Julio Sergio visits Trigoria, praises Gasperini and Svilar

Gennaro Gattuso, manager of Lazio, delivered an effusive tribute to Gian Piero Gasperini at the Festival dello Sport in Trento, describing the Roma coach as belonging to the same category of tactical innovators as Arrigo Sacchi. Gattuso recalled how Gasperini supported him during difficult moments in his career, including when Gattuso was at Milan and Gasperini at Atalanta. "He is a great coach and has always been present in my difficult moments. When I was at Milan and he was at Atalanta he called me and told me to hold on, that he liked how my Milan played. We are somewhat alike, we both have strong characters, he has always made me feel his closeness. Nobody talks about it but he is part of the same category as Sacchi for the change he has brought. I and many colleagues try to repeat the things he does, but we struggle. A dinner with him would be an honour," Gattuso said. The moment took a lighter turn when Gasperini appeared in a video message on stage at Trento, inviting Gattuso to dinner with a playful caveat acknowledging the city rivalry between the clubs. "I would be happy to invite you to dinner one evening, obviously not the week of the derby eh! I hope to see you soon, goodbye," Gasperini said. Gattuso responded immediately: "Going to dinner with him would be an honour." Gattuso also addressed the upcoming derby, explaining that he discourages his players and staff from discussing it prematurely. "When I hear my boys talking about it, or people who work in the game, I stop them immediately. There are still important matches; we will talk about it that week," he said.

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini sent a video message to Lazio manager Gennaro Gattuso during the Festival dello Sport in Trento, extending a dinner invitation with a light-hearted caveat. In the message, Gasperini said: "I would be pleased to invite you to dinner one evening, obviously not the week of the derby, eh! I hope to see you soon, bye." The exchange came as Gattuso was being interviewed by the Gazzetta dello Sport. Gattuso responded warmly to the gesture, thanking the Roma coach and recalling their time together at Milan. He said: "Going to dinner with him would be an honour..." The exchange highlights the mutual respect between the two managers despite their clubs' fierce rivalry in the Derby della Capitale.

Adidas has unveiled further previews of a new EQT collection for AS Roma inspired by 1990s design and style, following earlier reveals of the club's centenary match kits. Specialist portal Footy Headlines has published the first images of several pieces from the range, including a jacket, hoodie, white t-shirt and trousers set to release officially over the coming months. Similar vintage-inspired collections have already launched for other Adidas clubs including Juventus, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.

Radio pundit Piero Torri has voiced concern that Bryan Cristante's injury could be more serious than initially thought, and has outlined how he would approach Roma's upcoming fixtures if the midfielder is unavailable. Speaking on Radio Manà Manà Sport Roma (90.9), Torri said: "I'm afraid Cristante's injury may not be a short one. If he's not fit, I wouldn't risk trying to get him back for Real Madrid. I would play de Roon at Como and Pisilli against Real Madrid." Torri also reflected on head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's handling of Paulo Dybala's minutes, saying the manager's approach has shifted his perspective. "What Gasperini said about Dybala struck me—it erased my previous beliefs about his playing time and management. And so far he's been proved right," Torri noted. He suggested Roma should begin discussions about Gasperini's contract intentions, given that the coach's deal will expire at the end of the season. Former Roma striker Roberto Pruzzo, speaking on Radio Radio Mattino (104.5), praised goalkeeper Mile Svilar's importance to the team: "Svilar is a world-class goalkeeper for Roma, I have no doubt about it. If there's a normal goalkeeper, it's easy to lose 3–1. But with him it's different."

Roma radio commentators have praised Paulo Dybala and Mile Svilar as central to the club's prospects under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini this season. Carina told Radio Radio that Dybala represents Gasperini's main gamble and is succeeding in it. "The big difference compared to the past is exactly Dybala," Carina said. "If he continues like this, at these high levels, I would sign off on it. It's clear that at Roma it can change important targets. Gasperini is right: Dybala doesn't miss a training session, he has found the key to extend Dybala's career, who is a champion of Italian football." Carina also noted that Bryan Cristante has a knee inflammation that, while not serious, is a concern. Roberto Pruzzo backed goalkeeper Svilar without reservation. "Svilar is world-class for Roma, I have no doubt," Pruzzo said on Radio Radio. "If there is a normal goalkeeper, it is easy then to lose 3–1." Orsi, also speaking on Radio Radio, observed that goalkeepers in Italy are not generally regarded as world-class figures.

Gian Piero Gasperini addressed the Gazzetta dello Sport's Festival dello Sport in Trento, reflecting on his arrival at Roma and the squad's early development under his management. He described his first message to the players as the creation of something new from the ground up. "It's like when you do a new construction: you must lay new and different foundations straight away," Gasperini said. "We never spoke about my previous years. We had to build something new immediately, founded on concepts different from what many players were used to, but also what they expected from me and asked of me. Football can be played in many ways, but the first concept was to win the ball back from the opponent and not wait for him to make a mistake." Gasperini singled out the defensive group for particular praise, naming Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso as standout performers but extending credit to goalkeeper Mile Svilar and Evan N'Dicka, who he said had been among Europe's best defenders for months. On Mancini, he revealed his approach: "I knew him when I was his opponent and I would think 'why is he so disagreeable?' and I immediately tried to tell him 'look, this penalises you, for many years you didn't go to the national team because of these attitudes.' That was the first thing I worked on." Mancini had "a fantastic season" and has since returned to the Italy squad. Hermoso, despite a difficult previous year, brought experience from Atlético Madrid's defensive discipline alongside Spanish quality and tactical knowledge. On Bryan Cristante, Gasperini explained his confidence in the midfielder despite early doubts. "I knew him as a young player. Very often in players you don't look at the 'control room'—personality, the way of playing for the squad and putting teammates' needs first—and that's something I've always considered," he said. "When I was at Atalanta we sold Gagliardini to Inter and he couldn't stand out. Sartori gave me his name, I met the young Beppe Riso and got to know this guy. He couldn't have lost his technical qualities. I spoke to him a lot and he convinced me. I was facing the right person, with motivation, and I hoped that footballistically he would come out and he did." Cristante has suffered a knee injury but should recover quickly. Gasperini acknowledged that "playing many matches, if you're out two weeks you risk missing five matches. He'll miss the first matches but will recover soon." On Paulo Dybala's remarkable early form this season, Gasperini said: "He's started the way it hasn't happened to him for years. I knew him in Palermo when he was very young. As with all great players, he still has enthusiasm and strength. When he's on the pitch he's well and wants to play." Regarding Romano, a young academy graduate, Gasperini was critical of circumstances beyond football: "The fact that Romano was sold is down to needs for capital gains and balance-sheet requirements. This is not something good for our football—you need the chance to let your best gems grow, but when there are these needs they become the first to be cut." Gasperini also discussed Donyell Malen's unexpected summer arrival. "Sometimes the planets align and things happen that you weren't thinking about days before," he said. "Malen was a known player; in summer we'd seen his characteristics, which were already known. Then things happen during the market where you think you've planned everything and then maybe something unforeseen comes up—sometimes bad, in this case good. In a moment when we were looking for a striker, this opportunity with Malen came up, exiting Aston Villa for a tactical reason. He wanted to play centre-forward and I've always seen centre-forward characteristics in him."

Cesc Fabregas has publicly expressed respect for Gian Piero Gasperini ahead of Como's fixture against Roma in one week's time, moving to defuse tension between the two coaches after a heated encounter last season. The Spanish manager addressed the pair's previous conflict at the Festival dello Sport in Trento, where he stated: "I have great respect for him." Last season, Gasperini refused to shake Fabregas's hand after Como's 2–1 home victory, walking directly toward the tunnel in protest at Wesley's expulsion, which the Roma coach deemed dubious. Fabregas had called the gesture "unsporting" at the time, fueling friction between them. The article comes as Roma prepare for their next league match against Como. Gasperini, who took charge of Roma in 2025, is one of the most experienced and strongest coaches in Serie A, presenting a contrasting tactical approach to Fabregas's style. The incident has left some residual effects on their relationship, though Fabregas's recent comments suggest a willingness to move past it. Fabregas acknowledged his own mistakes and emotional nature, saying: "I myself make errors many times; I am still young and often still emotional." He then directed his comments at Gasperini specifically: "I hope that a more experienced coach, if I make a mistake, will tell me. For example Gasperini. I like to listen to people who know more than I do." He also noted that relationships cannot be identical with all colleagues: "You cannot keep the same friendship or relationship with everyone; we are all different."

AS Roma have been working on a move for Real Madrid forward Endrick over the last few months, with increasingly positive signals that a deal could materialise in January. Sporting director Tony D'Amico is driving the initiative, and crucially, Endrick has already given his approval to join the Giallorossi, viewing a Roma move as an opportunity to regain prominence after his time in Madrid. Endrick's father is also supportive of the transfer, particularly given that his Brazilian teammate Wesley is performing well at Roma. The player has confided to close friends that a switch to the Giallorossi is a genuine possibility. AC Milan have also attempted to recruit Endrick, but Roma are ahead in the race, having already held initial talks with the player and his representatives. A forthcoming fixture between Roma and Real Madrid could provide a suitable moment for both parties to advance discussions further on the deal.

Wesley was spotted at Ponte Milvio test-driving his new Lamborghini during the international break. The Roma defender, born in 2003, remained in the capital rather than travel during the national team pause, taking the opportunity to enjoy some leisure time away from Trigoria. Wesley is currently recovering from a physical problem that prevented him from answering Brazil's call-up. He is expected to rejoin full training in the coming days with the goal of returning to Gian Piero Gasperini's squad for the resumption of the league campaign.