Mancini defends Italy amid criticism: no generation of Totti and Del Piero

Edoardo Bove's agent Tavano says Souloukou and Ghisolfi have shown the player the door at Roma, and calls it a shame because Bove grew up at the club. Tavano said: “I think it’s a shame because he grew up at Roma. He is at a very high level, because if the Tunisian national team, which is not the last of national teams, not at all, has already called him up to the senior side, it means we are talking about an absolute talent. So it’s not so much about The Guardian, which are newspapers after all, but it’s about the pitch. It will be Roma who decide what to do and how to protect themselves in that sense, with the utmost respect for the choices. So we are not polemicising, of course. I am, I repeat, biased since I am his agent, but objectively there is data telling us this boy has significant potential. So it’s a shame if things don’t go the right way.” The agent’s comments came as he discussed Roma’s start to the season under Gian Piero Gasperini and the idea that Inter are the club’s rivals in the title picture. Tavano said he sees Inter more as the anti-Roma, adding that it is his impression. He moved on to Gasperini, whom he has known for years. Tavano said: “Look, I see Inter more as the anti-Roma! That’s my impression. On Gasperini you’re preaching to the converted. Out of the despair of losing Mourinho, because in my opinion Mister Mourinho, for a thousand reasons, could have been the right man for a city like Rome, with the arrival of Mister Gasperini, whom I knew very well, because my first strong player, the one who opened the door to this world for me a little, is Sebastien De Maio, who was created by Gasperini. Sebastien was very important for Gasperini in changing and reaching what is his total football, this total pressure across the pitch. During a Genoa-Juventus match he asked Seba to follow Llorente everywhere, and did the same with Burdisso on Tevez. They won 1-0 from there, and he decided to bring the attackers into the whole pitch, that is, the defenders. A bit like what you see now. You see the defenders arriving from the other side of the pitch. For me Gasperini is a coach who is not a discovery and is not burning through stages, because, among other things, in my opinion, at Trigoria, at Roma, in Rome, you need coaches with this personality, like Mourinho, like Gasperini. So it doesn’t surprise me. He is an extremely strong coach, and let’s hope we keep doing well.”

Niccolò Pisilli has described head coach Gian Piero Gasperini as a "master" in a long interview with Spanish newspaper Marca, in which he also reflected on his first goal under José Mourinho, his time as captain, and his comparisons with Francesco Totti and Daniele De Rossi. The 22-year-old midfielder, a Roman and lifelong Roma supporter, recently scored in the Champions League against Slovan Bratislava. Pisilli said wearing the captain's armband had been an honour. "It was an honour. A series of circumstances meant the captain's armband ended up on my arm. It's not that I'm now the captain. Every minute I played with that armband was a source of great pride and great responsibility." He was quick to put his brief spell in context against the club's legends. "They are legendary figures, they cannot be compared with someone who wore the armband for just 20 minutes. I am still just a boy, I am 22 years old, and I wore the armband for 20 minutes only by chance." Asked whether he had posters of Totti or De Rossi as a child, he said: "Yes, of course. Being a Roma fan, they are legends of the city. But I never had a single idol. I have always loved football in general, so I watched many players I admired." On the Roman derby and the season, Pisilli said: "Absolutely. Overall, this is a very exciting championship. There is more action, it is more dynamic, there is more effective playing time, and many more goals are scored. I think it is more enjoyable for home fans to watch the matches. We are doing well, both Roman teams, but the final verdict will come at the end of the season." On the derby itself he added: "Beyond the league table, these are always very difficult and very special matches." Pisilli spoke warmly of Mourinho, under whom he made his debut and scored his first goal. "Mourinho really immersed himself in Roma and the atmosphere of Roma. I will always be grateful to him because he gave me the opportunity to debut in this shirt and the great satisfaction of scoring my first goal. After that first goal, I could not hold back the emotion. It all happened naturally, I did not do it on purpose. It was a very instinctive reaction." Describing the moment in the dressing room, he said: "After the goal, I did not really understand what was happening. I was completely confused. It was such a strong emotion, totally unexpected, that it is very difficult to describe. When the ball went in, I said: 'I can't believe it.' I really could not believe it. Even in the dressing room I could not calm down. I was trying to compose myself. It was the 3-0 goal in a Europa League match, but at that moment it felt to me like the most important goal in the world. It was an extremely strong emotion." Asked about Camavinga's claim that Mourinho is very funny, Pisilli replied: "He is a truly exquisite person. His career speaks for itself. When you talk to him, you try to learn as much as possible: how he won so much, how he transformed so many players. He is someone from whom you can learn an enormous amount, for everything he has to offer. When you know someone can share so much knowledge, you try to listen and absorb as much as you can." On Gasperini, he said: "The coach needs no introduction. He changed the history of a club like Atalanta. He came to us and in his first year we achieved a great result, returning to the Champions League. He is a master. He is really excellent. You can see it in the way his teams play. I try to give my all in every training session and every meeting to fully understand what he asks of me. I also try to learn as much as I can from him." On his best position, Pisilli said the coach's demands ultimately decide the role. "My main role is that of a number 10, but it depends. One coach might ask you to play as a trequartista in a certain way, and another might ask for something completely different. In the end, it is the playing patterns that make the difference rather than the roles themselves." He also discussed Pedri, whom he admires. "When I watch him play, I notice great personality on the ball and enormous calm. He plays as if it were the easiest thing in the world." Told he had a very Spanish style, he replied: "I appreciate it a lot because, in my view, it is a great compliment. Spain has always had fantastic midfielders. I have always said I like this style of football. I grew up watching, perhaps, Guardiola's Barcelona, who moved the ball with such ease. I really like this style of play and I work as hard as I can to keep improving in these areas." On the recent meeting with Real Madrid at the Stadio Olimpico, Pisilli said it was hard to explain. "We played a match of the highest level against the most decorated team in the world. We played very well for much of the match, but we had three moments of collapse in very similar situations. These things are hard to explain. They happen in football, but I think we played well. We saw the errors, we analysed those situations and we kept playing well and developing our style of play." He added: "I think we showed we can compete with anyone. If we are focused, compact and really act as a team, we have shown we can trouble anyone. Those 70 minutes against Real Madrid were really very positive." Asked whether he had learned from it, he said: "Afterwards it was hard, but yes, you learn a lot from matches like this." Finally, on the Italian national team's struggles, Pisilli said: "Italy has been absent from the World Cup for a long time, but I believe Italian football is trying to come back. They have everything they need to do it. The first cycle with this new coach has gone very well, so we must have faith and be aware that they must and can return."

Roma midfielder Bryan Cristante has been left out of Italy coach Roberto Mancini's 31-man squad for the Nations League matches against France and Belgium, despite a strong start to the season with Roma. Mancini addressed the decision at a press conference today at Coverciano, where the squad is gathering. Mancini said: "We know Cristante, there is no need to prove him. When we need him, we will call him." He stressed that the decision was not technical. Instead, he said, it was aimed at giving more room to young players who will have the chance to show what they can do in the senior national team shirt. Two Roma players have been called up: Daniele Ghilardi and Niccolò Pisilli.

Roma's squad news is mixed during the international break: Paulo Dybala and Gianluca Mancini took part in part of Thursday's training session with the group at Trigoria, while Pierluigi Gollini and Mile Svilar trained separately. Eleven Roma players are currently with their national teams. Gian Piero Gasperini continues to work with the rest of the squad, focusing on recovering injured players ahead of the resumption of Serie A. For Svilar, the programme was agreed with the medical staff, and his condition will be assessed daily, with the aim of having him available for the match against Parma. Elsewhere, the future of Endrick may lie away from Real Madrid. According to Matteo Moretto, reporting on Fabrizio Romano's YouTube channel, the decision will rest mainly with the player, even though José Mourinho is in favour of keeping him at the Spanish club. If the Brazilian forward asked for more space and continuity, Real Madrid would be willing to consider a loan departure. The 2006-born player, who previously had a spell at Lyon, is keen to accumulate minutes and keep developing. Two Italian clubs are monitoring the situation, but Roma currently appear to have the advantage: they maintain constant contact and are following developments closely. AC Milan are further in the background, despite good relations with Roc Nation, the agency that manages the Brazilian's interests. The chances of a loan exit are reportedly increasing. In a long interview with Diario Marca, Niccolò Pisilli spoke about his bond with Roma, the coaches who shaped his career and his ambitions. The midfielder warmly recalled José Mourinho, who gave him his first-team debut and his first goal for the club: "He is a truly exquisite person. I will always be grateful to him." He also praised Gian Piero Gasperini, describing him as a master for his work at Atalanta and for the results achieved in his first season in Rome. Pisilli spoke of Francesco Totti and Daniele De Rossi as legendary figures, stressing the gap between their history and his own few minutes as captain. Among his football role models he named Pedri, admiring his personality and calmness on the ball. On Roma's form, he recalled the performance against Real Madrid, arguing the team has shown it can compete with anyone when it stays focused and compact. Asked what he would do if Roma won the Scudetto, he replied: "We would celebrate in great style." Roma return to action on 21 November to face Parma at the Stadio Tardini. The presence of their supporters in the away section remains uncertain: the Osservatorio Nazionale sulle Manifestazioni Sportive has postponed its assessment on the sale of tickets, without imposing restrictive measures for now. A final decision will only come after further examination. The possibility of restrictions for Roma fans, who risk being unable to follow the team to Emilia, therefore remains open. Further updates will clarify how supporters can access the stadium.

Paulo Dybala has returned to group training at Trigoria and is targeting Roma's trip to Parma on 21 November, while Endrick moves closer to a possible January loan move from Real Madrid. Roma's January market, however, is still waiting on answers from the Friedkin Group. Among the day's headlines, Gian Piero Gasperini is still awaiting clarity from the owners on his budget, and Lookman is back in the frame. Dybala has taken part in part of the session with his team-mates. Mancini is also showing encouraging signs after a problem with his hamstring. Svilar and Gollini are continuing with differentiated work, while Rensch remains out. Journalist Matteo Moretto rates the chances of a loan move for Endrick at 70 per cent, naming Roma as the main Italian suitor. The Brazilian's willingness to find more regular football will be decisive, but the deal would still need the approval of Real Madrid and of Mourinho. Endrick has played only 140 minutes in seven appearances this season, according to Corriere dello Sport, which also reports that he has turned down a move to AC Milan while Sporting Director D'Amico continues to follow him. Roma remain interested, but there is no agreement yet and there is international competition. According to Corriere della Sera, Gasperini and D'Amico do not yet know the budget available for January. A meeting with a representative of the ownership could take place in the coming days. Gasperini wants reinforcements to support the team's ambitions, but without financial guidelines D'Amico is struggling to turn sounding-out into negotiations. Il Messaggero reports a salary threshold of four million euros. Alongside Endrick, D'Amico is evaluating PSV's Ruben van Bommel and Stuttgart's Jamie Leweling, two wide players whose profiles appeal to the coach. Loan formulas remain central to the plans. Repubblica reports that Roma are monitoring Lookman, who has lost ground at Atlético Madrid under Simeone and stayed on the bench for ninety minutes in their most recent match against Barcelona. The Nigerian is a former Atalanta player who has been coached by Gasperini. There has been no transfer request and no official approach from the Spanish club, but his profile matches Roma's attacking needs. Elsewhere, agent Diego Tavano has spoken about Bove's departure from Roma, recalling a tough confrontation in August 2024 with Souloukou and Ghisolfi. According to the agent, Bove never wanted to leave Trigoria and the solutions initially proposed were not welcome. Bove later joined Fiorentina and returned emotionally in front of the Curva Sud. In an interview with Marca, Lorenzo Pisilli's team-mate Niccolò Pisilli described Gasperini as an excellent coach he learns from every day, and expressed gratitude to Mourinho, who gave him his first-team debut. Asked about the captaincy comparisons with Totti and De Rossi, he said: "They made the history of the club."

Paulo Dybala and Gianluca Mancini have taken part in part of Roma's training session with the group, a positive sign ahead of their full return from injury. The update came on 11 November 2026, during the international break, when 11 Roma players are away with their national teams. Gian Piero Gasperini continues to work at Trigoria with the players who remained available, with a focus on recovering the injured ahead of the resumption of the league season. The squad trained today at the Fulvio Bernardini sports centre. Pierluigi Gollini and Mile Svilar are following differentiated training. Svilar's programme has been agreed with the medical staff, and his condition will be monitored daily, with his recovery assessed step by step. The aim is for him to be available against Parma. Roma's medical department will continue to track Svilar's progress each day, adjusting his work as the recovery develops. Dybala and Mancini's partial involvement in group training marks a step towards their full return to the squad.

Roma have 13 players called up by their national teams for the November break, a total that places them level with AC Milan and Como in the chasing pack behind Inter, Torino and Frosinone, who lead on 14. The squad list was drawn from the official call-ups for the November fixtures and is subject to changes before the matches. The Roma contingent includes goalkeepers Devis Vásquez and Giorgio De Marzi; forwards Santiago Castro, Donyell Malen, Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé; defenders Leonardo Balerdi, Daniele Ghilardi, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Emanuele Lulli, Evan N'Dicka and Wesley; and midfielder Niccolò Pisilli. Behind the leaders, Atalanta and Udinese are on 12, Juventus have 11, and Napoli and Lazio have eight, with the two Lazio absentees excluded from that count. The total could have been higher, potentially reaching or exceeding 17, had several physical issues or technical decisions by the national coaches gone differently. Gianluca Mancini was initially called up by Italy but had to withdraw with a muscle problem that has also kept him out of the recent match against Sassuolo. Italy coach also left Bryan Cristante out of the squad, although the coach explained he had no need to test him at this stage. Manu Koné, who returned and started against Sassuolo, was left out of France's squad by coach Zidane to avoid a possible physical setback. Nahuel Molina had been called up late by Argentina, but a one-match suspension still to be served, together with opposition from Roma and Gian Piero Gasperini, blocked his departure.

Roma midfielder Bryan Cristante has been left out of Italy coach Roberto Mancini's 31-man squad for the Nations League matches against France and Belgium, despite a strong start to the season with Roma. Mancini addressed the decision at a press conference today at Coverciano, where the squad is gathering. Mancini said: "We know Cristante, there is no need to prove him. When we need him, we will call him." He stressed that the decision was not technical. Instead, he said, it was aimed at giving more room to young players who will have the chance to show what they can do in the senior national team shirt. Two Roma players have been called up: Daniele Ghilardi and Niccolò Pisilli.

Roma head into the international break with a near-perfect run to protect, and Gian Piero Gasperini has used a demanding stretch of nine matches in 27 days to rotate his squad. Gasperini admitted the schedule had been tough but said it had allowed him to use the whole squad: "We had tough clashes like Como, Napoli, Manchester and Real Madrid. The management was not a problem, and this allowed us to rotate the whole squad." During that intense spell, players who had been on the fringes stepped forward. Rodrigo Mora took advantage of Paulo Dybala's extended absence to win a key role, scoring in three consecutive matches. De Roon showed why Gasperini wanted him in the capital, while Ghilardi, Gollini and Vásquez also got their chances. Gasperini gave everyone a run-out, partly out of necessity. Both the coach and D'Amico have acknowledged that the squad is thin, and with a few injuries it risks becoming very thin indeed. The debate over whether the break is a blessing may therefore be answered by the players Roma get back when the league resumes. Roma are among the clubs that could benefit most from the pause. Their injuries have required fairly long recovery periods, but few players have been affected. The problem is that nearly all of them are key figures in the Giallorossi set-up. Chief among them is Mile Svilar, who has been out since 10 October and has kept training both at Trigoria and in individual sessions with a fitness coach, without managing to speed up his recovery. Tests carried out about ten days ago led the club and the goalkeeper to choose caution. The aim is for him to return against Parma, and then reach peak condition for the highly delicate trip to Paris. Dybala is on the same timetable. The calf injury he suffered against Real Madrid kept him out longer than expected, but the Argentine is now ready to return and make a difference, perhaps also finding a goal he has not scored since 18 January. Manu Koné has already returned, playing 66 excellent minutes against Sassuolo. The Frenchman was not called up by his national team and will use these days to regain his best condition. He will have an extra incentive compared with his team-mates: to impress at the Parc des Princes, a stadium a few kilometres from the home where he grew up. Gasperini hopes to get back the Roma of the "first lines", because he refuses to talk about starters. The coach remains torn about the break: "It interrupts the league again, although this time only for a week. I like international matches when they play for something important. For friendlies or matches of little consequence, it is a pity to lose so many players." Roma face another demanding run: seven matches in 29 days, during which the Giallorossi will play a major part of their season. The fixtures include the already mentioned trip to Paris Saint-Germain, the home match against Sporting, the game against Juventus and, above all, the derby against Lazio on 13 December. The next month will be crucial in measuring Roma's real ambitions, with the January transfer window expected to bring fresh impetus.