Friedkin Group Confirms New Roma Stadium on Track for 2027 Opening

Vincent Candela, the former Roma defender, has predicted that Roma will beat Real Madrid in their upcoming Champions League fixture, citing the tactical qualities of Gasperini's squad. Speaking at the FIP Gold Mediolanum Padel Cup in Perugia, Candela reflected on Roma's recent 2–2 draw against Inter and the momentum it has built. "The Inter squad is one against which it is not easy to play. It has always scored at least two goals and then often won. Against Roma, though, that did not happen. It gave even more drive, confidence and self-awareness," he said. Candela also expects Roma to push Inter hard in the Serie A title race, with Como further back. He highlighted the upcoming fixture against Real Madrid as a tactical showcase between two different managerial approaches. "It will certainly be a fine match from a tactical point of view; Gasperini and Fabregas are two different coaches, but both have a well-defined personality," Candela stated. The former defender singled out forward Donyell Malen for particular praise, saying: "I believe very much in Malen: he is strong, dynamic, sees the goal and is concrete." Gasperini has shifted Malen from his habitual role, and Candela expects significant returns. "I think he will reach beyond 20 goals and will have a great season," he predicted. On Roma's challenge against Real Madrid in ten days at the Olimpico, Candela was emphatic: "It will be a celebration. I think Roma will win. I do not say this as a fan, but because I look at the characteristics of Gasperini's squad and the comparison with Mourinho's."

Gennaro Gattuso, manager of Lazio, delivered an effusive tribute to Gian Piero Gasperini at the Festival dello Sport in Trento, describing the Roma coach as belonging to the same category of tactical innovators as Arrigo Sacchi. Gattuso recalled how Gasperini supported him during difficult moments in his career, including when Gattuso was at Milan and Gasperini at Atalanta. "He is a great coach and has always been present in my difficult moments. When I was at Milan and he was at Atalanta he called me and told me to hold on, that he liked how my Milan played. We are somewhat alike, we both have strong characters, he has always made me feel his closeness. Nobody talks about it but he is part of the same category as Sacchi for the change he has brought. I and many colleagues try to repeat the things he does, but we struggle. A dinner with him would be an honour," Gattuso said. The moment took a lighter turn when Gasperini appeared in a video message on stage at Trento, inviting Gattuso to dinner with a playful caveat acknowledging the city rivalry between the clubs. "I would be happy to invite you to dinner one evening, obviously not the week of the derby eh! I hope to see you soon, goodbye," Gasperini said. Gattuso responded immediately: "Going to dinner with him would be an honour." Gattuso also addressed the upcoming derby, explaining that he discourages his players and staff from discussing it prematurely. "When I hear my boys talking about it, or people who work in the game, I stop them immediately. There are still important matches; we will talk about it that week," he said.

Former Roma defender Candela has backed the Giallorossi to win their upcoming Champions League match against Real Madrid. Speaking at the FIP Gold Mediolanum Padel Cup in Perugia, Candela expressed confidence in Gasperini's squad, saying: "I think Roma will win." He qualified the prediction as more than just fan sentiment: "I don't say it as a fan, but because I look at the characteristics of Gasperini's team and the comparison with Mourinho's." Roma arrive at the league break in first place with four wins and a draw — the 2–2 result against Inter at the Olimpico. Candela believes that match demonstrated Roma's potential and gave the team "even more drive, confidence and self-awareness." He rates Inter as still the favourites for the Serie A title, with Roma as their closest challengers and Como further back. The next league fixture is against Como, which Candela described as "certainly a beautiful match from a tactical point of view; Gasperini and Fabregas are two different managers, but both have very clear personalities." Candela also made a bold prediction about forward Donyell Malen, whose form has impressed this season. "I believe very much in Malen: he is strong, dynamic, he sees the goal and is clinical," Candela said. "I think he will reach more than 20 goals and will have a great season." The Real Madrid match at the Olimpico is scheduled for ten days' time and Candela called it "a celebration": a Champions League night at home.

Gianluca Mancini will not travel with Italy for their fixture against Turkey, with national team coach Roberto Mancini deciding to leave ten players at the Coverciano training centre to continue work there. Mancini joins Ahanor, Barella, Coppola, Inacio, Kouadio, Maldini, Pessina, Ricci and Zoma in staying behind. The decision reflects uncertainty over Mancini's starting place in Italy's defensive line. Coach Roberto Mancini is considering substantial changes to the back four following matches against Belgium, Turkey and France, with Di Lorenzo, Mancini and Coppola potentially replaced by Kayode, Scalvini and Bastoni, the latter returning from suspension. Back at Roma, the fixture list after the international break presents a demanding challenge: seven matches in 23 days beginning with the away trip to Como, followed by Real Madrid, Genoa, Slovan Bratislava, Napoli, Cagliari and Udinese. This run will test both Roma's ambitions and the depth of Gasperini's squad. Roma's trip to Bologna on 4 December is under observation by the ONMS owing to a Virtus Bologna Euroliga match against Partizan Belgrade scheduled the same day; the proximity of the basketball arena and the Dall'Ara stadium, just over 2 kilometres apart, raises concerns about contact between supporter groups, though a final decision will come later. The trip to Como faces no such issues.

Roma resumed training on Tuesday 22 September with a severely reduced squad available to Gasperini. Among outfield players, only Hermoso, Molina, Rensch, Pellegrini, De Roon and Dybala trained fully, while Wesley, Malen and Cristante remained at Trigoria for physiotherapy on their respective problems. All three goalkeepers, including Svilar, were available for selection. The squad will continue work through Friday focused mainly on maintaining fitness before a break. In a separate development, Francesco Totti revealed in his book *Oltre* that he came very close to an unexpected return to professional football with Genoa. After initial jokes about a comeback, the club's hierarchy made a formal approach and the former Roma captain began serious training, including gym work, physiotherapy and a tailored diet. Manager Gilardino also wrote to him to try to persuade him, but ultimately his bond to Roma prevailed. Totti reflected on his decision: "A sporting betrayal has no age limit, whether you are 18 or 48 years old." Forward Antonio Arena has returned to Roma Primavera after recovering from a muscular strain. He featured for a spell on Sunday against Milan, and his introduction coincided with Guaglianone's decisive goal. Although Arena has not yet appeared in the UEFA Youth League, he remains eligible to do so despite being included by Gasperini on the senior squad's UEFA list as number 68. Off the pitch, Roma's Pietralata stadium project advanced significantly. The State Superintendence gave a favourable opinion on the Environmental Impact Assessment, stating it found no "obstacles to releasing the provision". Conditions remain on archaeological protection, a Roman villa, a cistern and landscaping that must be incorporated into the design. The final Conference of Services meeting is scheduled for Monday 28 September.

Twelve AS Roma players will be absent during the 20-day international break as they answer calls from their national teams, though coach Gian Piero Gasperini managed to retain Wesley, Bryan Cristante and Donyell Malen. The Argentine contingent—Santiago Castro, Matías Soulé and Leonardo Balerdi—depart for friendlies against Bolivia, Burkina Faso and Benin respectively. The final fixture doubles as Lionel Messi's farewell match; Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina have also been invited to that occasion. Italy's representatives Gianluca Mancini and Daniele Ghilardi will face Belgium, Turkey and France in Nations League action, where Manu Koné features for France alongside Italy's other two group opponents. Emanuele Lulli and Niccolò Pisilli join the Under-21 squad for European qualifying matches against Armenia and Poland. Konstantinos Koulierakis represents Greece, Evan N'Dicka plays for Côte d'Ivoire, and Rodrigo Mora turns out for Portugal's Under-21 side. Third-choice goalkeeper Giorgio De Marzi competes in Under-19 action alongside young prospect Antonio Arena and other Primavera players.