Koulierakis switches shirt number after two weeks at Roma

Roma's attacking threat from full-back positions has transformed under Gian Piero Gasperini this season, with the discoveries of Emanuele Lulli and the arrival of Nahuel Molina — described as a clear upgrade on Zeki Çelik — providing multiple offensive weapons beyond Wesley alone. Last season the giallorossi often struggled on the wings, but now rank among Serie A's most dangerous teams in wide areas. Lulli has created 4 chances, Molina 7 and Wesley 13 from their full-back positions, totalling 24 opportunities for Gasperini's side. This figure is surpassed in Italy only by Inter, whose wing-backs Dimarco and Diouf have combined for 26.

Francesco Repice, a Rai Radio commentator, offered a positive assessment of Roma under Gian Piero Gasperini, saying the club has gained fresh credibility after their match against Inter. Repice believes Roma have the talent to challenge for the scudetto if they sustain their intensity for longer stretches of play. "If Roma raises the intensity from 40–55 minutes to 75–80 minutes, it becomes very interesting for what we all know," he said, referring to the title race. Repice praised several squad members individually. He described goalkeeper Mile Svilar as "an absolute certainty" and highlighted Molina as a world champion with Atlético Madrid whose emotional intensity is no flaw. On Manu Koné, he remarked that "the 40 million euro we were talking about for Koné was a joke. If he starts scoring too, then we'll make comparisons with Rice and talk about those figures." He also complimented the growth of the squad under Gasperini's management, suggesting it justifies financial valuations. Repice defended the tactical omissions of some players, explaining that Gasperini's substitutions in other areas of the pitch prevented earlier changes in attack as usual. On midfielder Marten de Roon, he offered only certainty: "I know he can provide continuity of performance." Of Santiago Castro, Repice said: "When he comes in, he gives what I expected." He concluded: "Roma this year is a strong team," while noting that further developments will emerge in January.

The international break has arrived with 12 Roma players involved across their national teams. Today, 24 September, two Roma defenders featured for their countries: Evan N'Dicka and Konstantinos Koulierakis. N'Dicka faced Ghana at 21:00 Italian time in a qualifier for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, representing Ivory Coast in Group C alongside Somalia and Gambia. The Roma centre-back was in contention for a starting place in Ivory Coast's defence. The probable lineup saw N'Dicka positioned alongside O. Diomandé in defence, with Y. Fofana in goal, and Kessié, Sangaré and Oulaï across midfield, while Pépé, Bonny and Yan Diomandé formed the attacking line under manager Renard in a 4-3-3 formation. Koulierakis played for Greece against Serbia at the Rajko Mitic stadium in Belgrade at 20:45, competing in the opening match of the 2026–27 Nations League. The defender was also pushing for a starting berth. Greece lined up in a 4-2-3-1 with Vlachodimos in goal, Vagiannidis and Mavropanos flanking Koulierakis and Retsos in defence, Zafeiris and Kourbelis holding midfield, and Tzolis, Pelkas and Bakasetas supporting forward Douvikas.

The international break has arrived with 12 Roma players involved across their national teams. Today, 24 September, two Roma defenders featured for their countries: Evan N'Dicka and Konstantinos Koulierakis. N'Dicka faced Ghana at 21:00 Italian time in a qualifier for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, representing Ivory Coast in Group C alongside Somalia and Gambia. The Roma centre-back was in contention for a starting place in Ivory Coast's defence. The probable lineup saw N'Dicka positioned alongside O. Diomandé in defence, with Y. Fofana in goal, and Kessié, Sangaré and Oulaï across midfield, while Pépé, Bonny and Yan Diomandé formed the attacking line under manager Renard in a 4-3-3 formation. Koulierakis played for Greece against Serbia at the Rajko Mitic stadium in Belgrade at 20:45, competing in the opening match of the 2026–27 Nations League. The defender was also pushing for a starting berth. Greece lined up in a 4-2-3-1 with Vlachodimos in goal, Vagiannidis and Mavropanos flanking Koulierakis and Retsos in defence, Zafeiris and Kourbelis holding midfield, and Tzolis, Pelkas and Bakasetas supporting forward Douvikas.

Roma are monitoring Giorgi Kvernadze, Frosinone's Georgian winger, as a potential solution to their search for a left-sided attacker with a right foot. The 2003-born winger has scored 5 goals and provided 2 assists across Serie A and the Coppa Italia in recent matches observed by Roma scouts. Frosinone have valued Kvernadze at around €25 million and are unwilling to allow him to leave without a substantial offer. Napoli are also tracking his situation. Roma have made an excellent start to the season with 13 points from 15 available, level on points with Inter and Lazio at the top of the table. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has successfully integrated the summer additions — Balerdi, Molina, Mora, Koulierakis and De Roon — into his system. However, the club recognises that further reinforcements are needed, particularly in the wide attacking position, and has begun preparations for the January transfer window. According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport and confirmed by Il Tempo and Nicolò Schira, Kvernadze has caught the attention of Roma's recruitment staff. The club will face competition from Napoli as they pursue the Frosinone winger ahead of the winter market.

Roma have reached the top of Serie A alongside Inter and Lazio after the opening phase of the season, but attention has already turned to a gruelling month ahead combining league and Champions League fixtures with no respite until November. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has relied heavily on the established core of the squad in the early weeks, with the summer signings introduced gradually, rotating between starting roles and substitute appearances. The intensity of the coming period will require him to call on the full squad of twenty-two players. Among the summer arrivals, Leonardo Balerdi has made an immediate impact, supported by strong performances from Nahuel Molina, the former Atlético Madrid player who provided his first assist against Inter and impressed on the left flank against Torino despite arriving with delayed pre-season preparation due to World Cup commitments. Rodrigo Mora has shown promise in two starts against Fiorentina and Atalanta, though he has found reading the game more difficult as a substitute—though he did score from the bench at Lecce. Gasperini is focused on unlocking the Portuguese midfielder's potential as a player capable of making a difference through his quality. The squad refresh is completed by Koulierakis, Lorenzo Pellegrini and especially Marten de Roon, a signing Gasperini strongly advocated for to strengthen and provide balance to the midfield.

Roma's players on loan across Europe experienced a mixed week of midweek and league fixtures. Neil El Aynaoui performed well for RB Leipzig despite a 2–0 home defeat to Bayer Leverkusen, completing 31 of 34 passes and winning 8 of 14 duels while receiving a yellow card in the 74th minute. His statistical rating reached 7.2, among Leipzig's best performances. Anass Salah-Eddine made a convincing debut for Panathinaikos in a Greek Cup tie against Kifisia, playing all 90 minutes on the left flank in a 2–0 victory. FotMob rated him 7.3 for a clean display as Panathinaikos dominated with 71 per cent possession in the first half. By contrast, Angeliño's week at Deportivo La Coruña ended disastrously: he was sent off for a challenge on Miguel Sierra in the 59th minute of a midweek fixture against Sevilla—initially given a yellow card before the VAR review led to a direct red—leaving his side to lose 1–0 already down in the scoreline. Statistical ratings gave him just 5.7, and Deportivo manager Hidalgo noted how the expulsion undermined the team's comeback effort. Angeliño subsequently missed the following 1–1 draw against Betis through suspension. Mohamed Seck at Foggia produced sharply contrasting displays within days. Playing 90 minutes in a goalless midweek draw against Savoia, he was identified as Foggia's best performer, winning nearly every duel against opposing attackers. Coach Auteri retained him for the next match against Inter U23, but this time his form dipped noticeably. Foggia lost 2–1, and a careless passing error by Seck enabled the decisive goal from Fumagalli. Foggiacalciomania rated him 5.5, noting good physical condition but a costly mistake. The week illustrated the growth trajectory of a defender aged just 20, with evident talent and physicality that must be coupled with fewer lapses in concentration. Elsewhere, Federico Nardin at Pescara played the full 90 minutes in a 1–1 midweek draw against Gubbio, earning ratings of 6 and 6.9 for personality and reliability despite some refinements needed, but sat out the subsequent 1–0 win at Vado. Filippo Reale completed 90 minutes for Carrarese in a 1–0 home defeat to Benevento, earning 6 and 6.7 ratings for an orderly display, while Luigi Cherubini entered at the 77th minute for Benevento and struck the post with a close chance in the 83rd. Radoslaw Zelezny, Perugia's goalkeeper, conceded five goals across two matches but received ratings of 6 in both a 3–0 home loss to Spezia and a 2–0 away defeat at Grosseto, with no clear responsibility on most goals. Robinio Vaz at Hull City entered off the bench in the 78th minute during a 2–1 loss at Newcastle after more than ten minutes without notable incident, marking his second consecutive Premier League appearance. Marash Kumbulla remained unused at Rayo Vallecano despite being named in squads for a 2–1 win against Espanyol and a 1–1 draw at Osasuna. Jan Ziolkowski has not returned to action for Monza, continuing recovery from plantar fasciitis. Artem Dovbyk spent another week without playing time at Bologna.

Angeliño, loaned to Deportivo La Coruña this summer with a buy option, made his first start in a year in the sixth matchday of Liga between Deportivo and Seville on 17 September 2026. The move brought no luck. After sitting on the bench for the opening four rounds, Angeliño was fielded in the starting XI but lasted only until the 60th minute, when he was sent off for a hard challenge on Miguel Sierra. The referee initially showed yellow but upgraded it to red after consulting the VAR. The dismissal came at the worst moment for Deportivo, who were already trailing 0–1 following Sierra's goal in the 52nd minute. Seville held on to win 0–1, leaving Angeliño's long-awaited return to competitive action marked by a straight red card.

Roma players out on loan delivered mixed results across a busy weekend of football, with Alessandro Romano continuing to impress in Serie A while others made their debuts for their temporary clubs. Romano played all 90 minutes as Cagliari defeated Atalanta 2–1 at Bergamo, and created a chance for Mendy early in the second half that was ruled out for marginal offside. The 20-year-old also fired from distance in the 15th minute, forcing a corner from Carnesecchi. Under coach Pisacane, Romano has become an established starter and is at Cagliari on a loan with an obligation to buy should certain sporting conditions be met. Neil El Aynaoui experienced a contrasting week at RB Leipzig. The Moroccan midfielder played the full match in the Bundesliga club's 4–1 Champions League defeat away at Como on Thursday, then returned to the starting XI in Bundesliga action on Sunday, playing 74 minutes in a 5–0 victory over Hamburg without scoring or assisting. He remains on loan with a right of redemption. Robinio Vaz made his Premier League debut for Hull City, entering at the 82nd minute in place of McBurnie during an away fixture at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea. Hull secured a 2–2 draw, and Vaz, born in 2007, now has his first minutes in English football under his belt. He too is on loan with a right of redemption. Other Roma loanees had quieter weekends. Mattia Mannini made his Benevento debut off the bench, replacing Siatounis in the 74th minute of a 3–1 win against Hellas Verona—his first appearance after being unused at Ascoli. Filippo Reale played 90 minutes at left centre-back in Carrarese's 1–0 home defeat to Catanzaro, the goal coming from Iemmello in the 83rd minute. Radoslaw Zelezny started in goal for Perugia away at Ravenna but saw his side lose 3–0 after being reduced to ten men when Kabashi was sent off late in the first half. He had kept a clean sheet in a win against Pineto the previous week. Luigi Cherubini sat unused on Benevento's bench in their 3–1 success, a reversal of his playing status from Ascoli. Angeliño made a second consecutive unused substitute appearance for Deportivo La Coruña in a 1–1 draw at Getafe. Marash Kumbulla returned to the squad list for Rayo Vallecano but did not play in a 4–1 defeat at Real Madrid's Bernabeu. Jan Ziolkowski remained unavailable with a foot problem that had already kept him out the week prior; Monza lost 3–2 to Lecce without him. Artem Dovbyk was held out of Bologna's trip to Napoli after sustaining a minor groin issue in the 91st minute of a prior victory; Bologna lost 1–0 at the Maradona, with manager Tedesco calling the precaution sensible rather than a serious injury. Anass Salah-Eddine is nearing a loan move to Panathinaikos; Roma has agreed terms and the winger has arrived in Athens for medicals, though an official announcement had not yet been published at the time of writing.