Malen the perfect fit for Gasperini's system

Roma have conceded three of their four goals this season in the opening quarter-hour of the second half, a troubling pattern that has become impossible to ignore. Lautaro Martinez's goal in the most recent league match marked the third instance of a problem that demands urgent correction. At the start of second halves, Roma struggle to reset with the right intensity, leaving themselves exposed to opposition momentum in the first moments after the restart. The vulnerability extends beyond this season. Last year Roma conceded twelve goals in the first eleven minutes of the second half—one in 2025 and eleven in 2026. In Serie A alone, nine of the club's thirty-one total goals conceded came during that same window, representing roughly one-third of their passive defensive output. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini, attentive to the squad's mental approach across all ninety minutes, cannot dismiss this pattern as mere coincidence. The technical staff will work to ensure maximum concentration when the players return from the dressing room.

Former Roma striker Abel Balbo has backed the club's ambitions this season, singling out Donyell Malen as a key player capable of driving a Scudetto challenge. Speaking to Il Messaggero, Balbo praised Roma as "beautiful to watch, entertaining and getting results," adding that they are "the only team that can compete for the title" alongside Inter, whom he still rates as "superior because they have a more complete squad." Balbo, who scored 87 goals across five consecutive seasons of double figures for Roma, drew particular praise for Malen's attacking prowess. "He is a simple and effective player, and the most difficult thing in football is to play with simplicity—he does it better than anyone," Balbo explained. "He is fast, moves well, attacks space, sees goal easily. He is very strong. He scores goals the way the great strikers do." Balbo noted Malen's ability to find the net in multiple ways, citing his recently scored goal against Torino as an example of a striker's pragmatism: "A forward doesn't care how he puts the ball in the net—what matters is to score and achieve the objective." Balbo also assessed whether Malen could surpass the 36-goal record held by Higuain and Immobile, saying: "It is difficult to maintain this goal average, but if others have managed it, why can't he? I hope he does, because if he succeeds it means Roma would either be on the verge of winning the title or actually win it." He praised Paulo Dybala as "a champion who always improves," noting that "this season he is doing extraordinary work; with him on the pitch the team runs better. He is magic and fantasy." Balbo also highlighted Roma's Argentine contingent as a strength, saying the players "have the character and quality that allow them to have a winning mentality they pass on to the group."

Marten De Roon has played 361 matches under Gian Piero Gasperini — more than any other player in the world — and the midfielder's integration at Roma will be defined not by tactical learning but by physical fitness. De Roon arrived at Trigoria without having played minutes in the early part of the season under his previous manager, prompting Gasperini to use him cautiously. The international break, however, offers a chance to rebuild his athletic condition to match the high-intensity football Gasperini demands, with his role in the squad rotation set to increase substantially from October onward. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the plan is to alternate De Roon primarily with Bryan Cristante, forming a midfield pairing with either Manu Koné or Niccolò Pisilli. Rather than a rigid hierarchy, Gasperini will deploy flexible combinations that allow tactical adjustment and energy management without sacrificing balance. At 35, De Roon represents an investment in the present, not the future — unlike younger squad members such as Mora, Castro, or Koulierakis. He brings experience, reading of the game, personality, and an almost automatic understanding of what Gasperini demands on the pitch. For a coach seeking to "play in twenty" — using a deep squad across many matches — having such a player provides a shortcut. De Roon does not need to learn the system; he simply needs to regain his legs to execute it. He has already built a strong relationship with his Dutch compatriot Donyell Malen, and his prior knowledge of Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante has made his entry into the dressing room feel natural. By observation, he appears to have been at Roma far longer than a few weeks. The fixture list after the break is designed to accelerate his integration. Between Serie A and Champions League, Roma face a congested schedule that will make it impossible to demand everything constantly from Cristante, Koné, and other midfielders. In Europe, De Roon's extensive international experience under Gasperini — understanding rhythm, moment management, and composure in high-stakes matches — will prove invaluable. From October onward, he could finally become the certainty Roma needs.

Rodrigo Mora arrived at Roma this summer from Porto with significant expectations, but has had to earn his place in the opening weeks of the season, alternating with Matías Soulé to complete the attacking trio alongside Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. By the first international break, Mora has made five appearances across Serie A and the Champions League, totalling 187 minutes — roughly two complete matches. Gasperini expects Mora to provide the attacking support and goals the forward line needs, particularly to ease the burden on Malen's shoulders. Although Mora has time to develop and improve, Roma will demand stronger performances from him when the squad returns from the break. The club faces a demanding schedule: nine matches — including three Champions League fixtures — across 27 days, starting with fixtures against Como and Sassuolo. Mora, like every other squad member, will have sufficient minutes to demonstrate his value during this crucial period.

Former Roma striker Abel Balbo has backed the club's ambitions this season, singling out Donyell Malen as a key player capable of driving a Scudetto challenge. Speaking to Il Messaggero, Balbo praised Roma as "beautiful to watch, entertaining and getting results," adding that they are "the only team that can compete for the title" alongside Inter, whom he still rates as "superior because they have a more complete squad." Balbo, who scored 87 goals across five consecutive seasons of double figures for Roma, drew particular praise for Malen's attacking prowess. "He is a simple and effective player, and the most difficult thing in football is to play with simplicity—he does it better than anyone," Balbo explained. "He is fast, moves well, attacks space, sees goal easily. He is very strong. He scores goals the way the great strikers do." Balbo noted Malen's ability to find the net in multiple ways, citing his recently scored goal against Torino as an example of a striker's pragmatism: "A forward doesn't care how he puts the ball in the net—what matters is to score and achieve the objective." Balbo also assessed whether Malen could surpass the 36-goal record held by Higuain and Immobile, saying: "It is difficult to maintain this goal average, but if others have managed it, why can't he? I hope he does, because if he succeeds it means Roma would either be on the verge of winning the title or actually win it." He praised Paulo Dybala as "a champion who always improves," noting that "this season he is doing extraordinary work; with him on the pitch the team runs better. He is magic and fantasy." Balbo also highlighted Roma's Argentine contingent as a strength, saying the players "have the character and quality that allow them to have a winning mentality they pass on to the group."

Marten De Roon has played 361 matches under Gian Piero Gasperini — more than any other player in the world — and the midfielder's integration at Roma will be defined not by tactical learning but by physical fitness. De Roon arrived at Trigoria without having played minutes in the early part of the season under his previous manager, prompting Gasperini to use him cautiously. The international break, however, offers a chance to rebuild his athletic condition to match the high-intensity football Gasperini demands, with his role in the squad rotation set to increase substantially from October onward. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the plan is to alternate De Roon primarily with Bryan Cristante, forming a midfield pairing with either Manu Koné or Niccolò Pisilli. Rather than a rigid hierarchy, Gasperini will deploy flexible combinations that allow tactical adjustment and energy management without sacrificing balance. At 35, De Roon represents an investment in the present, not the future — unlike younger squad members such as Mora, Castro, or Koulierakis. He brings experience, reading of the game, personality, and an almost automatic understanding of what Gasperini demands on the pitch. For a coach seeking to "play in twenty" — using a deep squad across many matches — having such a player provides a shortcut. De Roon does not need to learn the system; he simply needs to regain his legs to execute it. He has already built a strong relationship with his Dutch compatriot Donyell Malen, and his prior knowledge of Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante has made his entry into the dressing room feel natural. By observation, he appears to have been at Roma far longer than a few weeks. The fixture list after the break is designed to accelerate his integration. Between Serie A and Champions League, Roma face a congested schedule that will make it impossible to demand everything constantly from Cristante, Koné, and other midfielders. In Europe, De Roon's extensive international experience under Gasperini — understanding rhythm, moment management, and composure in high-stakes matches — will prove invaluable. From October onward, he could finally become the certainty Roma needs.

Francesco Totti has disclosed in his autobiography *Oltre* that AS Roma attempted to persuade him to present Paulo Dybala with the number 10 shirt during the Argentine's official unveiling. In the summer when Dybala arrived at the club, Roma conveyed the request indirectly to Totti, but he rejected it firmly. "The response was blunt: 'Are you all mad?'" Totti explained. "If you have the courage, give it to him yourselves. Nothing against the player—I like him very much, as a person too. He's a fine lad. If you have this intention, go ahead, without dragging me into it." Rather than expose himself to comparisons with Totti's legacy, Dybala chose the number 21 instead. Totti reiterated his respect for the player, saying "Dybala, for me, if he is fit, can make the difference." He also outlined his philosophy on the number 10, Roma's most iconic shirt. "The number 10 jersey of Roma, I would never retire it permanently—that would be like denying a wonderful dream to children. Every day I hope another Totti appears. One born in Rome, raised in Rome, who chooses Roma for life." He drew a distinction between such a candidate and a player arriving from elsewhere: "It would be a different matter to assign that shirt to someone coming from the other side of the world, who stays for a limited period and then leaves. It is a symbol that should be entrusted only to someone who, at least potentially, can play for Roma for fifteen or twenty years."

Lionel Messi has contacted Paulo Dybala to invite him to a special celebratory match marking his official farewell to the Argentina national team, with the Roma forward keen to accept. Messi also wants Nahuel Molina alongside Dybala for the fixture, which will reunite players from Argentina's triumphant 2022 World Cup campaign in Qatar. However, the invitation requires approval from Gian Piero Gasperini, Roma's head coach, who must sign off on both players' participation. According to reports, Gasperini is expected to grant clearance for the pair to attend. Molina has made a strong start to the season and has put behind him the uncertainties of the past, while Dybala represents the highest quality in Roma's tactical setup. Any permission from the coach will come with a strict instruction: intelligent management of their fitness and avoidance of any physical strain. Roma face a challenging away trip to Como as they resume their league campaign, followed by a dense block of fixtures. Gasperini is intent on preserving the sharpness of his best players ahead of that demanding schedule.

Lionel Messi has invited Paulo Dybala to a farewell match as Messi retires from international football with Argentina. Messi's message to Dybala reportedly recalled their shared World Cup victory and asked if Dybala would attend the goodbye fixture. Dybala, Roma's number 21, wants to go but cannot commit until head coach Gian Piero Gasperini approves his participation. The same applies to Nahuel Molina, another Roma player targeted for the occasion. Dybala has been linked with a return to Argentina and Boca Juniors this summer, reuniting with his former teammate Leandro Paredes. However, the prospect of missing a meeting with Messi appears to have shifted his thinking. The expectation is that Gasperini will ultimately grant permission for both players to take part, though with a caveat: no excessive strain on their fitness or availability. When Serie A resumes, Roma travel to Como to face Nico Paz, an Argentine left-footer who has been mentioned as a potential successor to Dybala in Serie A.