Malen named AIC Player of the Month for September

Donyell Malen has been named Serie A player of September by the Italian Players' Association (AIC), beating competition from Lautaro Martinez, Davide Frattesi and Giorgi Kvernadze. The Roma forward has scored six goals in the season's first five matches, including a hat-trick on the opening day against Fiorentina, continuing the form that carried him through to May. Malen's performances have been described as "video-game level". The former Aston Villa player will now be called upon to deliver in Roma's upcoming away fixture at Como and in a Champions League night match at the Olimpico against Real Madrid.

Slim Bouaskar, a goalkeeper born and raised in Rome who chose to represent Tunisia internationally, has been named by The Guardian among the world's most talented and promising players born in 2009. Though largely unknown to Roma's supporters, Bouaskar continues to impress in the club's youth ranks and at the U17 World Championship. He has not yet made a senior debut, but Ranieri gave him an opportunity following José Mourinho's words to him: "In a few years you will train with my team." Bouaskar's dream is to compete for the number one shirt with Mile Svilar in the coming years. The two goalkeepers speak often, and Svilar's recognition of the young talent underscores Bouaskar's standing within the club's goalkeeper contingent.

Roma prepare for Sunday's 12:30 kickoff against Como at the Sinigaglia with fresh tactical notes from a recent friendly. In a training session against Sorianese, Gasperini tested Rodrigo Mora as a starter alongside Paulo Dybala, with Donyell Malen completing the attacking trio. Mora is therefore in contention for a first-minute place. Malen and Wesley completed full training and are confirmed fit to start, while Leonardo Balerdi, Matías Soulé and Santiago Castro completed only recovery work and will not be deployed from the outset against Como. José Mourinho will arrive at the Stadio Olimpico as an opponent in six days when his Real Madrid face Roma in the second round of the Champions League. In an interview with Corriere dello Sport, Mourinho reflected on his time in the giallorossi colours, calling the bond "unique and special". He recalled the fans' reception, the Conference League triumph and the Budapest final, while noting that the split with the ownership came after UEFA sanctions imposed in the aftermath of that match. On returning to the Olympic Stadium: "It will be different. I will have to prepare myself to enter that stadium without the passion of the Roma fans." Mourinho spoke of his relationship with former clubs and his affection for Francesco Totti. Santiago Castro spoke to TNT Sports of his emotions after his Argentina debut and witnessing Lionel Messi's final international match up close. The Roma forward explained that the group aimed to win "out of respect for the fans", stressing that with Messi "there are no friendlies". Castro said he had not fully processed the moment: "I looked at the photos all night." He emphasised the importance of daily work at Roma to ensure continued selection: "Getting to the national team is the maximum. I want always to be there, but I have to earn it." Roma had identified Endrick as an ideal attacking reinforcement, but Real Madrid appeared intent on retaining him. According to Fabrizio Romano, no final decision has been reached and the next two months will be decisive. Should the Brazilian's playing time remain low, Real could reopen the possibility of a loan in January, similar to what happened last year with a move to Lyon.

Donyell Malen has been named Serie A player of September by the Italian Players' Association (AIC), beating competition from Lautaro Martinez, Davide Frattesi and Giorgi Kvernadze. The Roma forward has scored six goals in the season's first five matches, including a hat-trick on the opening day against Fiorentina, continuing the form that carried him through to May. Malen's performances have been described as "video-game level". The former Aston Villa player will now be called upon to deliver in Roma's upcoming away fixture at Como and in a Champions League night match at the Olimpico against Real Madrid.

Roma prepare for Sunday's 12:30 kickoff against Como at the Sinigaglia with fresh tactical notes from a recent friendly. In a training session against Sorianese, Gasperini tested Rodrigo Mora as a starter alongside Paulo Dybala, with Donyell Malen completing the attacking trio. Mora is therefore in contention for a first-minute place. Malen and Wesley completed full training and are confirmed fit to start, while Leonardo Balerdi, Matías Soulé and Santiago Castro completed only recovery work and will not be deployed from the outset against Como. José Mourinho will arrive at the Stadio Olimpico as an opponent in six days when his Real Madrid face Roma in the second round of the Champions League. In an interview with Corriere dello Sport, Mourinho reflected on his time in the giallorossi colours, calling the bond "unique and special". He recalled the fans' reception, the Conference League triumph and the Budapest final, while noting that the split with the ownership came after UEFA sanctions imposed in the aftermath of that match. On returning to the Olympic Stadium: "It will be different. I will have to prepare myself to enter that stadium without the passion of the Roma fans." Mourinho spoke of his relationship with former clubs and his affection for Francesco Totti. Santiago Castro spoke to TNT Sports of his emotions after his Argentina debut and witnessing Lionel Messi's final international match up close. The Roma forward explained that the group aimed to win "out of respect for the fans", stressing that with Messi "there are no friendlies". Castro said he had not fully processed the moment: "I looked at the photos all night." He emphasised the importance of daily work at Roma to ensure continued selection: "Getting to the national team is the maximum. I want always to be there, but I have to earn it." Roma had identified Endrick as an ideal attacking reinforcement, but Real Madrid appeared intent on retaining him. According to Fabrizio Romano, no final decision has been reached and the next two months will be decisive. Should the Brazilian's playing time remain low, Real could reopen the possibility of a loan in January, similar to what happened last year with a move to Lyon.

Roma face Como in less than 72 hours, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini preparing his tactical approach for the Sinigaglia. Lorenzo Pellegrini has returned from injury, but Rodrigo Mora is a candidate for a starting place alongside Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala on the attacking line. Mora offers Gasperini a tool to counter Como's four-man defences and increase Roma's threat in the middle third. The Portuguese midfielder can play from the start on the attacking line. Roma completed a friendly at their Trigoria training ground today against Sorianese, winning 20–0. Both Koné and Mora featured in the match. Malen and Wesley, fully recovered from injury concerns, are set to start from the beginning at Como.

Roma prepare for Sunday's 12:30 kickoff against Como at the Sinigaglia with fresh tactical notes from a recent friendly. In a training session against Sorianese, Gasperini tested Rodrigo Mora as a starter alongside Paulo Dybala, with Donyell Malen completing the attacking trio. Mora is therefore in contention for a first-minute place. Malen and Wesley completed full training and are confirmed fit to start, while Leonardo Balerdi, Matías Soulé and Santiago Castro completed only recovery work and will not be deployed from the outset against Como. José Mourinho will arrive at the Stadio Olimpico as an opponent in six days when his Real Madrid face Roma in the second round of the Champions League. In an interview with Corriere dello Sport, Mourinho reflected on his time in the giallorossi colours, calling the bond "unique and special". He recalled the fans' reception, the Conference League triumph and the Budapest final, while noting that the split with the ownership came after UEFA sanctions imposed in the aftermath of that match. On returning to the Olympic Stadium: "It will be different. I will have to prepare myself to enter that stadium without the passion of the Roma fans." Mourinho spoke of his relationship with former clubs and his affection for Francesco Totti. Santiago Castro spoke to TNT Sports of his emotions after his Argentina debut and witnessing Lionel Messi's final international match up close. The Roma forward explained that the group aimed to win "out of respect for the fans", stressing that with Messi "there are no friendlies". Castro said he had not fully processed the moment: "I looked at the photos all night." He emphasised the importance of daily work at Roma to ensure continued selection: "Getting to the national team is the maximum. I want always to be there, but I have to earn it." Roma had identified Endrick as an ideal attacking reinforcement, but Real Madrid appeared intent on retaining him. According to Fabrizio Romano, no final decision has been reached and the next two months will be decisive. Should the Brazilian's playing time remain low, Real could reopen the possibility of a loan in January, similar to what happened last year with a move to Lyon.

Roma face Como in less than 72 hours, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini preparing his tactical approach for the Sinigaglia. Lorenzo Pellegrini has returned from injury, but Rodrigo Mora is a candidate for a starting place alongside Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala on the attacking line. Mora offers Gasperini a tool to counter Como's four-man defences and increase Roma's threat in the middle third. The Portuguese midfielder can play from the start on the attacking line. Roma completed a friendly at their Trigoria training ground today against Sorianese, winning 20–0. Both Koné and Mora featured in the match. Malen and Wesley, fully recovered from injury concerns, are set to start from the beginning at Como.

Rodrigo Mora is in line to start behind the Paulo Dybala–Donyell Malen partnership in Roma's match against Como, three days out from kick-off. The Portugal midfielder edges out Matías Soulé and Lorenzo Pellegrini not only on fitness grounds but because of his profile: Mora thrives operating between midfield and attack in the central zones, where he has already made an impact during the recent international break with Portugal. Gasperini appears likely to deploy Mora as the tactical answer to Como's build-up play from deep. Como coach Cesc Fabregas will field a conventional four-man defensive line, and Roma have already shown against Fiorentina and Atalanta that Mora can disrupt low defensive constructions through his positioning. Como have failed to impose their passing game only against Frosinone—which, like Roma, ranks among Serie A's most intense pressing teams. Mora could be tasked with marking one of Como's two playmakers (Da Cunha or Milla/Perrone), leaving Wesley and Nahuel Molina free at full-back without forcing wholesale tactical changes. Roma will press high at the Sinigaglia, and Como will attempt to exploit that on the break using the pace of Diao and the craft of Nico Paz and Baturina. Mora, however, has demonstrated he can be a potent weapon with his play in the attacking third and can elevate Roma's threat both in sustained possession and in transition, troubling Como from the opening minutes.