Gasperini hails Roma's defensive 'gladiators' as rearguard emerges as Serie A standout

Konstantinos Koulierakis earned widespread praise from Greek media after producing a commanding display in Greece's 0–0 draw against Germany yesterday, a result that kept the Greek national team top of a competitive group also featuring the Netherlands and Serbia. Playing alongside Mavrapanos, the Roma defender contained the attacking threats of Wirtz and his teammates in a performance described as a defensive wall. It was a high-profile outing for a player who has struggled for league minutes at Roma since the club signed him when Wolfsburg were relegated. Gasperini and sporting director D'Amico had targeted him during the transfer window despite initially looking for a winger rather than a central defender; his profile had been tracked for several years, and the opportunity to bring him to the capital proved irresistible. At Roma, Koulierakis has featured in precseason but has been limited in Serie A action, totalling just 22 minutes against Fiorentina and 9 minutes against Inter. The competition is fierce, with Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso forming the starting trio and Balerdi and Ghilardi also in the squad. However, Gasperini has mentioned Koulierakis in recent press conferences as an example of a player who will receive greater playing time as the fixture schedule intensifies. At 1.88 metres tall, the left-footed defender is a solid, physical presence strong in anticipation, aerial play and marking, though he must refine his aggression and continue learning Gasperini's defensive requirements. His strengths include ball-playing ability alongside his defensive attributes. Koulierakis is part of a new generation lifting Greek football, alongside fellow young players Tzolakis, Karetsas, Mouzakitis, Koustolas, Tzolis, Douvikas and Pavlidis.

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.

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.

Konstantinos Koulierakis earned widespread praise from Greek media after producing a commanding display in Greece's 0–0 draw against Germany yesterday, a result that kept the Greek national team top of a competitive group also featuring the Netherlands and Serbia. Playing alongside Mavrapanos, the Roma defender contained the attacking threats of Wirtz and his teammates in a performance described as a defensive wall. It was a high-profile outing for a player who has struggled for league minutes at Roma since the club signed him when Wolfsburg were relegated. Gasperini and sporting director D'Amico had targeted him during the transfer window despite initially looking for a winger rather than a central defender; his profile had been tracked for several years, and the opportunity to bring him to the capital proved irresistible. At Roma, Koulierakis has featured in precseason but has been limited in Serie A action, totalling just 22 minutes against Fiorentina and 9 minutes against Inter. The competition is fierce, with Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso forming the starting trio and Balerdi and Ghilardi also in the squad. However, Gasperini has mentioned Koulierakis in recent press conferences as an example of a player who will receive greater playing time as the fixture schedule intensifies. At 1.88 metres tall, the left-footed defender is a solid, physical presence strong in anticipation, aerial play and marking, though he must refine his aggression and continue learning Gasperini's defensive requirements. His strengths include ball-playing ability alongside his defensive attributes. Koulierakis is part of a new generation lifting Greek football, alongside fellow young players Tzolakis, Karetsas, Mouzakitis, Koustolas, Tzolis, Douvikas and Pavlidis.

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.

Matías Soulé has made his Argentina debut against Burkina Faso, with Santiago Castro also appearing for the national team in the second half of the same match. The pair are among a number of Roma players currently away on international duty and due to return to Trigoria over the coming days. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will see his squad reassemble gradually. Evan N'Dicka, Konstantinos Koulierakis and Giorgio De Marzi are arriving on the morning of 6 October, while Gianluca Mancini, Daniele Ghilardi, Emanuele Lulli and Niccolò Pisilli will return this evening after commitments with Turkey and Poland respectively, at Bologna and Pescara. Manu Koné is expected on the afternoon of 6 October and will rejoin full training on 9 October. Rodrigo Mora, currently with Portugal's Under-21 side, has his final fixture on the evening of 6 October and will report back on 9 October. The trio of South American players—Soulé, Leonardo Balerdi and Castro—will not return until the morning of 7 October after their transatlantic journey. Training resumes on 6 October.

Konstantinos Koulierakis earned widespread praise from Greek media after producing a commanding display in Greece's 0–0 draw against Germany yesterday, a result that kept the Greek national team top of a competitive group also featuring the Netherlands and Serbia. Playing alongside Mavrapanos, the Roma defender contained the attacking threats of Wirtz and his teammates in a performance described as a defensive wall. It was a high-profile outing for a player who has struggled for league minutes at Roma since the club signed him when Wolfsburg were relegated. Gasperini and sporting director D'Amico had targeted him during the transfer window despite initially looking for a winger rather than a central defender; his profile had been tracked for several years, and the opportunity to bring him to the capital proved irresistible. At Roma, Koulierakis has featured in precseason but has been limited in Serie A action, totalling just 22 minutes against Fiorentina and 9 minutes against Inter. The competition is fierce, with Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso forming the starting trio and Balerdi and Ghilardi also in the squad. However, Gasperini has mentioned Koulierakis in recent press conferences as an example of a player who will receive greater playing time as the fixture schedule intensifies. At 1.88 metres tall, the left-footed defender is a solid, physical presence strong in anticipation, aerial play and marking, though he must refine his aggression and continue learning Gasperini's defensive requirements. His strengths include ball-playing ability alongside his defensive attributes. Koulierakis is part of a new generation lifting Greek football, alongside fellow young players Tzolakis, Karetsas, Mouzakitis, Koustolas, Tzolis, Douvikas and Pavlidis.

Matías Soulé has made his Argentina debut against Burkina Faso, with Santiago Castro also appearing for the national team in the second half of the same match. The pair are among a number of Roma players currently away on international duty and due to return to Trigoria over the coming days. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will see his squad reassemble gradually. Evan N'Dicka, Konstantinos Koulierakis and Giorgio De Marzi are arriving on the morning of 6 October, while Gianluca Mancini, Daniele Ghilardi, Emanuele Lulli and Niccolò Pisilli will return this evening after commitments with Turkey and Poland respectively, at Bologna and Pescara. Manu Koné is expected on the afternoon of 6 October and will rejoin full training on 9 October. Rodrigo Mora, currently with Portugal's Under-21 side, has his final fixture on the evening of 6 October and will report back on 9 October. The trio of South American players—Soulé, Leonardo Balerdi and Castro—will not return until the morning of 7 October after their transatlantic journey. Training resumes on 6 October.

Gianluca Mancini spoke on the eve of Italy's match against Turkey, expressing his enjoyment of the recent period with the national team. The Roma defender said: "A supporter must have faith and we must have faith in ourselves," while discussing Italy's recent revival under Luciano Montella. Mancini is looking to end his international assignment with a strong performance.

Konstantinos Koulierakis earned widespread praise from Greek media after producing a commanding display in Greece's 0–0 draw against Germany yesterday, a result that kept the Greek national team top of a competitive group also featuring the Netherlands and Serbia. Playing alongside Mavrapanos, the Roma defender contained the attacking threats of Wirtz and his teammates in a performance described as a defensive wall. It was a high-profile outing for a player who has struggled for league minutes at Roma since the club signed him when Wolfsburg were relegated. Gasperini and sporting director D'Amico had targeted him during the transfer window despite initially looking for a winger rather than a central defender; his profile had been tracked for several years, and the opportunity to bring him to the capital proved irresistible. At Roma, Koulierakis has featured in precseason but has been limited in Serie A action, totalling just 22 minutes against Fiorentina and 9 minutes against Inter. The competition is fierce, with Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso forming the starting trio and Balerdi and Ghilardi also in the squad. However, Gasperini has mentioned Koulierakis in recent press conferences as an example of a player who will receive greater playing time as the fixture schedule intensifies. At 1.88 metres tall, the left-footed defender is a solid, physical presence strong in anticipation, aerial play and marking, though he must refine his aggression and continue learning Gasperini's defensive requirements. His strengths include ball-playing ability alongside his defensive attributes. Koulierakis is part of a new generation lifting Greek football, alongside fellow young players Tzolakis, Karetsas, Mouzakitis, Koustolas, Tzolis, Douvikas and Pavlidis.

Matías Soulé has turned a turbulent summer into one of the brightest periods of his Roma career. Within days, the forward celebrated the birth of his first child and earned his maiden cap for Argentina, coming on at half-time in a friendly against Burkina Faso alongside Roma teammate Leonardo Balerdi. The moment, witnessed by his family in the stands, marked the culmination of a dramatic reversal in his fortunes at the club. From the end of last season through the recent transfer window, Soulé had been repeatedly linked with a departure. Roma considered him both a potential source of revenue ahead of the 30 June deadline and a possible sacrificial chip to fund moves for different attacking profiles. Despite multiple approaches from other clubs, neither Roma nor Soulé's representatives received offers they deemed adequate, and he remained at Trigoria under Gian Piero Gasperini's management. A complete recovery from the pubic pain that had hampered his performances in the second half of the 2025-26 season has accelerated his turnaround. In this opening stretch of the 2026-27 campaign, Soulé has claimed a prominent role in Gasperini's tactical setup. Across six matches in Serie A and the Champions League, he has started in four of them, rotating with Rodrigo Mora as support for Paulo Dybala and striker Donyell Malen. His impact has been immediate: he has scored against Atalanta and Lecce. Since joining Roma from Juventus for an investment of nearly €30 million, he has made 87 appearances, recording 14 goals and 14 assists. After his appearance in the celebratory match marking Lionel Messi's international retirement, Soulé will return to Rome to prepare for the upcoming away fixture at Como.

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.