Koulierakis switches to shirt number 3

Bryan Cristante has been withdrawn from Italy's Nations League squad after sustaining an injury in Roma's Serie A match against Inter, forcing manager Roberto Mancini to call up Samuele Ricci as his replacement. Cristante was originally selected for the campaign but the physical problem forced him to withdraw from the squad for the clash against Belgium, which marks the start of Italy's new Nations League cycle. The absence provides an opportunity to examine Cristante's relationship with the Nations League and Italy's overall performance with and without him. Across 22 Nations League matches in the period examined, Cristante has appeared eight times. In the other 14 occasions, he has been unavailable: 12 times through non-selection and twice through remaining on the bench. When the Roma midfielder has featured, Italy have recorded four wins, two draws and two defeats. In the 14 matches where Cristante did not play, the Azzurri collected seven wins, six draws and just one loss. Looking specifically at the last six Nations League Finals matches analysed, Cristante appeared in exactly half of them—three times—while not being selected twice and remaining on the bench on one occasion. With Cristante on the pitch, Italy faced Belgium, Spain and the Netherlands, securing two victories and one defeat. A notable detail involving Roma's current squad emerged from the Netherlands match: Cristante started that fixture while Donyell Malen started for the opposition. Both players now share Roma's dressing room under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. In the three matches of that cycle where Cristante was not used, Italy recorded two losses against Germany and Spain, alongside a draw against Germany.

Roma have identified Frosinone midfielder Giorgi Kvernadze as a target to strengthen Gasperini's attack, according to reports. The Georgian midfielder appeals to the Roma coach, but Frosinone—managed by Alvini—are holding firm in their valuation, demanding at least €25 million. The pursuit of other attacking options remains active: Endrick, the Brazilian currently out of favour at Real Madrid under Mourinho, continues to be monitored by Roma's sporting director D'Amico, with a potential approach planned for January. Roma's summer transfer window saw other targets slip away. Leweling, pursued by Roma until late in the window, was also on the radar of Inter under Chivu, though Stuttgart resisted both clubs' advances. The window's conclusion left gaps that Gasperini is now tasked with addressing through future recruitment cycles.

Jamie Leweling was tracked by Roma in the final stages of the summer transfer window, but the Giallorossi were not alone in their interest. Inter also made a concrete approach for the Stuttgart winger, according to Tuttomercatoweb. The Nerazzurri explored the scope for a possible deal with Stuttgart and assessed Leweling's position, though the interest never developed into a formal negotiation. Leweling remained in the Bundesliga as the window closed. Stuttgart's valuation proved a significant obstacle. The club had no intention of parting easily with the winger and set the same asking price for all interested parties: a minimum of €40 million. Roma attempted to bring Leweling to Rome in the final hours of the summer transfer window before the move collapsed entirely. The German's versatility made him a particularly attractive prospect, as he could operate in several attacking positions. The revelation adds Inter to the list of Italian clubs who pursued the player. The Nerazzurri evaluated Leweling both for the right flank and to add different qualities to their attack. Ultimately, neither Roma nor Inter succeeded in securing him. Stuttgart maintained a rigid stance on their valuation and Leweling stayed in Germany, deferring any possible move to Serie A for the time being.

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.