CONFERENZA LIVE | Gasperini: “Smettetela di parlare di gerarchie, non ci fa bene. Da Malen numeri fuori dal normale, è andato oltre le aspettative” – VIDEO

Alessandro Romano has been sold to Cagliari for €5 million plus bonuses potentially rising to €6.5 million, but the move has reignited debate about Roma's pattern of disposing of young talent at underdeveloped stages. Signed from Winterthur in 2022 for approximately €70,000, Romano had been viewed at Trigoria as a prospect with significant potential and was developed into a Serie A-standard midfielder within a few years. From a financial standpoint, the transaction is defensible: the enormous profit relative to the initial outlay is straightforward. The deeper question, however, is whether Roma will later regret the sale. The club is not alone in facing pressure to generate revenue from youth players—academies exist partly to produce economic value, and no organization can retain all its talents indefinitely while waiting to identify which ones will flourish. Roma's position has been complicated by UEFA settlement agreement obligations in recent years, making the academy a significant revenue source; since 2022, youth departures have generated tens of millions. Yet a pattern has emerged. Davide Frattesi developed into an internationally competitive midfielder away from Rome; Riccardo Calafiori represents probably Roma's greatest regret. Romano's career trajectory will determine whether Roma sold him at the right moment or too early. The concern is not that he is currently ready to displace Manu Koné or Bryan Cristante, but that a talent still developing is precisely the type a club should attempt to maintain some form of control over when possible. The issue becomes more acute when considering Emanuele Lulli, who came close to joining Avellino during the summer in a deal that could have included a loan with an option to buy. The principle remains constant: when market conditions force a club to seek resources, young players become one of the easiest paths. Romano was sold in a summer when Roma needed to generate plusvalenzas and protect players deemed central to the first team. Romano will reveal through his career whether Roma timed the sale correctly or sold too soon. The lesson from Frattesi and Calafiori should be clear: while some young talent will inevitably escape, when Trigoria develops a player with something extra, maintaining some link to his future may ultimately be worth far more than immediate profit.

Emanuele Lulli will face Torino's Nicolò Cacciamani on Sunday 13 September in what shapes as a duel between two 2007-born Italians, with incoming national team coach Roberto Mancini expected in the stands to observe them both. Roma had targeted Cacciamani during the summer transfer window, offering up to €12 million, but Torino demanded at least €20 million. Lulli remained at Trigoria after Gasperini blocked a potential loan departure and deployed him immediately as a starter. In a separate development, the Salah-Eddine saga has concluded. The Moroccan defender has accepted a transfer to Panathinaikos on a loan deal with a €5 million buy option plus bonuses, with no conditions that would trigger an automatic obligation. His exit follows exclusion from the club's UEFA list and Gasperini's comments ahead of the Atalanta fixture. Roma's women's team will contest the Serie A Women's Cup semi-final against Sassuolo at Stadio Ricci at 12:00, live on Sky Sport. The Giallorosse seek revenge after losing 0–1 to Sassuolo at Tre Fontane in late August. Baldi returns in goal and Oladipo has been called up; Lukasova and Pilgrim are absent, the latter sidelined by knee inflammation.

Christian Vieri has declared Roma contenders for the Serie A title, citing the impact of coach Gian Piero Gasperini as the decisive factor. Speaking at the World Legends Padel Tour on 11 September, the Inter legend and former Italy international told Il Messaggero that while Roma's Scudetto is not guaranteed, the club now has the credentials to fight for it. "This doesn't mean they will win it, but that they will participate in the battle thanks to Gasperini's arrival," Vieri said. Vieri ranked the coach alongside football's elite. "He is at the level of the big names worldwide: from Mourinho to Luis Enrique, from Guardiola to De La Fuente. Wherever Gasperini goes, teams change and grow. And now there is not only him, but also a great striker." He highlighted Donyell Malen's firepower as a transformative addition, noting the forward arrived from his previous club in January and has scored 19 goals. "He is a big player, like Lautaro or Hojlund. The Dutchman scores and not everyone can do that," Vieri said, dismissing criticism that Malen's goals come mainly against weaker opponents. "Goals are goals; numbers count. He can win the capocannoniere." He also singled out Paulo Dybala, saying: "I don't stop here. I want to add Dybala, who seems reborn. He impacts matches like no one else in Italy, perhaps in Europe. He may score less, but he invents football: he creates goals for others."

Gian Piero Gasperini held his pre-match press conference at Trigoria on 13 September ahead of Torino–Roma on Monday 14 September at 18:30, addressing squad fitness after the Champions League fixture in Istanbul. The coach confirmed Lorenzo Pellegrini's return to the squad and left open the possibility of Manu Koné featuring after a knee problem. On Paulo Dybala, Gasperini was unambiguous: "If he is well he always plays. There is no doubt about it. A player rests when he is tired. You cannot predict injury; we do not have a crystal ball. Tomorrow we have to play a great match to win at Torino, because it will be a difficult game and we need a squad at full strength." Pellegrini, he announced, would be included in the squad. "Perhaps for the first time, fingers crossed, we have everyone," Gasperini said. "We will see how Lulli is; he seems better today." Koné would test his fitness on 13 September: "He tries today; he could be there too." Wesley took a heavy blow to the knee late in the Istanbul match but Gasperini expressed confidence: "These are very strong athletes physically who recover in two days, let alone four." Molina, who arrived around 30 August, was described as "growing. Like De Roon and the latest arrivals, he needs to recover. On the value of the players there is no doubt." On Donyell Malen's form, Gasperini said: "The numbers are extraordinary. He has had excellent continuity. Taking Malen, I knew he was an important player for us, but we have certainly gone beyond expectations." He praised Rodrigo Mora as a player of "great talent" who "must complete himself both physically and tactically," adding: "I do not think there is a boy in the world who can be more of a protagonist than him at this moment." On Leonardo Balerdi's arrival strengthening the defence, Gasperini deflected comparisons of hierarchy: "Stop with the hierarchy talk; it is not fair to the players giving their maximum. Ghilardi has grown, Koulierakis is an important alternative, and at Marseille Balerdi did something remarkable. In Champions teams there are more first-choice players."

Gian Piero Gasperini held his pre-match press conference on 13 September ahead of Roma's fourth league fixture against Torino on 14 September at the Stadio Olimpico-Grande Torino, kickoff 18:30. The head coach addressed squad rotation, player form and Roma's readiness for a fixture he described as difficult as any other. Gasperini praised Donyell Malen's contribution since his arrival, saying: "The numbers are extraordinary and special. This player has made them with continuity and they are significant, they are great numbers also for how they were made, for the characteristics. Taking Malen I knew he would be important but we went beyond that." On Rodrigo Mora, he noted the young forward's level despite his age: "He has talent but it is not considered that he is young. He must complete himself from a physical and tactical point of view but what he has shown in the first matches, either from the start or coming in during the game, is that he is a young player of level. I do not believe there are young players more protagonists than he is at this moment." Gasperini rejected talk of a defensive pecking order, stating: "Please stop with the hierarchy discussion, it is not right towards the players who are giving their maximum. It does not make sense for these players, they are all giving an important contribution." He acknowledged Daniele Ghilardi's progress, Konstantinos Koulierakis' form and Leonardo Balerdi's arrival as a player of substance. On Paulo Dybala's workload, he said: "If he is well he plays always. You cannot predict injuries, we do not have a crystal ball. If one is well he plays, if he needs to rest then it is right that he has a week or two to rest." Gasperini confirmed Lorenzo Pellegrini would be available after his absence, adding: "We are in a position to be complete." Emanuele Lulli had a fever the previous day but was improving. Manu Koné was expected to train that day, with his status to be assessed. On the defensive lapses—Roma having conceded twice early in the second half in recent matches—Gasperini said: "We are trying to avoid taking these goals. It has happened twice but they were two well-played matches. We will be more careful, the important thing is not to take goals." Wesley took a knock to the knee in his last match but was expected to recover within two days. Molina arrived around 30 August and had been at the club for 15 days, having missed pre-season but was growing into the group.

Paulo Dybala will face Torino on Sunday in a fixture where he has been particularly prolific for Roma. The Argentine has scored 11 goals and provided 4 assists in 25 matches against the Piedmontese side, with Roma winning 15 of those encounters. Dybala's record against Torino matches his tally against Genoa (over 20 appearances) and Lazio (26 matches, one more assist), though he has been even more devastating against Udinese, with 14 goals and 9 assists in 23 games. However, Gian Piero Gasperini may opt to rest Dybala, potentially keeping him on the bench for the trip to the Stadio Olimpico–Grande Torino. The Roma coach could hand starts to Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora as the attacking supports behind Donyell Malen, giving the Joya a break after four consecutive matches played almost entirely. Dybala featured the full 90 minutes against both Atalanta and Fenerbahçe, and was substituted in the 79th minute against Fiorentina and the 84th minute at Lecce.

Gian Piero Gasperini held his pre-match press conference at Trigoria on 13 September ahead of Torino–Roma on Monday 14 September at 18:30, addressing squad fitness after the Champions League fixture in Istanbul. The coach confirmed Lorenzo Pellegrini's return to the squad and left open the possibility of Manu Koné featuring after a knee problem. On Paulo Dybala, Gasperini was unambiguous: "If he is well he always plays. There is no doubt about it. A player rests when he is tired. You cannot predict injury; we do not have a crystal ball. Tomorrow we have to play a great match to win at Torino, because it will be a difficult game and we need a squad at full strength." Pellegrini, he announced, would be included in the squad. "Perhaps for the first time, fingers crossed, we have everyone," Gasperini said. "We will see how Lulli is; he seems better today." Koné would test his fitness on 13 September: "He tries today; he could be there too." Wesley took a heavy blow to the knee late in the Istanbul match but Gasperini expressed confidence: "These are very strong athletes physically who recover in two days, let alone four." Molina, who arrived around 30 August, was described as "growing. Like De Roon and the latest arrivals, he needs to recover. On the value of the players there is no doubt." On Donyell Malen's form, Gasperini said: "The numbers are extraordinary. He has had excellent continuity. Taking Malen, I knew he was an important player for us, but we have certainly gone beyond expectations." He praised Rodrigo Mora as a player of "great talent" who "must complete himself both physically and tactically," adding: "I do not think there is a boy in the world who can be more of a protagonist than him at this moment." On Leonardo Balerdi's arrival strengthening the defence, Gasperini deflected comparisons of hierarchy: "Stop with the hierarchy talk; it is not fair to the players giving their maximum. Ghilardi has grown, Koulierakis is an important alternative, and at Marseille Balerdi did something remarkable. In Champions teams there are more first-choice players."

Marten de Roon faced a hostile reception from Atalanta's ultras during yesterday's match against Cagliari, who displayed a banner criticizing his move to Roma in the final days of the transfer window. The ultras were unhappy with both his departure and his celebration at the end of Saturday's match at the Olimpico. Gasperini moved to defend his midfielder, saying: "De Roon was for many years a player who brought honour to Atalanta and the city of Bergamo. He did something extraordinary, and now it's a privilege to have him here. As soon as he finds his best condition he will be an important player. Leaving Atalanta was not his choice, he did not fit into their plans. What was he supposed to become? An old shoe locked away in a cupboard?" De Roon remains one of Gasperini's trusted lieutenants at Roma. He will miss tomorrow's match against Torino while continuing to build fitness, but Gasperini expects him to become a key midfielder once his condition improves.

Gian Piero Gasperini held a pre-match press conference on 13 September ahead of Roma's fixture against Torino, addressing squad rotation, injury concerns and the demands of competing in European football alongside a packed domestic schedule. Gasperini rejected questions about defensive hierarchies, insisting the concept was counterproductive to team morale. "Please stop talking about hierarchies," he said. "It makes no sense and has no effect on the squad. Everyone is giving an important contribution. Ghilardi has improved, Koulierakis is an important alternative. We knew about Balerdi — he did something remarkable at Marseille, he's not a youngster. When you're in the Champions League there are multiple starters, otherwise it always becomes something controversial." He praised Daniele Ghilardi's development and highlighted the quality of defenders including Leonardo Balerdi, who arrived from Marseille. The coach also defended Marten de Roon following a banner displayed at Atalanta's Bergamo stadium, saying: "He's been a player who raised the name of Bergamo for many years. It's our good fortune to have him here. As soon as he finds his condition he'll be a player of great quality." On Paulo Dybala's availability, Gasperini was categorical: "If he's well he always plays. There's no doubt. A player rests when he's tired. You can't predict an injury, we don't have a crystal ball — if he's well he plays." Regarding Manu Koné, the coach confirmed: "Koné tests today, he could be there." Gasperini also announced the return of Lorenzo Pellegrini: "Tomorrow we recover Pellegrini too, he'll travel with us. Perhaps for the first time we really have everyone." He noted that Emanuele Lulli had a slight fever but was improving. On young forward Rodrigo Mora, Gasperini said: "I see a young player with enormous talent. He needs to complete himself physically and tactically, he arrived not long ago but what he's shown from the start or coming on mid-match is that of a youngster of great level. I don't believe there's a young player in the world capable of being the protagonist more than him right now." Wesley suffered a heavy blow to the knee on Thursday that affected him, though Gasperini expects him to recover. Nahuel Molina arrived on 30 August and has been at the club for 15 days, having missed pre-season preparation, but is improving. Gasperini stressed the challenge of managing fixture congestion with European competition, noting that Roma must now navigate an even more demanding schedule. He emphasised that all 20 outfield players plus goalkeepers were capable of contributing to the club's opportunity in the Champions League, where squad depth would be critical.