Mancini to wear number 23, Fagioli given number 10 as Italy face France

Roma continued their preparation at Trigoria on 2 October with a session focused on the international break, as head coach Gian Piero Gasperini worked with a reduced squad while players were away on national team duty. The club's next fixture is a trip to Como on Sunday 11 October at 12:30, where they will face the Serie A side at the Stadio Sinigaglia. Lorenzo Pellegrini trained regularly with the group and has recovered from injury, though he remains without competitive minutes this season. The Como match could offer him an opportunity to return to action, with Gasperini to assess his readiness based on the coming days' training. Wesley and Donyell Malen are expected to return to full training in the next few days as staff monitor their condition, while Bryan Cristante will miss the Como fixture due to a knee problem. Roma's sporting director Tony D'Amico attended the session at Trigoria to oversee preparations for the away trip.

Gianluca Mancini will start and wear the captain's armband for Roma's trip to Como, restoring him to the leadership role after a mixed opening to the season. The centre-back has faced criticism from supporters for defensive errors against Fenerbahce and Inter, though he was a standout performer in the victory over Torino. He also received scrutiny in international play for his marking on Godts during Belgium's goal at the Olimpico. Gasperini retains full faith in Mancini, who remains a trusted figure at the club. With Bryan Cristante unavailable and Lorenzo Pellegrini on the bench, the captain's armband passes to Mancini for the fixture. Como, managed by Fabregas, will present a stern test, particularly against Ramon—the midfielder with whom Mancini clashed in their previous meeting last season. The contest carries significant weight in the title race. Mancini reflected on that earlier confrontation: "There was a collision in play with Ramon, normal things. He grabbed me by the neck, and at 20 years old I had far more respect for older players, otherwise I would have taken a few slaps in the tunnel. I told Ramon to stay calm and not get angry. It happens after the match." After the previous fixture, Fabregas approached Mancini to discuss the incident, though the exchange lasted only seconds. The two will face each other again in the coming match.

Roma held a training session at Trigoria on Friday 2 October, with director of sport Vincenzo D'Amico present alongside head coach Gian Piero Gasperini as the club prepares for the resumption of Serie A action. Three players were absent from the session due to injury: Bryan Cristante, Donyell Malen and Wesley. Cristante's situation is the most concerning. The midfielder is suffering from knee inflammation, and his availability for the away fixture against Como on 11 October appears very unlikely. The injury threatens to affect his readiness for Roma's Champions League match against Real Madrid just three days after the Como game. Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini trained regularly with the group and are both working to build their fitness during the international break, aiming to increase their influence in Gasperini's plans for the Como match. Roma face a demanding run of matches after the domestic season resumes, and the medical staff will continue monitoring the injured players as they seek to have as many men available as possible for the opening stretch of the campaign.

Gianluca Mancini will start and wear the captain's armband for Roma's trip to Como, restoring him to the leadership role after a mixed opening to the season. The centre-back has faced criticism from supporters for defensive errors against Fenerbahce and Inter, though he was a standout performer in the victory over Torino. He also received scrutiny in international play for his marking on Godts during Belgium's goal at the Olimpico. Gasperini retains full faith in Mancini, who remains a trusted figure at the club. With Bryan Cristante unavailable and Lorenzo Pellegrini on the bench, the captain's armband passes to Mancini for the fixture. Como, managed by Fabregas, will present a stern test, particularly against Ramon—the midfielder with whom Mancini clashed in their previous meeting last season. The contest carries significant weight in the title race. Mancini reflected on that earlier confrontation: "There was a collision in play with Ramon, normal things. He grabbed me by the neck, and at 20 years old I had far more respect for older players, otherwise I would have taken a few slaps in the tunnel. I told Ramon to stay calm and not get angry. It happens after the match." After the previous fixture, Fabregas approached Mancini to discuss the incident, though the exchange lasted only seconds. The two will face each other again in the coming match.

Manu Koné has spoken ahead of tomorrow evening's France-Italy match at the Stade de France, where he will face his Roma teammate Gianluca Mancini. In an interview shared on the French national team's Instagram account, the midfielder addressed his priorities for the fixture and answered questions about his preferences between France and Italy across various categories. On the match itself, Koné said: "As a Roma player I want to win. There will be plenty of banter and teasing, but beyond that I know it's an important match for the country and for the coach. So we want to win. That's the most important thing." The 24-year-old midfielder joined Roma on loan with an obligation to buy from Borussia Mönchengladbach in August 2024 and has become a key squad member under manager Gian Piero Gasperini. When asked about his culinary preferences, Koné chose French cuisine over Italian, though he named pasta as his preferred dish, remarking: "Their pasta is incredible." He selected French music over Italian, and when asked which French national teammate he would take sightseeing in Rome, he named Maghnes Akliouche, saying: "He needs to, he should open up a bit more." On what he misses from France while in Italy, Koné answered simply: "Breakfast." Of returning to the Stade de France in this context, he said: "I know it will be incredible to return to the Stade de France in this way. I hope we can manage to win."

Donyell Malen has been named Serie A Player of the Month after a striking start to the 2026-27 season. The forward has scored 6 goals in Roma's first 5 matches, establishing himself as the team's primary attacking focus under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Gasperini has deployed Malen as a centre forward rather than in a wide role, a change from his previous career positions that has yielded immediate results since his arrival in January. In national team news, Gianluca Mancini returns to Italy's squad for tomorrow's Nations League group-stage fixture against France at 20:45, having been rested during the preceding match against Turkey. Daniele Ghilardi, the other Roma player in contention, has been left out and remains without a senior international debut. Rodrigo Mora featured prominently for Portugal U21 in a 4-0 European Championship qualifier victory over Gibraltar, playing 60 minutes and opening the match with a spectacular overhead kick from just inside the penalty area. He drew a standing ovation when substituted after continuing to impress with creative play. Meanwhile, Roma president Dan Friedkin has personally engaged with UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin to address the club's financial fair play breach ahead of a verdict expected in November. The two met during the assembly of European clubs in Copenhagen, where Friedkin outlined Roma's case: declining losses, consistent improvement in accounts, and future revenue growth from Champions League participation and the new stadium project. The discussion centred on Roma's failure to meet the financial objectives set four years earlier under the original UEFA agreement. Local media commentary has begun focusing on Roma's upcoming fixtures against Como and Real Madrid. Analysts have suggested that Mora could start against Como, given that Matías Soulé will have limited preparation time on his return, and that midfielder Marten de Roon could add midfield depth. One observer noted that Mora may prove decisive in the Real Madrid encounter: "The Real Madrid match seems the right one for Mora: he could become the decisive factor. Compared to last season Roma has more quality. Everyone can rotate and I think Gasperini will play them all in the coming matches."

Roma radio stations debated the club's immediate fixtures and stadium plans on 2 October, with key voices offering contrasting views on priorities and squad management ahead of a taxing schedule. David Rossi told Rete Sport that Roma's match against Real Madrid is the least important of the next three fixtures in his assessment. "Delle prossime tre partite, quella meno importante per me è Roma-Real Madrid," he said, though he acknowledged the risk that a strong performance against the Spanish club could have unforeseen consequences. "Però se prendi la super-sveglia contro il Real, poi rischi che possa lasciare il segno e allora non ti puoi allargare. Ma col Real rischi di perdere anche se ti giochi i resti, perchè loro sono comunque più forti." Rossi expected defensive rotation, anticipating Emanuele Lulli or Daniele Ghilardi against Genoa, and noted concerns about Wesley and Nahuel Molina potentially playing all three matches. Bryan Cristante's availability was downplayed as a minor concern given Marten de Roon's presence in the squad. Gianluca Piacentini drew stark contrasts between this season and last, saying: "La Roma dell'anno scorso e quella di quest'anno sono due squadre di due paesi diversi, manco due campionati diversi." He praised the overall squad output under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini but noted a paradox—low conversion despite high volume—even after two 4–0 victories. On points targets, Piacentini stated: "Se contro Como e Genoa dovessi fare 4 punti sarebbe tanta roba, ma pure se li facessi contro Real Madrid e Slovan Bratislava. Per due vittorie e due pareggi firmerei subito." Checco Oddo Casano highlighted Rodrigo Mora's directness as a tactical advantage, observing that Roma now shoots significantly more often at goal this season, though he questioned whether this reflected Donyell Malen's arrival or broader squad work. Stadium development dominated the latter portion of the discussion. Paolo Cosenza raised concerns about siting a new ground near a hospital, while Mario Corsi countered that ambulance delays are a city-wide problem affecting the Stadio Olimpico already. Alessandro Antinelli noted the proposed Roma stadium is a strong candidate for Euro 2032 should construction begin in spring, and would regenerate the area. Stefano Carina reported Mayor Gualtieri's two-and-a-half-year completion timeline and noted the Pietralata site is among Euro 2032 venues, though he expressed concern about ticket affordability in the new facility.

Donyell Malen has been named Serie A Player of the Month after a striking start to the 2026-27 season. The forward has scored 6 goals in Roma's first 5 matches, establishing himself as the team's primary attacking focus under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Gasperini has deployed Malen as a centre forward rather than in a wide role, a change from his previous career positions that has yielded immediate results since his arrival in January. In national team news, Gianluca Mancini returns to Italy's squad for tomorrow's Nations League group-stage fixture against France at 20:45, having been rested during the preceding match against Turkey. Daniele Ghilardi, the other Roma player in contention, has been left out and remains without a senior international debut. Rodrigo Mora featured prominently for Portugal U21 in a 4-0 European Championship qualifier victory over Gibraltar, playing 60 minutes and opening the match with a spectacular overhead kick from just inside the penalty area. He drew a standing ovation when substituted after continuing to impress with creative play. Meanwhile, Roma president Dan Friedkin has personally engaged with UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin to address the club's financial fair play breach ahead of a verdict expected in November. The two met during the assembly of European clubs in Copenhagen, where Friedkin outlined Roma's case: declining losses, consistent improvement in accounts, and future revenue growth from Champions League participation and the new stadium project. The discussion centred on Roma's failure to meet the financial objectives set four years earlier under the original UEFA agreement. Local media commentary has begun focusing on Roma's upcoming fixtures against Como and Real Madrid. Analysts have suggested that Mora could start against Como, given that Matías Soulé will have limited preparation time on his return, and that midfielder Marten de Roon could add midfield depth. One observer noted that Mora may prove decisive in the Real Madrid encounter: "The Real Madrid match seems the right one for Mora: he could become the decisive factor. Compared to last season Roma has more quality. Everyone can rotate and I think Gasperini will play them all in the coming matches."

Roma enter a critical period from 11 October that will reveal whether their depth can match their starting XI. Between the away trip to Como and the home fixture against Sassuolo on 7 November, the Giallorossi will play nine matches in 28 days—six in Serie A and three in the UEFA Champions League—at an average of one game every three days. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has built his team around a recognisable core of first-choice players, but that group will no longer be enough. The test will determine whether those who have played less can step up without a noticeable drop in performance. Through the first five matchdays, the numbers reveal Gasperini's structural priorities. Goalkeeper Mile Svilar has not missed a minute in the league; Bryan Cristante has played 424 minutes, Mario Hermoso 419, Paulo Dybala 407 and Gianluca Mancini 392. Eight players have exceeded 300 minutes, forming the nucleus around which the team has built its current lead. Donyell Malen has scored six goals in five league matches and become the technical reference point of the attack, while Dybala has contributed four assists. Cristante, Hermoso and Mancini have provided near-absolute continuity and reliability. The midfield partnership of Cristante and Manu Koné has been the reference pairing, with different but complementary characteristics, while Marten de Roon and Niccolò Pisilli have seen far less action. De Roon knows Gasperini's football intimately and can guarantee balance and reading of play, but has been used mainly in brief spells; Pisilli brings dynamism and runs forward but must prove he can perform when the opponent's quality rises. Matches against Real Madrid, Napoli and Manchester United will inevitably create minutes for both. The defence faces similar pressures. Mancini and Hermoso have been almost untouchable, but the competition behind them is abundant: Leonardo Balerdi, Daniele Ghilardi and Konstantinos Koulierakis must transform from alternatives into genuinely interchangeable options. Ghilardi has already accumulated 142 league minutes, while Koulierakis has been used far less despite the summer investment. In Gasperini's system, where defenders are asked to accept constant individual duels and play far from their goal, changing a centre-back is never a neutral substitution—the player entering must have fully absorbed the line's timing, aggression and mechanics. On the flanks, rotations will be equally unavoidable. Wesley has been heavily used, young Emanuele Lulli has been a major surprise, and Nahuel Molina has collected 216 Serie A minutes with two starts. Devyne Rensch has found the least space but has always proved reliable. In attack, Matías Soulé has already broken down the distinction between starter and reserve with 279 minutes, three starts, two goals and an assist. Rodrigo Mora has 171 league minutes and a goal across two starts but has seen his space diminish. Santiago Castro has played little and never started in the league, while Lorenzo Pellegrini arrives after a long absence from official matches and must regain rhythm and standing. The fixture list permits no simple calculations. Como, Real Madrid, Genoa, Slovan Bratislava, Napoli, Cagliari, Udinese, Manchester United and Sassuolo in less than a month means there are no real matches in which to field eleven reserves and rest everyone else. Gasperini must continually shuffle the cards, retaining six or seven men from the core structure each time and progressively introducing others. Roma has shown a competitive first eleven so far; in the next four weeks it must prove it has something more—sixteen or eighteen players capable of sustaining the same level. If the goal is to stay in the highest reaches of Serie A while being competitive in the Champions League, the quality of alternatives becomes almost as important as that of the starters.