Gasperini names Roma squad for Parma trip; El Aynaoui returns, Gollini and El Shaarawy available

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.

Roma have made a strong start to the 2026-27 season with 13 points from five matches, matching Inter and Lazio at the top of Serie A but ahead on goal difference. A second-half goal by Lautaro in a direct clash with Inter prevented a perfect record, but the squad's overall level remains high. The arrival of summer players has been central to the club's early form. Nahuel Molina is still building fitness but establishing himself in the team, while Rodrigo Mora has made an immediate impact with a goal already on his account. Leonardo Balerdi has already won over the supporters and claimed a starting berth, and Konstantinos Koulierakis, Marten de Roon and Santiago Castro are all expected to become important resources as the fixture list intensifies through October and November, though some have yet to feature heavily. The squad recruitment was balanced by significant outgoings managed by director Tony D'Amico, which allowed Roma to fund their incomings. With the first international break now reached, a review of Roma's players still on loan across Europe becomes timely. Neil El Aynaoui and other loan-out players carry combined recall obligations of €95 million, making their performances and development over the coming months a matter of considerable financial consequence for the club.

Roma's players on loan across Europe experienced a mixed week of midweek and league fixtures. Neil El Aynaoui performed well for RB Leipzig despite a 2–0 home defeat to Bayer Leverkusen, completing 31 of 34 passes and winning 8 of 14 duels while receiving a yellow card in the 74th minute. His statistical rating reached 7.2, among Leipzig's best performances. Anass Salah-Eddine made a convincing debut for Panathinaikos in a Greek Cup tie against Kifisia, playing all 90 minutes on the left flank in a 2–0 victory. FotMob rated him 7.3 for a clean display as Panathinaikos dominated with 71 per cent possession in the first half. By contrast, Angeliño's week at Deportivo La Coruña ended disastrously: he was sent off for a challenge on Miguel Sierra in the 59th minute of a midweek fixture against Sevilla—initially given a yellow card before the VAR review led to a direct red—leaving his side to lose 1–0 already down in the scoreline. Statistical ratings gave him just 5.7, and Deportivo manager Hidalgo noted how the expulsion undermined the team's comeback effort. Angeliño subsequently missed the following 1–1 draw against Betis through suspension. Mohamed Seck at Foggia produced sharply contrasting displays within days. Playing 90 minutes in a goalless midweek draw against Savoia, he was identified as Foggia's best performer, winning nearly every duel against opposing attackers. Coach Auteri retained him for the next match against Inter U23, but this time his form dipped noticeably. Foggia lost 2–1, and a careless passing error by Seck enabled the decisive goal from Fumagalli. Foggiacalciomania rated him 5.5, noting good physical condition but a costly mistake. The week illustrated the growth trajectory of a defender aged just 20, with evident talent and physicality that must be coupled with fewer lapses in concentration. Elsewhere, Federico Nardin at Pescara played the full 90 minutes in a 1–1 midweek draw against Gubbio, earning ratings of 6 and 6.9 for personality and reliability despite some refinements needed, but sat out the subsequent 1–0 win at Vado. Filippo Reale completed 90 minutes for Carrarese in a 1–0 home defeat to Benevento, earning 6 and 6.7 ratings for an orderly display, while Luigi Cherubini entered at the 77th minute for Benevento and struck the post with a close chance in the 83rd. Radoslaw Zelezny, Perugia's goalkeeper, conceded five goals across two matches but received ratings of 6 in both a 3–0 home loss to Spezia and a 2–0 away defeat at Grosseto, with no clear responsibility on most goals. Robinio Vaz at Hull City entered off the bench in the 78th minute during a 2–1 loss at Newcastle after more than ten minutes without notable incident, marking his second consecutive Premier League appearance. Marash Kumbulla remained unused at Rayo Vallecano despite being named in squads for a 2–1 win against Espanyol and a 1–1 draw at Osasuna. Jan Ziolkowski has not returned to action for Monza, continuing recovery from plantar fasciitis. Artem Dovbyk spent another week without playing time at Bologna.

Roma and Inter will meet on the pitch this Saturday as the Serie A leaders, but behind the fixture lies a stark contrast in how their respective owners build and sustain their projects. Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma have invested €211 million in player acquisitions since his arrival, while Cristian Chivu's Inter have spent €186 million—a gap of €25 million that illustrates the Friedkin Group's commitment to backing the sporting project despite UEFA financial fair play constraints. By contrast, Inter's ownership under Oaktree has prioritised economic and financial stability. The €211 million Roma figure spans the campaigns that began with Gasperini's appointment. In the 2025–26 season, Roma spent €86.5 million, with Wesley arriving for €25 million and Neil El Aynaoui for €23 million, alongside Robinio Vaz (€20 million), Jan Ziółkowski (€6.5 million), and several expensive loans including Donyell Malen, Bailey, Evan Ferguson, Daniele Ghilardi and Zaragoza. The acceleration came this summer: the Friedkin Group approved €124.5 million for 2026–27, comprising Santiago Castro (€35 million), Rodrigo Mora (€25 million), Malen's permanent transfer (€25 million), Konstantinos Koulierakis (€16.5 million), Nahuel Molina (€13 million), Ghilardi's purchase (€8 million), Marten de Roon (€1 million) and Leonardo Balerdi's loan (€1 million). The Porto agreement for Mora includes a further €25 million for 2027 or 50 per cent of any future sale. The contrast deepens when examining the wider impact on club finances. Since summer 2025, Roma's squad costs—including salaries, depreciation and loan fees—have risen by approximately €15 million, while Inter's have fallen by approximately €10 million. The Friedkin Group has covered losses through fresh capital injections, accepting red accounts to sustain sporting growth; Roma has not closed a profitable financial year since their 2020 arrival, with 2025–26 expected to end in loss. Oaktree delivered a €35 million profit in its first Inter season and is preparing to close the next year in the black. Both approaches remain valid: Chivu inherited a structured squad already competing at the highest level, while Gasperini was tasked with rebuilding after Roma's seven-year absence from the Champions League. Saturday's direct clash will test both strategies on the pitch. One club has chosen acceleration to close the gap; the other is maintaining competitiveness while reducing the squad's economic burden.

Emanuele Lulli has made a remarkable impression in little over a month, overturning the squad hierarchy and earning the complete confidence of coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The nineteen-year-old from Palestrina has delivered an overwhelming start to the season, in some respects unexpectedly: last summer he was on the verge of joining Avellino on loan, but Gasperini's direct intervention halted the departure. After the exit of Romano, Roma were unwilling to let another academy product leave, and Gasperini chose to back the teenager's qualities. Lulli has started in four of Roma's first five league matches, sitting out only the clash against Inter, and has also appeared in the Champions League fixture against Fenerbahçe. With his contract expiring on 30 June 2027, Lulli has become a cornerstone of Roma's present and future plans. The club intends to move quickly to secure him, and discussions are expected to open soon. His agency represents Lorenzo Pellegrini as well, a shared connection that should smooth negotiations between the parties once a meeting is arranged. Meanwhile, the club is mapping out contract renewals across the squad. For key figures such as Pellegrini and Paulo Dybala, final assessments will be made later, likely towards the end of the season. The situation is also open regarding Pierluigi Gollini and especially Mario Hermoso, whose current agreement lacks the automatic renewal clause that was present in his previous contract, necessitating fresh talks between club and player.

Pierluigi Gollini took advantage of a free evening to watch Maxima Roma face Napoli at the Palazzo dello Sport in Rome. The Roma goalkeeper attended the match as a spectator, using the break in his club commitments to enjoy an evening of sport away from the pitch. Gollini's presence in the stands at the Rome venue did not go unnoticed, as he chose the Maxima Roma-Napoli fixture to spend the evening at the Palazzo dello Sport while awaiting his return to Roma's schedule.

Roma continued their conditioning work at Trigoria on 22 September, refusing to ease off during the international break. The squad's next match is scheduled for 11 October against Como, but Gasperini kept the players sharp with athletic sessions despite the pause in fixtures. Among those training were Paulo Dybala and Mile Svilar, alongside several players using the stoppage to rebuild match fitness after recent struggles or late arrivals to the squad. Nahuel Molina, Marten de Roon and Lorenzo Pellegrini were the focus of Gasperini's attention during these weeks without competition. Molina, an Argentine midfielder, suffered fatigue from a long World Cup campaign but had recently rediscovered sufficient form; Gasperini aims to have him at peak condition for a demanding run of fixtures in October. De Roon, who joined late in the transfer window after being sidelined in Maurizio Sarri's plans at Atalanta, follows a similar recovery path. Pellegrini, the captain and number 7, earned his first squad call-up this season in the match against Torino and must complete his athletic rehabilitation after missing the summer preparation alongside his teammates. He will use these weeks without matches to conduct a mini pre-season programme. Also training were Pierluigi Gollini, Devyne Rensch, Vasquez and Giorgio De Marzi under Gasperini's close observation. Three players were absent: Bryan Cristante due to lower back pain, Donyell Malen with a knee complaint, and Wesley sidelined by a muscular strain.

Donyell Malen is ready to lead Roma's attack again after overcoming a knee problem, with the trip to Como on his mind as a crucial fixture in the club's pursuit of Champions League points. The Dutch forward, described as Roma's talisman after an outstanding start to the season, will face Como for the second time this year—a rematch of the 15 March encounter when his penalty, created by pressing from El Shaarawy, could not prevent a comeback from Douvikas and Diego Carlos. That remains the only goal Malen has scored in Serie A that failed to earn Roma a win; every other goal he has netted has brought a victory or draw. Malen's form this season is exceptional. He is averaging 1.20 goals per match through the opening five matchdays—better than the top scorers across the major leagues—and Gasperini has encouraged him to pursue historic milestones by comparing his trajectory to Higuaín and Immobile. Reaching 30 goals would be a major achievement. Dzeko's Serie A record of 29 goals in the 2016–17 season no longer looks beyond reach; the path to breaking it runs through Como, and Malen knows exactly how to deliver.

Lorenzo Pellegrini is primed to return to action for Roma after recovering from injury, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini set to lean on him heavily during a congested fixture schedule. Pellegrini was included in the squad list for matches against Torino and Inter but will make his competitive return against Como. His last appearance came on 10 April against Pisa, a gap of nearly six months before Roma's big match at the Sinigaglia on 11 October. The summer transfer window failed to bring in the wide player or attacking reinforcement Gasperini sought, forcing the coach to rely on existing resources to manage the workload ahead. The Roma squad is stretched in attack, with Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé occupying the playmaker positions on the trequarti, bolstered only by the addition of Rodrigo Mora. Pellegrini will have opportunities because of this shortage, particularly across October and November when Roma face a relentless sequence of Serie A and Champions League fixtures. He has shed the captain's armband over the past year but remains a squad leader. With Stephan El Shaarawy's departure, he is certain to serve as vice-captain to Bryan Cristante. Last season, despite some difficulties, Pellegrini was Roma's second-highest scorer with seven goals across Serie A and the Europa League, surpassed only by Donyell Malen, who netted 15 goals and has proved increasingly consistent in front of goal.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini exploded with emotion when Matías Soulé scored, sprinting toward the Curva Sud in a moment that recalled José Mourinho's famous touchline celebration in September 2021, when Stephan El Shaarawy netted in the 91st minute against Sassuolo. The comparison was striking: both managers had been unable to contain their joy at critical moments, running to embrace the supporters. Yesterday's display suggested Gasperini is restoring the emotional intensity that Mourinho once brought to the Olimpico. The exuberance was infectious, yet it came to an abrupt halt. A staff member physically stopped Gasperini before he could reach the touchline—not to dampen the celebration, but to protect him from a second yellow card. The coach was already on a caution, and a further offense would have meant a ban for Roma's next fixture, a sensitive away trip to Turin. The intervention, though it cut short the moment, was tactically essential. Gasperini's desire to celebrate was unmistakable, but the immediate need to preserve his availability for the coming matches took precedence. The incident encapsulated what has shifted at Roma: the club has rediscovered emotion and connection with its supporters under Gasperini's leadership. The Curva Sud will wait for their manager's unreserved embrace—though likely not for much longer.