Mancini: Roma's heart, leader and symbol

Roma's radio stations have focused heavily on the upcoming Como fixture and squad selection as Gasperini's side prepares for a demanding period. Checco Oddo Casano argued that Devyne Rensch, bought for €5 million, could be sold in January for a profit to bring in a stronger left-back in the style of Moreira. "Rensch is a little player who can fit in Roma's squad, but he'll hardly become a new Gosens, a new Zappacosta or a new Wesley," Casano said. "You bought him at a good price and you can make a profit—maybe in January you can sell him and get a stronger player to improve in that area of the pitch." David Rossi noted that Roma's last league defeat came in April when they lost to Inter at San Siro, despite playing a strong first half. He questioned whether Roma are genuinely weaker than Como or whether the psychological pressure of the fixture is one-sided. Gianluca Piacentini acknowledged Como's strength—demonstrating a solid project over the past season and a half—but emphasised that Roma are equally capable, with both teams among the three strongest in the league. Fabio Petruzzi said Roma and Como have shown significant growth over the last 18 months and play the best football in Italy, even better than Inter, though Inter's superior squad makes them favourites. Piero Torri predicted De Roon will start against Como, saying "he seems made specifically to play with Gasperini." Torri noted Lorenzo Pellegrini could play as a midfielder but has never featured in that role under Gasperini and hasn't played a match since April, making an immediate start unlikely. Torri stated: "I'll be called mad, but for me the Como match is harder than the Real Madrid one." Marco Valerio Corsi reported that Bryan Cristante appears to have a lateral knee ligament problem and will miss both Como and Real Madrid, with the length of the absence still unclear. Roberto Pruzzo called De Roon "a proven reliable player" and "a solid used buy," saying he cannot be ignored as an option despite potential fitness concerns over a run of ten consecutive matches. Nando Orsi said De Roon will "challenge the titularity of one of the two sacred monsters of midfield" if he is physically fit, having praised the signing in advance. Stephan El Shaarawy was not mentioned. Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso featured prominently in defenders' debate, with Carina suggesting N'Dicka was sidelined too easily and forming the best back three with Balerdi and Hermoso. Pruzzo still favoured Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso as the core defensive line, while Mattioli predicted Balerdi will become immovable once fully integrated into Italian football and Roma's system.

Cesc Fabregas used a tabletop football game during the Trento Sports Festival, organised by La Gazzetta dello Sport, to analyse how Roma deploy their defensive press under Gasperini ahead of Como's visit on Sunday. The Como manager arranged the Subbuteo pieces to demonstrate how Roma moves when pressing to win the ball in the opponent's half, highlighting the man-to-man pressing intensity of Gasperini's side and how the team compacts forward to reduce space for the opposing build-up. Fabregas showed how Como must find solutions to escape Roma's pressing and develop their own play without losing possession in dangerous areas.

Konstantinos Koulierakis earned widespread praise from Greek media after producing a commanding display in Greece's 0–0 draw against Germany yesterday, a result that kept the Greek national team top of a competitive group also featuring the Netherlands and Serbia. Playing alongside Mavrapanos, the Roma defender contained the attacking threats of Wirtz and his teammates in a performance described as a defensive wall. It was a high-profile outing for a player who has struggled for league minutes at Roma since the club signed him when Wolfsburg were relegated. Gasperini and sporting director D'Amico had targeted him during the transfer window despite initially looking for a winger rather than a central defender; his profile had been tracked for several years, and the opportunity to bring him to the capital proved irresistible. At Roma, Koulierakis has featured in precseason but has been limited in Serie A action, totalling just 22 minutes against Fiorentina and 9 minutes against Inter. The competition is fierce, with Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso forming the starting trio and Balerdi and Ghilardi also in the squad. However, Gasperini has mentioned Koulierakis in recent press conferences as an example of a player who will receive greater playing time as the fixture schedule intensifies. At 1.88 metres tall, the left-footed defender is a solid, physical presence strong in anticipation, aerial play and marking, though he must refine his aggression and continue learning Gasperini's defensive requirements. His strengths include ball-playing ability alongside his defensive attributes. Koulierakis is part of a new generation lifting Greek football, alongside fellow young players Tzolakis, Karetsas, Mouzakitis, Koustolas, Tzolis, Douvikas and Pavlidis.

France face Belgium at the Stade de France in Paris in the fourth match of Nations League Group A1. Manager Zidane has recalled Manu Koné to the starting XI after he was left on the bench in France's previous fixture against Italy last Friday, when Roma teammate Gianluca Mancini also remained unused. Koné wears number 17 for Roma and lines up in midfield alongside Camavinga and Akliouche for the Blues.

Italy manager Roberto Mancini has named Gianluca Mancini in the starting XI for the Nations League Group A1 fourth-round match against Turkey at the Dall'Ara in Bologna. The Roma defender will line up centrally alongside Bastoni in front of Donnarumma, with Di Lorenzo and Ruggeri as full-backs. Mancini has made nine changes to the side that drew 0–0 with France on Friday; the starting midfield comprises Barella, Romano and Doumbia, while the attack features Vergara, Scamacca and Maldini. Daniele Ghilardi, the other Roma player in the squad, drops to the bench. Italy arrive on the back of a 4–1 victory over Turkey in Bursa on Monday, while Turkey's manager Montella faces pressure over his job security.

Roma players will begin filtering back to Trigoria from tomorrow, 6 October, as Gian Piero Gasperini prepares his squad for the trip to Como on Sunday 11 October at 12:30. The club have trained with a reduced group during the international break, and the staggered returns will allow Gasperini to resume full preparations. Evan N'Dicka, Konstantinos Koulierakis and Giorgio De Marzi are expected back in the morning, with further arrivals throughout the day. The Italy contingent—Gianluca Mancini, Daniele Ghilardi, Niccolò Pisilli and Emanuele Lulli—will arrive in the evening. Manu Koné, the France midfielder, will be the last to rejoin, returning to the squad on Wednesday and training with the group a day behind the initial batch of returnees.