion rather than Roma's performance dropping. "The first hour of Roma is sensational," he said. "Inter feel in control, so the blows come. Even if you are the strongest team, if you don't show it you go down to everyone. Against Real Madrid like against Udinese. They also believe they are the strongest because they are the architects and feel in control."

Gian Piero Gasperini has set the goal of playing twenty for Roma, but that requires integrating three significant recruits who have so far received limited playing time. Rodrigo Mora, Santiago Castro and Konstantinos Koulierakis — three players of different ages, characteristics and positions — have collectively cost the club over €100 million in fixed fees and bonuses. Roma invested in them with the expectation they would become key contributors soon, yet in the opening six official matches Gasperini has relied primarily on the group offering him the most certainty. That strategy has worked: four wins and two draws. Among the new arrivals, Leonardo Balerdi and Nahuel Molina have integrated more quickly; Mora, Castro and Koulierakis have had a more gradual path. Mora, the Portuguese midfielder, has had the most exposure. He has accumulated 187 minutes across five appearances at a rate of 37.4 minutes per game, and is the only one of the three to have started — twice, against Fiorentina and Atalanta. After a very promising start, his usage has progressively declined, and Gasperini will need to restore continuity and impact to his offensive rotations. Castro, the Argentine, has managed 105 minutes over four matches, averaging 26.25 per outing. His impact has been hampered by considerable misfortune: he has already struck the woodwork four times. Donyell Malen has inevitably restricted his space so far, but the fixture schedule after the international break will intensify and the Dutch forward will eventually need rest — opening the door for Castro to prove he can inherit his responsibility without lowering the team's attacking level. Koulierakis, the Greek defender, has the most limited minutes of all: just 31 across two appearances, averaging 15.5. Gasperini has used him least of the three, partly because competition in front of him has increased with Balerdi's immediate impact and the reliability of Evan N'Dicka and Gianluca Mancini. The financial figures underline the club's faith in these three. Castro cost €35 million plus €5 million in potential add-ons, Koulierakis €16.5 million plus €1.5 million in add-ons, while Mora's deal can reach €50 million — €25 immediately and another €25 within the next year, or alternatively 50 per cent of any future sale. Gasperini has always reasoned by performance and reliability rather than transfer fee, and these numbers do not obligate him to award minutes by contract right. But they explain why the development of Mora, Castro and Koulierakis is a fundamental next step for the season. Marten de Roon, 35 and familiar with Gasperini, represents a separate case — his value lies in offering experience, leadership and immediate tactical knowledge when required. The international break will limit Gasperini's training opportunities with many players away from Trigoria. When the calendar resumes, Roma will enter a period where fielding the same eleven every match will become impossible. That is when the goal of playing twenty will cease to be theory and demand reality: Gasperini must turn the €100 million that has mostly waited on the bench into three genuine alternatives capable of becoming far more than backups.

Gian Piero Gasperini is preparing to rotate his squad more frequently and give greater playing time to Roma's major summer signings as the season progresses. With a packed fixture list spanning Serie A and Champions League, the coach aims to "play with twenty players" — a necessity given the congested calendar. Until now, Gasperini has relied heavily on the squad from last season to ease the new arrivals in gradually, though Nahuel Molina and Leonardo Balerdi have already settled well. The focus has shifted to the three marquee acquisitions on which Roma invested over 100 million euros combined: Rodrigo Mora, Santiago Castro, and Konstantinos Koulierakis. All three have seen limited action so far. Mora has played the most, accumulating 187 minutes across 5 appearances (averaging 37.4 minutes per game), Castro has managed 105 minutes in 4 matches (a 26.25-minute average), and Koulierakis has collected only 31 minutes across two fixtures. Gasperini has acknowledged that courage will be required to start them from the opening whistle, particularly given Castro's misfortune in hitting the woodwork four times. The manager believes the turning point in his plans is imminent, driven both by the necessity of managing the dense schedule and by the obligation to showcase these premium acquisitions.

Roma have shifted from constant squad overhauls to a philosophy of retaining and building around proven players while adding quality reinforcements—a strategic departure that appears to be delivering real strength. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who took charge in 2025, sought stability rather than permanent revolution: a squad with a solid foundation onto which he could make surgical additions of two to four players at a time, ideally already proven and capable of becoming new cornerstones themselves. The article argues this represents the defining difference between the current Roma and many predecessors, which often leaned too heavily on a handful of elite performers and collapsed when one or two were absent. Mile Svilar has become an absolute certainty in goal. Evan N'Dicka is now a defensive reference point. Gianluca Mancini, despite some early-season errors, remains a squad leader through experience and personality. Wesley has made clear progress. Manu Koné is a player on whom present and future can be built. Paulo Dybala retains the talent to change a match with one moment. Donyell Malen has finally delivered what Roma lacked: a striker who consistently converts offensive output into goals. Alongside these established figures stand young talents with assured ability, to be developed without excessive pressure under Gasperini's direction. The genuine novelty is that Roma are adding fresh certainties to this foundation. Leonardo Balerdi arrived in the final hours of the transfer window and needed little time to explain why Gasperini wanted him: he defends aggressively, works hard off the ball, accepts physical duels, and shows personality in possession. The article cautions that three appearances make no verdict, but the sense is that Roma may have found not simply an alternative but another potential pillar. Nahuel Molina carries the same philosophy from a different angle—not a numerical placeholder but a World Cup winner accustomed to major stages who, after weeks regaining fitness, is demonstrating he can start without being considered an emergency solution. Gasperini has even deployed him on the opposite flank, and he provided an assist for Manu Koné's opening goal against Inter. Marten de Roon similarly represents no attention-grabbing summer window signing, yet he was captain and fundamental leader at Gasperini's Atalanta, understands what the coach demands before explanation, and in a fifty-match season offers another certainty to lean on during fatigue, injury and rotation. The summer transfer window was not flawless. Roma lacked precisely the offensive coup Gasperini pursued for months: a player capable of starting from the left, cutting onto his right foot, creating superiority and adding unpredictability to the attacking third. The club tried until the final moments without closing the deal. That piece remains missing and will likely return as a priority. Yet this itself signals how perspective has changed. There is no longer a squad to rebuild—there is a squad to complete. Future recruitment should consolidate those giving Roma identity, verify whether Balerdi and Molina can sustain that level, and add one or two more of similar calibre: an attacking winger, perhaps later a midfielder, then what the squad's evolution demands. One piece at a time, without dismantling what already holds the structure.

Roma will not pursue free-agent signings during the international break, despite rumours around players such as Darmian, Sancho and Guerreiro. Gasperini prefers to work with his current squad rather than add names for their own sake. The club's transfer strategy will shift in January, when Roma will target the two positions that remained unfilled in the summer window: a left-back and an attacking winger. Oosterwolde, a Dutch defender from Parma, is Roma's primary left-back target. He had already begun his move to Roma but was halted by a thigh tendon injury and subsequently underwent surgery. He will be ready for selection in January. Fenerbahçe intends to loan him out, and the position at Roma—filling a gap alongside Molina, Wesley, Lulli and Rensch—suits Gasperini well. The greater priority remains an attacking winger. After missing out on Leweling and Summerville, Roma's attention has shifted to two players reportedly unhappy at their current clubs: Endrick and Gittens, from Real Madrid and Chelsea respectively. Both clubs could be persuaded to loan their players out. Roma are also monitoring new names, particularly Kvernadze of Frosinone. Tony D'Amico had previously said, "We'll see further ahead" regarding free-agent acquisitions to bolster the summer market. The plan to strengthen an incomplete squad will take concrete shape when the January window opens.

Roma go into the international break as league leaders following a draw with Inter, but with several players nursing injuries that Gasperini will have time to manage. Wesley remained in Rome with a right thigh muscle strain and should need about a week to recover fully before the trip to Como. Bryan Cristante stayed behind as well, sidelined by lower back pain that prevented him from joining Italy's national team camp. Donyell Malen was forced to withdraw from the Netherlands squad due to muscle fatigue, while Manu Koné's condition is being assessed after an demanding performance against Inter. Gasperini has an interesting group available for work at Trigoria during the break. Goalkeepers, Mario Hermoso, Devyne Rensch, Nahuel Molina, Marten de Roon, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Paulo Dybala will all remain in the capital, excluded from their respective national team duties for various reasons. Pellegrini warrants particular attention: the number 7 has only recently returned from a long layoff and still needs to build match minutes, rhythm and match fitness. Gasperini is reportedly considering organising friendlies during the break to maintain match sharpness for players staying at Trigoria and accelerate recovery for those needing competitive action. The three-week break is crucial preparation for what follows. When the season resumes, Roma face nine matches across twenty-eight days, spanning Serie A fixtures from Como to Sassuolo and Champions League ties against Real Madrid, Slovan Bratislava and Manchester United. The depth of the squad will need to deliver more than theory—rotations, quick recoveries and an expanding pool of players capable of matching the standards of the regulars will be essential. Roma arrive at the break top of the league with renewed confidence, and Gasperini has the time to rebuild before the relentless stretch begins.

Roma close the opening phase of the 2026-27 season unbeaten after their 2-2 draw with Inter, maintaining four wins and two draws across the opening block of fixtures. Manu Koné scored twice in that Inter match and heads the player ratings across Italian media with an average of 7.9, rewarded for his dominant display. Bryan Cristante and Paulo Dybala both averaged 6.7, Nahuel Molina 6.6 and Leonardo Balerdi 6.5, while Gianluca Mancini registered the lowest average at 5.3 after an error that led to Lautaro Martinez's opening goal; among substitutes, Daniele Ghilardi struggled with 5.5. The international break presents a significant challenge to Gasperini's plans. Roma will have only seven players available during the roughly 20-day break: Mile Svilar, Pierluigi Gollini, Mario Hermoso, Molina, Devyne Rensch, Marten de Roon and Dybala. Even Dybala will leave for several days to attend Lionel Messi's farewell international match. With numbers so thin at the training ground, Roma will have to draw on Primavera players and schedule a couple of friendly matches. Training resumes on Monday afternoon after most of the squad departs to join their respective national teams over the weekend. Roma were 2-0 ahead at half-time against Inter before conceding twice in the second half to settle for the draw.