Mancini scores derby double as El Shaarawy departs Roma

Roma's match against Inter on Saturday revealed a fundamental shift in how top coaches approach modern football. Gian Piero Gasperini made five substitutions in the fixture, a decision that exemplifies the sport's rapid tactical evolution. He replaced all three of his starting central defenders, a midfielder and an outside player, while keeping his attack unchanged throughout the ninety minutes. From the opposing dugout, Cristian Chivu made similarly bold choices, withdrawing a centre-back, a midfielder and a full-back before introducing his attacking changes only at the ninety-first minute. The match demonstrated how thoroughly the old certainties of football have eroded. For decades, an unwritten rule held that central defenders should never leave the pitch except through injury or at full-time. Chivu broke another long-standing taboo by making two substitutions immediately before a Roma corner kick and a set-piece—a move previously considered reckless. Both managers' decisions underscore how the sport now operates at such intensity that the five-substitution rule, introduced along with five-second throw-in limits and the ability to roll the ball out from the goalkeeper inside the penalty area, has become essential to surviving and controlling a match. Gasperini's own evolution on this matter is particularly telling. In previous comments on new regulations, the Grigliasco-born coach expressed reservations: "I don't like the five solutions, but I use them all. Teams don't drop off anymore; with all these changes nowadays it looks like basketball. Matches were prettier before, but these are the rules and I use all the slots." Today, he has abandoned those doubts entirely, converting the five-substitution rule into one of his primary weapons for reading and transforming matches in real time. The tactical performance against Inter confirms how thoroughly he has moved past those old reservations.

Leonardo Balerdi has become an indispensable leader of Roma's defence, translating a temperament forged in adversity into commanding performances at the highest level. Against Inter, he delivered a masterclass in defending, dominating his duel with Thuram through the match before asking to be substituted due to cramps. His performance—6 recoveries, 4 duels won out of 5, and 2 contrasts won out of 3—underscored just how vital he has become to Roma's ability to maintain a high defensive line. Barerdi's journey to this point has been marked by transformation. As a boy at Boca, his first coach nicknamed him "Rummenigge" for his physicality and blonde hair; teammates called him "Balazo" for his explosive temperament. He initially wanted to become a midfielder, inspired by Boca greats like Gago, Riquelme and Palermo, but his fierce character pushed him towards the centre of defence. At Marseille, however, that same intensity created friction. Manager De Zerbi publicly rebuked him after a defeat to Auxerre, saying—as reported by Équipe—"You have humiliated us and you have humiliated the club. You don't have the balls. And you, Leo, have less balls than all of them." At Roma, everything changed. Balerdi has blossomed into a complete defender: elegant, quick, dominant in the air and skilled in playing vertically. The sharpness of his defending against Inter—a spectacular battle of bodies with Thuram across the match—confirmed how much he has matured. When he departed the pitch, Roma's defensive shape immediately dropped deeper, a telling sign of his indispensability to the team's structure.

Leonardo Balerdi has made a powerful impression at Roma in recent appearances, drawing comparisons to figures from his past and present. His first coach at Villa Mercedes, Luis Lucero, once told Balerdi's father: "Your boy is going to be a Rummenigge." The 27-year-old defender shares some surface similarities with the Bayern Munich legend—blonde hair, height, technical ability and a good shot—but his career has taken a different path. After an early spell at Borussia Dortmund, Balerdi eventually settled into defence, though he initially resisted the position. "I didn't want to play in defence, I wanted to be a midfielder," he has said. Now, supporters and media are drawing fresh parallels between Balerdi and Walter Samuel, the former Argentine defender and vice-coach under Scaloni. Both products of Boca Juniors' school, Balerdi has quickly endeared himself to Roma's fanbase through a combination of aggression and composure. His defensive recovery work, distribution, physical presence in challenges and aerial ability have made an immediate impact. A recovery on Simeone in Turin sparked particular debate among local radio audiences. Against Inter, Balerdi delivered a commanding display: six defensive recoveries, four duels won out of five contested and two challenges won out of three. His influence was so significant that Roma deepened their defensive shape when Balerdi, suffering from cramps, requested substitution late in the match.

Gianluca Mancini is poised to lead Italy's defence in the upcoming match against Belgium, with the Roma centre-back a permanent fixture in Roberto Mancini's tactical drills at Coverciano. The Italian technical staff have been working primarily in a 4-3-3 formation, and the Roma defender has featured consistently alongside Di Lorenzo, Calafiori and Coppola in recent training sessions. Mancini's presence offers the squad stability, experience and continuity as the final preparations continue ahead of the team's departure for Rome. Meanwhile, Roma are monitoring Giorgi Kvernadze, the Frosinone winger, according to reports from Nicolò Schira and confirmed by Il Tempo. The 2003-born Georgian has produced five goals and two assists across Serie A and Coppa Italia in recent matches observed by Roma scouts. Napoli are also tracking the situation. In his early Roma career, Rodrigo Mora has spoken of his experience since arriving. On the adjustment to Italian football, he said: "It was a different change. I lived 19 years in Porto and played for Porto for 10 years. It's a different culture. But I'm happy with the change. It will be a positive change." Regarding his goal against Lecce in his second Roma appearance, Mora added: "I like scoring very much. Scoring for Roma was beautiful, but I want to score again at the Olimpico. It's special and I can't wait to score at the Olimpico. I'm happy with my journey so far. The atmosphere at the Olimpico is something really special and beautiful and it makes you want to play and score for Roma." Mora also reflected on his relationship with Paulo Dybala: "He's someone I admired as a child, now being able to play and train with him…seeing the things he does, that few do…He's a humble person and he's helped me a lot at the start of my Roma career. I like him as a player and as a person. I'm grateful to be able to play at his side."

Alessandro Romano, now a midfielder at Cagliari, has spoken about his development at Roma and praised fellow academy product Niccolò Pisilli for establishing himself in the first team. In an interview with Rai Sport, Romano discussed his path through Italian football after leaving the capital. "I grew a lot first at Roma and then at Spezia, where I had my experiences in Serie B," Romano said. "Now I'm at Cagliari, where I'm finding consistency, and I'm very happy about that. I also thank the manager. A lot has happened because if you gain experience and play a lot, you grow." Romano expressed satisfaction with Pisilli's progress in the Roma squad. "I'm happy for Pisilli, who has found playing time, even though it took him a little while," he added. Romano was called up to the senior national team by Roberto Mancini.

Roma's squad has increased in value by approximately €150 million over the past year, driven by Gian Piero Gasperini's management since his appointment. The club has returned to the Champions League after a seven-year absence, and the upturn extends beyond the pitch into the club's finances. Gasperini, who built a successful nine-year project at Atalanta, is repeating that model at Roma, with improvements visible across every department of the squad. Mile Svilar arrived on a free transfer and remains unchanged in value as an integral goalkeeper, while Evan N'Dicka, also a free signing, is now valued at €35 million. Mario Hermoso has been transformed from a surplus player into a defensive cornerstone worth €15 million. Gianluca Mancini's value has climbed to €25 million, and Leonardo Balerdi, a recent arrival, has already proven his calibre and reclaimed his place in Argentina's squad. Wesley, signed last summer for €25 million, has attracted a €40 million offer from Chelsea that Roma rejected. Young prospect Emanuele Lulli exemplifies the club's emerging talents whose economic value is rising. Niccolò Pisilli, a Roma academy product who rejected potential summer moves, now commands €30 million. Manu Koné, the headline signing of the summer window, remained at the capital despite interest and is valued at €60 million according to Transfermarkt. Donyell Malen's worth has jumped from the €25 million Roma spent in January plus €2 million in loan fees to a current valuation of €50 million. With numerous young players in the squad—including Konstantinos Koulierakis, Rodrigo Mora, Daniele Ghilardi, and Matías Soulé—these valuations are expected to grow further if on-field performance remains strong.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini exploded with emotion when Matías Soulé scored, sprinting toward the Curva Sud in a moment that recalled José Mourinho's famous touchline celebration in September 2021, when Stephan El Shaarawy netted in the 91st minute against Sassuolo. The comparison was striking: both managers had been unable to contain their joy at critical moments, running to embrace the supporters. Yesterday's display suggested Gasperini is restoring the emotional intensity that Mourinho once brought to the Olimpico. The exuberance was infectious, yet it came to an abrupt halt. A staff member physically stopped Gasperini before he could reach the touchline—not to dampen the celebration, but to protect him from a second yellow card. The coach was already on a caution, and a further offense would have meant a ban for Roma's next fixture, a sensitive away trip to Turin. The intervention, though it cut short the moment, was tactically essential. Gasperini's desire to celebrate was unmistakable, but the immediate need to preserve his availability for the coming matches took precedence. The incident encapsulated what has shifted at Roma: the club has rediscovered emotion and connection with its supporters under Gasperini's leadership. The Curva Sud will wait for their manager's unreserved embrace—though likely not for much longer.

AS Roma faces UEFA review of its settlement agreement compliance after a summer transfer window costing approximately 125 million euros in purchases and 30 million in sales, with capital gains reaching only 25 million. The club will defend its position to UEFA at Nyon by highlighting a dramatic reduction in the wage bill—the primary evidence it claims of its sustainability strategy. Last season the payroll exceeded 133 million euros gross; it has now fallen to around 113 million, moving closer to the 100-million target. The wage cuts stem largely from player departures including Zaragoza, Çelik, Angeliño, Tsimikas, El Shaarawy and Dovbyk. The signing of Santiago Castro, a younger player with a lower salary spread across multiple years, exemplifies Roma's shift in strategy. Significant savings also came from the exits of El Aynaoui, Vaz, Ziółkowski and Kumbulla. Contract renewals for Dybala, Mancini, Cristante and Pellegrini followed the same model, reducing the fixed portion of salaries in favour of performance and appearance bonuses; these four extensions alone saved approximately 15 million euros. New arrivals Castro, Mora, Koulierakis, Molina, Balerdi and De Roon will cost around 25 million euros gross combined. Roma's overall wage reduction stands close to 45 million euros, reflecting the club's revised commercial approach as it attempts to satisfy UEFA's conditions set out in the 2022 settlement agreement.

Radio pundits across Rome's main sports stations have weighed in on the club's summer transfer window, with assessments ranging from 5.5 to 7.5 out of 10. The dominant theme is that Roma has strengthened their squad depth significantly but failed to address the most pressing gap: a left-sided winger to compete with Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen in attack. Fabio Petruzzi gave the window 7.5, saying: "I'm optimistic: Roma is now clearly much stronger, as a squad, in mentality, as players. Between those who left and those who arrived there is a big difference. Between Balerdi and Ziolkowski there is a big difference, between Mora and El Shaarawy there is a big difference, but also between Castro and Dovbyk. For me you are now the second team behind Inter. Roma and Como in my view are up there; Roma has a bit more than the Lombards. There is a touch of disappointment—with something extra now you would be attached to Inter. But my rating is 7.5." Francesca Ferrazza graded it six, saying it would have been seven with Leweling and eight with Greenwood, and called the absence of a left winger "madness." She noted: "Gasperini closes his third transfer window without a left-sided forward. It's madness. The squad is wider, but a starter is missing up front." Other voices offered lower marks. Paolo Cosenza gave 5.5, arguing the bench is too thin and that Gasperini had asked for both a high and low left-sided winger but Roma supplied neither. Lorenzo Pes pointed out there is no left-footed fullback and that deals for Leweling and initially an alternative fell through, with reports of regime indecision before a revised offer to the German was made but rejected. Roberto Pruzzo awarded six, saying: "You've widened the options, you have two very strong centre-forwards. Castro in my view could play in any team in the championship, I won't even mention Malen. Mora will be able to help from the bench. You needed to sign a winger and it didn't happen, and so that's my assessment. There is no new starter compared to last year." Piero Torri suggested Roma may explore free agents including Sancho or Sterling to address the problem, saying: "I believe Roma will think about it. If Dybala stays fit over the coming months, the problem doesn't exist, because Dybala and Malen play there, and then you pick the third. If luck smiles on Roma and from now until 31 December, the absence of the left winger can become less damaging. But in any case I would go out and get a seventh player up front." The window closed with the squad expanded but incomplete.

Roma are using the international break to work away from the spotlight, with experienced midfielders Marten de Roon and Lorenzo Pellegrini among the senior figures remaining at Trigoria to strengthen their position in the pecking order ahead of the squad's return to action. The Giallorossi want to maintain their strong form when fixtures resume, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini central to Roma's resurgence both on and off the pitch. The club has returned to Champions League football for the first time in seven years, and the financial picture has improved alongside sporting progress. Gasperini has been instrumental in this turnaround, replicating the sustained success he achieved during his nine-year spell at Atalanta. Roma's squad is now valued approximately €150 million higher than it was a year ago, reflecting both the quality of recruitment and the effectiveness of the coaching environment. The improvement comes despite the competitive demands of the current season. The break gives Roma's players the chance to work in concentrated fashion on the training ground without the pressure of immediate fixtures, positioning the club well for the demanding schedule ahead.

Gian Piero Gasperini is using the international break strategically at Trigoria, with 12 Roma players away on international duty. Rather than pause, the club's training ground remains the headquarters for squad members to press claims for selection, and two experienced midfielders are positioned to make an impact on their return: Marten de Roon and Lorenzo Pellegrini. De Roon arrived on 30 August in the final hours of the transfer window with a reputation as "Gasperini's soldier". The 35-year-old Dutch midfielder made his debut the day after in Lecce, appeared briefly against Fenerbahce, and demonstrated his worth against Torino with 4 interceptions in the final 26 minutes as Roma pushed for a second goal. His qualities of interception, intensity and tactical reading vindicated Gasperini's decision to bring him to the capital. De Roon was ready to enter against Inter but had to wait when Balerdi's cramps forced Koulierakis into his debut instead. This break now offers ideal opportunity to build fitness after spending the summer on the fringes at Atalanta. With a demanding October and November schedule of nine matches in 27 days ahead, De Roon will deserve regular midfield time, alternating with Cristante alongside either Koné or Pisilli. Pellegrini, Roma's number 7, offers versatility as attacking midfielder and box-to-box option given Gasperini's midfielders' constant attacking runs. After signing a contract renewal last summer, his target is to fully recover from the injury that has sidelined him in recent months. Working at Trigoria without international travel fatigue will restore sharpness to his legs ahead of the fixture congestion. Pellegrini's experience and leadership, combined with the attachment to the Roma shirt he has never hidden, will give Gasperini another weapon to rotate the attacking midfield and deeper positions alike.

Roma's radio pundits have delivered their verdicts on the club's title credentials and recent form, with particular focus on goalkeeper Mile Svilar's importance, Leonardo Balerdi's unexpected impact, and concerns over player availability. Nando Orsi told Radio Radio Mattino that Roma were constructed this season to compete for the Serie A title, though he noted few say so openly for superstitious reasons. "The Inter have calculative deficiencies that need to be fixed," he said. "Roma is strong and capable; it just needs to manage its forces. Those who say otherwise do so out of superstition. Roma has a strong squad—Saturday's match confirmed they are among the strongest. Juventus, Milan and Napoli don't seem like teams that can compete: they are too inconsistent. Roma and Inter instead are more ready at a technical and squad level." Orsi added that despite Inter's perceived weakness, Roma remain genuine contenders. Lorenzo Pes highlighted Svilar as a decisive factor for Roma's defence. "Compared to several competitors, including Inter and Como, Roma can boast an element that gives security to the defence and to those watching," he said. "A goalkeeper who brings points is additional help. If Roma's squad can increase goals, it will become interesting, because so far most goals have come from Malen, Soulé and Pisilli." On the squad's recuperation, Simone Valdarchi noted that Lorenzo Pellegrini, despite fully recovering from injury, must still regain match rhythm through work at Trigoria in the coming weeks. Roberto Pruzzo called Leonardo Balerdi a positive surprise: "He is reactive, very practical and does not take unnecessary risks. On the defensive phase he is numerically sound and is added value." Mario Mattioli described Balerdi as an experienced player who made 200 appearances in the French league and is demonstrating his worth in Italy. Both Valdarchi and Piero Torri flagged concerns over the potential absence of Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina for Argentina's farewell tribute to Lionel Messi, with fixtures against Como imminent. Torri stated: "The fact that Roma doesn't view the possible departure of Dybala and Molina for Argentina's party favourably seems right to me. Facing two long trips hours before Como–Roma cannot be well regarded."