Lulli targets improvement as Roma prepare for Atalanta

Gian Piero Gasperini hailed Roma's mental strength after a comeback victory, telling Sky Sport that losing such a match would have been difficult to process. The manager praised his players' composure when trailing, noting that they refused to panic and maintained tactical discipline throughout. "The most important aspect was the comeback itself," Gasperini said. "We didn't throw anything away, we kept the field open and played with lucidity. Even if we had lost, it would have been difficult to talk about it." Gasperini highlighted the impact of his five substitutions, particularly the defensive changes. "The substitutions were very important," he explained. "When you keep attacking like that you spend a lot of energy and risk the match taking a different turn. The changes at the back were important too – Balerdi and Ghilardi came in and we had continuity of action even though they started dangerously." He also credited goalkeeper Carnesecchi as "extraordinary" but acknowledged his side lacked clinical finishing. "We had many slow shots and were rewarded in the end," Gasperini said. On his squad depth, Gasperini noted qualitative improvements despite numerical gaps. "In terms of numbers we're missing two or three players," he said. "Qualitatively, yes – tonight's substitutes proved it. On the bench I still had De Roon, Koulierakis and Rensch, and Pellegrini is out. The important thing is to avoid injuries because numerically we don't have a Champions League squad. Qualitatively we can make changes without drops in performance." Dybala completed 98 minutes and was not injured, though Gasperini noted fatigue from the heat and the physical demands of mounting a comeback. The manager said rotation will become necessary once fixtures intensify after the international break, with potential Sunday-Wednesday-Saturday schedules ahead.

Roma came from behind to beat Atalanta 2–1 in Serie A's third round on 5 September, a fixture laden with meaning for head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who managed Atalanta for many years before taking the Roma job in 2025. Gasperini was full of praise for his squad's character after the comeback, particularly their composure and willingness to continue building play rather than rush their attacks in the second half. In his post-match press conference, Gasperini highlighted the impact of his five substitutions and the quality of fresh legs brought off the bench. He acknowledged that Roma still lack numerical depth in the squad — "We're missing 2–3 players numerically" — but expressed confidence in the quality of those available. He stressed that staying injury-free is critical given Roma's Champions League participation: "The worst thing that can happen to us is injuries. We don't have a squad numerically built for the Champions League. Qualitatively we can make changes without drops in standard." Dybala was replaced late on due to fatigue rather than injury, Gasperini confirmed, a problem compounded by the heat and the physical toll of chasing the game. Gasperini praised Carnesecchi's saves as "extraordinary" and singled out the defensive substitutions of Balerdi and Ghilardi for restoring stability. He was candid about Roma's wastefulness in front of goal despite 39 shots: "We were lacking sharpness in our finishing. Perhaps it was the heat; these players aren't machines and can't play every match with such precision." Castro and Soulé, brought on fresh in the second half, made immediate impact. "Castro took a post and a crossbar," Gasperini noted. On the decision to remove Malen, he said: "It was to give freshness to the attack with Soulé and Castro. In the first half we attacked for a long time but lacked freshness." He also removed Mancini and N'Dicka from defence, explaining that the opposition's fresh legs posed a threat and the heat created conditions where defending became harder. Gasperini spoke warmly of his reunion with Atalanta's players and coaching staff, calling the bond "something that will always be special." Looking ahead, he outlined a congested fixture schedule: "We'll play Thursday and then Monday, and after the break we'll face Sunday–Wednesday–Saturday with high-level matches." He said rotations would be necessary but that decisions on managing Dybala's workload in the Champions League era would come in due course.

Maurizio Sarri acknowledged Roma's superiority after Atalanta's loss, telling Sky Sport that the opposition were the stronger, sharper team and will fight for the title until the end. Sarri analysed a difficult first half in which his side suffered territorially but managed to create few clear moments for Roma to exploit. "There was a need for a lot of suffering," he said. "We faced a squad stronger and more in form at this moment. And I think it will fight for the title until the end. We knew it would be a difficult match. There were moments of suffering in the first half but we were careful, we did very well also in the first half-hour of the second half. In the end instead we were too deep, perhaps struggling physically. We paid for it, but we come out with the awareness of having put in difficulty until the end a squad that at this moment is impressive." Sarri told DAZN that Roma could have scored a second goal during a strong spell in the second half but ultimately lacked the physical capacity to sustain high defending in the final quarter. "We suffered the first half territorially but not in terms of chances; Roma's chances were not many," he explained. "We did a good half-hour in the second half, we could have doubled. In the last quarter of an hour we weren't able to defend high and keep the technical players away from our area. We could have made it 2–0 but Roma is in an extraordinary moment and getting her to the 90th minute is already a high-level performance." On Matías Soulé's management, Sarri conceded the approach could have been handled differently but stressed that Atalanta's tactical setup left them exposed to counter-attacking threats. He defended his final substitution decisions, noting that his last two changes were forced by players unable to complete the match physically. Regarding Gaetano's expulsion late in the contest, Sarri disputed the referee's decision: "Gaetano says he said nothing to the referee and those around him said the same thing. I think the referee completely confused the situation. A clear refereeing error." Sarri acknowledged the gap between the teams while identifying progress in his squad's second-half display. "We are defending ourselves too deep compared to what my teams usually do," he said. "It's a process; in the 30 minutes of the second half I saw very interesting things. At the moment Roma is the squad most in condition in Serie A, it will be in the title fight until the end."

Zeki Çelik's departure this summer has proven beneficial for Roma, with the Turkish defender struggling at his new club while the Giallorossi have found capable alternatives. Çelik, who had agreed a renewal with Roma before changing his mind to join another side, has posted uninspiring numbers in his opening matches. Against Milan yesterday he recorded zero successful crosses, matching the same figure across his previous two outings against Parma and Frosinone. Social media criticism has already mounted, with fans questioning the absence of a 'Çelik cam'—a reference to a video DAZN produced weeks earlier following his first friendly appearance. His exit has cleared the path for Emanuele Lulli, who has become integral to Gasperini's setup. Initially withdrawn from the transfer market, Lulli started in all three of Roma's opening matches and has impressed the coaching staff considerably. Equally significant is the emergence of Nahuel Molina, the Argentine fullback who is continuing to build his fitness following Argentina's run to the World Cup final. Against Atalanta, Molina made a decisive 36-minute appearance, creating multiple dangerous situations and setting up a header from Santiago Castro that struck the crossbar. He recorded 100 per cent of tackles won and 90 per cent pass accuracy. Roma's first Champions League fixture arrives Thursday against Feyenoord, with Molina and Lulli in direct competition for the fullback berth. Molina's experience in high-pressure stadiums should serve him well as Roma prepare for what the article describes as an extremely hostile environment.

Zeki Çelik's departure from Roma has proved no source of regret, particularly given how his exit has benefited the club's defensive options. The Turkish defender, who chose not to renew his Roma contract and joined Torino, made a slow start at his new club. In yesterday's match against Milan, he completed zero successful crosses, a tally he matched in earlier friendlies against Parma and Frosinone. Social media criticism emerged, with supporters questioning whether the club would repeat a promotional video similar to one released by Dazn weeks earlier following Çelik's opening pre-season appearance. Celik's departure has cleared space for Emanuele Lulli, who was removed from the transfer market and has impressed considerably. The 2007-born defender started all three pre-season matches and has largely convinced onlookers. Nearby, Nahuel Molina is gradually building match fitness despite still recovering from the demands of Argentina's World Cup campaign, which reached the final. His performances with Roma have proven decisive. Over thirty-six minutes, Molina won 100 per cent of his duels, achieved 90 per cent passing accuracy and created a clear chance that Santiago Castro struck against the crossbar. Roma face Fenerbahçe in their opening Champions League fixture on Thursday, which will reignite the battle between Lulli and Molina for the full-back position. The away venue promises to be an intense atmosphere, though Molina has shown no fear of such occasions. His experience at this level will be invaluable as Roma look to navigate European football's biggest stage.

A motorcycle collision involving Rome's police escort overshadowed Roma's build-up to their Champions League debut on Thursday. A 63-year-old local police officer suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries when his motorbike collided with a car at the junction of via Baldo degli Ubaldi and via Pieralice during the convoy to the team bus on Monday. The Roma squad and CEO John Galantic witnessed the crash, with Galantic requesting updates on the officer's condition. An investigation is now under way to determine why a vehicle was moving on a road that should have been closed to traffic. Roma have already turned attention to Thursday's Champions League opener against Fenerbahçe in Turkey. The squad undertook a recovery session at Trigoria on Sunday, with departure to Turkey scheduled for Wednesday ahead of the press conference and final training. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will assess Wesley and Evan N'Dicka, while Paulo Dybala's energy levels are being monitored after he played 96 minutes in Saturday's match. Nahuel Molina could start in place of Emanuele Lulli, favoured by his international experience, though Gasperini appears unlikely to make wholesale changes. Away supporters face further disruption. Following the closure of Roma's allocated section at Lecce, the upcoming trip to Turin is also at risk. Torino have suspended ticket sales pending decisions from the relevant authorities. The National Observatory on Sporting Events has deferred evaluation to the CASMS, which must rule on the away fixture. On the bench, Gasperini was stopped mid-celebration after the winning goal against Atalanta on Saturday. Assistant Mauro Fumagalli held the head coach back as he moved toward the Curva Sud, with the restraint serving a disciplinary purpose: Gasperini was already carrying a yellow card, and an exuberant display risked a red card and suspension for the Torino match.