Fofana talks on hold as Roma prepare for Fiorentina opener; Pellegrini sidelined

Roma and AC Milan have both set their sights on Endrick, the Brazilian forward seeking greater opportunities after limited playing time at his current club. The Milan side hold a slight advantage in the race to sign him, with the competition expected to intensify in the coming weeks. Castro and Soulé, both Roma players, marked special nights with their debuts for Argentina's national team. Castro struck the post during the match, while Soulé produced several noteworthy moments. The pair now await Argentina's fixture against Benin, which will also serve as Lionel Messi's farewell appearance with the national team. Back at Roma, Gasperini is preparing the squad for an upcoming match against Como at the Sinigaglia stadium. Fabregas, Como's manager, recently offered praise for the Roma coach. Gasperini has also turned his attention beyond the Como fixture, directing a message toward Gattuso.

Former Roma defender Vincent Candela has predicted that Roma will defeat Real Madrid in their upcoming Champions League match at the Olimpico in ten days' time. Speaking at the FIP Gold Mediolanum Padel Cup in Perugia, Candela said: "It will be a celebration. I think Roma will win. I don't say it as a fan, but because I look at the characteristics of Gasperini's squad and the comparison with Mourinho's." Mario Hermoso has established himself as a cornerstone of Gasperini's Roma, impressing with his adaptability to the coach's tactical system. The club is now preparing to open contract renewal talks with the Spanish defender. Hermoso is seeking a two-year extension that would take his contract to 2029, but Roma's policy for players over 30 typically involves annual renewals. Both sides have expressed a willingness to continue together, with negotiations expected in the coming weeks. Elsewhere, Roma's interest in Frosinone's Giorgi Kvernadze—a Georgian prospect born in 2003 who has impressed early in the season—has prompted Frosinone president Maurizio Stirpe to distance the player from the market. Stirpe told the Corriere della Sera: "The possible sale of Kvernadze? Today it's only talk, I haven't received any phone calls. I only ever wait for official and concrete proposals." No formal offers have been made for the right-footed winger, whom Gasperini is reportedly keen to add to his squad.

Konstantinos Koulierakis delivered a commanding performance in Greece's Nations League match against Germany, starting and playing the full 90 minutes while keeping a clean sheet. The Roma defender was among the best players on the pitch, containing the physicality of Burkhardt while limiting the pace of Wirtz in a demanding fixture. Koulierakis has featured sparingly for Roma this season, with limited minutes and few opportunities to showcase his form. With the campaign only just underway, head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will need contributions from his full squad. The Greece international's display against Germany represents a statement of intent—a reminder that he remains available and ready to claim his place in the team's plans.

André Villas-Boas, Porto president, has backed Rodrigo Mora to become a top-level player at Roma following the Portuguese teenager's summer transfer to the Italian club. Speaking to Corriere dello Sport, Villas-Boas confirmed that Mora left Porto after a lengthy negotiation, with the move driven partly by the player's desire for more playing time amid intense competition at the Portuguese club. "Rodrigo wanted to leave and there was plenty of competition in the squad," Villas-Boas said. "He is an immense talent who will make the Roma fans happy." The 19-year-old represented a significant investment for Roma, and Villas-Boas expressed confidence he would thrive under the club's structure. "He will find his space and enchant Rome, I'm sure of it. He has personality and uncommon technical qualities and wants to have a great career," the Porto president added. He acknowledged that Mora had been an idol for Porto's supporters and a product of their academy, but the player's limited minutes prompted the club to listen to offers. "Roma was truly decisive in taking him," Villas-Boas confirmed. On Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini's role in developing Mora, Villas-Boas said: "I think he is a talent technically among the best in circulation and in future, with the tactical work of a master like Gasp, he can become a world-class top player." When asked about physical development, Villas-Boas was pragmatic: "He can't become one metre eighty tall. And if you're talking about muscles, I'd say no—he already has plenty of quality in his feet."

Roman radio commentators debated Endrick's future and Roma's midfield depth in their daily round-up of opinion from the Rome airwaves. Agresti reported that Real Madrid want to loan out Endrick, and that despite Roma remaining in the picture and able to offer Champions League football, the forward is currently more inclined toward Milan. He has played only 4 minutes for Madrid this season. Mourinho had blocked his departure in the summer, but Endrick wants to showcase himself, and Milan are ready to give him playing time. The club from the San Siro have close relationships with Endrick's agents and had already tried to advance the matter over the summer; they are now reassessing in light of his minimal usage at Madrid. "Tutto dipende da Mourinho e dal fatto che lasci andare il giocatore" — everything depends on Mourinho and whether he lets the player leave, Agresti said. Pugliese suggested Mourinho's intervention in blocking the deal last summer reflected poor relations with the Friedkin ownership. He noted that Cardinale has a close relationship with Roc Nation, and Rodrygo will return to the Real Madrid fold in December, creating crowded options: Díaz, Yoro, Bernardo Silva, Mbappé, Vinicius, Diomande — too many players for too few places. If Mourinho wants to help someone, Pugliese said, "Penso che Mou se vuole dare una mano potrebbe darla Amorim, non a Gasperini" — he thinks Mou could lend it to Amorim, not Gasperini. On Roma's midfield, Pruzzo said young players must be given chances despite the errors they will make. He praised Bryan Cristante for playing every match and providing equilibrium and security to the squad and to Gasperini. "Nel momento in cui ti viene meno, devi avere un'alternativa a centrocampo: la Roma ha i giocatori contati, e questo può essere un problema" — the moment he becomes unavailable, you need an alternative in midfield, and Roma's options are limited, which could be a problem. Pugliese added that Portugal are pushing for Rodrigo Mora to play for the national team in the position left by Cristiano Ronaldo; Mora is a recognizable technical talent and should grow athletically. At Como, if Pellegrini is fit, he will play ahead of Mora.

Porto president André Villas-Boas has praised Rodrigo Mora following the midfielder's move to Roma, expressing confidence that the 19-year-old will flourish at the club. Mora left Porto after competition for playing time limited his minutes, but Villas-Boas believes Roma made a decisive effort to secure him and that he possesses exceptional technical qualities. "He will find his space and enchant Roma, I am sure of it. He has personality and technical qualities that are uncommon, and he wants to have a great career," Villas-Boas said. The investment in Mora was significant for a player of his age. Villas-Boas acknowledged that while Mora was an idol for Porto's supporters and a gem of their academy, the squad's competitive depth meant his minutes fell short of his ambitions, prompting the club to listen to offers. Villas-Boas, now serving as Porto's president rather than coach, is confident that Gasperini's tactical instruction will be crucial to Mora's development. "I think he is technically a talent among the best in circulation, and in the future, with the tactical work of a master like Gasp, he can become a world-class top," Villas-Boas stated. On Mora's physical profile, he added: "Well, he cannot become 1.80 metres tall. And if you speak of muscles I would say no—he already has enough quality in his feet."

Roman radio commentators debated Endrick's future and Roma's midfield depth in their daily round-up of opinion from the Rome airwaves. Agresti reported that Real Madrid want to loan out Endrick, and that despite Roma remaining in the picture and able to offer Champions League football, the forward is currently more inclined toward Milan. He has played only 4 minutes for Madrid this season. Mourinho had blocked his departure in the summer, but Endrick wants to showcase himself, and Milan are ready to give him playing time. The club from the San Siro have close relationships with Endrick's agents and had already tried to advance the matter over the summer; they are now reassessing in light of his minimal usage at Madrid. "Tutto dipende da Mourinho e dal fatto che lasci andare il giocatore" — everything depends on Mourinho and whether he lets the player leave, Agresti said. Pugliese suggested Mourinho's intervention in blocking the deal last summer reflected poor relations with the Friedkin ownership. He noted that Cardinale has a close relationship with Roc Nation, and Rodrygo will return to the Real Madrid fold in December, creating crowded options: Díaz, Yoro, Bernardo Silva, Mbappé, Vinicius, Diomande — too many players for too few places. If Mourinho wants to help someone, Pugliese said, "Penso che Mou se vuole dare una mano potrebbe darla Amorim, non a Gasperini" — he thinks Mou could lend it to Amorim, not Gasperini. On Roma's midfield, Pruzzo said young players must be given chances despite the errors they will make. He praised Bryan Cristante for playing every match and providing equilibrium and security to the squad and to Gasperini. "Nel momento in cui ti viene meno, devi avere un'alternativa a centrocampo: la Roma ha i giocatori contati, e questo può essere un problema" — the moment he becomes unavailable, you need an alternative in midfield, and Roma's options are limited, which could be a problem. Pugliese added that Portugal are pushing for Rodrigo Mora to play for the national team in the position left by Cristiano Ronaldo; Mora is a recognizable technical talent and should grow athletically. At Como, if Pellegrini is fit, he will play ahead of Mora.

Roma's international break will conclude this weekend, with the Serie A campaign resuming on Sunday 11 October at Como (12:30 CET, Stadio Sinigaglia). The Giallorossi arrive on the back of a 2–2 draw against Inter, a result that underlined their strong start to the season and their ability to compete with title contenders. The timing of the break is awkward—Roma must immediately shift mental gears for a relentless schedule that will see them play nine times in 27 days, a fixture run that will define their seasonal ambitions under Gasperini. The stretch begins at Como and continues without respite. Three days after the Lombard trip, on Wednesday 14 October, the Champions League returns to the Olimpico after seven years; Real Madrid, managed by José Mourinho, are the visitors. Saturday 17 brings Genoa to Rome, followed by Slovan Bratislava at home on Tuesday 20 in the Champions League league phase. Roma then travel to Napoli on Saturday 24 October, a fixture described as capable of revealing much about the Giallorossi's capacity to compete. There is no time to celebrate or recover: Tuesday 27 sees Cagliari at home in a midweek fixture. Saturday 31 brings a trip to Udinese, followed by a journey to England on 3 November to face Manchester United. The run concludes on 7 November with Sassuolo at home, the ninth and final match of the month-long cycle before the second international break of the season. The injury to Bryan Cristante is poorly timed, depriving the midfield of one of its key equilibrating figures at the start of this critical period. However, his absence opens a tactical opportunity: Marten de Roon is primed to take over the midfield and make his Roma debut from the start, likely already at Como. De Roon brings his customary aggression, solidity and experience. Niccolò Pisilli will offer freshness and enthusiasm, though he is more likely to deputise for Manu Koné than for Cristante. Lorenzo Pellegrini's return, even in a different role—more attacking midfielder than central midfielder in a two-man midfield—is the best possible news for Gasperini. The coach has made clear that there are no hierarchies at Trigoria: "those who are in better form play, for Roma's benefit." Roma's squad training resumes on Tuesday afternoon before the Como trip. The fixture list over the next month presents no respite and no room for fluctuation, with injury risk a constant concern as the team aims to navigate this pivotal stretch.

Lorenzo Pellegrini is ready to reclaim a leading role at Roma after 184 days out. The midfielder has recovered from a long injury, signed a contract renewal on 8 August, and is now pushing for a starting place when Roma face Como. He returns with leadership, technical quality and work completed during the international break at Trigoria. A social media post — "True happiness is being at peace with the people around you" — reflects the calm with which he approaches his comeback after a previous season that yielded seven goals and four assists. Pellegrini's injury began on 10 April. Despite Gasperini assigning the captaincy based on appearances, Pellegrini remains the natural reference point in the dressing room, confirmed by his contract extension and his choice to stay despite several offers from Italian and foreign clubs. His lengthy absence and dedicated rehabilitation put him in fresher condition than squad-mates returning from international duty, including Soulé and Mora. In Gasperini's 3–4–1–2 system, Pellegrini can operate on the attacking midfield line behind Dybala and Malen, providing quality in the final third and pressing intensity. Gasperini is seriously considering starting him, with Pellegrini estimated to have an autonomy of around sixty minutes but ready to begin the match and definitively reclaim his place.

Roma's growth extends far beyond the pitch. The Friedkin Group is executing a comprehensive strategy built on investment, youth development, sustainability and a new stadium at Pietralata designed to fundamentally reshape the club's economic scale, according to CEO John Galantic speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport. Since the Friedkins arrived, the club has invested approximately €1 billion, with a further €1.3 billion allocated to the stadium project. Galantic outlined the club's approach to sustainable development: "We have three projects: renovating youth academies, thanks to people like D'Amico and Margiotta. Then the next growth stage between the Primavera and first team: the Under 23 is essential for us. And finally synergies with our team at Cannes, which is in the richest talent market. Every year we want to put new players developed in-house to grow and have a sustainable model." This strategy is already visible in the development of players like Emanuele Lulli and Niccolò Pisilli, who have become integral to the first team. The true transformation will arrive with the new stadium. Roma aims to lay the foundation stone by March 2027 and estimates that in its first full operational season, the stadium could generate a 245 per cent increase in matchday revenue compared to 2025, without accounting for potential new sponsorships. Galantic stated: "In four years the stadium will change everything, it raises revenue and allows us to make a very important sporting and economic leap. It's a stadium conceived for the fans." He contrasted the new ground with the Stadio Olimpico: "The Olimpico is beautiful and full of memories but it wasn't made for football. We've studied several exciting elements. We imagine the South Stand more united, it will be something special." On the ownership's broader approach, Galantic added: "The Friedkins did it in silence, with facts and with investments. Sometimes silence is golden and it works."

The Friedkin Group has committed €1 billion in investment to Roma's long-term project, centred on a new stadium at Pietralata with a €1.3 billion price tag designed to transform the club's finances and competitiveness. John Galantic, appointed to oversee the expansion, outlined a three-pillar strategy: renovating the youth academy under academy directors D'Amico and Margiotta, establishing an Under-23 team to bridge Primavera and the first squad, and leveraging Roma's partnership with Cannes to identify emerging talent. The club aims to place new academy graduates into the first team annually to create a sustainable model without reliance on pure transfer profits, with academy graduates Emanuele Lulli and Niccolò Pisilli cited as examples of the approach already bearing fruit. The new stadium forms the centrepiece of this expansion. Roma targets laying the foundation stone by March 2027 and projects that the first season of operation will generate a 245% increase in revenue compared to 2025, exclusive of new sponsorship deals. Galantic explained the strategic vision: "We have three projects: renovate the youth academy, thanks to people like D'Amico and Margiotta. Then the next growth phase between Primavera and the first team: we need the Under-23. And finally synergies with the Cannes squad, which is in the richest talent market. Every year we want to place new players developed in-house to grow and have a sustainable model." On the stadium itself, Galantic stated: "In four years the stadium will change everything—it increases revenue and lets us make a very important sporting and economic leap. It's a stadium designed for fans. The Olimpico is beautiful and full of memories but it's not made for football. We've studied various elements and they're enthralling. Imagine the South Curve more united—it will be something special. The Friedkin family has done all this quietly, with facts and investment. Sometimes silence is golden and it works. For Italy, a €1.3 billion investment is a signal to pursue similar projects."

Marten De Roon is preparing for a starting role in the wake of Bryan Cristante's injury, which will keep the Italian midfielder sidelined for approximately three weeks. De Roon, 35, is competing with Niccolò Pisilli for the position; Pisilli has impressed head coach Gian Piero Gasperini with a strong start to the season. The Dutch midfielder and Pisilli possess different characteristics, with De Roon operating as the more conservative option in midfield. Gasperini has consistently backed De Roon since his arrival at Roma, and the midfielder now has the chance to demonstrate why he remains the coach's trusted figure in the middle of the park.