Gasperini and Friedkin to hold summit this weekend to plan Roma's future

Gian Piero Gasperini has revealed he feels consistent backing from the Friedkin Group but wants to see them more engaged with Roma. In an interview with Sky Sport, the coach said: "I always feel their trust and support even though they come to Rome very little. Now they have put in Galantic who certainly makes a tighter connection between Roma and them. My objective remains clear: to get them more involved, not for me but for them and for the fans." Gasperini was discussing his experience at the club while unveiling a new wine label called "3-4-3" produced in Piedmont at Cascina Gilli in Castelnuovo Don Bosco (Asti). Roma continue to pursue Endrick as an attacking reinforcement. Director Tony D'Amico has reopened decisive contact with the entourage of the Brazilian Real Madrid forward during the international break, testing the 2006-born talent's willingness to move to the capital. Endrick has signalled openness to a Roma transfer, though Milan remain strong competitors. His season at Madrid under Mourinho has been complicated, featuring limited appearances and an injury that has hampered his output—a situation pushing him to explore new opportunities for regular playing time. Midfielder Rodrigo Mora has been included in the final 25-man shortlist for the Golden Boy 2026 award, football's annual prize for the best European player under 21. Mora received his place via a wild card alongside Mastantuono, Gadou, Kostoulas and Espart. The honour, created in 2003 by Tuttosport, recognises emerging talent from across Europe's top divisions. Meanwhile, Bryan Cristante's recovery timeline has extended. According to radio commentary, the midfielder sustained a collateral ligament injury, with rehabilitation expected to take approximately one month—longer than initially anticipated. Roma's defence has been singled out as one of Serie A's strongest this season.

Rodrigo Mora has been included in the 25-finalist shortlist for the 2026 Golden Boy award, the prize created in 2003 by TuttoSport. The Portugal midfielder, who arrived at Roma this summer from Porto, earned his place in the final selection phase through a wild-card allocation. The 25 finalists were announced on 5 October at Villa Fürstenberg in Mestre. Mora's inclusion marks another milestone for the 2007-born talent, who is among the most promising young footballers in European football. The wild-card was also granted to Mastantuono of Fiorentina, Gadou of Borussia Dortmund, Kostoulas of Brighton and Espart of Barcelona.

Gian Piero Gasperini spoke to Sky Sport from a vineyard in Castelnuovo Don Bosco, Asti, during the launch of his wine project "3-4-3"—named after the formation that has defined his career—and addressed multiple Roma themes including Bryan Cristante's recovery, the Friedkin family's engagement, and the summer transfer window. Gasperini expressed his desire to involve the Friedkin family more closely with the squad and supporters ahead of Roma's centenary. He acknowledged that the Percassi family, from his previous club, had maintained daily contact and a relationship extending beyond work, but with the Friedkins the dynamic differs. "I feel their trust and support even though they come to Rome very little," he said. "Now they have appointed Galantic, who certainly creates a tighter connection between Roma and them. My objective remains to involve them more—not for me, but for them and for the fans. To bring a closer relationship into the centenary is an objective." He praised the appointment of Galantic as a link between the club and ownership. On Cristante's fitness, Gasperini said: "He is recovering, it takes time. We will not be willing to risk anything. The objective is to recover him properly even if he were to miss one or two more matches." Regarding Koné and summer market rumours of a late departure, Gasperini explained: "We could not replace him in such a short time. It was not feasible. The market was long, arriving at very few hours before closure there were no timescales. These transfers bring the involvement of many people; I do not see how an operation like that could have been done. Personally I am happy. He will have the opportunity, and is already doing so, to increase his value." On the tight fixture list, Gasperini noted that five substitutions help manage the energy expenditure, and that injuries remain a constant risk in football. He praised Soulé's early-season form, noting he had recovered from pubalgia over the summer, and expressed happiness with Dybala's recent output: "He is a boy who when he takes the field does well. He was born with the ball at his feet. The fact of having to miss many matches made him sad. Now he is happy, he has enthusiasm, these are good milestones." Gasperini also reflected on his first season at Roma, calling it a major success to win the appreciation of supporters who initially viewed him as an opponent.

Roma's defensive record has become one of the Serie A's most impressive assets under Gian Piero Gasperini, continuing the momentum built in the previous season. The team has conceded just 5 goals in the opening 6 matches of the 2026-27 campaign, averaging 0.83 per game—a rate that mirrors the defensive solidity of last season, when Roma finished with the second-best defence in the league after shipping 31 goals across the campaign. The strength lies not in defensive caution but in an aggressive approach to ball recovery. Roma leads Serie A in regains on the attacking third, averaging 11.8 balls won per match in the final third of the pitch. This high pressing directly feeds the attack: the side has created 17 shots directly from possession won in advanced areas. Mile Svilar has anchored a centre-back unit that Gasperini can rotate among six centrals of comparable quality—a tactical advantage as Roma juggle domestic and European fixtures. Ahead of the trip to Como, international commitments will shape team selection. Evan N'Dicka is primed for a starting berth at centre-back after representing Ivory Coast, expected back at Roma's training ground Trigoria on Tuesday and able to complete a full week under Gasperini's staff. Leonardo Balerdi will not arrive until Thursday following Argentina's South American duties, limiting his availability. Konstantinos Koulierakis, who has managed only 22 minutes of action so far, stands to gain further opportunity as the congested fixture schedule develops across the coming weeks.

Gian Piero Gasperini has praised Roma's defensive unit as a group of "gladiators", a characterization that reflects the rearguard's emergence as one of Serie A's strongest this season. After five matches, Roma's defence ranks among the league's best, a position earned through sustained excellence rather than a single run of form. Roma's back line finished last season in second place defensively, conceding 31 goals across the campaign—an average of 0.82 per match—behind only Como, who managed 29. Como, however, has since conceded six goals in five matches this season, underlining the durability of Roma's defensive structure. The strength of the unit rests on both tactical discipline and personnel. Roma's high pressing game, played man-to-man across the pitch, generates consistent pressure. The four central defenders—Evan N'Dicka, Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Balerdi and Mario Hermoso—represent an exceptional collection; no other Serie A club, including defending champions Inter, can match that calibre at centre-back. Supporting them is goalkeeper Mile Svilar. The defensive setup is further bolstered by fullbacks Daniele Ghilardi and Konstantinos Koulierakis, creating a unit built to sustain both offensive recovery and positional solidity.

Radio pundit Piero Torri has voiced concern that Bryan Cristante's injury could be more serious than initially thought, and has outlined how he would approach Roma's upcoming fixtures if the midfielder is unavailable. Speaking on Radio Manà Manà Sport Roma (90.9), Torri said: "I'm afraid Cristante's injury may not be a short one. If he's not fit, I wouldn't risk trying to get him back for Real Madrid. I would play de Roon at Como and Pisilli against Real Madrid." Torri also reflected on head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's handling of Paulo Dybala's minutes, saying the manager's approach has shifted his perspective. "What Gasperini said about Dybala struck me—it erased my previous beliefs about his playing time and management. And so far he's been proved right," Torri noted. He suggested Roma should begin discussions about Gasperini's contract intentions, given that the coach's deal will expire at the end of the season. Former Roma striker Roberto Pruzzo, speaking on Radio Radio Mattino (104.5), praised goalkeeper Mile Svilar's importance to the team: "Svilar is a world-class goalkeeper for Roma, I have no doubt about it. If there's a normal goalkeeper, it's easy to lose 3–1. But with him it's different."

Donyell Malen spent a scheduled rest day exploring Rome as a tourist, visiting the Vatican Museums with his wife Delisha. The Dutch forward shared a selfie from the Stanza della Segnatura, the room decorated by Raffaello Sanzio. Malen has been at Roma since January, when he arrived from Aston Villa and Borussia Dortmund, and has quickly won over the Giallorossi supporters despite appearing to have played for the club for years. During the current international break, Malen declined a call-up to the Netherlands squad due to knee discomfort. Manager Gian Piero Gasperini granted the forward a rest day before training resumed at Trigoria on 6 October. Malen is expected to return to the attack for the trip to Como on 11 October.

Gian Piero Gasperini spoke to Sky Sport from his wine estate in Asti, addressing Roma's upcoming fixtures against Como and Real Madrid after the international break. The head coach discussed the club's ownership, the fitness of his squad, and the decision to retain Manu Koné in the summer transfer window. Gasperini outlined his relationship with the Friedkin Group, saying: "A relationship different to the one I had with Percassi, which was present daily and went beyond work. With the Friedkin it doesn't happen, but I always feel their trust and support from a distance. They come little to Rome, but they put Galantic here who now acts as close liaison between Roma and them. My objective is to manage to involve them much more, but not so much for me as for them themselves and for the fans. Bringing greater presence in view of the centenary and the new stadium is an objective of mine." On José Mourinho, Gasperini said: "He is a special person, and people like that achieve success beyond what happens on the pitch. Here he won a Conference and played a final; in the league perhaps he did less, but he is someone who was appreciated by the supporters and that means he really has something special." Gasperini explained the squad's unusual break during the international pause, noting the team had reduced numbers and could not play friendlies, so "we decided to give continuity the first week. Then we took days of rest like today." On Bryan Cristante's injury, he said: "Cristante has a collateral ligament problem, he is recovering but it will take time. I'm not sure if he will miss both Como and Real but we won't risk anything since there are now many matches and we want him at his best." He praised Matías Soulé's form, noting Soulé "did something extraordinary in the first half last season then was held back by a groin injury. He recovered and when he arrived at the pre-season camp he was overweight but now he is playing at a high level. He debuted with Argentina and that for me is always a reward for the whole squad." Gasperini also confirmed that Malen is fit and Dybala is training as he has since early July. On Koné specifically, Gasperini stated: "He couldn't be replaced in so little time. There was nothing feasible. The market lasted long and making a sale at the last moment was impossible even for the timing. These transfers then require the entry of so many people. Personally I'm happy it went this way; he will have the chance, as he is already doing, to increase his value further." The coach declined to commit to signing a striker in January, saying: "It's not easy; strikers are always expensive and are sought by many. We have a good department; that role is lacking but it's not like we're playing with ten."

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has decisions to make ahead of the trip to Como, with injuries and international commitments affecting selection in midfield and defence. Matías Soulé, who has been with Argentina, is expected back at Trigoria only on Thursday, opening the door for either Lorenzo Pellegrini or Rodrigo Mora to start alongside Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen in the attacking midfield role. Pellegrini, who has not played since 10 April, is fully fit and ready to return; a start would mark his 350th appearance for Roma. Mora, meanwhile, is currently with the Portugal U21 side and is chasing continuity after scoring an overhead kick against Gibraltar. Gasperini has built a significant strength on Roma's flanks this season—a reversal of last season's problems. The club's wingers have created 24 goal-scoring chances so far: 13 from Wesley, 7 from Nahuel Molina and 4 from Emanuele Lulli, a tally that places Roma second only to Inter. The coach is expected to field Molina on the right and Wesley on the left at Como, with the Brazilian given a more attacking brief and the Argentine tasked with greater defensive responsibility, though Gasperini has signalled he does not regard the flanks as fixed assignments and may shuffle them during the match. Defence has also emerged as a major weapon. Gasperini described Roma's back line as a "difesa di gladiatori" (defence of gladiators), and the numbers back that assessment. Roma lead Serie A with 5.8 recoveries per match in the attacking third and 141 regained possessions in the central areas, generating 17 shots from high-pressure recoveries. The coach has several defensive options in Evan N'Dicka, Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Balerdi, Mario Hermoso, Daniele Ghilardi and Konstantinos Koulierakis. N'Dicka could return to the starting line-up at Como in place of Balerdi, who is still with Argentina and due back at Trigoria later. Gasperini's defensive philosophy is encapsulated in one of his favourite sayings: "Si difende in 11, si attacca in 11"—defence involves all eleven, as does attack.

Roma's radio stations have focused heavily on the upcoming Como fixture and squad selection as Gasperini's side prepares for a demanding period. Checco Oddo Casano argued that Devyne Rensch, bought for €5 million, could be sold in January for a profit to bring in a stronger left-back in the style of Moreira. "Rensch is a little player who can fit in Roma's squad, but he'll hardly become a new Gosens, a new Zappacosta or a new Wesley," Casano said. "You bought him at a good price and you can make a profit—maybe in January you can sell him and get a stronger player to improve in that area of the pitch." David Rossi noted that Roma's last league defeat came in April when they lost to Inter at San Siro, despite playing a strong first half. He questioned whether Roma are genuinely weaker than Como or whether the psychological pressure of the fixture is one-sided. Gianluca Piacentini acknowledged Como's strength—demonstrating a solid project over the past season and a half—but emphasised that Roma are equally capable, with both teams among the three strongest in the league. Fabio Petruzzi said Roma and Como have shown significant growth over the last 18 months and play the best football in Italy, even better than Inter, though Inter's superior squad makes them favourites. Piero Torri predicted De Roon will start against Como, saying "he seems made specifically to play with Gasperini." Torri noted Lorenzo Pellegrini could play as a midfielder but has never featured in that role under Gasperini and hasn't played a match since April, making an immediate start unlikely. Torri stated: "I'll be called mad, but for me the Como match is harder than the Real Madrid one." Marco Valerio Corsi reported that Bryan Cristante appears to have a lateral knee ligament problem and will miss both Como and Real Madrid, with the length of the absence still unclear. Roberto Pruzzo called De Roon "a proven reliable player" and "a solid used buy," saying he cannot be ignored as an option despite potential fitness concerns over a run of ten consecutive matches. Nando Orsi said De Roon will "challenge the titularity of one of the two sacred monsters of midfield" if he is physically fit, having praised the signing in advance. Stephan El Shaarawy was not mentioned. Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso featured prominently in defenders' debate, with Carina suggesting N'Dicka was sidelined too easily and forming the best back three with Balerdi and Hermoso. Pruzzo still favoured Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso as the core defensive line, while Mattioli predicted Balerdi will become immovable once fully integrated into Italian football and Roma's system.

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has decisions to make ahead of the trip to Como, with injuries and international commitments affecting selection in midfield and defence. Matías Soulé, who has been with Argentina, is expected back at Trigoria only on Thursday, opening the door for either Lorenzo Pellegrini or Rodrigo Mora to start alongside Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen in the attacking midfield role. Pellegrini, who has not played since 10 April, is fully fit and ready to return; a start would mark his 350th appearance for Roma. Mora, meanwhile, is currently with the Portugal U21 side and is chasing continuity after scoring an overhead kick against Gibraltar. Gasperini has built a significant strength on Roma's flanks this season—a reversal of last season's problems. The club's wingers have created 24 goal-scoring chances so far: 13 from Wesley, 7 from Nahuel Molina and 4 from Emanuele Lulli, a tally that places Roma second only to Inter. The coach is expected to field Molina on the right and Wesley on the left at Como, with the Brazilian given a more attacking brief and the Argentine tasked with greater defensive responsibility, though Gasperini has signalled he does not regard the flanks as fixed assignments and may shuffle them during the match. Defence has also emerged as a major weapon. Gasperini described Roma's back line as a "difesa di gladiatori" (defence of gladiators), and the numbers back that assessment. Roma lead Serie A with 5.8 recoveries per match in the attacking third and 141 regained possessions in the central areas, generating 17 shots from high-pressure recoveries. The coach has several defensive options in Evan N'Dicka, Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Balerdi, Mario Hermoso, Daniele Ghilardi and Konstantinos Koulierakis. N'Dicka could return to the starting line-up at Como in place of Balerdi, who is still with Argentina and due back at Trigoria later. Gasperini's defensive philosophy is encapsulated in one of his favourite sayings: "Si difende in 11, si attacca in 11"—defence involves all eleven, as does attack.

Wesley Sneijder, who won the treble with Inter under Mourinho, has identified Roma as Serie A's main threat to the Nerazzurri this season. Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, the former Inter midfielder praised Roma's attacking threat under Gasperini. "La Roma with Gasperini is particularly aggressive and dangerous, especially with this Malen who always scores and attacks the depth at the right moment: few can do it like that," Sneijder said. He acknowledged that Como has also caught attention but stressed the established contenders cannot be overlooked: "Now Como has everyone's eyes on it and is very interesting. But the others—Milan, Juve and even Napoli—how can you not consider them?" Sneijder also expressed hope that Inter, managed by Chivu, another former teammate, could win the Champions League again this season, noting that the final is being held in Madrid.