Gasperini Scraps Friendly Plans, Eyes Primavera Test During Break

Roma's travelling supporters may be allowed into the away section for the first time in nine months when the club visits Como on Sunday 11 October at 12:30. A decision on reopening away allocations is expected in the coming hours and could arrive as soon as today, according to reports. The match would mark the end of a ban imposed after clashes involving Roma fans and Fiorentina supporters on the motorway. The details and conditions of access to the Sinigaglia stadium remain to be finalised, but the expectation is that no new restrictions will be imposed for this fixture. The ban has prevented Roma supporters from following the team in away matches for nearly an entire season. A formal official ruling is required before the away section is definitively reopened; until then, the prospect remains possible but not confirmed.

Roma have prevented Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina from travelling to Argentina during the international break, citing logistical reasons and a desire to spare the pair a long intercontinental journey just days before the domestic season resumes. The club chose to make its position public, a move that attracted attention given Roma's typical reluctance to issue public statements on such matters. Journalist Lorenzo Pes explained the decision on TeleRadioStereo, noting that Roma's stance had been known for several days and there was no significant friction with the players over the matter. Pes said: "I was surprised by Roma, they are not prone to issuing statements. Honestly it seems more of a demonstration of position than anything else." He added that both players would have liked to attend the event in Argentina but were not prepared to turn the issue into a confrontation with the club. Pes observed: "On the one hand they wanted to be there, but to make that long journey just to be spectators?" According to Pes, the players did not push back against the decision. "Honestly no, the matter was known from a couple of days ago. There was no major opposition from the players, who did not force the issue," he stated. Pes acknowledged wider regret that all Argentina's World Cup winners were not called to the celebration, concluding that the decision ultimately served Roma's interests as the season restarts.

Dan Friedkin expressed satisfaction with Roma's position at the European Football Club Association general assembly in Copenhagen, telling representatives of major European clubs that the club is enjoying a fine moment. "Between the stadium and first place, it is truly a great moment for us," Friedkin said according to Corriere dello Sport. The Roma owner highlighted two key developments: progress on the new stadium project and the team's strong start to the 2026-27 season at the top of the Serie A table. Friedkin used the Copenhagen gathering to reinforce Roma's standing among Europe's elite. Manchester City chief executive Ferran Soriano jokingly asked whether Roma wanted to win the title this season, while Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi arranged to meet Friedkin during a Champions League fixture. Roma will face PSG on 25 November in the competition's league phase. The owner returns from the assembly with recognition from his counterparts across the continent, while overseeing a squad that has begun the campaign in pole position domestically.

Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina will not travel to Argentina for Lionel Messi's international farewell match, a decision made by mutual agreement between the players and the club. Despite their affection for Messi, both declined to force the issue, understanding Roma's preference to avoid a cross-continental journey just hours before the Como fixture. Dybala's focus is entirely on the upcoming match at the Sinigaglia. He has been a regular starter this season and used his four rest days granted by Gasperini to train in his home gym, preparing himself for the showdown against Fabregas's side. Dybala has already recorded four assists this season but remains goalless, with his last goal coming on 18 January against Torino. He will feature on 11 October and later face Mourinho in the Champions League clash against Real Madrid on 14 October. Sunday's match will pit two Argentine talents against each other: Dybala versus Como's Nico Paz, a generational duel between players considered among the strongest in their country. Paz, who will return from international duty on 8 October, is regarded in Argentina as Messi's successor—a player Como are unlikely to rest. Dybala, despite a twelve-year age gap with Paz, remains intent on proving he can deliver decisive moments.

Roma have prevented Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina from travelling to Argentina during the international break, citing logistical reasons and a desire to spare the pair a long intercontinental journey just days before the domestic season resumes. The club chose to make its position public, a move that attracted attention given Roma's typical reluctance to issue public statements on such matters. Journalist Lorenzo Pes explained the decision on TeleRadioStereo, noting that Roma's stance had been known for several days and there was no significant friction with the players over the matter. Pes said: "I was surprised by Roma, they are not prone to issuing statements. Honestly it seems more of a demonstration of position than anything else." He added that both players would have liked to attend the event in Argentina but were not prepared to turn the issue into a confrontation with the club. Pes observed: "On the one hand they wanted to be there, but to make that long journey just to be spectators?" According to Pes, the players did not push back against the decision. "Honestly no, the matter was known from a couple of days ago. There was no major opposition from the players, who did not force the issue," he stated. Pes acknowledged wider regret that all Argentina's World Cup winners were not called to the celebration, concluding that the decision ultimately served Roma's interests as the season restarts.

AS Roma have prevented Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina from travelling to Argentina for an event scheduled for 6 October surrounding the Argentina vs Benin match. The club cited sporting and logistical reasons for the decision, specifically the duration of the intercontinental journey and the proximity of Roma's official fixtures. Both players were part of Argentina's 2022 World Cup-winning squad alongside Lionel Messi, and the event carries significance for them. However, Roma's management determined that releasing them would conflict with the club's immediate competitive schedule. The decision reflects the tension between international commitment and domestic club priorities during a congested fixture calendar. The club issued an official statement saying: "AS Roma communicates that Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina will not participate in the event organised in Argentina for the Argentina vs Benin match on 6 October. The Society recognises the value of the appointment for the two players, linked to Lionel Messi and protagonists with him in the 2022 World Cup victory. The Club's choice responds to sporting and logistical reasons, linked to the duration of the intercontinental journey and the proximity of official commitments. AS Roma expresses the utmost respect for Lionel Messi and his extraordinary career, wishing him and the Argentine Federation a special evening."

Evan N'Dicka featured for the full 90 minutes as Ivory Coast defeated Somalia 0–2 in an international fixture. The Roma defender was on the pitch throughout the late comeback, with Gboho opening the scoring in the 89th minute and Touré sealing victory at 90+5. The win moves Ivory Coast to second place in Group C with 6 points from two wins in two matches, level on points with Gambia at the top of the standings. N'Dicka continues his involvement with his national team during the international break.

Matías Soulé has impressed Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni in training and is being considered for a starting place in Wednesday's friendly against Bolivia, kicking off at 02:00 Italian time on 30 September. The Roma forward is in contention with Mastantuono for a spot in the Argentina XI. Santiago Castro and Leonardo Balerdi, also Roma players on international duty, face different prospects: Castro is expected to start on the bench with Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez confirmed as Argentina's attacking pair, while Balerdi could feature in defence alongside or competing with Lisandro Martínez and Cristian Romero in the starting line-up. Twelve Roma players are currently away on international duty during this break. Manu Koné, Gianluca Mancini and Evan N'Dicka have already begun their commitments with their respective nations, while Soulé, Castro and Balerdi are among the Argentina contingent preparing for their upcoming fixtures. Scaloni has indicated he will not simply repeat the World Cup final winning side, creating opportunities for fresh personnel across the squad. The Argentina camp's evaluation of Soulé marks a significant endorsement after his performances in training, with the coaching staff weighing whether to give him immediate playing time. Castro's likely bench role reflects the settled attacking pair already in place, though he remains available for the three matches Argentina will play during this international window. Balerdi's defence situation remains open, with the established pairing of Lisandro Martínez and Cristian Romero holding the primary claim but space potentially available for the Roma centre-back to contribute.

Evan N'Dicka will start for Ivory Coast in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Somalia today, with new Ivory Coast manager Renard continuing to deploy the Roma defender in the centre of the pitch. N'Dicka has recently returned to international football after missing the last World Cup through injury. N'Dicka is the sole Roma player on duty in the African qualifiers today. Three other Giallorossi have been unavailable: Santiago Castro, Matías Soulé and Leonardo Balerdi. Soulé will target a starting place when Argentina face Bolivia on Wednesday night.

Donyell Malen has fully embraced life at Roma since arriving on 14 January, spending time at Ostia beach on 29 September before training at Trigoria. After nine and a half months at the club, the forward is working to shake off a left knee issue that forced him to miss out on recent Netherlands duty under Xavi. Malen is targeting an immediate return to action, with a squad return expected for the start of next week and his goal to feature against Como. The beach visit to La Nuova Pineta stabilimento was shared on social media by Franco Petrini, capturing a moment of relaxation ahead of the midfielder's recovery push.

Gian Piero Gasperini has changed his approach to Roma's three-week break between the Inter match and the Como fixture on 11 October. The coach had previously indicated he wanted to arrange two friendlies at Trigoria to keep the squad sharp during the layoff, telling reporters: "We would like to do two." However, Gasperini has now opted instead to organize only an internal match against the Primavera. The decision stems from a shortage of available players. Several squad members are away on international duty, while Bryan Cristante, Wesley and Donyell Malen are dealing with injury problems. Rather than attempting to arrange competitive warm-up matches under these circumstances, Gasperini judged a single training fixture against Roma's youth team the more practical solution.

Matías Soulé is thriving under Gasperini's system after a strong start to the 2026–27 season. The 23-year-old has scored two goals and provided one assist in his first five league matches, matching his output from the same stage last season. The improvement comes after a difficult first year at Roma—his first goal arrived at the eleventh match in 2024–25, and his progress was further disrupted by a two-month pubalgia injury that cost him a place in the World Cup. This season, continuity is the aim. Last summer he began brilliantly and was the team's top scorer before Malen's arrival, but the injury derailed his campaign. Now, with Scaloni's new Argentina cycle underway, Soulé has been recalled to the national squad and is a candidate for a starting place against Bolivia. He previously made clear his commitment to Argentina: "No to Italy, I want only the Selección." Off the pitch, the birth of his first son, Bautista, has added to a golden spell. Soulé will be among the last to return from international duty, alongside Balerdi and Castro. Argentina play a friendly against Benin on 6 October, with Roma players due back at Trigoria on 8 October—just 72 hours before the fixture against Como. That tight turnaround concerns Gasperini, who has an open selection battle with Rodrigo Mora. Soulé has started the last three matches, but the Portuguese midfielder is pressing for inclusion, particularly if Gasperini opts for a 3-4-1-2 formation. The coach has time to settle on his team; Soulé's focus now is delivering for Argentina.