Koulierakis can adapt well to Serie A, say Rome radio analysts

Marten de Roon has emerged as a key figure in Roma's midfield under Gian Piero Gasperini. The Dutch midfielder's performance against Torino demonstrated his tactical intelligence and positional awareness, with his introduction into the match serving as proof of his value to the team. Despite his age, de Roon possesses the kind of football intelligence that makes experience less of a factor—he knows exactly where to position himself and when to do it. De Roon is viewed as a product of Gasperini's system, having been shaped by the coach's methods. His ability to read the game and occupy the right spaces has positioned him as a leader in Roma's central midfield, transforming from what was once an adversarial relationship to becoming integral to the team's tactical setup this season.

Donyell Malen is establishing himself as one of Roma's top players this season, operating at the highest level alongside Paulo Dybala. His goal against Torino demonstrated an exceptional hunger to score and underscored his impact on the squad. The Dutch forward's form reflects Roma's quality in attack during the early stages of the 2026-27 campaign. His emergence as a leading performer marks a significant development for the club's attacking options.

Federico Guidi, former Roma Primavera coach, has praised Emanuele Lulli's emergence as a first-team starter in the 2026-27 season. Speaking to TuttomercatoWeb, Guidi said Lulli's promotion to the senior squad was difficult to predict, despite a notable jump in quality last season. Lulli was not considered a regular starter among Roma's 2006-07 age group cohort until the previous year, when he began to establish himself as a key player. Gasperini identified Lulli's potential last season and has since monitored his development closely, drawn by his physical attributes—particularly his speed and stamina—which compensate for areas of his defensive game that still offer room for improvement. Guidi explained: "Gasperini intravide in lui qualità già dall'anno scorso, soprattutto dal punto di vista fisico dove ha parametri di altissimo livello dal punto di vista della velocità e della resistenza, con cui riesce a compensare una parte difensiva dove ancora oggi ha margini di miglioramento. Gasperini lo ha monitorato per un anno perché è uno che non guarda la carta di identità ma ciò che fai in campo." This season, Lulli has proven ready for the opportunity at the highest level, demonstrating the fitness and resilience Gasperini identified during his year of observation.

Roma's defensive department has emerged as one of the strongest in Europe through the opening weeks of the 2026-27 campaign. After finishing last season as Serie A's second-best defence behind Como, the backline under Gian Piero Gasperini has been further reinforced with the arrivals of Leonardo Balerdi and Konstantinos Koulierakis, joining established defenders Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, Mario Hermoso and Daniele Ghilardi. In this season's opening fixtures, Roma have conceded just one goal—scored by Ederson in the match against Atalanta. Comparing the opening rounds across Europe's five major leagues, Roma's defensive record is matched only by Arsenal, the runners-up in the European championship, who have also conceded a single goal in their first four matches. Freiburg in the Bundesliga has the same record but across three games played, while Real Madrid and Barcelona in La Liga have both conceded four goals and four clubs in Ligue 1 sit at two goals conceded. At shot-on-target metrics, Roma rank second in Serie A, allowing an average of three shots per match—just behind Como's 2.75—while Arsenal lead across Europe with 2.25 per game, according to Sofascore data. Goalkeeper Mile Svilar has provided crucial protection between the posts, making decisive interventions in moments of defensive vulnerability. This strong defensive performance stands in sharp contrast to Inter, Roma's next league opponent, who have already conceded six goals in their opening matches.

Roma have conceded just one goal in Serie A this season, matching Arsenal's record among Europe's top five leagues and establishing themselves as the continent's tightest defence. The solitary goal came from Atalanta's Ederson in one of the few attempts the visitors managed. Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, Mario Hermoso, Daniele Ghilardi and Konstantinos Koulierakis form the core of a defensive unit reinforced by Leonardo Balerdi's recent arrival. Last season Roma's defence was the best in Europe for much of the campaign before finishing second in Serie A behind Como. Germany's Freiburg has also conceded one goal but from three matches, while Real Madrid and Barcelona share Spain's best record with four. France has four teams on two goals conceded. Roma rank first across Italy for shots faced, with goalkeeper Mile Svilar proving decisive when danger arrives—a stark contrast to Inter, who have already conceded six goals this season.

Roma's transfer strategy this summer has drawn criticism from sections of the media, particularly the departures and arrivals in defence. Jan Ziółkowski, signed in August 2025 at a low fee following scout Massara's assessment of his potential in Poland, has left to gain playing time elsewhere after Gasperini identified other priorities. Alongside Konstantinos Koulierakis, Leonardo Balerdi arrived late in the window—the former Marseille captain—prompting complaints from observers who questioned why Ziółkowski was sold if money was then spent on a replacement. The logic behind Roma's approach is becoming clearer in the opening weeks of the season. Ziółkowski may return one day ready to compete for a starting place, or he may represent a useful profit for the club's finances. For now, Balerdi is what Roma need. What rankles some commentators is that those now celebrating Balerdi's arrival were among those who dismissed his signing initially, often appearing unfamiliar with his name. Before Turin-Roma, some called for Balerdi to replace Gianluca Mancini, whom they had written off as finished after errors against Atalanta and Fenerbahçe. Mancini, however, produced a monumental display at Turin, exposing the opportunism of those quick to turn on him. The article criticizes media outlets for excitement in watching Roma stumble rather than genuine engagement with the club's direction.

Roma produced a commanding tactical display to defeat Torino, with Leonardo Balerdi marshalling the defence throughout a performance that saw Gasperini's side control proceedings from the opening exchanges. Four changes from Roma's midweek Champions League fixture—Balerdi, Pisilli, Lulli and Molina—maintained the team's standard, with Pisilli closing out the match in a critical moment despite one of his less polished displays, while Lulli and Molina remained creative and showed clear room for improvement. The victory came as Roma prepare for their next major test against the Serie A champions in the coming days. Roma's suffocating press set the tone immediately. Gasperini's team opened with an aggressive 3-4-2-1 that targeted Torino's attempts at possession-based build-up, with Cristante pressing Mandragora, Pisilli tracking Fitz-Jim, and the three centre-backs—Balerdi on Simeone, Mancini on Vlašić, and Hermoso dealing with Gineitis—marking tightly in advanced positions. The giallorossi dominated territory and possession early, disrupting Torino's passing rhythm through relentless pressure and recovering the ball high upfield for dangerous breaks. Although Roma failed to convert their early superiority into goals, a key moment came at the thirty-minute mark when Soulé and Dybala swapped positions; the fluency of Roma's football through the middle improved when these adjustments allowed Dybala to move closer to support Malen. The breakthrough arrived late in the first half when Mancini's recovery from Torino's loose build-up released Dybala, whose through-ball found Malen. The Dutch forward's lethal instinct from a low position gave Roma the lead. Torino emerged from half-time with tactical adjustments—Abate raised Mandragora and Vlašić wider alongside Simeone, introduced the excellent Bragança to midfield control in place of Gineitis, and switched Cacciamani for Belghali—but around the hour mark, Bragança began threading meaningful patterns that loosened Roma's pressing intensity. Gasperini countered by withdrawing Soulé and Malen for Mora and Castro, shifting Roma to a 5-3-2 shape with Koné and De Roon replacing Cristante and Dybala in a conservative but decisive adjustment. Torino's momentum faded as Balerdi, alongside De Roon—who dominated through recoveries, interceptions, dangerous passing line disruptions, and decisive individual pressure—ensured Roma's back line remained unbreakable. The match closed with Mancini orchestrating the final attacking phase, his calmness in possession setting up Pisilli's finishing touch. Gasperini later described the imminent big fixture against the defending champions as merely "an opportunity to measure ourselves," words the coach framed as releasing unnecessary tension and a reminder that a match played at the end of September cannot carry ultimate significance.

Roma's defensive department has emerged as one of the strongest in Europe through the opening weeks of the 2026-27 campaign. After finishing last season as Serie A's second-best defence behind Como, the backline under Gian Piero Gasperini has been further reinforced with the arrivals of Leonardo Balerdi and Konstantinos Koulierakis, joining established defenders Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, Mario Hermoso and Daniele Ghilardi. In this season's opening fixtures, Roma have conceded just one goal—scored by Ederson in the match against Atalanta. Comparing the opening rounds across Europe's five major leagues, Roma's defensive record is matched only by Arsenal, the runners-up in the European championship, who have also conceded a single goal in their first four matches. Freiburg in the Bundesliga has the same record but across three games played, while Real Madrid and Barcelona in La Liga have both conceded four goals and four clubs in Ligue 1 sit at two goals conceded. At shot-on-target metrics, Roma rank second in Serie A, allowing an average of three shots per match—just behind Como's 2.75—while Arsenal lead across Europe with 2.25 per game, according to Sofascore data. Goalkeeper Mile Svilar has provided crucial protection between the posts, making decisive interventions in moments of defensive vulnerability. This strong defensive performance stands in sharp contrast to Inter, Roma's next league opponent, who have already conceded six goals in their opening matches.

Roma have conceded just one goal in Serie A this season, matching Arsenal's record among Europe's top five leagues and establishing themselves as the continent's tightest defence. The solitary goal came from Atalanta's Ederson in one of the few attempts the visitors managed. Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, Mario Hermoso, Daniele Ghilardi and Konstantinos Koulierakis form the core of a defensive unit reinforced by Leonardo Balerdi's recent arrival. Last season Roma's defence was the best in Europe for much of the campaign before finishing second in Serie A behind Como. Germany's Freiburg has also conceded one goal but from three matches, while Real Madrid and Barcelona share Spain's best record with four. France has four teams on two goals conceded. Roma rank first across Italy for shots faced, with goalkeeper Mile Svilar proving decisive when danger arrives—a stark contrast to Inter, who have already conceded six goals this season.