Gollini shares dressing-room joke with Hermoso 'protection' post

Tensions between Atalanta chief executive Luca Percassi and Roma sporting director Tony D'Amico have escalated into a formal federal inquiry after confrontations in the tunnel and adjacent areas near the Tribuna Monte Mario during their recent match. Roma issued an official statement condemning Percassi's behaviour, describing it as verbal aggression, while Atalanta disputes the account of events entirely. On 7 September, the Italian Football Federation opened an official case file to clarify what occurred at the Olimpico. No federal inspectors were present at the time of the incident, so Federal Prosecutor Giuseppe Chiné will evaluate all available evidence and attempt a detailed reconstruction. Roma's position centres on an alleged verbal assault from Percassi toward D'Amico, whereas Atalanta contests this characterization. Witnesses present during the episode, including Olimpico stewards, are being heard beginning immediately. The two principal figures involved—D'Amico and Percassi—are scheduled to give statements in the coming days. The federation's inquiry will form the basis for determining what disciplinary action, if any, follows from the confrontation.

Roma are flying this season, and Gian Piero Gasperini has been central to building a unity across the club that extends from the pitch to the boardroom. The coach has overseen a start to the campaign that may rival even the magical 2000–01 season. After comfortable victories over Fiorentina and Lecce, Roma faced a severe test against Atalanta on Saturday and managed not only to win but to overturn the flow of the match—playing what the commentary describes as "winning in the Mourinho way while playing Gasperini football." The side showed genuine compactness in that contest, particularly during difficult moments when they could have faltered; instead, the entire Roma family—players, management, staff and supporters—rallied together. Gasperini has also brought D'Amico onto the coaching staff to ensure everyone speaks the same language, an approach likened to a well-coordinated naval fleet where no one rows against the current. The appointment of the right people and the absence of internal division have created an environment where squad, leadership and fanbase all pull in the same direction. On the pitch, Roma deployed what appeared to be 13 players rather than 11 against Atalanta, a testament to the collective spirit that has taken root. The article contrasts Roma's current harmony with the pattern of internal factions that has plagued the club in the past, noting that some external commentators have already prepared critiques—whether about Zeki Çelik's non-renewal, spending on Rodrigo Mora or Santiago Castro, or other decisions—but results are rendering those arguments moot. The article frames Roma's trajectory as one where polemica (internal dispute) is being actively rejected in favour of unified purpose, suggesting the club is moving in a markedly different direction from its historical tendency toward division.

Roma are prioritising the January transfer window over free-agent signings to strengthen their squad, with left-back Jayden Oosterwolde and forward Endrick among their targets. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Roma had agreed a €17 million deal with Oosterwolde but pulled out after medicals revealed his injury was more severe than initially expected. However, if he recovers in the coming months, both parties are expected to resume negotiations. Roma are also pursuing attacking reinforcements alongside Oosterwolde, with Endrick and Luiz Henrique identified as priorities. Per Corriere dello Sport, the Real Madrid forward has reportedly told Wesley and Brazilian teammates that a move to Rome could materialise in January. Roma and AC Milan both attempted to persuade Real Madrid to loan out Endrick, but José Mourinho refused to release him. The situation could change if Endrick fails to secure regular playing time or underperforms, potentially opening the door in coming months. Milan subsequently signed Omari Hutchison after missing out on their own targets. Roma's continued focus on Oosterwolde despite their withdrawal suggests eventual acquisition remains likely. The club has free-agent left-back options available but shows no interest in pursuing them, indicating they are not desperate for defensive reinforcements. With Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala performing well in attacking roles, Roma appear reluctant to add another left-footed forward at this stage.

Roma return to the Stadio Olimpico this evening to face Atalanta, managed by Maurizio Sarri, as the Giallorossi look to extend their unbeaten start after two opening-day wins. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has selected his strongest available squad for the fixture. Gasperini deploys a three-at-the-back formation with Svilar in goal and a back line of Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso. Wesley and Lulli operate on the flanks, with Lulli making his third consecutive start, while Cristante and Koné form the midfield pairing. Rodrigo Mora takes the number 10 role behind the front pair of Malen and Paulo Dybala. Roma's substitutes bench includes De Marzi, Gollini, Rensch, Ghilardi, Koulierakis, Castro, De Roon, Molina, Balerdi, Soulé, Arena and Pisilli. Atalanta line up in a 4-3-3 formation: Carnesecchi; Bellanova, Koussonou, Scalvini, Kolasinac; Samardzic, Gaetano, Éderson; De Ketelaere, Scamacca, Elmas.

Roma came from behind to beat Atalanta 2–1 on 5 September, with goals from Mario Hermoso in the 90th minute and Matías Soulé in the 93rd turning the match after Éderson had put the visitors ahead in the 47th. Gasperini's Roma dominated the opening two Serie A fixtures against Fiorentina and Lecce without conceding, and the manager named a side with Evan N'Dicka returning from a muscular problem to anchor the defence alongside Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso. Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné were paired in midfield, with Emanuele Lulli and Wesley holding the flanks. Rodrigo Mora operated behind the front two: Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen started in attack. The victory keeps Roma's unbeaten start intact ahead of their Champions League debut on Thursday against Fenerbahce. Gasperini had Daniele Ghilardi, Leonardo Balerdi, Nahuel Molina, Soulé, Santiago Castro, Marten de Roon, Niccolò Pisilli, Pierluigi Gollini, Giorgio De Marzi and Jan Ziółkowski among his substitutes. Atalanta, managed by Maurizio Sarri, fielded Matteo Carnesecchi in goal and included substitutions involving Gianluca Scamacza (replaced in the 46th minute), Kolasinac, Éderson, Alexei Kolasinac and Jérémie Zappacosta. The match was refereed by Colombo, with assistants Bahri and Palermo; the fourth official was Collu, VAR Camplone and assistant VAR Santoro. Bellanova received a yellow card in the 83rd minute for Atalanta.

Gian Piero Gasperini has named his squad for Roma's Serie A matchday 3 fixture against Atalanta. Lorenzo Pellegrini remains unavailable, but Paulo Dybala and Evan N'Dicka are fit to feature. Arena is also included in the travelling party. Gasperini has 23 players at his disposal across all positions. The goalkeeping options are Mile Svilar, Giorgio De Marzi and Pierluigi Gollini. The defensive unit comprises Devyne Rensch, Konstantinos Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Nahuel Molina, Mario Hermoso, Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Balerdi, Wesley, Emanuele Lulli and Daniele Ghilardi. Midfield depth includes Bryan Cristante, Marten de Roon, Manu Koné, Niccolò Pisilli and Rodrigo Mora. The attacking contingent features Santiago Castro, Donyell Malen, Matías Soulé, Dybala and Arena.

Roma's remarkable late comeback against Atalanta has impressed pundit Lele Adani, who analysed the performance on La Domenica Sportiva. Mario Hermoso equalised in the 89th minute before Roma scored again within three minutes, with Adani highlighting the intensity of the attack: Matías Soulé, Paulo Dybala and Santiago Castro all shot during that spell, firing once every 40 seconds in September heat at the Stadio Olimpico with the thermometer at 35 degrees. Adani drew parallels to Gasperini's Atalanta sides, describing Roma's display as an act of faith rather than conventional football. He was struck by Roma's persistence in creating chances even when the match appeared lost and the crowd's overwhelming support. The club completed 39 shots across the entire fixture, which Adani called epic football shaped by the team's determination to attack in the final minutes.

Roma claimed a dramatic late victory against Atalanta on Saturday, with goals from Mario Hermoso and Matías Soulé securing the win in the final moments despite playing in 35-degree heat at the third matchday of the season. Lele Adani praised head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's influence on the performance during La domenica sportiva, drawing comparisons to the Atalanta teams Gasperini previously managed. Adani highlighted Roma's attacking intensity in the decisive phase. "The Roma drew level in the 89th minute with Hermoso, then scored three minutes later," Adani said. "In those minutes they shot four times, so once every 40 seconds. They shot from Soulé, Dybala, Castro, and then Matías scored. Atalanta's Gasperini used to do this because his matches are acts of faith—it wasn't a football match but a piece of history, and then the Olimpico drowns you out. Roma had 39 shots; it was an epic match."

Roma's 2–1 comeback win over Atalanta on Saturday drew widespread praise from Rome's radio commentators, who highlighted the performance as evidence of a well-rounded squad capable of competing for the Serie A title. Gianluca Piacentini (Rete Sport) called it an act of justice, saying: "I don't recall a first half so fine in recent years. Roma dominated completely, Atalanta scored on their first shot on goal, and justice was done." Fabio Petruzzi credited the introduction of Leonardo Balerdi as the turning point, noting his pace filled a gap the defence had lacked. David Rossi singled out Santiago Castro's second-half impact after Donyell Malen's poor display, with Gian Piero Gasperini removing Malen because he "was going to smash into opponents rather than pass." Mario Corsi highlighted Matías Soulé's growth, recording two goals and an assist in the last two matches, and observed: "Roma is overwhelming, one cannot deny it. It's a Roma that promises very well indeed." Daniele Lo Monaco (Radio Radio) pointed to Roma's dominance through statistics: in the Atalanta match, Roma produced roughly twice as many shots on goal as the combined total from the previous two fixtures against Fiorentina and Lecce. He noted Maurizio Sarri's post-match assessment—"Roma is an impressive squad"—as particularly significant, and said: "The value Roma has reached is truly very high, and this pleases and reassures me. Inter remains superior, and Como has the same chances of winning the Serie A title as Inter and Roma." Paolo Cosenza emphasised the depth available, claiming Gasperini has assembled a squad of 16 regular starters, with statistics showing over 35 shots on goal despite facing "not the woodcutters but a proper side like Atalanta." Piero Torri added that if Roma avoids injuries, the squad of 21 players can sustain the challenge through January, citing positive performances from Leonardo Balerdi, Santiago Castro, Nahuel Molina and Daniele Ghilardi. Roberto Pruzzo expressed reservations about Rodrigo Mora, saying: "I have doubts about Mora; he played one half, touched 10 balls, was decent on some but if he doesn't grow in level I need another player. In January we have to try to do something." Nando Orsi called Roma "a complete squad," where goals come from multiple sources: "When Malen doesn't score, others do. So it means it's a total squad, where everyone can score, then there are the more important players who resolve it." Ilario Di Giovambattista emphasised the stadium's role, stating: "It was the victory of the public. When Hermoso makes it 1–1, Roma continues because it is literally carried along by a wonderful public. Roma's fans are incredible, this must be said." He noted Paulo Dybala recorded four assists in three matches. Lorenzo Pes flagged Champions League action ahead, saying: "Thursday there is the Champions debut, and I think Dybala will want to be on the pitch." Roma faces the opening fixture of the UEFA Champions League on Thursday (9 September). The radio panel broadly agreed that sustained belief and injury avoidance are prerequisites for maintaining the early-season momentum, though Pruzzo signalled January could bring squad reinforcement depending on Mora's progress.