Gasperini oversees final session before Como trip; Cristante, Wesley and Malen sidelined

Roma held a training session at Trigoria on Friday 2 October, with director of sport Vincenzo D'Amico present alongside head coach Gian Piero Gasperini as the club prepares for the resumption of Serie A action. Three players were absent from the session due to injury: Bryan Cristante, Donyell Malen and Wesley. Cristante's situation is the most concerning. The midfielder is suffering from knee inflammation, and his availability for the away fixture against Como on 11 October appears very unlikely. The injury threatens to affect his readiness for Roma's Champions League match against Real Madrid just three days after the Como game. Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini trained regularly with the group and are both working to build their fitness during the international break, aiming to increase their influence in Gasperini's plans for the Como match. Roma face a demanding run of matches after the domestic season resumes, and the medical staff will continue monitoring the injured players as they seek to have as many men available as possible for the opening stretch of the campaign.

Roma have placed two players in Serie A's ideal Under-23 formation based on Sofascore ratings from the opening phase of the 2026-27 season. Wesley and Emanuele Lulli were selected among the league's best young performers, a recognition that underscores the growing importance of youth in Gian Piero Gasperini's squad. Wesley's inclusion confirms the impact the Brazilian has made since arriving at Roma. The defender has carved out a significant role in Gasperini's setup, displaying qualities well suited to the coach's tactical demands. His selection highlights his emergence as one of Serie A's standout young players in the early stages of the campaign. Lulli, a 2007-born product of Roma's academy, has emerged as one of the season's surprises for the Giallorossi. After stepping up to the first team, the young defender has responded on the pitch and earned his place among the league's best Under-23 performers according to Sofascore data, signalling his continued development under Gasperini's management.

Bryan Cristante will miss Roma's Serie A trip to Como after the international break because of a knee injury, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini ruling him out of that fixture. The absence may extend beyond the league match; according to Angelo Mangiante, Cristante remains a doubt for the Champions League meeting with Real Madrid that follows, one of the most anticipated fixtures in Roma's campaign so far. Cristante's injury forces Gasperini to reshape the midfield for at least the Como match. Manu Koné is the fixed point of the department, while Marten De Roon and Niccolò Pisilli are the main alternatives to complete the trio. Gasperini will make his choice when training resumes and he can assess the condition of players returning from international duty.

Roma held a training session at Trigoria on Friday 2 October, with director of sport Vincenzo D'Amico present alongside head coach Gian Piero Gasperini as the club prepares for the resumption of Serie A action. Three players were absent from the session due to injury: Bryan Cristante, Donyell Malen and Wesley. Cristante's situation is the most concerning. The midfielder is suffering from knee inflammation, and his availability for the away fixture against Como on 11 October appears very unlikely. The injury threatens to affect his readiness for Roma's Champions League match against Real Madrid just three days after the Como game. Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini trained regularly with the group and are both working to build their fitness during the international break, aiming to increase their influence in Gasperini's plans for the Como match. Roma face a demanding run of matches after the domestic season resumes, and the medical staff will continue monitoring the injured players as they seek to have as many men available as possible for the opening stretch of the campaign.

Bryan Cristante will miss Roma's Serie A trip to Como after the international break because of a knee injury, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini ruling him out of that fixture. The absence may extend beyond the league match; according to Angelo Mangiante, Cristante remains a doubt for the Champions League meeting with Real Madrid that follows, one of the most anticipated fixtures in Roma's campaign so far. Cristante's injury forces Gasperini to reshape the midfield for at least the Como match. Manu Koné is the fixed point of the department, while Marten De Roon and Niccolò Pisilli are the main alternatives to complete the trio. Gasperini will make his choice when training resumes and he can assess the condition of players returning from international duty.

Radio Roma commentators weighed in on Bryan Cristante's fitness and Roma's upcoming fixtures. Piero Torri of Manà Manà Sport said Cristante has inflammation of the knee that he has been managing for several days and believes the midfielder will be carefully managed ahead of a demanding run of matches. Torri predicted Matías Soulé will play against Como, Rodrigo Mora will start in the Real Madrid fixture, and Lorenzo Pellegrini should begin to regain match sharpness after time out, adding that Como is a more important match than Real Madrid. Marco Valerio Rossomando, also of Manà Manà Sport, echoed the concern: if Cristante does not play against Como it will be because he is genuinely unwell. With matches coming in quick succession, there is a risk of him missing several games. Rossomando noted that throughout his career Cristante has never suffered a prolonged absence, describing him as "like a machine that has 300,000 kilometres on it". Alessandro Antinelli of Tele Radio Stereo commented separately on Roma's potential new stadium, saying the ground is a strong candidate to host matches at Euro 2032 if construction begins in spring, and praised the project for its potential to regenerate an area of Rome and create jobs.

Roma held a training session at Trigoria on Friday 2 October, with director of sport Vincenzo D'Amico present alongside head coach Gian Piero Gasperini as the club prepares for the resumption of Serie A action. Three players were absent from the session due to injury: Bryan Cristante, Donyell Malen and Wesley. Cristante's situation is the most concerning. The midfielder is suffering from knee inflammation, and his availability for the away fixture against Como on 11 October appears very unlikely. The injury threatens to affect his readiness for Roma's Champions League match against Real Madrid just three days after the Como game. Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini trained regularly with the group and are both working to build their fitness during the international break, aiming to increase their influence in Gasperini's plans for the Como match. Roma face a demanding run of matches after the domestic season resumes, and the medical staff will continue monitoring the injured players as they seek to have as many men available as possible for the opening stretch of the campaign.

Roma radio stations debated the club's immediate fixtures and stadium plans on 2 October, with key voices offering contrasting views on priorities and squad management ahead of a taxing schedule. David Rossi told Rete Sport that Roma's match against Real Madrid is the least important of the next three fixtures in his assessment. "Delle prossime tre partite, quella meno importante per me è Roma-Real Madrid," he said, though he acknowledged the risk that a strong performance against the Spanish club could have unforeseen consequences. "Però se prendi la super-sveglia contro il Real, poi rischi che possa lasciare il segno e allora non ti puoi allargare. Ma col Real rischi di perdere anche se ti giochi i resti, perchè loro sono comunque più forti." Rossi expected defensive rotation, anticipating Emanuele Lulli or Daniele Ghilardi against Genoa, and noted concerns about Wesley and Nahuel Molina potentially playing all three matches. Bryan Cristante's availability was downplayed as a minor concern given Marten de Roon's presence in the squad. Gianluca Piacentini drew stark contrasts between this season and last, saying: "La Roma dell'anno scorso e quella di quest'anno sono due squadre di due paesi diversi, manco due campionati diversi." He praised the overall squad output under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini but noted a paradox—low conversion despite high volume—even after two 4–0 victories. On points targets, Piacentini stated: "Se contro Como e Genoa dovessi fare 4 punti sarebbe tanta roba, ma pure se li facessi contro Real Madrid e Slovan Bratislava. Per due vittorie e due pareggi firmerei subito." Checco Oddo Casano highlighted Rodrigo Mora's directness as a tactical advantage, observing that Roma now shoots significantly more often at goal this season, though he questioned whether this reflected Donyell Malen's arrival or broader squad work. Stadium development dominated the latter portion of the discussion. Paolo Cosenza raised concerns about siting a new ground near a hospital, while Mario Corsi countered that ambulance delays are a city-wide problem affecting the Stadio Olimpico already. Alessandro Antinelli noted the proposed Roma stadium is a strong candidate for Euro 2032 should construction begin in spring, and would regenerate the area. Stefano Carina reported Mayor Gualtieri's two-and-a-half-year completion timeline and noted the Pietralata site is among Euro 2032 venues, though he expressed concern about ticket affordability in the new facility.

Former Roma goalkeeper Julio Sergio has assessed the club's strong start to the 2026–27 season in an interview, singling out Mile Svilar for particular praise. Sergio believes Roma have narrowed the gap on Inter, who remain the team to beat, though he acknowledges that Champions League involvement this season will demand significant energy. On Svilar specifically, Sergio said: "Currently, in my view, he can be considered among the three best goalkeepers in the world. He is a beast, he manages to be quick and has very good technique." Sergio highlighted Rodrigo Mora as the summer arrival with the greatest potential impact. "Rodrigo Mora I really like a lot and I am sure he will be an important player over the course of the season," he said. Wesley, the Brazilian defender, was assessed as needing to improve his consistency both physically and technically. Sergio also commented on the attacking form of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen, describing them as "a great pairing," though he urged caution about title ambitions: "They are a great couple, but it is still too early to talk about the Scudetto."

Roma held a training session at Trigoria on Friday 2 October, with director of sport Vincenzo D'Amico present alongside head coach Gian Piero Gasperini as the club prepares for the resumption of Serie A action. Three players were absent from the session due to injury: Bryan Cristante, Donyell Malen and Wesley. Cristante's situation is the most concerning. The midfielder is suffering from knee inflammation, and his availability for the away fixture against Como on 11 October appears very unlikely. The injury threatens to affect his readiness for Roma's Champions League match against Real Madrid just three days after the Como game. Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini trained regularly with the group and are both working to build their fitness during the international break, aiming to increase their influence in Gasperini's plans for the Como match. Roma face a demanding run of matches after the domestic season resumes, and the medical staff will continue monitoring the injured players as they seek to have as many men available as possible for the opening stretch of the campaign.

Roma have placed two players in Serie A's ideal Under-23 formation based on Sofascore ratings from the opening phase of the 2026-27 season. Wesley and Emanuele Lulli were selected among the league's best young performers, a recognition that underscores the growing importance of youth in Gian Piero Gasperini's squad. Wesley's inclusion confirms the impact the Brazilian has made since arriving at Roma. The defender has carved out a significant role in Gasperini's setup, displaying qualities well suited to the coach's tactical demands. His selection highlights his emergence as one of Serie A's standout young players in the early stages of the campaign. Lulli, a 2007-born product of Roma's academy, has emerged as one of the season's surprises for the Giallorossi. After stepping up to the first team, the young defender has responded on the pitch and earned his place among the league's best Under-23 performers according to Sofascore data, signalling his continued development under Gasperini's management.

Roma radio stations debated the club's immediate fixtures and stadium plans on 2 October, with key voices offering contrasting views on priorities and squad management ahead of a taxing schedule. David Rossi told Rete Sport that Roma's match against Real Madrid is the least important of the next three fixtures in his assessment. "Delle prossime tre partite, quella meno importante per me è Roma-Real Madrid," he said, though he acknowledged the risk that a strong performance against the Spanish club could have unforeseen consequences. "Però se prendi la super-sveglia contro il Real, poi rischi che possa lasciare il segno e allora non ti puoi allargare. Ma col Real rischi di perdere anche se ti giochi i resti, perchè loro sono comunque più forti." Rossi expected defensive rotation, anticipating Emanuele Lulli or Daniele Ghilardi against Genoa, and noted concerns about Wesley and Nahuel Molina potentially playing all three matches. Bryan Cristante's availability was downplayed as a minor concern given Marten de Roon's presence in the squad. Gianluca Piacentini drew stark contrasts between this season and last, saying: "La Roma dell'anno scorso e quella di quest'anno sono due squadre di due paesi diversi, manco due campionati diversi." He praised the overall squad output under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini but noted a paradox—low conversion despite high volume—even after two 4–0 victories. On points targets, Piacentini stated: "Se contro Como e Genoa dovessi fare 4 punti sarebbe tanta roba, ma pure se li facessi contro Real Madrid e Slovan Bratislava. Per due vittorie e due pareggi firmerei subito." Checco Oddo Casano highlighted Rodrigo Mora's directness as a tactical advantage, observing that Roma now shoots significantly more often at goal this season, though he questioned whether this reflected Donyell Malen's arrival or broader squad work. Stadium development dominated the latter portion of the discussion. Paolo Cosenza raised concerns about siting a new ground near a hospital, while Mario Corsi countered that ambulance delays are a city-wide problem affecting the Stadio Olimpico already. Alessandro Antinelli noted the proposed Roma stadium is a strong candidate for Euro 2032 should construction begin in spring, and would regenerate the area. Stefano Carina reported Mayor Gualtieri's two-and-a-half-year completion timeline and noted the Pietralata site is among Euro 2032 venues, though he expressed concern about ticket affordability in the new facility.