Ghilardi Left Out of Mancini's Italy Squad for Belgium Opener

Donyell Malen's condition is improving after a left knee problem sustained during Roma's match against Inter forced him to withdraw from the Netherlands' first squad call-up following the World Cup. Medical tests ruled out serious damage but advised caution, prompting Malen to skip the international break and use the time to recover fully. Malen has trained separately from his Roma teammates in recent days, focusing on individual work and physiotherapy to reduce discomfort and avoid overloading the knee. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini granted the squad four days' rest, with training resuming Tuesday afternoon. Malen is expected to continue his personalised programme initially before being gradually reintegrated into group sessions. Roma are in no rush to accelerate his return, prioritising a complete recovery ahead of the demanding fixture list that awaits after the break. Netherlands manager Xavi offered reassurance on Malen's status, saying: "It's a shame because Donyell is in excellent form. He had to say no at the last moment, but that's football. In my opinion he's fine, I don't know how much time it will take him to recover, but the injury is not serious."

Roma's radio stations have intensified debate over whether Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina should be permitted to travel to Argentina to attend Lionel Messi's farewell celebration, with head coach Gasperini reportedly opposed to the plan and the club siding with him. The pair would return just 72 hours before Roma's Serie A match at Como—described by one commentator as the second-most difficult fixture in the league after Inter–Roma—raising concerns about recovery time and squad focus. Dybala and Molina both played with Messi for Argentina at the last World Cup and feel the personal pull strongly, but the consensus among most analysed voices is that allowing them to make an intercontinental journey so close to a crucial match would damage Roma's preparation. David Rossi on Rete Sport argued that professional players should not have requested permission in the first place: "They should have said, 'Caro Messi, you could have organised this on 1 October, we leave for Como on the 10th.'" He added that the club "always makes two weights and two measures" regarding Dybala specifically, suggesting he receives disproportionate scrutiny. Francesca Ferrazza on Tele Radio Stereo declared: "I wouldn't even send them to Capri on holiday now that everyone is leaving for these four days off, let alone to Argentina four days before Como–Roma." Piero Torri of Manà Manà Sport stated: "Molina and Dybala in Argentina would be counterproductive for Roma, returning 72 hours before the Como match. I think Gasperini and the club are absolutely not in agreement with it." Lorenzo Pes on Tele Radio Stereo said a decision would come "next week." The debate also touched on squad renewal: Lulli and Mario Hermoso are out of contract in June, with Lulli's renewal already under way through Pellegrini's agent. Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini are also approaching contract expiration, with much depending on how the season unfolds. The situation remains unresolved, with some voices—including Roberto Pruzzo—suggesting that "common sense will prevail" and that "common sense is staying in Rome," while others like Mario Mattioli believe the players will ultimately travel to what is described as a unique, unrepeatable event in football history.

Gasperini has built Roma's attack on Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé as a partnership, though the pair have yet to share the pitch together in six league and Champions League matches this season. Soulé, returning from a physically gruelling 2025-26 campaign in which he scored six goals but battled pubalgia throughout, has now struck twice in the opening weeks—including a crucial injury-time winner against Atalanta—and holds the starting berth over Rodrigo Mora. Before this season, his last goal had come against Sassuolo on 10 January 2026; his previous strike was at Lecce on 31 August. He managed only two assists across that entire period, against Pisa and Stuttgart. Soulé's return to fitness represents a turning point for the Argentine winger, who enters his third season at Roma free from physical setbacks. Gasperini expects him to reach double figures in goals—a threshold that only Donyell Malen has crossed for the Giallorossi so far. The coach views this as non-negotiable; operating with a single striker over 10 goals is, by his standards, an anomaly. Soulé now faces a defining moment: to remain a capable performer or to establish himself as a genuine elite operator on the continental stage. Rodrigo Mora, the young Portuguese talent, has impressed in flashes but remains largely untested. Gasperini has publicly praised him, though he and the club acknowledge his tender age and the need for him to deliver goals alongside his promising moments. Mora operates within a longer grace period, but his trajectory depends on producing the numbers his talent suggests. Both forwards' form will shape Roma's January transfer approach. The club retains interest in acquiring another attacker—a priority unfulfilled in summer 2026. Luiz Henrique, Leweling and Gittens remain active targets. Director D'Amico has resumed work on the matter with conviction, though for Gasperini, performance in the here and now takes precedence.

Italy manager Roberto Mancini has named his 23-player squad for this evening's Nations League match against Belgium at the Olimpico. Gianluca Mancini is included in the squad, but Daniele Ghilardi has been omitted and will watch from the stands. Bryan Cristante remained at Roma's training ground due to physical issues. Beyond the two Roma players, Italy also leaves out Pessina, Bastoni (suspended), Kouadio, Ruggeri, Ricci, Fagioli, Inacio, Vergara, Nicolò Zaniolo and Sebastiano Esposito from the initial aggregated group. The match is a significant fixture in the Nations League campaign and marks Mancini's first squad announcement as head coach after Italy's failure in the World Cup. The full squad includes: Goalkeepers Donnarumma, Carnesecchi, Vicario; defenders Kayode, Ahanor, Calafiori, Coppola, Scalvini, Di Lorenzo, Mancini; midfielders Romano, Mandragora, Tonali, Doumbia, Zoma, Frattesi, Barella; forwards Pio Esposito, Kean, Raspadori, Scamacca, Maldini, Cambiaghi.

Amantino Mancini, former Roma and Inter player, has analysed Saturday's 2–2 draw between the clubs at the Olimpico, telling Tribuna.com that the result was fair and that the title race will stretch beyond just Roma and Inter. "It was undoubtedly the most just result; Roma played well in the first half, while Inter played better in the second," he said. Mancini believes five teams will contest the Scudetto this season. "There will be other squads fighting for the title; I believe Napoli, Juventus and Milan can compete for it alongside Roma and Inter. It's a long championship and there is still a lot of football to be played, but I think these five teams will battle for the title." He acknowledged Roma's improvement over the past year but said Inter still hold a slight edge. "Roma have strengthened well and are a more competitive squad, but I still see Inter slightly ahead because they have been playing together as a group for longer. That said, Roma have improved considerably from last year." On Paulo Dybala, Mancini offered high praise: "We know Dybala's quality and technical gifts. When he is in physical condition and plays with continuity, he is a world-class talent. Fortunately for Roma and for him, this year he has not suffered injuries and is playing really well. He is at the peak of his career." Mancini also highlighted a defensive problem for Inter, noting: "Inter are struggling in defence; the numbers confirm it. They concede too many goals and must fix the back line. Chivu knows it well; he knows how to solve the situation." On Inter striker Lautaro, Mancini rated him highly: "Lautaro pleases me; he is a very strong player, both physically and technically, and he knows how to score. For me he ranks among the five best strikers in the world."

Amantino Mancini, a former player at both Roma and Inter, analysed Saturday's 2–2 draw between the clubs at the Olimpico, calling it the correct result. "It was undoubtedly the fairest outcome; Roma played well in the first half, while Inter performed better in the second," he said. Mancini expects the Serie A title race to extend beyond Roma and Inter. "There will be other teams fighting for the Scudetto; I believe Napoli, Juventus and Milan can compete for the title alongside Roma and Inter. It's a long season and there's still plenty of football to be played, but I think these five teams will be battling for the title." He acknowledged Roma's improvement but maintained Inter's slight edge. "Roma have strengthened well and are a more competitive team, but I still see Inter slightly ahead because they've been playing together as a group for longer. That said, Roma have improved considerably compared to last year." On Paulo Dybala, Mancini was emphatic: "We know Dybala's quality and technical gifts. When he's physically fit and playing regularly, he is a world-class talent. Fortunately for Roma and for him, this year he has suffered no injuries and is playing really well. He is at the peak of his career." Regarding Inter's defensive vulnerabilities—having fallen two goals behind in three consecutive league matches before recovering—Mancini identified structural issues. "Inter are struggling in defence; the numbers confirm it. They concede too many goals and must fix the backline. Chivu knows this well; he knows how to resolve it. This isn't the first time it's happened: the team has serious defensive problems." Mancini also rated Lautaro among the world's top five strikers and praised fellow Brazilian Carlos Augusto, suggesting he deserves a call-up to the national team despite not being a regular starter.

Italy manager Roberto Mancini has named his 23-player squad for this evening's Nations League match against Belgium at the Olimpico. Gianluca Mancini is included in the squad, but Daniele Ghilardi has been omitted and will watch from the stands. Bryan Cristante remained at Roma's training ground due to physical issues. Beyond the two Roma players, Italy also leaves out Pessina, Bastoni (suspended), Kouadio, Ruggeri, Ricci, Fagioli, Inacio, Vergara, Nicolò Zaniolo and Sebastiano Esposito from the initial aggregated group. The match is a significant fixture in the Nations League campaign and marks Mancini's first squad announcement as head coach after Italy's failure in the World Cup. The full squad includes: Goalkeepers Donnarumma, Carnesecchi, Vicario; defenders Kayode, Ahanor, Calafiori, Coppola, Scalvini, Di Lorenzo, Mancini; midfielders Romano, Mandragora, Tonali, Doumbia, Zoma, Frattesi, Barella; forwards Pio Esposito, Kean, Raspadori, Scamacca, Maldini, Cambiaghi.

Donyell Malen has withdrawn from the Netherlands squad due to left-knee discomfort sustained in Roma's match against Inter. Medical tests have ruled out serious damage, and the forward has been undergoing targeted work and physiotherapy in recent days. When training resumes on Tuesday, he will initially continue on an individual programme before gradually returning to group work. Roma are taking a cautious approach and aim to have him fully fit when the season resumes. Francesco Totti will take on a role within the new Maxima Roma structure, though not in player recruitment. Instead, he will work to grow the club's fan base. Totti has reiterated his enduring attachment to the club, saying: "Roma remains always magical for me. That is my first skin." Despite two recent meetings with Ryan Friedkin over recent months, a return to Trigoria has not materialised. Among the tactical strengths of Gasperini's Roma is one-on-one play. The club has improved dramatically from a 39.2 per cent successful dribbling rate last season to 61.73 per cent so far this campaign, climbing from 19th place to the top of that category. Malen and Soulé lead with 2.6 successful dribbles per match, followed by Mora at 2.1 and Ghilardi at 1.9. Dybala trails at 0.9.

Roma's league-leading position rests not only on 14 goals scored—six of them by Donyell Malen and four assists from Paulo Dybala—but fundamentally on their command of dribbling, a technical foundation where the club struggled badly last season. Roma's successful dribbling rate has soared from 39.2% in the 2025–26 campaign to 61.73% in this opening stretch of Serie A, precisely the area Gasperini identified for improvement. The coach hopes to accelerate that progress further in January, when sporting director D'Amico will attempt to secure a left-footed attacking midfielder playing on the right side. The scale of the transformation is stark. Last season Roma ranked 19th overall in dribbling completion; they now lead the league. This tactical shift reflects Gasperini's complete commitment to an attacking-minded approach, beginning with high pressure and ball recovery, and relying on instinct, pure technique and creative play rather than conventional structure. Malen and Soulé top Roma's individual dribbling charts with 2.6 completed dribbles per match apiece. Rodrigo Mora ranks third with 2.1 per match, and Daniele Ghilardi—a defender—sits fourth with 1.9. Dybala, despite his four assists, ranks eighth in the Roma squad with a modest 0.9 dribbles completed per match, converting only 30.8% of his attempts.