Kean injury concerns Como ahead of Roma clash; Paz faces late return

Bryan Cristante has been ruled out following a back injury that forced him to withdraw from international duty, with additional knee soreness now sidelining him for a period. Moise Kean, meanwhile, was spared from Italy's final match of the international break due to an ailment and is questionable for Roma's fixture after the break. The international break brought mixed fortunes across Serie A. While some players recovered from injury, others sustained fresh problems during the two-week window. Across the league, notable casualties include AC Milan's Alexis Saelemaekers, whose ankle injury in training has raised serious concerns: the joint, which has undergone previous surgery, is no longer stable. Mediaset reports he will visit a specialist, with a new operation deemed very likely, potentially sidelining him for three to four months. Albert Gudmundsson sprained his shoulder and faces around a month out. Napoli recovered Alex Meret, Leonardo Spinazzola, and Luca Marianucci but lost Mathias Olivera to a hip strain lasting a couple of weeks and Costantino Favasuli for one and a half months due to a serious thigh issue. Bologna's Emil Holm underwent surgery to repair a torn thigh tendon and will miss most of the season. Udinese's Idrissa Gueye sustained a severe ankle injury requiring three months recovery. Pervis Estupinan suffered a minor knee sprain. Frosinone will be without two centre-forwards: Antonio Raimondo with Achilles tendonitis and Daniel Birligea with a quad strain. Cagliari's Alessandro Deiola tore a meniscus.

Roma could reopen talks with Jayden Oosterwolde during the winter transfer window after a summer move collapsed over medical concerns. The club had scheduled the defender's medical examinations before completing the deal, but assessments revealed a significant muscle tear that required surgery and an estimated three-month recovery. Roma chose not to proceed at that point, but have kept the 2001-born left-back on their radar. Director of sport Massimo D'Amico continues to monitor Oosterwolde's progress, and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini had already approved the move when it was being considered in summer, signalling how highly the former Parma player was valued for the project. The failed summer operation has not damaged relations between the parties. Roma will reassess Oosterwolde once he returns to full fitness and provides sufficient physical guarantees, with the January window offering a chance to revive negotiations that seemed all but done before the injury setback. A recent sign of sustained interest came during Roma's Champions League fixture against Istanbul, when Oosterwolde greeted several Roma players and subsequently held talks with Gasperini and his staff. Much will depend on the Dutch defender's recovery and Roma's own evaluation, but he remains a profile to watch for the giallorossi's left flank.

Evan N'Dicka is set to return to Trigoria after international duty with Ivory Coast and will target a starting berth against Como. Physical complaints, a virus, and Leonardo Balerdi's strong performances have limited his appearances; he was benched for tactical reasons against Inter. Bryan Cristante remains under assessment following a left knee collateral problem. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini explained the situation: "Bryan is recovering, he's being treated and it takes time. It's not certain he'll definitely miss Como and Real Madrid, but we won't be willing to risk anything. If he has to miss one or two more matches, the objective is to get him back in top condition." Wesley reportedly reached out directly to his friend Endrick, expressing how pleased he would be to welcome him to Roma as early as January. The contact between the two Brazilians drew on a bond formed through difficult moments; last June, Endrick had himself called Wesley after an injury forced him to leave Brazil's training camp. The roles have now reversed, with the Roma winger ready to tell Endrick about the club and Trigoria. The pair will have a chance to meet at the Olimpico on 14 October when Roma face Real Madrid. According to Football Benchmark estimates, Roma's squad is valued at approximately €600 million, the third-highest figure in Serie A behind Inter (€829 million) and Juventus (€777 million). The valuation is linked to resources invested by the Friedkin Group and Gasperini's work during his first year. Two Roma players feature in the top 10 in the league: Manu Koné at €64 million and Donyell Malen at €58 million. Roma supporters will return to away fixtures without residency restrictions for the first time in nine months. The away section at Sinigaglia will be full for the Como match, despite technical issues many fans encountered during ticket sales. From Sunday, Roma enter an intense stretch of nine matches in 27 days across Serie A and the Champions League, with approximately 62,000 spectators expected at the Olimpico for Real Madrid's visit.

Matías Soulé, Leonardo Balerdi and Santiago Castro will arrive back in Rome on Thursday after three weeks away with Argentina, leaving head coach Gian Piero Gasperini just one day to assess their fitness before the match against Como. The trio will not train on Thursday, needing time to recover from a 13–14 hour transatlantic flight and adjust to the time difference after an extended spell away from the club. Friday's training session will be Gasperini's first opportunity to evaluate their condition on the pitch—a crucial window given the toll a long absence across the Atlantic can take both physically and mentally. With so little preparation time, the initial expectation is that all three may start on the bench. Castro was already considered a candidate for such a role, though Soulé and Balerdi present greater uncertainty about their readiness. Rodrigo Mora or Lorenzo Pellegrini could replace Soulé in the squad, while Evan N'Dicka remains the most natural solution in defence. However, a match lasts 90 minutes, and all three Argentine players retain the capacity to become decisive from the bench—a possibility Gasperini clearly understands. The timeline is tight: the players depart Argentina following a farewell celebration linked to Lionel Messi, then face the long journey home and the immediate challenge of reintegration ahead of the Como fixture.

Matías Soulé made his Argentina debut at the Monumental in Buenos Aires, marking a milestone he has long pursued. The Roma winger came on in the second half in a 7–0 friendly victory over Burkina Faso against Nico Paz, and celebrated the achievement through a social media post: "A dream I've had since childhood has come true today. Making my debut for the National Team is something I will carry in my heart forever. So much effort, sacrifice and people who have walked with me every step of the way. Thanks to God, my family and everyone who was part of this journey. It is an enormous pride to represent my country." Soulé added a forward-looking note: "The start of a dream that still has a long way to go." Santiago Castro, another Roma player, also earned his Argentina debut in the same fixture. Both represented the Albiceleste for the first time on 5 October 2026.

AS Roma are planning to establish an Under 23 side to compete in Serie C, following the model adopted by Juventus, Atalanta, Milan and Inter. Chief executive John Galantic announced the project at the Festival dello Sport, emphasising the need to build a bridge between the youth academy and the first team and reduce the discontinuity that often hinders the transition from Primavera to professional football. Galantic said: "We don't live by sales alone, we need more Lullis and more Pisillis, we must focus on youth development," and indicated potential strategic partnerships with Cannes, another club owned by the Friedkin family. The initiative aims to develop homegrown talent and prevent young prospects from leaving the club. The project hinges on two critical elements the club will address in coming months. The first concerns the stadium that will host the second team's home matches. The Tre Fontane currently lacks the structural requirements for Serie C football, and Roma are evaluating whether renovation is feasible. The alternative under consideration is the Stella Polare stadium in Ostia, home to Ostiamare, managed by Daniele De Rossi. The second element is financial sustainability: the initial investment is estimated at €20 million, with approximately €3 million annually required for operational costs including wages, travel, logistics and registration fees. The UEFA classifies spending on second teams and youth sectors as "virtuous" investments, providing direct benefits to the club's balance sheet under Financial Fair Play regulations. The Under 23 project reflects Roma's established commitment to youth development, evident in recent transfer activity. The club has recruited Rodrigo Mora (19), Konstantinos Koulierakis (22), a player named Vaz (19) and Santiago Castro (21). This direction will continue in the winter window, with the club monitoring prospects including Endrick, Kvernadze, Van Bommel and Bakola. Recent encouragement has come from Matías Soulé and Castro earning senior debuts for Argentina.

Matías Soulé, Leonardo Balerdi and Santiago Castro will arrive back in Rome on Thursday after three weeks away with Argentina, leaving head coach Gian Piero Gasperini just one day to assess their fitness before the match against Como. The trio will not train on Thursday, needing time to recover from a 13–14 hour transatlantic flight and adjust to the time difference after an extended spell away from the club. Friday's training session will be Gasperini's first opportunity to evaluate their condition on the pitch—a crucial window given the toll a long absence across the Atlantic can take both physically and mentally. With so little preparation time, the initial expectation is that all three may start on the bench. Castro was already considered a candidate for such a role, though Soulé and Balerdi present greater uncertainty about their readiness. Rodrigo Mora or Lorenzo Pellegrini could replace Soulé in the squad, while Evan N'Dicka remains the most natural solution in defence. However, a match lasts 90 minutes, and all three Argentine players retain the capacity to become decisive from the bench—a possibility Gasperini clearly understands. The timeline is tight: the players depart Argentina following a farewell celebration linked to Lionel Messi, then face the long journey home and the immediate challenge of reintegration ahead of the Como fixture.

Rome's radio stations offered contrasting takes on Roma's prospects heading into Sunday's visit to Como, with Endrick dominating transfer discussion and debate over the unconventional international break shaping preparation. Piero Torri suggested Endrick could develop into Gasperini's answer to Juan Fernando Muriel, saying: "Endrick for me could become the new Muriel of Gasperini, another player who, like Malen, when he gets the ball his first thought is the goal regardless of the role he would play." Lorenzo Pes compared the situation to last summer's protracted Zirkzee saga but expressed cautiously optimistic sentiment: "Endrick as a telenovela is very similar to Zirkzee's from last year, and I think we'll carry it with us for a long time. Last summer if he had left on loan there would have been excellent opportunities. Endrick is not playing despite Mourinho wanting to keep him, and Roma are watching. I hope the ending is not the same as Zirkzee—this time there are better foundations: Roma wants to sign a player there. If the squad stays close to the top of the table, I think you'll have to make an effort. Endrick has all the characteristics that appeal, and he is intrigued by Roma. Behind closed doors the contacts continue, it's a profile that appeals greatly." Torri added that Wesley has been in contact with Endrick, relaying: "There have been some conversations between Wesley and Endrick: 'Come here and have fun, with Gasp you score and play Champions League.' That's fine, in all transfer dealings these dynamics exist. For January I think there is the owner's willingness to make an effort." Alessio Nardo countered that Endrick does not match Roma's ideal profile, as "he is not the left-winger with right foot, he is not a winger." Gianluca Piacentini raised concerns about fielding Leonardo Balerdi and Matías Soulé together: "They are not Svilar and Koné. What scares me more is what the Argentines will do after the match than during it." Francesca Ferrazza noted the Como fixture's kickoff time as problematic: "How do you put a big match like Como–Roma at 12:30?" Stefano Carina praised Aurélien Tchouaméni's performance in international duty, saying "Doumbia is the best on the pitch, he has elegance and physical strength, you can see he is a top-level player. Our clubs slept, and Sporting took him away for €20 million. You'll see, they'll sell him for €50 million now." Roberto Pruzzo questioned the reported €600 million squad valuation, and Nardo Orsi observed that Como's squad, also valued at €580 million, was assembled far more economically—built from youth development at roughly €10 million outlay versus Roma's €400 million spend.

Gian Piero Gasperini is preparing Roma for a return fixture against Como on Sunday, determined not to repeat the defensive confusion that haunted last season's meeting. The Italian manager joked about studying Cesc Fabregas's tactical setup like a Subbuteo game, but behind the quip lies serious intent: Roma must arrive prepared for Como's constant rotations and mid-match adjustments. Gasperini said: "Domenica sarà diverso" — Sunday will be different — signalling he will not allow Fabregas to seize control as he did before. Last season's encounter exposed a key weakness: the absence of Evan N'Dicka. The Ivorian defender sat out that match, and when Como pressed forward, Roma lacked the physical presence needed to contain Fabregas's attacking focal point. N'Dicka's presence proved crucial in the opening fixture of the previous campaign, shutting down opponents and frustrating Fabregas throughout. Now, with the rematch approaching, N'Dicka's physicality and ability to win defensive duels looms as a potential difference-maker. Balerdi offers greater speed, but the Ivorian possesses the frame to challenge Como's strikers — both the threat of Artem Douvikas and potentially Moise Kean — in direct contests. Gasperini has six days to finalize his blueprint. Roma's squad contains attacking talent — Donyell Malen, Paulo Dybala, Manu Koné and Wesley all carry above-average quality — but the match against Como requires more than technical excellence. It demands a willingness to battle, to win contested moments and to disrupt play when necessary. Last season, Douvikas's goal sparked Como's comeback, opening spaces that multiplied as the match progressed. That pattern must not repeat. The away support will follow Roma to Como; the visiting fans' section is already sold out.

Bryan Cristante has been ruled out following a back injury that forced him to withdraw from international duty, with additional knee soreness now sidelining him for a period. Moise Kean, meanwhile, was spared from Italy's final match of the international break due to an ailment and is questionable for Roma's fixture after the break. The international break brought mixed fortunes across Serie A. While some players recovered from injury, others sustained fresh problems during the two-week window. Across the league, notable casualties include AC Milan's Alexis Saelemaekers, whose ankle injury in training has raised serious concerns: the joint, which has undergone previous surgery, is no longer stable. Mediaset reports he will visit a specialist, with a new operation deemed very likely, potentially sidelining him for three to four months. Albert Gudmundsson sprained his shoulder and faces around a month out. Napoli recovered Alex Meret, Leonardo Spinazzola, and Luca Marianucci but lost Mathias Olivera to a hip strain lasting a couple of weeks and Costantino Favasuli for one and a half months due to a serious thigh issue. Bologna's Emil Holm underwent surgery to repair a torn thigh tendon and will miss most of the season. Udinese's Idrissa Gueye sustained a severe ankle injury requiring three months recovery. Pervis Estupinan suffered a minor knee sprain. Frosinone will be without two centre-forwards: Antonio Raimondo with Achilles tendonitis and Daniel Birligea with a quad strain. Cagliari's Alessandro Deiola tore a meniscus.

Bryan Cristante will miss Roma's match against Como—the first time Gasperini has left him out since his appointment in 2025, aside from a suspension against Sassuolo. Cristante has been ever-present under the coach, a midfielder who operates with minimal visibility but maximum impact: he disrupts play, recovers possession, covers ground and consistently ranks among Roma's leaders in distance covered and ball recoveries. His absence forces Gasperini to deploy a different solution in midfield. Instead of recalling Niccolò Pisilli, as he did for the Sassuolo match, Gasperini will pair Marten de Roon alongside Manu Koné. The shift prioritises greater physicality, experience and midfield weight to withstand Como's attacking threat under manager Fabregas. De Roon is a well-known option for Gasperini, but the coach will now rely on him without one of his tactical certainties. Cristante's quiet, almost invisible presence has proved fundamental to Roma's structure this season. Gasperini has signalled that Cristante's layoff may extend beyond Como; he could miss the Real Madrid fixture as well. Two consecutive matches without him will test how heavily his contribution weighs on Roma's midfield balance and offer a genuine audition for De Roon as the coach's latest "trusted lieutenant".

Evan N'Dicka is set to return to Trigoria after international duty with Ivory Coast and will target a starting berth against Como. Physical complaints, a virus, and Leonardo Balerdi's strong performances have limited his appearances; he was benched for tactical reasons against Inter. Bryan Cristante remains under assessment following a left knee collateral problem. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini explained the situation: "Bryan is recovering, he's being treated and it takes time. It's not certain he'll definitely miss Como and Real Madrid, but we won't be willing to risk anything. If he has to miss one or two more matches, the objective is to get him back in top condition." Wesley reportedly reached out directly to his friend Endrick, expressing how pleased he would be to welcome him to Roma as early as January. The contact between the two Brazilians drew on a bond formed through difficult moments; last June, Endrick had himself called Wesley after an injury forced him to leave Brazil's training camp. The roles have now reversed, with the Roma winger ready to tell Endrick about the club and Trigoria. The pair will have a chance to meet at the Olimpico on 14 October when Roma face Real Madrid. According to Football Benchmark estimates, Roma's squad is valued at approximately €600 million, the third-highest figure in Serie A behind Inter (€829 million) and Juventus (€777 million). The valuation is linked to resources invested by the Friedkin Group and Gasperini's work during his first year. Two Roma players feature in the top 10 in the league: Manu Koné at €64 million and Donyell Malen at €58 million. Roma supporters will return to away fixtures without residency restrictions for the first time in nine months. The away section at Sinigaglia will be full for the Como match, despite technical issues many fans encountered during ticket sales. From Sunday, Roma enter an intense stretch of nine matches in 27 days across Serie A and the Champions League, with approximately 62,000 spectators expected at the Olimpico for Real Madrid's visit.