Koné on Chelsea interest: 'Things happened'; Roma to wear special centenary kit against Frosinone on 2 January

Donyell Malen was a special guest at the Stadio Tre Fontane on 30 September 2026, attending Roma Women's debut in the UEFA Women's Champions League against Barcelona. The Roma forward arrived with his partner Delisha and took a seat in the stands. When spotted by supporters, he stopped to sign autographs and pose for photographs with fans of all ages. Roma's social media captured his arrival at the stadium. Malen's presence at the fixture had a particular purpose: to watch his partner's sister, Silver Van Hetten, who has recently signed with Roma's women's youth academy (Primavera femminile). Van Hetten will train and compete alongside the Roma Women squad.

Portugal are one step away from qualifying for the next Under-21 European Championship. Tonight's match against Gibraltar at 21:00 is effectively a decider, with Rodrigo Mora confirmed in the starting lineup wearing the number 10. The Roma midfielder will be keen to play a leading role as Portugal look to secure qualification. Victory would take Portugal to 22 points, four clear of the Czech Republic who have already completed their fixtures. With only one round of matches remaining in qualifying Group B, a win would guarantee Portugal's place at the Euros and secure them as group winners, earning automatic passage to the tournament.

Manu Koné addressed speculation over a potential move away from Roma during a France national team press conference on the eve of their match against Italy on Friday 2 October at 20:45. The midfielder said: "Things happened… I am at Roma, I am focused, we have objectives. I am a Roma player and I will give 100% for this club." Koné was referring to Chelsea's interest during the final day of the summer transfer window. He emphasised his commitment to Roma's project despite the late approach and stressed his readiness to adapt tactically. When asked about his positional flexibility, he said: "I have played as a regista, I try to respond to the coach's demands, a midfielder must know how to play everywhere. I have already played that role at Roma, it is not something that changes much." The 24-year-old also praised Zinedine Zidane, who took charge of France's preparations. Koné said: "It is a pleasure to be trained by Zinedine Zidane, a global legend. He manages us in a human way, very sincere, is close to the players; he uses tact, takes us aside. He transmits confidence to all of us, each of us is natural. He told me to play freely. What struck me most is his technical repertoire—seeing that he still has that technique, I tell myself that in his time he must have been incredible."

Niccolò Pisilli has outlined his ambitions for both club and country, telling Vivo Azzurro TV in their Generazione Azzurra format: "Win a Serie A title with Roma and a World Cup with Italy." The Roma midfielder is currently with Italy's Under-21 squad, preparing for two decisive European Championship qualifiers. Tomorrow he faces Armenia in the first of those two crucial matches. Pisilli reflected on key moments in his international career, highlighting 10 October as his lucky date. He made his senior Italy debut on 10 October 2024 at the Stadio Olimpico—Roma's home ground and the club of his heart—in Rome. Exactly one year later, on 10 October 2025, he scored his first Under-21 brace. The 21-year-old has become a central figure at Roma this season and continues to be a focal point of Italy's youth development.

Nicolò Pisilli, Roma midfielder and Italy Under 21 international, has spoken about October 10 as a significant date in his career and his ambitions for the future. Speaking to Vivo Azzurro TV in the Generazione Azzurra format, Pisilli explained: "10 October is my date: it's a day that has been bringing me luck in recent years. In 2024 I made my debut with the senior national team, in Rome which is my home, in the Stadio Olimpico of my beloved club. In 2025 I scored my first brace in the Under 21s." Pisilli, an academy product at Roma, is focused on achieving major honours with both club and country. He outlined his ambitions, saying: "The dream in my drawer is to win a Serie A title maybe with Roma and a World Cup with Italy." The midfielder has become a fixture in Roma's midfield during the 2026-27 season and remains central to the club's plans.

Como's squad has accumulated more minutes in international duty during the current break than Roma's, a factor that could influence the upcoming league fixture between the two sides. Cesc Fabregas's Como squad saw 15 players called up across various national teams and age groups, while Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma contingent numbered 12. Como's representatives included Kean and Ricci (Italy), Da Cunha and Butez (France), Baturina and Smolcic (Croatia), Douvikas (Greece), Chalobah (England), Diao (Senegal), Paz (Argentina), Kambwala (Congo), Liberali (Italy Under 21), Ramon, Valle and Rodriguez (Spain Under 21). Roma's included Mancini and Ghilardi (Italy), Koné (France), Balerdi, Soulé and Castro (Argentina), N'Dicka (Ivory Coast), Koulierakis (Greece), Lulli and Pisilli (Italy Under 21), Mora (Portugal U21), and De Marzi (USA Under 19). As of yesterday evening, Como's 15 players had accumulated 770 minutes of international action, while Roma's 12 had totalled 450 minutes. Further matches remain to be played in the international window, meaning the figures will change.