Koné: Roma are mentally strong, intense and solid under Gasperini

Matías Soulé made his Argentina debut in a friendly against Burkina Faso on the night of 4 October, coming on after half-time—a milestone that marks his emergence from months of uncertainty at Roma. The number 18 had endured two spells on the bench before earning his senior cap with the Albiceleste, and the appearance represents a turning point after a turbulent end to the 2025–26 season and the recent transfer window. Soulé faced the possibility of leaving Rome until the June 30 deadline passed, but remained under head coach Giampiero Gasperini. He has since established himself as a central figure in Roma's campaign. In six matches across Serie A and the Champions League this season, he has started in four. Pubalgia that had seriously hampered him last season is now behind him. He has already made a decisive impact, scoring the winning goal against Atalanta. According to Filippo Biafora in Il Tempo, Soulé had spent the closing weeks of the 2025–26 season living with the prospect of departure, initially considered the top candidate to leave before the summer deadline. His Argentina appearance—coming with the relief and joy of fulfilling a career ambition—has positioned him to turn the page on those difficult months entirely.

Roma and AC Milan are competing to sign Real Madrid forward Endrick, who has expressed interest in both clubs. During the international break, Roma sporting director D'Amico resumed contact with the player's representatives, according to La Repubblica. Endrick is currently with Brazil under Ancelotti and has played only four minutes for Real Madrid this season owing to a muscular injury. The left-footed forward, born in 2006, has won the full approval of head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who has spent over a year seeking an attacker to deploy on the left behind the centre-forward. Roma's preferred approach is a loan with a right of purchase. The Champions League fixture on 14 October could provide an opportunity to accelerate negotiations.

Roma return to Serie A action on Sunday at Como with Gasperini facing a decision over his attacking midfield line, according to Simone Valdarchi in Corriere della Sera. The club sits top of the table after the first international break and will resume training tomorrow afternoon with focus entirely on the match against Fabregas's side. The contest for the playmaking role alongside Dybala and Malen remains open, with Soulé having featured regularly in the season's opening weeks. Soulé's Argentina commitments may work against him for the Como fixture. The midfielder will remain with the Argentina squad for one more day to face Benin—a match marking Messi's farewell to the national team—before returning to Roma, potentially limiting his readiness for immediate action on Sunday. This could give Pellegrini and Mora the chance to contest the trequarti role. Pellegrini begins his third week of training tomorrow, while Mora is away with Portugal U21, who face the Czech Republic tomorrow. Both players will find regular opportunities in the matches ahead as Roma's fixture list accelerates to a game every three days.