Gasperini nears full squad as Roma prepare for Como; Malen and Wesley fit

Marten de Roon is in line to make his first appearance as a Roma starter in Sunday's visit to Como's Sinigaglia stadium, with the Dutchman having completed his adaptation to the club during the international break. De Roon commented on his early days at Trigora with light irony about the Roman autumn weather, noting the transition from cooler temperatures in Bergamo and his home country. His path to a starting role has been eased by Bryan Cristante's knee injury—an inflammation of the collateral ligament that will rule the midfielder out of both the Como fixture and, in all probability, the Champions League match against Real Madrid. Roma's medical staff at the Fulvio Bernardini centre has been reluctant to give a definite return date for Cristante. De Roon has used the international break to conduct targeted fitness work and reach the conditioning level of his teammates. After several convincing substitute appearances earlier in the season, he is now ready to feature from the start. By his technical characteristics, the former Atalanta player is better suited to replace Cristante than Niccolò Pisilli, who has just returned from duty with Italy's U21 side and will be the only midfield alternative available on the bench at Como.

Paulo Dybala will again lead Roma's attack on Sunday at Como as the club's most talented player, tasked with creating the decisive moments to unlock the opposition's defence. At 32, Dybala carries the creative burden of comparison with Lionel Messi and represents a different generation of South American talent—one almost eleven years younger than the Argentina legend. The forward arrives at the fixture in his fifth season in giallorosso colours, having played 497 minutes from the start of the 2026-27 campaign. Head coach Gasperini is now demanding more from Dybala beyond his well-known generosity and all-action presence. The focus is on more penetrative movements in the final third, more pace and dribbling, and more powerful shots on goal—particularly as Dybala chases an away goal after thirteen matches without one. Roma's 4-0 advantage in shots on Inter's goalkeeper Martinez during the pre-international break fixture offered encouraging signs of Dybala's attacking intent. He returns from a careful summer training regimen designed to sustain his performance against the passage of time, ready to face Como's side under Fabregas alongside youngster Nico Paz, operating on the attacking midfield line behind centre-forward Donyell Malen with Lorenzo Pellegrini presumably at his side.

Lorenzo Pellegrini has declared himself ready to return as Roma prepare to resume their campaign, speaking at a prize ceremony in Rome on the eve of the international break's end. The captain said he has recovered well from injury over the past two weeks and expressed full availability to Gian Piero Gasperini for selection, though he acknowledged that the coach will make the final decision on whether to start him in Sunday's match against Como at the Sinigaglia. Pellegrini was named in the squad before the break but had not yet reached full fitness. Pellegrini struck an optimistic tone about Roma's early-season form and invited the fanbase to maintain enthusiasm. However, he counselled patience on questions about title ambitions and any anti-Inter challenge, emphasising that the season is still in its early phase and concrete objectives should only be discussed from March onwards. He singled out the squad's internal harmony and cohesion as Roma's greatest strength, saying he and the club's senior players work daily to preserve and enhance that atmosphere.

Roma return to action on Sunday 11 October at 12:30 at the Sinigaglia for Serie A's sixth round against Como, following the international break. Wesley and Malen trained partially with the group on 7 October, while Bryan Cristante remains sidelined and will miss the match. Rodrigo Mora and Manu Koné have returned to Rome after completing their international commitments; Matías Soulé, Santiago Castro and Leonardo Balerdi are expected back tomorrow after finishing their respective obligations. Lorenzo Pellegrini is in contention for a starting role in the offensive line, having remained at Trigoria throughout the break and trained consistently under coach Gian Piero Gasperini. He is reportedly ahead of Soulé and Mora in the selection battle, a positioning helped by his uninterrupted preparation while his rivals were engaged with their national teams. Soulé will arrive in the capital only close to kickoff following Argentina's campaign, while Mora returned today after Portugal's Under-21 commitments. Michael Fabbri of Ravenna has been appointed to referee the match, with Imperiale and Baccini as assistants and Sozza as fourth official. Gariglio will manage the VAR with Abisso as AVAR. Fabbri has refereed Roma on 19 occasions: the club holds a record of 9 victories, 4 draws and 6 defeats under him. His last match involving Roma was in the 2025-26 season, when he officiated Roma's 1–0 defeat to Atalanta in Bergamo in round 18. Radio commentary before the match has focused on the title race. Stefano Carina remarked: "We need to understand what effect the Champions League has, it costs many points. But it is too early for any judgment, Como and Roma are already going at maximum, difficult they can do more." Paolo Marcacci added: "I have positive feelings about the match with Como. After this break another championship begins: between 13 and 10 points there are eight teams, so this round can become important for the table. If I had to pick a result, I would say Roma will win or at least not lose. But it is too early to say that whoever wins will become the anti-Inter."

Roma will travel to Como in four days with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini preparing his squad for the match. Bryan Cristante is unavailable through injury, while Donyell Malen and Wesley have trained separately but pose no fitness concerns. Rodrigo Mora and Manu Koné returned to Rome today following the international break, with Matías Soulé, Santiago Castro and Leonardo Balerdi due back tomorrow. Como's prospects have improved ahead of the fixture. Moise Kean is recovering from muscle fatigue that forced him to leave the national team camp, and confidence is growing that he will feature against Roma. Como's director of sport Ludi addressed the upcoming match, saying: "It will undoubtedly be a stimulating match, extremely difficult against one of the strongest teams in the championship. We want to test ourselves seriously to prove we are their rivals." Michael Fabbri has been appointed as referee. Como's last meeting with Roma came in January, a 1–0 defeat at Atalanta where Scalvini scored an irregular goal after committing a foul on Mile Svilar.

Roma face Como on Sunday at 12:30 in Serie A matchday 6, with head coach Gasperini having to choose between three players for a single starting spot. Matías Soulé, Rodrigo Mora and Lorenzo Pellegrini are competing for the role, forcing the manager to make a key decision ahead of the fixture. Pellegrini has not played since 10 April 2026, when Roma beat Pisa 3-0. His last goal came a week earlier in Roma's 5-2 defeat at Inter. Soulé, the Argentine winger, started the three matches immediately before the international break—against Fenerbahce, Torino and Inter—but his fitness is uncertain following his journey back from Argentina after taking part in Lionel Messi's final appearance for the national team. Mora, meanwhile, has made limited impact recently, managing only 49 minutes across the last three games after impressing in his earlier displays against Fiorentina and Lecce, where he scored his first Roma goal. The poll posed to supporters asks the key question: should Pellegrini start the match at the Sinigaglia?

Roma return to action on Sunday 11 October at 12:30 at the Sinigaglia for Serie A's sixth round against Como, following the international break. Wesley and Malen trained partially with the group on 7 October, while Bryan Cristante remains sidelined and will miss the match. Rodrigo Mora and Manu Koné have returned to Rome after completing their international commitments; Matías Soulé, Santiago Castro and Leonardo Balerdi are expected back tomorrow after finishing their respective obligations. Lorenzo Pellegrini is in contention for a starting role in the offensive line, having remained at Trigoria throughout the break and trained consistently under coach Gian Piero Gasperini. He is reportedly ahead of Soulé and Mora in the selection battle, a positioning helped by his uninterrupted preparation while his rivals were engaged with their national teams. Soulé will arrive in the capital only close to kickoff following Argentina's campaign, while Mora returned today after Portugal's Under-21 commitments. Michael Fabbri of Ravenna has been appointed to referee the match, with Imperiale and Baccini as assistants and Sozza as fourth official. Gariglio will manage the VAR with Abisso as AVAR. Fabbri has refereed Roma on 19 occasions: the club holds a record of 9 victories, 4 draws and 6 defeats under him. His last match involving Roma was in the 2025-26 season, when he officiated Roma's 1–0 defeat to Atalanta in Bergamo in round 18. Radio commentary before the match has focused on the title race. Stefano Carina remarked: "We need to understand what effect the Champions League has, it costs many points. But it is too early for any judgment, Como and Roma are already going at maximum, difficult they can do more." Paolo Marcacci added: "I have positive feelings about the match with Como. After this break another championship begins: between 13 and 10 points there are eight teams, so this round can become important for the table. If I had to pick a result, I would say Roma will win or at least not lose. But it is too early to say that whoever wins will become the anti-Inter."

Roma will travel to Como in four days with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini preparing his squad for the match. Bryan Cristante is unavailable through injury, while Donyell Malen and Wesley have trained separately but pose no fitness concerns. Rodrigo Mora and Manu Koné returned to Rome today following the international break, with Matías Soulé, Santiago Castro and Leonardo Balerdi due back tomorrow. Como's prospects have improved ahead of the fixture. Moise Kean is recovering from muscle fatigue that forced him to leave the national team camp, and confidence is growing that he will feature against Roma. Como's director of sport Ludi addressed the upcoming match, saying: "It will undoubtedly be a stimulating match, extremely difficult against one of the strongest teams in the championship. We want to test ourselves seriously to prove we are their rivals." Michael Fabbri has been appointed as referee. Como's last meeting with Roma came in January, a 1–0 defeat at Atalanta where Scalvini scored an irregular goal after committing a foul on Mile Svilar.

Roma trained on 7 October ahead of their Serie A fixture against Como on 11 October at 12:30 at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia. Wesley and Malen trained partially with the squad during the session, while Cristante remained sidelined and will miss the Como match. Rodrigo Mora and Koné returned to Trigoria after completing their international commitments. Soulé, Castro and Balerdi are expected back tomorrow following the completion of their international fixtures.

Roma return to action on Sunday 11 October at 12:30 at the Sinigaglia for Serie A's sixth round against Como, following the international break. Wesley and Malen trained partially with the group on 7 October, while Bryan Cristante remains sidelined and will miss the match. Rodrigo Mora and Manu Koné have returned to Rome after completing their international commitments; Matías Soulé, Santiago Castro and Leonardo Balerdi are expected back tomorrow after finishing their respective obligations. Lorenzo Pellegrini is in contention for a starting role in the offensive line, having remained at Trigoria throughout the break and trained consistently under coach Gian Piero Gasperini. He is reportedly ahead of Soulé and Mora in the selection battle, a positioning helped by his uninterrupted preparation while his rivals were engaged with their national teams. Soulé will arrive in the capital only close to kickoff following Argentina's campaign, while Mora returned today after Portugal's Under-21 commitments. Michael Fabbri of Ravenna has been appointed to referee the match, with Imperiale and Baccini as assistants and Sozza as fourth official. Gariglio will manage the VAR with Abisso as AVAR. Fabbri has refereed Roma on 19 occasions: the club holds a record of 9 victories, 4 draws and 6 defeats under him. His last match involving Roma was in the 2025-26 season, when he officiated Roma's 1–0 defeat to Atalanta in Bergamo in round 18. Radio commentary before the match has focused on the title race. Stefano Carina remarked: "We need to understand what effect the Champions League has, it costs many points. But it is too early for any judgment, Como and Roma are already going at maximum, difficult they can do more." Paolo Marcacci added: "I have positive feelings about the match with Como. After this break another championship begins: between 13 and 10 points there are eight teams, so this round can become important for the table. If I had to pick a result, I would say Roma will win or at least not lose. But it is too early to say that whoever wins will become the anti-Inter."

Roma will travel to Como in four days with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini preparing his squad for the match. Bryan Cristante is unavailable through injury, while Donyell Malen and Wesley have trained separately but pose no fitness concerns. Rodrigo Mora and Manu Koné returned to Rome today following the international break, with Matías Soulé, Santiago Castro and Leonardo Balerdi due back tomorrow. Como's prospects have improved ahead of the fixture. Moise Kean is recovering from muscle fatigue that forced him to leave the national team camp, and confidence is growing that he will feature against Roma. Como's director of sport Ludi addressed the upcoming match, saying: "It will undoubtedly be a stimulating match, extremely difficult against one of the strongest teams in the championship. We want to test ourselves seriously to prove we are their rivals." Michael Fabbri has been appointed as referee. Como's last meeting with Roma came in January, a 1–0 defeat at Atalanta where Scalvini scored an irregular goal after committing a foul on Mile Svilar.

Roma trained on 7 October ahead of their Serie A fixture against Como on 11 October at 12:30 at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia. Wesley and Malen trained partially with the squad during the session, while Cristante remained sidelined and will miss the Como match. Rodrigo Mora and Koné returned to Trigoria after completing their international commitments. Soulé, Castro and Balerdi are expected back tomorrow following the completion of their international fixtures.